Breaking Defense

How a ‘priority’ on next-gen tankers paved the way for more Boeing KC-46s

Space

Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27

SpaceX was assigned seven NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches under a contract worth $714 million; ULA two launches worth $428 million.

By Theresa Hitchens

Networks & Digital Warfare

Here’s how the Army is scaling its Next Gen C2 platform to an entire division

Breaking Defense recently visited Fort Carson in Colorado to learn about the Ivy Sting exercises, and how they could change the Army long term.

By Mark Pomerleau

Air Warfare

Photos of China’s tailless J-50 aircraft give hints about stealth profile, likely mission: Experts

“The design is very low drag, and with two even current WS-10C class engines would likely have significant supercruise capabilities at high altitudes, allowing enhanced range and missile reach,” RUSI's Justin Bronk told Breaking Defense.

By Mike Yeo

Latest News

Opinion

The US-ROK test case: Can visas and rules unlock American shipbuilding?

With $150 billion at stake and South Korean companies prepared to invest, focused skilled visas and clear legal guidance can help unlock US shipbuilding capacity.

By Jeffrey M. Voth

Space

Space Rapid Capabilities Office to put radars on sats to warn of space-bound threats

The plan is to award two vendors 24-month Direct to Phase II SBIR grants worth $3M each to demo low-cost, low-weight radars on Space Force satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit.

By Theresa Hitchens

In this episode:

Hitting the highlights from AFA
Talking Turkey and the F-35

Networks & Digital Warfare

Picogrid integrates ‘universal translator’ for stovepiped systems into Palantir’s Maven

The small company’s Legion software is also being integrated with Northrop Grumman’s AiON counter-drone system.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Networks & Digital Warfare

In NGC2 first, Army uses beta artillery data tool in howitzer strike at Ivy Sting 1

Ivy Sting 1 was the first in a series of iterative developments to scale the NGC2 prototype to an entire division.

By Mark Pomerleau

Space

Close the gap: Turn the Franco-German missile early warning into measurable capability

While the US turns its attention to China, Europe needs to turn its focus to developing its own space-based missile early warning efforts, John Sheldon writes in this op-ed.

By John B. Sheldon

Land Warfare

Sierra Nevada reveals BRAWLR air defense system that’s already deployed — somewhere

The company told Breaking Defense in an email this week that BRAWLR has intercepted more than 400 aerial threats since it was first deployed in 2023, though SNC declined to provide additional information.

By Rachel Cohen

Space

What’s in a name: Goodbye Maxar, hello Vantor and Lanteris

Both of the newly named companies are focusing heavily on the national security market for space-related capabilities.

By Theresa Hitchens

Naval Warfare

Coast Guard ‘naming and shaming’ amid spike in Chinese activity near Alaska

Coast Guard and Pentagon officials told Breaking Defense China has steadily increased its patrols near the northernmost state since 2021.

By Justin Katz

Congress

Senate confirms Hung Cao as Navy’s No. 2 civilian

A number of other top civilian positions in the Navy's civilian leadership remain filled by acting officials.

By Justin Katz

Air Warfare

South Korea selects L3Harris proposal for next early warning aircraft

L3Harris proposed its Phoenix aircraft, which is a Bombardier Defense Global 6500 business jet modified with an advanced radar system, for the US ally, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Tuesday.

By Mike Yeo

Air Warfare

Air Force Global Strike chief Bussiere to retire

Lt. Gen. Stephen Davis is slated to succeed Gen. Thomas Bussiere as the head of Air Force Global Strike Command in a ceremony scheduled for Oct. 17.

By Michael Marrow

Networks & Digital Warfare

Army says it’s mitigated ‘critical’ cybersecurity deficiencies in early NGC2 prototype

The service discovered the issues ahead of the first in a series of planned events to scale the NGC2 ecosystem to the division level.

By Mark Pomerleau

Congress

SASC Dems skeptical of Golden Dome price, feasibility

“We need a lot more information before we make decisions to spend hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars," said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.

By Valerie Insinna

Featured:

How a ‘priority’ on next-gen tankers paved the way for more Boeing KC-46s

Space Force taps SpaceX, ULA for first set of critical launches beyond FY27

Here’s how the Army is scaling its Next Gen C2 platform to an entire division

Photos of China’s tailless J-50 aircraft give hints about stealth profile, likely mission: Experts

Latest News

The US-ROK test case: Can visas and rules unlock American shipbuilding?

Space Rapid Capabilities Office to put radars on sats to warn of space-bound threats

Picogrid integrates ‘universal translator’ for stovepiped systems into Palantir’s Maven

In NGC2 first, Army uses beta artillery data tool in howitzer strike at Ivy Sting 1

Multi-Domain Operations: Global C2 and Joint Operations

Here’s how the Army is scaling its Next Gen C2 platform to an entire division

In NGC2 first, Army uses beta artillery data tool in howitzer strike at Ivy Sting 1

Sierra Nevada reveals BRAWLR air defense system that’s already deployed — somewhere

Army says it’s mitigated ‘critical’ cybersecurity deficiencies in early NGC2 prototype

Joint Fires Network will complete transition from R&D to acquisition program Oct. 1

No help from you: Marines’ first Thunderstruck competition tests comms skills in hard places

Report: US counter-drone defenses ‘insufficient’ as China scales up unmanned capabilities

SNC receives second Bombardier jet for Army’s HADES program

EXCLUSIVE: SDA eyeing airborne target tracking satellites demonstration, says Tournear

Close the gap: Turn the Franco-German missile early warning into measurable capability

Sierra Nevada reveals BRAWLR air defense system that’s already deployed — somewhere

What’s in a name: Goodbye Maxar, hello Vantor and Lanteris

Coast Guard ‘naming and shaming’ amid spike in Chinese activity near Alaska

Senate confirms Hung Cao as Navy’s No. 2 civilian

Golden Dome: The Path Forward

Can space-based interceptors really work? What to know about Trump’s plan [VIDEO]

China and Russia won’t like Golden Dome. Here’s how they might respond. [VIDEO]

Golden Dome: Tackling the myths and rumors around America’s new missile shield [VIDEO]

South Korea selects L3Harris proposal for next early warning aircraft

Air Force Global Strike chief Bussiere to retire

Army says it’s mitigated ‘critical’ cybersecurity deficiencies in early NGC2 prototype

SASC Dems skeptical of Golden Dome price, feasibility