Defense One

The pilot of an F-22 just controlled a drone wingman in flight

COMMENTARY by Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith: Our nation requires three ARG/MEUs

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The pilot of an F-22 just controlled a drone wingman in flight The General Atomics linkup is a first for the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft effort.

The pilot of an F-22 just controlled a drone wingman in flight | The General Atomics linkup is a first for the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft effort.

Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech.

Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms | A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech. buff.ly/utkSSyq

Memo lays out path to removing even more defense civilians from their jobs The department, which has met its 8-percent overall reduction goal, is now going after “low performers.”

Memo lays out path to removing even more defense civilians from their jobs | The department, which has met its 8-percent overall reduction goal, is now going after “low performers.”

At NSA, a leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten operations and morale "That’s what happens when your boss disappears, and then some of your lead unicorns also disappear,” one person said.

At NSA, a leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten operations and morale | "That’s what happens when your boss disappears, and then some of your lead unicorns also disappear,” one person said.

What ‘House of Dynamite’ gets right and wrong about nuclear command and control The Netflix film is good on process and tech, but has one major flaw.

COMMENTARY: What ‘House of Dynamite’ gets right and wrong about nuclear command and control | The Netflix film is good on process and tech, but has one major flaw.

Pentagon’s policy shop is ‘a pigpen-like’ mess: Sen. Cotton Senate Armed Services Committee members from both parties question DOD missteps, actions that contravened president’s foreign-policy positions.

Pentagon’s policy shop is ‘a pigpen-like’ mess: Sen. Cotton

The Air Force wants to put private AI data centers on its bases, raising security, land-use fears The service will offer upwards of 3,000 acres across five U.S. bases to qualified developers.

The Air Force wants to put private AI data centers on its bases, raising security, land-use fears | The service will offer upwards of 3,000 acres across five U.S. bases to qualified developers.

New national security strategy could redefine homeland defense: experts Recent budgets have prioritized innovation over deterrence, leaving a widening gap, according to a new report.

New national security strategy could redefine homeland defense: experts | Recent budgets have prioritized innovation over deterrence, leaving a widening gap, according to a new report.

Hegseth fired the Air Force’s top lawyer. The JAG who took on the job is stepping away. It’s been eight months since the service had a Senate-confirmed leader in the role.

EXCLUSIVE: Hegseth fired the Air Force’s top lawyer. The JAG who took on the job is stepping away.

Defense Trade Press Statement on Media Restrictions at the Pentagon
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It took 45 days to rush drone defenses to CENTCOM. That’s no longer good enough: Army vice chief Agile funding could have cut that down to a few days, Gen. Mingus says.

It took 45 days to rush drone defenses to CENTCOM. That’s no longer good enough: Army vice chief | Agile funding could have cut that down to a few days, Gen. Mingus says.

China is ‘pacing threat,’ Army Secretary says—while backing Trump’s homeland defense push Driscoll’s comments follow Pentagon documents detailing shift away from Indo-Pacific.

China is ‘pacing threat,’ Army Secretary says—while backing Trump’s homeland defense push | Driscoll’s comments follow Pentagon documents detailing shift away from Indo-Pacific.

Dismount before contact: Learning to fight with the infantry squad vehicle How the Army is adapting to protect soldiers in its new open-air dune buggy.

Dismount before contact: Learning to fight with the infantry squad vehicle | How the Army is adapting to protect soldiers in its new open-air dune buggy.

Amid shutdown, the Army will do its best to talk transformation, counter-drones, and acquisition reform AUSA's annual meeting is slated to feature a rare public discussion of Pentagon’s new homeland focus.

Amid shutdown, the Army will do its best to talk transformation, counter-drones, and acquisition reform | AUSA's annual meeting is slated to feature a rare public discussion of Pentagon’s new homeland focus.

Homeland pivot isn't affecting troops in South Korea, so far: commander Soldiers are “being fed,” “still training” amid government shutdown, 8th Army commander says.

Homeland pivot isn't affecting troops in South Korea, so far: commander | Soldiers are “being fed,” “still training” amid government shutdown, 8th Army commander says.

Anduril debuts Eagle Eye, a modular, AI-powered soldier headset One variant is being pitched for the Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command program.

Anduril debuts Eagle Eye, a modular, AI-powered soldier headset | One variant is being pitched for the Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command program.

Sikorsky’s unmanned U-HAWK is a UH-60L minus the cockpit As Army mulls retiring its Black Hawks, company touts variant that can carry more while freeing up aircrew.

Sikorsky’s unmanned U-HAWK is a UH-60L minus the cockpit | As Army mulls retiring its Black Hawks, company touts variant that can carry more while freeing up aircrew.

Startup aims to reinvent battlefield medicine for the drone era High-intensity conflict will require better connected, more defendable field hospitals for longer term care.

EXCLUSIVE: Startup aims to reinvent battlefield medicine for the drone era | High-intensity conflict will require better connected, more defendable field hospitals for longer term care.

SecDef uses unprecedented meeting to unveil 10 personnel, due-process reviews After summoning senior officers from around the world, Hegseth invites them to resign if they don’t agree with him.

SecDef uses unprecedented meeting to unveil 10 personnel, due-process reviews | After summoning senior officers from around the world, Hegseth invites them to resign if they don’t agree with him. buff.ly/6KoejKy

Inside NATO’s response to Russia’s violation of Estonian airspace Russia’s increasing violations of NATO met with new radars, missiles, “calm heads.”

Inside NATO’s response to Russia’s violation of Estonian airspace | Russia’s increasing violations of NATO met with new radars, missiles, “calm heads.” By Patrick Tucker, reporting from Estonia:

China’s new missiles on parade: showpieces or showstoppers? The Sept. 3 parade was clearly meant to convey China's growing military strength and technological ambition.

ANALYSIS: China’s new missiles on parade: showpieces or showstoppers? | The Sept. 3 parade was clearly meant to convey China's growing military strength and technological ambition.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Agencies should prep for mass layoffs if shutdown occurs, White House says OMB is requesting updated reduction-in-force plans even if a shutdown is averted.

Agencies should prep for mass layoffs if shutdown occurs, White House says | OMB is requesting updated reduction-in-force plans even if a shutdown is averted. buff.ly/eytcrZa

General Atomics’ collaborative combat aircraft notches first flight Competitor Anduril says their version will fly “soon.”

BREAKING: General Atomics’ collaborative combat aircraft notches first flight | Competitor Anduril says their version will fly “soon.”

The Army is equipping its Black Hawks to launch drones But how long will the venerable rotorcraft keep its central role as the service transforms?

The Army is equipping its Black Hawks to launch drones | But how long will the venerable rotorcraft keep its central role as the service transforms?