Policy
The Pentagon awarded $350M to a firm tied to a senior DOD official
Experts expressed shock at a $281 million contract that was no-bid, enormous for consulting work, and set up as an OTA deal.
Science & Tech
Army’s new command plans to streamline autonomous warfare acquisition
Experts weigh in on what it will take to be successful.
Business
Shield AI expects to fly its unmanned fighter jet within months
The Navy is kicking in $150 million to further develop the X-BAT.
Threats
Army activates sustainment brigade as part of Pacific restructuring
The change will bring some additional soldiers to Okinawa, Japan.
Threats
Recent Taiwan simulation highlights US cyberdefense gaps against China, experts warn
Organizers of a cyber exercise say Washington needs to prepare for attacks that both disrupt civilian services and pressure Taipei without triggering outright military conflict.
Business
Anduril wades into traditional shipbuilding arena with major submarine play
The defense tech company plans to build submarine components at a shipyard outside of Baltimore in which the government will have an approximate 40 percent stake, President Donald Trump said Tuesday.
Policy
The Pentagon’s autonomy command should draw on lessons old and new
AUTOWARCOM will have a big task. Luckily, it’s not starting from scratch.
Threats
Pentagon, FBI personnel-data breaches raise questions
The defense breach, which exposed about 3 million people, went undetected for months.
Policy
US spy chief tapped as White House AI czar
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton will now helm broad domestic technology and economic policy discussions.
Threats
China-linked hackers posed as former US officials, Anthropic employee to target AI experts
Proofpoint identified phishing campaigns that borrowed prominent figures’ identities to approach U.S. policy researchers before attempting to steal access to their cloud accounts.
Policy
Hegseth plans ‘Autonomous Warfare Command’
The military’s 12th combatant command was among a slew of announcements in a Quantico speech Wednesday.
Threats
Pentagon update on National Defense Strategy cites progress, omits key threats
The report to Congress notes accomplishments but masks depleted arsenals, strategic distractions, and a quiet retreat from European defense.
Business
Army awards counterdrone contracts worth more than $4B
But there’s room for more—up to $7 billion.
Ideas
The military may be top-heavy. Don't make things worse with hasty cuts.
Congress should closely monitor Hegseth’s latest effort to reduce the number of generals and admirals.
Policy
White House unveils ‘super intelligence’ executive order and industry accord
The vice president heralded the administration’s preference for working with, instead of regulating, artificial intelligence companies during Tuesday remarks.
Threats
After 40 days of combat, Navy destroyer returns home
During its 10-month deployment, USS Frank Petersen Jr. warded off scores of Iranian missiles and drones.
Threats
Hegseth orders cyber, intelligence agencies to prioritize election defense
The directive comes as the administration has dismantled or reorganized offices that tracked foreign influence and reduced civilian election security support.
Business