Defense
China, China, Chi—wait, what? Air Force mulls next steps amid homeland focus
Officials tout applicability of ongoing modernization, but experts and former officials have doubts.
Exclusive
More than 60K defense civilians have left under Hegseth—but officials are mum on the effects
Months into a hastily ordered overhaul, officials declined to disclose metrics, discuss problems.
F-47’s first flight expected in 2028
That’s a year earlier than Air Force officials have previously said Boeing's sixth-gen combat aircraft might take wing.
Has Space Force cracked the code on faster acquisition?
Leaders say the service is “disrupting” the Valley of Death, among other innovations.
Exclusive
When China plays orbital hide-and-seek, Maui’s telescopes give the US an edge
In an interview, Space Force’s Saltzman reveals what’s next for the key sensor site.
Today’s ICBMs may operate until 2050, GAO says
That would be some 15 years longer than the Air Force was planning.
Anduril and Palantir-backed startup Rivet go head-to-head in soldier virtual display competition
The Army awarded more than $350M for the Soldier Borne Mission Command program this month.
Golden Dome: a generational opportunity to modernize national defense infrastructure
If built on a strong technological foundation with fiscal discipline at its core, the Golden Dome presents a rare opportunity to fortify national security while demonstrating responsible government spending, writes Cale Thorne of DMI.
Space Command HQ will move to Alabama, Trump says
Colorado’s use of mail-in voting influenced his decision, he said.
Ukraine’s milestone shows drones prevent defeat, but don’t secure victory
Drone innovation is speeding up, but war has not followed. Is this the future?
Breaking News
General Atomics’ collaborative combat aircraft notches first flight
Competitor Anduril says their version will fly “soon.”
Pentagon stands up new task force to coordinate anti-drone efforts
The Army will be in charge of the outfit, which will replace the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office.
Air Force previews $920M aerospace equipment competition
The multiple-award contract is set up to fast-track the development and fielding of new technologies.
How the Marines’ attack drone team is defining UAV warfare
A competition to find the Corps’ best operators begins this fall.
USAF seeks ‘exact replica’ of Shahed drone to help develop defenses
Some U.S. companies are already showing off their versions.
New Golden Dome details emerge from industry day
Participants, and a Pentagon briefing deck, describe new roles for AI, new ideas for defensive satellites.
Space Force launches experimental satellite to inform future GPS
Delays with ULA’s Vulcan pushed back the launch nearly three years.
ULA’s heavy-lift rocket prepares to launch first Space Force mission
The company plans to loft nine missions this year, down from the once-hoped-for 20.
Anduril becomes third US supplier of rocket motors, company says
Annual production will grow to 6,000 motors by the end of next year, they say.
Lockheed Martin aims to test a missile-killing satellite by 2028
The company’s Golden Dome strategy mixes established missile defense tech with new concepts.
