Defense
Next wave of Air Force drone wingmen could be cheaper, official says
The service is eyeing flying CCAs alongside the E-7 radar plane and B-21 bomber, in addition to fighters.
Boeing’s defense arm is back in the black, but ‘not claiming victory’ yet
The company reported progress on some of its fixed-price programs.
Industry eyes ‘wicked hard’ Golden Dome space interceptor challenge
Defense companies are eager to stake claims in Trump’s Golden Dome vision.
Putting SPACECOM HQ in Alabama would have saved Pentagon $426 mil, DOD IG says
But then-SPACECOM commander Gen. Dickinson was worried the move would result in significant personnel losses.
Space Force preps ‘international space strategy’ as US-ally ties fray
Gen. Saltzman said military-to-military relations are “business as usual.”
Defense acquisition, exports, and shipbuilding figure in trio of new executive orders
White House orders up plans and proposals for reducing costs and stimulating industrial base.
The US needs ‘weapons in space,’ SPACECOM head says
The Pentagon has long been hesitant to call for or acknowledge the development of orbital weaponry.
Two rocket makers take step toward Space Force launches
Rocket Lab and Stoke Space receive $5 million apiece to prep their launch vehicles for government inspections.
We tried ‘fighting China’ with lower budgets. It didn’t go well.
Tabletop exercises hosted by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments offer one big lesson for the fiscal 2026 spending plan.
How China is expanding its anti-satellite arsenal
The Space Force chief doesn’t like the “curves” of how China is progressing vs the U.S.—and says he doesn’t have the funding to reverse it.
SecDef gives DOD leaders less than two weeks to lay out cuts, changes
A Friday memo opens a new phase in Hegseth’s hurried effort to shrink the defense workforce.
Space Force may use SpaceX satellites instead of developing its own, senator says
The satellites in question are part of the data transport layer of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
USAF chief seeks bigger budget slice
Looking to align with the new administration's priorities, Gen. Allvin said the service plays a central role in deterrence and protecting the homeland.
Pentagon’s use of commercial telecoms draw scrutiny after Chinese breaches
DOD inspector general plans three-pronged inquest at senators’ urging.
SecDef’s software memo causing ‘angst,' defense official says
But that just shows how much the buy-it-faster directive was needed, the Pentagon's acting weapons chief said.
Breaking News
Boeing wins Air Force’s next-gen fighter contract
The company beat out Lockheed to build NGAD, which has been named the F-47.
China is practicing ‘dogfighting’ in space, Space Force says
The capability gap between the U.S. and its competitors has “significantly narrowed.”
Inside Trump's Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield
The proposed Golden Dome concept aims to scale Israel’s battle-tested air defense network more than 400 times over
Consultant tapped to lead industrial policy as Pentagon ponders acquisition reform
Mike Cadenazzi is a Navy intelligence officer-turned-EY managing partner.
Back like it never left: Austin swarmed with defense tech for SXSW
Defense techies, startups, and investors were in full force this week—if not on the main stage.
