Author Archive
Thomas Novelly
Senior Reporter
Thomas Novelly covers air and space warfare as a senior reporter for Defense One. He was previously a reporter for Military.com, where he covered Air Force and Space Force personnel and policy. Before that, he was the military and politics reporter for The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina. He lives in Washington, D.C. Reach him on Signal at tomnovelly.01.
Science & Tech
Pentagon will cough up summaries of three years of safety investigations, per NDAA
Sen. Warren pushed for the disclosure amid rise in military aviation mishaps.
- Thomas Novelly
Science & Tech
Space Force Special Operations Command? Congress has questions, too
The service defended its need for a SOCOM component. Defense experts said it’s redundant.
- Thomas Novelly
Exclusive
Defense
There’s a divide within the Space Force. Congress is forcing the service to address it
The new service was supposed to meld the “tribes” of operators and acquisition specialists. It didn’t happen.
- Thomas Novelly
Science & Tech
Congress supports bare minimum on Navy’s F/A-XX, while fully backing Air Force’s F-47
Appropriators and other lawmakers have pushed for the Navy’s next-gen fighter, but the latest NDAA offers only enough to keep the nascent program warm.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
The $148 billion failure: Watchdog's final report excoriates America’s attempt to rebuild Afghanistan
After nearly two decades of oversight, SIGAR will conclude its work early next year.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Gargantuan Golden Dome contract vehicle clears 1,000-plus firms to vie for slices of $151 billion
One defense expert said it was one of the largest contract ceilings of all time.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
USAF plan to fly C-5, C-17s even longer elicits concern
Service says it needs to hedge against delays to planned Next-Generation Airlift plane.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Space Force won’t say who got money to start developing orbital interceptors
Federal regulations don’t require disclosure for awards under $9 million.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Most of the Air Force’s biggest programs will now be overseen by a 4-star under the deputy SecDef
The centralization of the ICBM, B-21, F-47, and Air Force One programs appears at odds with the Pentagon’s professed acquisition approach, one expert said.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Military aircraft crashes skyrocketed from 2020 to 2024, new data shows
Possible causes include stagnating budgets and increased operations, experts said.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Air Force wants a $500,000 counter-air missile, despite cheaper options
The service wants ideas by December, and hopes to see a modular, ground-launched prototype in two years.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Space Force astronauts? New report says guardians in space would be asset for future ops
Experts say humans in space would be advantage, alongside needed tech improvements.
- Thomas Novelly
Science & Tech
Anduril's drone wingman makes first flight, following software delays
The neoprime contractor lagged behind General Atomics for the inaugural CCA flight test.
- Thomas Novelly
Science & Tech
Air Force can hit ambitious 10-year fighter jet goal—but only with a blank check and a broader inventory
Buying 300 advanced aircraft by 2030 would require ideal conditions from Congress, industry.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
HASC members beg Boeing to negotiate end to ‘disruptive’ fighter-jet worker strike
17 lawmakers signed a letter published the same day as the company’s Q3 earnings call.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Government shutdown has paused discussions on accelerating B-21 bomber production
Northrop Grumman execs remain confident in hitting key milestones amid funding uncertainty.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Shield AI’s unmanned fighter jet concept pitched as a drone wingman or solo aircraft
The company hopes its new autonomous fighter jet can reach an initial flight test by next year.
- Thomas Novelly
Science & Tech
Boeing unveils concept for Army unmanned tiltrotor aircraft amid military push for drones
Renderings reveal a potential robot wingman for the Army’s helicopter fleet.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Air Force spikes plans to stand up command focused on competing with China
Service says it will create a new role focused on modernization efforts instead.
- Thomas Novelly
Defense
Flood of questions leads Missile Defense Agency to push Golden Dome deadline one week
Pitches for a slice of MDA’s 10-year, up-to-$151 billion contract vehicle are now due Oct. 16.
- Thomas Novelly