Breaking Defense

Space

Space Force tasks a dozen companies for Golden Dome space-based interceptors

By Michael Marrow

Space, Pentagon

Satellites at the center: Inside the Pentagon’s next-gen space architecture

From emerging data networks to missile tracking and cyber resilience, Breaking Defense’s latest eBook brings together essential reporting on the evolving role of satellites in national security.

By Breaking Defense

Air Warfare

Lockheed limbo in Lima? Firm says Peru is buying F-16s, but questions remain

Peru's interim president indicated the deal was on hold, as the US Embassy in Lima insists at least part of it has already been signed.

By Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

President Trump should secure America’s nuclear future by taking weapons out of DoE

America’s nuclear weapons arsenal is too central to national defense to be buried inside the Department of Energy, argues Franklin C. Miller and Frank A. Rose.

By Franklin C. Miller and Frank A. Rose

Latest News

Naval Warfare

Three carriers operate in Middle East for first time since 2003: CENTCOM

Aircraft carriers George HW Bush, Abraham Lincoln and Gerald R Ford are now operating in the Middle East amid Operation Epic Fury.

By Diana Stancy

Global

‘Clear divide’ in military readiness for countries on NATO’s eastern flank: Report

"We further found that sustainment in [many Eastern Flank countries] is the real and serious gap: maintenance capabilities, logistical limitations stemming from poor transportation infrastructure ...,” one of the authors of the report told Breaking Defense.

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

In this episode:

• Details of the $1.5 trillion defense budget request, and a key lawmaker’s take on the F-35

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Why enterprise IT modernization matters now – and how to “delight by design”

Do more with less: streamline workflows, reduce duplication, invest upfront to save long-term.

By Breaking Defense

Pentagon

Pentagon’s Munitions Acceleration Council identifies 14 ‘critical’ weapons for 2027

“We're making them put skin in the game … and we expect them to meet the ramp rates that they agree to. And, if they don't, there'll be penalties for them,” said Jules “Jay” Hurst, who is performing the duties of the Pentagon comptroller.

By Ashley Roque

Land Warfare

‘No longer theoretical’: Golden Dome czar touts first steps amid skepticism

When asked if the American public has bought into the program, Guetlein said, “No.”

By Aaron Mehta

Networks & Digital Warfare

Pentagon workers vibe-code 100,000 AI ‘agents’ to use on unclassified networks

A Google Gemini tool on GenAI.mil allows Defense Department personnel to create their own AI agents to handle data and automate online tasks.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy: A New Era in Defense

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Networks & Digital Warfare

Pentagon workers vibe-code 100,000 AI ‘agents’ to use on unclassified networks

Naval Warfare

Not one-drone-fits-all: Admirals stress unmanned systems tailored to the mission

Air Warfare

Northrop Grumman’s Talon IQ testbed hot-swaps AI brains mid-flight

Opinion

Inside the rise of Project Maven and AI warfare [Book excerpt]

Networks & Digital Warfare

DIA centralizes AI efforts with Digital Modernization Accelerator

Air Warfare

AFCENT awards Kraus Hamdani $270M for solar-powered, long-endurance drones

Networks & Digital Warfare

First set of defensive cyber kits to be delivered to CYBERCOM units

Networks & Digital Warfare

Judge grants Anthropic preliminary injunction but Pentagon CTO says ban still stands

Land Warfare

Companies to enter negotiations to build commercial data centers on Army installations

Global

Swiss Destinus, Shield AI wrap European drone autonomy test campaign

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America must adopt a Sixth Domain of warfare doctrine

The Sixth Domain is not defined by geography. It’s a new kind of conflict in which autonomy and networked systems allow thousand-dollar consumer electronics to destroy multi-million-dollar conventional weapons systems.

By Epirus

Air Warfare

Department of Air Force picks bidders for nuclear microreactors, assigns locations

Supporters say the program could enhance national security by strengthening DoD’s energy sources. Critics, meanwhile, have argued that ANPI’s benefits are illusory, and come with too much cost and risk. 

By Michael Marrow

Air Warfare

EXCLUSIVE: Lockheed exits Navy trainer aircraft competition

After the surprise move, the field of competitors for the Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System has now narrowed to SNC, Boeing, and Textron Aviation Defense in partnership with Leonardo.

By Michael Marrow

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3D vision is redefining how drones navigate without GPS

As “dirty” RF and contested environments proliferate, autonomy increasingly depends on resilient positioning.

By Breaking Defense

Opinion

Multi-sourcing, MOSA, and producibility form next-level defense acquisition reform 

If the Pentagon wants more resilient supply chains, it must stop buying proprietary products and start building programs around multi-sourced and competitive projects.

By Jerry McGinn

Naval Warfare

OMB director launches broadside at shipbuilders to close Sea Air Space 2026

Aaron Mehta and Diana Stancy wrap up this year's conference.

By Breaking Defense Video

Naval Warfare

Navy Secretary Phelan leaving post immediately, Pentagon says

In a surprise move, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said John Phelan's departure was "effective immediately."

By Diana Stancy

Pentagon Buzz News Video

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Pentagon

How the Army is developing its C2 plans

Pentagon

Will the Pentagon have to cut exercises to pay for the Iran war?

Pentagon

Pentagon comptroller says a ‘generational investment’ is coming, but when?

Pentagon

The Pentagon wants to buy 30,000 new drones. Here are the key questions.

Pentagon

Watch Pentagon Buzz, Breaking Defense’s new show on DoD policies, personalities and power

Congress

FY27 budget request negates need for INDOPACOM spending wishlist: Commander

INDOPACOM Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo's comments come as the department begins detailing plans to spend $12 billion next year for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

By Ashley Roque

Space

Space Force shifts from SDA transport layer to new Space Data Network ‘backbone’

A project previously called MILNET will now be funded in a budget line labeled “proliferated LEO SATCOM,” which the Space Force is seeking $1.6 billion in reconciliation funding to kick off.

By Michael Marrow

Naval Warfare

The sights of Sea Air Space Day 3

A selection of photos from day three of Sea Air Space.

By Breaking Defense Staff

Space

Trump taps defense firm execs to lead space acquisition, NRO

Erich Hernandez-Baquero has been selected to serve as the Space Force’s next acquisition czar, while Roger Mason has been nominated as the next director of the National Reconnaissance Office.

By Michael Marrow