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.
Threats
Does Space Force have enough lawyers for tomorrow’s wars? Senators want to know
As service extends its capabilities and reach, SASC orders up a look at its prospective legal needs.
Policy
Trump says Pulte can declassify ‘whatever’ he wants, sparking fears of exposing intelligence secrets
“If he doesn’t care about blowing up cyber exploits, putting foreign relationships at risk, or getting people killed, he could declassify a lot,” one former official said.
Science & Tech
GenAI.mil records almost 1.7M users, plans new model additions
“It's just a really exciting time for generative AI in the department,” the Pentagon’s chief artificial intelligence officer said.
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.
Threats
Philippine exercise showcased Marine Littoral Regiment’s growth
3rd MLR basically did exactly what it was designed to do,” Col. Gabe Diana said.
Threats
Marines from multiple nations train together for potential future conflict
Infantry skills exercises were part of ongoing RIMPAC.
Business
Anduril and Amazon’s mobile data center venture aims to bring edge computing to the frontlines
Amazon Web Services named the defense firm as the preferred national security provider.
Defense Systems
AWS launches Secret Cloud for industry’s classified workloads
The company made several announcements geared towards its government customers, including up to $1 billion in cloud credits for U.S. intelligence agencies.
Business
Lawmaker warns of administration’s ‘fetishization’ of Silicon Valley startups
Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., discussed his plans to scrutinize Trump-era contracting practices, revive federal IT oversight, and push for AI policy.
Science & Tech
Pentagon recruiting new tech talent for AI implementation
“War Force” of young two-year recruits will get access to “policymaking and national-scale impact,” according to the announcement.
Science & Tech
Army using AI, robot boats for Pacific logistics
“If you can work in the Pacific, you can work anywhere in the world,” said Maj. Gen. Gavin Gardner.
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.
Science & Tech
Agentic-AI tools aim to give US commanders new target options ‘within seconds’
But concerns persist about the power and governance of software agents.
Ideas
What is the Chinese military thinking about the Iran war?
Let’s imagine what a senior PLA analyst might write in a memo.
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.
Policy
House, mostly, backs $1.5B White House moves to fund E-7 Wedgetail
A shuffle of classified Air Force funds was OK’d, but a withdrawal from the Navy was stopped.
Science & Tech