Author Archive

Lauren C. Williams

Business Editor

Lauren C. Williams
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.
Science & Tech

These light-weight power cells run on nuclear waste and could power next-gen drones

DARPA program aims to create a 30-year battery minimally viable prototype by early 2027.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems

Under new management: the Pentagon’s autonomous systems get new oversight

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the creation of the DRPM-UxS, or direct reporting portfolio manager for unmanned offensive and defensive systems, via memo.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Defense Business Brief: A radar-maker’s answer to the drone boom; the Army’s private capital appetite; One lawmaker’s caution for contractors

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Marine Corps inks first contract for autonomous ground vehicle production

A nearly $20 million contract aims to integrate autonomous ground vehicles in the service’s ground based air defense missions.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Science & Tech

Could the Army’s light squad vehicle power battlefield drones?

A mobile brigade in the 101st Airborne Division put drones to the test in a recent training rotation—and used the Infantry Squad Vehicle to keep unmanned systems running.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Defense Business Brief: SECARMY’s dream marketplace; USARPAC + USVs; and Quantum EOs

  • Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems

Army aims to sync two divisions using next-gen C2 by year’s end

The effort will be led by Anduril, which ran NGC2 prototyping at 4th ID.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems

NDAA provisions would reshape Pentagon’s use of ownership stakes in private companies

A Senate defense panel aims to place guardrails on direct equity investments, create an oversight board, and require briefings.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Defense Business Brief: Tech Summit recap; Invoking the Defense Production Act; and INDOPACOM’s name change

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Defense Business Brief: Reactors for military bases?; NDAA update; Drone-boat rescue

  • Lauren C. Williams
Policy

House lawmakers want the Navy to deploy drone boats faster

HASC’s draft of the 2027 defense policy bill would push service leaders to develop a clear strategy.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Featured eBooks
The Future of Naval Warfare
Golden Dome Insights & Updates
Intel and Analytics
Business

Defense Business Brief: Cyber force, outlined; Shipbuilding game; USMC’s JLTV plea

  • Lauren C. Williams
Science & Tech

The Navy wants next-generation munitions, so it’s spending millions on innovation hubs

The service is teaming up with industrial park-builder ACMI to create an energetics facility in Maryland.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems

The Navy used drones to sink a retired warship

Lessons from the SINKEX are shaping the service’s plans to buy and fight.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Defense Business Brief: Defense cyber champs?; HASC mark; Navy IW

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Defense Business Brief: Hybrid sky drones; Amphibs; Mobile data centers and a bit more

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Navy greenlights low-rate production of drone refueler

A contract for three MQ-25A aircraft is expected this summer.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

Defense Business Brief: Tulsa’s space draw; Cadenazzi’s wish; Anduril’s $5B round

  • Lauren C. Williams
Business

This company wants to make 1,000 satellites a year

Quantum Space is building a Tulsa factory for its not-yet-flown Ranger satellite.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems

Drone boats make debut in Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan

Service officials envision a 450-hull fleet by 2031.

  • Lauren C. Williams