Breaking Defense

Army picks Hanwha’s wheeled K9 for self-propelled howitzer prototypes

Army leaders drafting ‘guiding document’ to ask industry for new intelligence tools

The so-called characteristics of need (CoN) approach follows a similar pattern in communications and electromagnetic spectrum capabilities.

By Mark Pomerleau

Space

DoD expands R&D on clearing expired satellites from orbit

The stated goal is to clean out obsolete satellites, though the capabilities could also be used in weapons that move a target bird to an orbit where it no longer can perform its function, disable it in some manner or simply smash it.

By Theresa Hitchens

Air Warfare

Navy clears upgrade for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

Manufacturer Northrop Grumman said that aircraft revamped with a Block II upgrade will be delivered “by the end of the decade.”

By Michael Marrow

Latest News

Naval Warfare, Congress

Diving into Trump’s unusual shipbuilding plans, plus an SMD expo floor tour

The Breaking Defense team unpacks three new directives from the White House that could influence the future of the Navy.

By Breaking Defense Video

Global

Australia, Japan test co-developed high-energy laser

Both countries will also accelerate discussions for Japan to use Australian ranges for hypersonic weapon tests

By Mike Yeo

In this episode:

Insights and observations from this year's Farnborough International Airshow.

Networks & Digital Warfare

RIMPAC exercise tests 3D-printed parts for potential Pacific war

“If we got into a high-intensity conflict right now in the Indo-Pacific, it would be difficult to meet all of the repair and resupply needs,” said FLEETWERX program manager Morgan Bower — but a new approach to 3D printing might help plug the gap.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Naval Warfare

Saildrone expands European footprint with production plans in 3 countries

“The first 52-meter Saildrone Spectre will be built at Van Der Valk Shipyard in the Netherlands, and the next generation of the Saildrone Surveyor will be produced at Umoe Mandal in Norway,” Richard Jenkins, Saildrone’s founder and CEO, said.

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Space

Japan launches second US military payload to monitor space above Indo-Pacific

The data from the hosted payloads on QZS-7 and its predecessor QZS-6 will feed into the US Space Surveillance Network operated by the 18th Space Defense Squadron.

By Theresa Hitchens

Pentagon

Raytheon gets massive $23B contract to boost Tomahawk production

Over the past year, Pentagon leaders have leveraged multiyear contracts for critical munitions as an incentive to get defense primes to make larger investments in their production facilities and supply chain.

By Valerie Insinna

Opinion

What China’s PLA says it is learning from the Iran war

From AI integration to the economics of air and missile defense, Chinese military commentators are paying especially close attention to the US-Israel war in Iran.

By Tye Graham

Pentagon

Trump scales back military exercise with S Korea, calling it ‘costly’ and ‘hostile’ to the North

“These exercises are not only costly […] but send a signal that is completely inappropriate and hostile,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

By Ashley Roque

Naval Warfare

Trump’s call for fifth shipyard likely to run into cost, workforce hurdles: Analysts

The Trump administration's plans for a new shipyard were disclosed in a National Security Presidential Memorandum released Thursday.

By Diana Stancy

Pentagon

Kubasik ousted as L3Harris CEO following conduct violation, company says

L3Harris did not provide specifics on what led to Chris Kubasik’s ouster, but said in a press release that the company “became aware” of conduct by Kubasik “that was not consistent” with its code of conduct.

By Valerie Insinna

Space