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Policy
Meet the 3-star insiders say will be Space Force’s next top leader
Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess is seen as the likely replacement for Gen. Chance Saltzman.
Defense Systems
Navy’s drone refueler notches first flight—but it won’t be on aircraft carriers until 2029
The MQ-25A delay pushes deliveries another two years past the prior reschedule.
Threats
Space Force picks firms to develop Golden Dome’s space-based interceptors
Defense giants and startups vie to create orbital defenses—even as the program’s czar concedes they may be unaffordable.
Threats
US Navy ordered to ‘shoot and kill’ alleged Iranian mine-laying boats amid ceasefire
Hegseth says U.S. has "all the time in the world" as the number of interdicted vessels grows.
Breaking News
Policy
Navy secretary leaving the Pentagon, ‘effective immediately’
His departure, long rumored, came as the Navy is fighting Iran and rolling out its proposed budget.
Defense Systems
Air Force pushes to fund upgraded refueling systems instead of new tanker development
One former military official fears delays for a tanker replacement could hurt the combat fleet.
Threats
Space Force scrambles to repair workforce as massive budget increase looms
The service is trying to recruit at a record pace even as Pentagon officials insist civilian departures didn't hurt acquisition.
Defense Systems
A-10s escape retirement once again amid continued use in Iran war
The Air Force will extend three squadrons to keep the Warthog flying through 2030.
Defense Systems
Space-based missile defense may cost too much for Golden Dome’s 12-figure spending plan
Czar doesn’t know if the ambitious tech can be affordably produced.
Defense Systems
Air Force presses for space-based radar despite AWACS loss in Iran
The service is down to a handful of E-3 radar aircraft, but is pushing off proposals to fund its replacement.
Policy
Space Force’s 2040 vision: a larger force to contend with larger Chinese, Russian threats
Officials speculate there could be 30,000 US satellites—more than twice as many as today.
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Business
Airbus’ autonomous supply-helicopter effort may pave the way for an armed model
An automated perception test involved technology from Shield AI, L3 Harris, and Parry Labs.
Threats
US must adjust to Iran’s use of commercial satellite photos, Space Command says
CENTCOM’s declaration of “space superiority” hasn’t prevented Tehran from putting space to use.
Science & Tech
Put nuclear reactors in space within a few years, White House tells Pentagon
The push follows other Trump-administration efforts to expand nuclear power.
Threats
A Russian space nuke was focus of US wargame, Space Command says
U.S. and allied governments and contractors gamed out implications of a nuclear blast intended to take out satellites.
Policy
HASC chair: Trillion-dollar defense budgets are the ‘new normal.’ Reconciliation is less certain.
Many of the administration’s military space priorities bank on abnormal budget maneuvers.
Defense Systems
‘Everyone wants a spaceplane’: More countries eye on-orbit protection for satellites
New report says France, Germany, India, and Japan aim to emulate U.S., Chinese capabilities.
Threats
The Pentagon claims ‘we control the sky’ over Iran. Experts say the air war isn’t that simple.
Terms such as air superiority are being misapplied, obscuring the dangers that are downing and damaging U.S. aircraft.
Business
Two firms picked as finalists for contract to outsource Army pilot training
Award still planned for September despite lawmakers’ qualms.
Defense Systems
General Atomics pauses drone wingman flight tests after crash
The company is competing for the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft.
