Policy
Acting SecNav: ‘I’m not going to have my son go to war the way I did'
Industry can help prevent the Pentagon from making GWOT-era mistakes, said Hung Cao, filling in for his recently ousted boss.
Science & Tech
SOCOM adding AI, autonomy ‘at every level,’ commander says
Fast adoption illustrates smaller organizations’ ability to harness disruptive tech.
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.
Policy
Marines will update land warfare doctrine as they prep for near-peer, drone-driven fight
Officials previewed Ground Combat Element 2040 plan at the Modern Day Marine conference.
Defense Systems
Textron unveils autonomous ground vehicle designed for Marine Corps littoral units
The RIPSAW M1 demonstrator made its debut on the show floor at the Modern Day Marine conference.
Exclusive
Policy
Experts call for halt of AI chip exports to China after White House distillation warning
An AI policy group argues the move is necessary after the White House warned that Beijing is attempting to use U.S. AI systems to build similar capabilities.
Business
First protest filed against the Army’s troubled MAPS contract
Some in industry are calling the $50 billion professional services vehicle "still a hot mess" as the Army works to answer thousands of questions.
Defense Systems
Pentagon adds Google’s latest model to GenAI.mil as usage soars
Users have built more than 100,000 AI agents using the generative-AI platform, officials said.
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.
Threats
The Pentagon replicated a Ukrainian-style drone attack in Florida. Now it’s changing its counter-drone strategy
Several things—from the players to the technology—set the exercise apart from previous experiments.
Threats
China has ‘deliberate, industrial-scale campaigns’ to steal US AI models, White House says
Administration officials said they would be working with the private sector to counter foreign-led distillation campaigns.
Defense Systems
Exploding shells may turn the Apache helicopter into a drone hunter
Soldier’s idea may help the service capture lessons from Ukraine, Iran.
Business
DOD completes $1B investment in L3Harris missile unit
L3Harris Technologies is keeping an 80% stake in the solid-rocket-motor business, which is becoming a public company.
Policy
Autonomous weapons will be 'key part' of US warfare: Joint Chiefs chairman
Gen. Dan Caine said the Pentagon is looking at autonomous tech for drones and command-and-control, but lawmakers have questions.
Science & Tech
Navy scientists seek tech breakthroughs in areas that companies ignore
With private-sector R&D funding rising, the Office of Naval Research is adjusting to new budget priorities.
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.
Business
The Navy will keep shrinking until the industrial base catches up
A commission on the service’s future is looking at ways to help the service along as ships wear down before they can be replaced.
Threats