Policy
Hegseth confirmed as defense secretary in tie-breaker vote
The controversial Pentagon chief has pledged to be “laser-focused on warfighting.”
Policy
Trump repeals protections for transgender service members
Inauguration-day move clears way to limit their right to serve.
Business
New strategy aims to get 80% of Navy ships deployable
To meet that goal, the service needs to speed up maintenance.
Threats
Disparaged, discontinued...and indispensable? Littoral combat ships take on real-world ops
The battle-tested LCS has moved past its reliability problems, surface-forces leaders said.
Threats
Funding gaps slowing down Marine Corps’ modernization efforts
Force Design 2030 is on track, commandant says, but just barely.
Defense Systems
Navy looking for solutions to power, outfit new destroyer
Weapons options include 5-inch guns and lasers, surface warfare director says.
Policy
‘I know what I don’t know,’ SecDef pick says at confirmation hearing
Hegseth faced questions about his inexperience and fitness as a leader.
Threats
Pentagon 'concerned China will instigate' avoidable conflict: DepSecDef
U.S. is not trying “bait or trick” Beijing into war, Hicks says.
Defense Systems
A new dashboard is helping the CNO keep tabs on readiness and more
Navy data scientists built the tool to help Adm. Franchetti and her staff track top-priority topics with a few clicks.
Threats
New Orleans attack a reminder of ongoing ISIS threat
Diminished terror groups still able to radicalize stateside, official says.
Exclusive
Policy
Army will trim 5% of general-officer jobs in coming years, chief’s spokesman says
Gen. Randy George agrees the Army is “too top-heavy.”
Policy
Bill aims to beef up US shipbuilding
Bipartisan SHIPS Act would add funding, goals, oversight to boost U.S. military, commercial fleets.
Policy
Biden admin will send aid to Ukraine through the end of term
More than $1B in remaining security assistance likely to be spent by end of 2024.
Defense Systems
‘Navy wasted $1.84 billion’: GAO slams cruiser-rehab effort
Poor planning, myriad changes have marred the Congress-mandated effort to refit Ticonderoga cruisers for five more years of life.
Defense Systems
Marines will spend nearly $1B to develop littoral warfighting, upgrade tactical systems
ManTech will do both jobs under two five-year contracts.
Policy
The defense policy bill is handing the Army a to-do list
Add anti-drone systems, make robotic targets, pick a point PEO for open source software—and more in the 2025 NDAA.
Threats
Climate stress is affecting US missions, driving conflict in Africa, official says
The second Trump administration will have to address climate realities one way or another, according to a deputy assistant defense secretary.
Policy