defense-and-military1.56 min read
Pentagon Awards Raytheon $6.3B Contract to Scale SM-3 Interceptor Production
3 days ago•Source: Breaking Defense
Defense And Military News
The latest defense and military stories, each synthesized from multiple sources with added background and context.
Featured Defense And Military Stories
View original source
19.825 min•21 days ago
Ukraine’s F-16 Gun Kills Highlight the Gap Between Emergency Aid and a Modern Air Force
A recent cockpit photo shows a Ukrainian F-16 pilot shooting down a Russian Geran drone with a 20mm cannon during a massive air raid. While this demonstrates pilot skill and the utility of legacy aircraft, experts warn that these older F-16s lack the advanced sensors and networking needed for a modern air force. The focus must shift from simply donating planes to building a comprehensive, sustainable aviation ecosystem.
More Top Stories
2
America’s Marathon War: Stockpiles, Allies, and a Modern Arsenal
Foreign Affairs•4 months ago
3
Trump Takes Aggressive Stance on Defense Contracts and Executive Pay
Defense News•9 months ago
More Defense And Military Stories
Anduril’s YFQ-44A Drone Wingman Completes First Flight Tests
Anduril's YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft has begun flight testing, marking a rapid development from design to flight in just 556 days, with a focus on autonomy, mass production, and collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to enhance air superiority and adapt to evolving threats.
US troop reductions in Eastern Europe spark bipartisan concern and NATO tensions
The Pentagon is experiencing significant disarray, with concerns over uncoordinated decisions, leadership departures, and reduced transparency, raising alarms about the stability and effectiveness of US military strategy and civil-military relations.
Netherlands Partners with US on Unmanned Aircraft Development for F-35 Missions
The Netherlands has joined the US in developing autonomous drone wingmen through a new partnership, gaining full access to the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which could lead to over 1,000 drones in the European theater, enhancing interoperability and defense capabilities.
Media Pushback Against Pentagon's New Press Restrictions
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's attempt to impose strict media restrictions at the Pentagon involves his legal adviser Tim Parlatore, whose dual military and civilian roles have raised concerns about conflicts of interest and influence, amid broader debates over the restrictions' impact on press freedom and transparency.
Pentagon and Trump Team Propose Rapid Military Response Units for Civil Unrest
The Trump administration is considering a plan to establish a rapid-response military 'reaction force' of 600 National Guard troops to be deployed quickly into U.S. cities facing protests or unrest, raising legal, logistical, and societal concerns about the use of military force domestically.
Is the Pacific War Coming to an End?
The US Navy faces a critical decline in size and readiness by 2027, while China rapidly expands its naval capabilities, threatening regional stability. To restore deterrence, the US must accelerate naval shipbuilding, invest in unmanned vessels, and revitalize its industrial base, including commercial maritime industries, to ensure rapid wartime mobilization and counter China's growing naval power.
Trump's Golden Dome Seeks New Allies Amid SpaceX and Bezos Tensions
The Trump administration is seeking alternatives to SpaceX for building the Golden Dome missile defense system, exploring partnerships with Amazon's Project Kuiper and other defense contractors due to strained relations with Musk, aiming to diversify and strengthen the satellite-based defense network amid political and technical challenges.
NATO and U.S. Army Accelerate Military Innovation and Collaboration
NATO's European commander urges rapid industrial mobilization to deliver military capabilities swiftly, emphasizing the need for a seamless industrial base, increased defense spending, and technological advancements to counter threats and enhance alliance readiness.
US Faces Shortfall in Patriot Missiles Amid Ongoing Ukraine Military Aid
The US has only 25% of the Patriot missile interceptors needed for its military plans due to recent high usage, leading to a halt in transfers to Ukraine, though this decision was partially reversed by Trump amid ongoing tensions and military needs.
General Atomics and Saab Collaborate on AEW and Launch New Air Effect
At the Paris Air Show, General Atomics announced a partnership with Saab to equip the MQ-9B Reaper with Saab's AEW sensors for early warning capabilities, aiming for deployment by 2026, and unveiled a new air-launched effect called Pele, a small, autonomous UAS designed for deployment from larger aircraft or ground launch, with a range of operational uses including missile defense and drone swarm countermeasures.