Author Archive
Lauren C. Williams
Business Editor
Lauren C. Williams is Business Editor for Defense One. She previously covered defense technology and cybersecurity for FCW and Defense Systems. Williams has reported for various publications on topics from internet culture and health care, politics to crime. She has a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Delaware. Contact her on Signal: laurencw.62.
Business
Northrop Grumman to fly new, improved CCA offering next year
The company spent 15 months redesigning and building a robot wingman after losing its initial bid for the U.S. Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft program.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
NATO has built a cloud for Ukraine’s classified battle data
The last hurdle is figuring out information-sharing policies to keep it all safe.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Building maritime drones in months—not years—could be key to creating the Navy’s hybrid fleet
“That’s the kind of pace we need,” said House Armed Services Committee Vice Chair Rob Wittman.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Anduril to build autonomous vessel prototype in Korea
The announcement is part of a new partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries—a leading shipbuilder worldwide.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Unveiling acquisition overhaul, Hegseth tells industry to get with the program
One expert said the reforms would sweep away Cold War processes—and draw backlash from established primes.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Defense tech companies will weather the shutdown. But what happens next?
Some primes are doing all right, while small companies brace for uncertainty under a CR.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms
A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech.
- Thomas Novelly, Lauren C. Williams and Patrick Tucker
Business
‘Cautious’ optimism follows top warship builder’s productivity, workforce wins
For HII, higher wages attracted seasoned shipyard workers and boosted retention.
- Lauren C. Williams
Threats
STRATCOM nominee takes heat hours after Trump’s nuclear-test bombshell
In and around Vice Adm. Richard Correll’s confirmation hearing, senators criticized the president's new interest in testing.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Meet the White House pick to conquer the ‘Valley of Death’
James Caggy, a former advisor for the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office, wants companies’ tech to match operational needs.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Senators challenge Hegseth’s bottleneck on communications with Congress
The Senate Armed Services chairman said new limits in a recent memo “may need to be clarified.”
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
General Dynamics CEO warns of government shutdown effects
The company raked in nearly $13 billion in revenue for Q3, including about $4 billion from shipbuilding.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
With cautious optimism, some defense firms lock in on prototypes to drive demand
Could the “Field of Dreams” mantra—if you build it, they will buy—help the Pentagon buy smarter, faster?
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Lockheed basks in F-35 delivery win
Execs said the company delivered 46 aircraft in the third quarter of the year.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Today’s D Brief: EU backs Ukraine peace talks; AUKUS, back on; AI in Europe; NNSA idles most staff; And a bit more.
- Lauren C. Williams and Bradley Peniston
Threats
Today’s D Brief: No Tomahawks for Kyiv; Ukraine hits gas refinery; Prisoners taken in boat strike; Violence mars Gaza ceasefire; And a bit more.
- Bradley Peniston and Lauren C. Williams
Business
The Netherlands joins US Air Force’s robot wingman program
The U.S. ally also agreed to develop small drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with General Atomics.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Counterdrone tech has a production problem
Big defense prime companies pairing with scrappy upstarts could help tip the scales.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Defense tech has a new unicorn
Data-tech startup Govini cinched $150 million in growth capital, tipping the company’s valuation over the $1 billion mark.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
‘Stop trying to control every step’ of shipbuilding, senator tells Navy
Focus less on requirements and more on outcomes, says Montana’s Sheehy, and the entire Pentagon might get on board.
- Lauren C. Williams