Defense One

Pentagon’s war on Anthropic based on ‘dubious’ legal thinking and ideology—not real risk, sources say The company will "likely file suit against everybody,” one legal expert said.

Pentagon’s war on Anthropic based on ‘dubious’ legal thinking and ideology—not real risk, sources say

Shahed drone meets clone in US war on Iran The Feb. 28 strikes saw the first combat use of the LUCAS, a near-copy of Iran’s cheap and effective Shahed-136.

Shahed drone meets clone in US war on Iran | The Feb. 28 strikes saw the first combat use of the LUCAS, a near-copy of Iran’s cheap and effective Shahed-136.

First 24 hours of Trump's war on Iran, by the numbers As of Sunday morning, three service members have been killed and five wounded in Operation Epic Fury.

First 24 hours of Trump's war on Iran, by the numbers |

‘It sounded relentless’: American in Bahrain describes days of drone and missile attacks A “constant barrage of sirens, missile impacts, Patriot interceptors, drones, and jet engines.”

‘It sounded relentless’: American in Bahrain describes days of drone and missile attacks

Hegseth: second operation against Iran won’t lead to another ‘forever war’ Casualties include four U.S. service member deaths, three F-15s downed by friendly fire.

Hegseth: second operation against Iran won’t lead to another ‘forever war’ | Casualties include four U.S. service member deaths, three F-15s downed by friendly fire.

USAF ‘woefully behind’ on modernizing mobility aircraft, airlift commander says Pushing aging aircraft decades past their service life is the emerging service strategy.

USAF ‘woefully behind’ on modernizing mobility aircraft, airlift commander says

25th ID helping the Army smooth out the wrinkles in its next-generation C2 Organizing data, automatic spectrum-switching and more from soldiers’ wish lists.

25th ID helping the Army smooth out the wrinkles in its next-generation C2

Pentagon pick to lead homeland defense policy grilled over election security The heated debate follows President Trump’s calls to “nationalize” elections.

Pentagon pick to lead homeland defense policy grilled over election security |

Cost estimate for new Sentinel ICBM plan won’t arrive until year’s end Program managers tout progress, dismiss GAO concerns.

Cost estimate for new Sentinel ICBM plan won’t arrive until year’s end

It would take the Pentagon months to replace Anthropic’s AI tools: sources AI maker digs in with Thursday statement rejecting DOD pleas for unfettered use.

It would take the Pentagon months to replace Anthropic’s AI tools: sources |

Embraer joins Northrop to devise autonomous boom system for KC-390 tanker The deal aims to court international buyers and the Air Force as it sketches out its future refueling program.

Embraer joins Northrop to devise autonomous boom system for KC-390 tanker | by Lauren C. Williams, reporting from Florida:

An MQ-20 drone just teamed up with an F-22 for mock combat missions The drone was able to “exchange messages” with the pilot about patrols, maneuvers, and more.

An MQ-20 drone just teamed up with an F-22 for mock combat missions | The drone was able to “exchange messages” with the pilot about patrols, maneuvers, and more. buff.ly/LTAf1Bo by Tom Novelly, reporting from Colorado

Defense One Radio, Ep. 203: Fictional intelligence The authors of a new series discuss how they're exploring the future of conflict through short stories.

LISTEN NOW: Defense One Radio, Ep. 203: Fictional intelligence | The authors of a new series discuss how they're exploring the future of conflict through short stories.

Air Force’s drone wingmen have started flying with weapons Anduril’s collaborative combat aircraft began “captive carry" testing last month.

Air Force’s drone wingmen have started flying with weapons
Read the story by Tom Novelly, reporting from Colorado:

Air Force reaches deal with Northrop to expand B-21 production The Pentagon wants to spend $4.5 billion in bomber-related reconciliation funds this year alone.

Air Force reaches deal with Northrop to expand B-21 production

Replacement B-52 test engine deliveries expected in 2027 The new F130 engines aim to keep the Cold War-era bomber flying through the 2050s.

EXCLUSIVE: Replacement B-52 test engine deliveries expected in 2027 | The new F130 engines aim to keep the Cold War-era bomber flying through the 2050s.

With an eye on China, Air Force hones its hub-and-spoke approach to basing “The strategic attention is here in this theater,” undersecretary says during a visit to the Indo-Pacific.

With an eye on China, Air Force hones its hub-and-spoke approach to basing | “The strategic attention is here in this theater,” undersecretary says during a visit to the Indo-Pacific.

The US military is taking control of more Texas borderland The Air Force has added about 190 miles of Rio Grande riverbank to the 250 it already oversees.

The US military is taking control of more Texas borderland | The Air Force has added about 190 miles of Rio Grande riverbank to the 250 it already oversees.

Some Army civilians worked during the shutdown—and were told to say they didn’t What started as confusion became a coverup, employees and emails say.

EXCLUSIVE: Some Army civilians worked during the shutdown—and were told to say they didn’t |

Munitions makers say they've been persuaded to invest more in production capacity The administration's last-minute request for a funding bump garnered just $2B, but company execs seem to appreciate the effort.

Munitions makers say they've been persuaded to invest more in production capacity

New Pentagon science-and-innovation board arrives as administration cuts research funding Even as department leaders work to fast-track new tech, the administration is slashing funding that supports and secures innovation.

New Pentagon science-and-innovation board arrives as administration cuts research funding

Pakistan’s burgeoning arms industry is a strategic opportunity for the US A defense-industrial partnership could benefit the Pentagon while mitigating Chinese influence.

COMMENTARY: Pakistan’s burgeoning arms industry is a strategic opportunity for the US

Space-based interceptors make even less sense now The Pentagon and its Golden Dome contractors are proposing to replace one showstopping problem with another.

COMMENTARY: Space-based interceptors make even less sense now

Fears of a nuclear arms race rise as New START expires Fading U.S. leadership has countries from Poland to South Korea thinking about nuclear-weapons programs of their own.

Fears of a nuclear arms race rise as New START expires | Fading U.S. leadership has countries from Poland to South Korea thinking about nuclear-weapons programs of their own.

Our allies passed your test, Mr. President. Would we? A former U.S. infantryman responds to Trump’s amnesiac take on Afghanistan.

COMMENTARY: Our allies passed your test, Mr. President. Would we? | A former U.S. infantryman responds to Trump’s amnesiac take on Afghanistan.

Northrop Grumman CEO: deal to accelerate B-21 production could arrive in months Last year’s government shutdown delayed negotiations between the company and service. Another is looming.

Northrop Grumman CEO: deal to accelerate B-21 production could arrive in months buff.ly/FTEfo2R

Sen. Kelly’s lawyers say Pentagon is attempting to violate his constitutional rights In a court filing, they say that DOJ erred in asserting that retired military officers can be punished for speaking out against DOD policies.

Sen. Kelly’s lawyers say Pentagon is attempting to violate his constitutional rights

Navy shipbuilding stands to get $27 billion in funding in 2026 Compromise spending bill reflects a $6.5 billion increase over the president’s budget request for shipbuilding—and corrects One Big Beautiful Bill accounting miscalculations.

Navy shipbuilding stands to get $27 billion in funding in 2026 | Compromise spending bill reflects a $6.5 billion increase over the president’s budget request for shipbuilding—and corrects One Big Beautiful Bill accounting miscalculations.

Trump’s national defense strategy is unlike anything that’s come before it It touts an end to interventionism and regime change, despite adventurism in Venezuela and Greenland.

Trump’s national defense strategy is unlike anything that’s come before it buff.ly/RLLQqo6

Air Force mum on details of Mideast exercise amid military buildup Similarly, details of a NORAD exercise in Greenland this month were not disclosed.

Air Force mum on details of Mideast exercise amid military buildup |