Breaking Defense

Frank Kendall on the trouble with banning autonomous weapons [Book excerpt]

Global

Major Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri exploring nuclear-powered vessels, CEO says

Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero also touched on several other topics during a closed-door roundtable, including lessons learned from the war in Ukraine regarding naval drones and the future of a common European patrol corvette.

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Pentagon

Pentagon review asks Congress to fence off $5B over 5 years to rebuild ‘deteriorating’ labs

The armed services raid lab funding for more urgent needs like barrack repairs, the study says, leaving researchers in aging, outdated labs “that pose documented safety risks.”

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Air Warfare

Air Force could spend $1.5B, get ‘Doomsday Plane’ data in T-7 engine ‘horse trade’

“There’s goodness in it, but not as a taxpayer," a source told Breaking Defense about the prospective deal. "And only if the Air Force gets it right with its requirements.”

By Michael Marrow

Latest News

Naval Warfare

White House budget director calls for fifth public shipyard amid push to expand fleet

“From a maintenance standpoint, we're pushing hard for an additional public shipyard,” the OMB director said.

By Diana Stancy

Congress

House appropriators approve $1T defense bill, adopt ‘War Department’ renaming

No amendments offered by Democrats survived the long mark up session for the fiscal 2027 spending bill.

By Valerie Insinna

In this episode:

A review of small unmanned systems as well as space-launch options showcased at ILA Berlin 2026.

How integrated modeling and simulation accelerates Europe’s defensive edge

Lockheed Martin’s ACES platform delivers a shared virtual battlespace that strengthens readiness, interoperability, and faster decision-making through advanced, integrated modeling and simulation capabilities designed for evolving global threats.

By Raashi Quattlebaum - Lockheed Martin

Land Warfare

Lockheed inks massive THAAD deal worth up to $35B

The company said the contract “puts in action” the THAAD framework agreement Lockheed signed with the DoD in January designed to quadruple interceptor output.

By Carley Welch

Congress

White House sends $87.6B supplemental to Congress, with $67B for defense

The request includes $21 billion to recoup munitions used in the conflict, as well as other pots of money - some related to the Iran war, some not.

By Valerie Insinna and Ashley Roque

Naval Warfare

Germany nixes multi-billion-dollar F126 frigate program, opts for MEKOs instead

Germany wants to purchase eight MEKO frigates to conduct anti-submarine warfare and satisfy NATO requirements instead.

By Diana Stancy

Space

Boeing wins $2B Space Force contract for 2 new MUOS satellites

Set to be launched "no earlier" than 2031 and 2032, the new satellites will extend the life of the MUOS constellation through 2035, according to SSC.

By Theresa Hitchens

Congress, Pentagon

Pentagon races to spend $152B reconciliation pot — or face cuts

Pentagon program offices are under pressure, juggling the urgency of getting reconciliation funding under contract by Oct. 1 while making sure those contracts include fair pricing and adequate oversight, one defense official told Breaking Defense.

By Ashley Roque and Valerie Insinna

Land Warfare

Army’s top general in Europe set to retire next week

Gen. Christopher Donahue is the latest esteemed officer to leave the military under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s tenure.

By Carley Welch

Opinion

We must ensure the next war is won, not lost, in space. That starts with acquisition.

In his first op-ed since leaving service, Jim Slife, the former Air Force No. 2 officer, lays out how space procurement has been stymied in the past.

By Jim Slife

Global, Naval Warfare

UK industry team looks to miniaturize DragonFire laser for Type 45 destroyer debut

Based on a 2027 target, the UK is set to become the first European NATO nation to operationally deploy novel, laser directed energy technology.

By Tim Martin

Poland buys V-Bat UAVs from Shield AI for naval forces

In Ukraine, V-Bat drones have withstood electronic warfare attacks that have downed other UAVs.

By Bartosz Głowacki

Land Warfare

Army launches new low-cost interceptor program, targets fall for first live fire demo

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said the new LCIs are "not intended" to replace any existing, exquisite air defense systems, but are intended to "supplement" such products.

By Carley Welch

Air Warfare

‘High risk’ sustainment: How Boeing and the Air Force battled over T-7 data rights

The Air Force is "going to struggle mightily" to sustain the T-7 Red Hawk, one source told Breaking Defense.

By Michael Marrow

Breaking Defense

Latest News

Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy: A New Era in Defense

Pentagon Buzz News Video