From National Defense Strategy plans to acquisition overhaul findings: 2026 preview
The coming 12 months could shake up where US troops are positioned and new details about the Golden Dome initiative.
From Army contracting pause to Pentagon acquisition overhaul: 2025 review
In 2025, the Pentagon issued a series of directives giving the Army top cover to move out on a larger acquisition restructuring and host of program terminations.
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America must adopt a Sixth Domain of warfare doctrine
The Sixth Domain is not defined by geography. It’s a new kind of conflict in which autonomy and networked systems allow thousand-dollar consumer electronics to destroy multi-million-dollar conventional weapons systems.
DoD to industry: Start planning now for 2027 deadline banning Chinese parts
“If you start to ask for a waiver starting ‘27 that's going to be a painful process for everyone. We'd rather you go ahead and start early,” said Michael Cadenazzi, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy.
Army launches ‘challenge’ to find division-level Gray Eagle replacement
Service leaders are looking to find industry solutions for short/vertical takeoff and landing (S/VOTL) drones, ones that don’t require a runway, in the Group 4 or above category.
Possible cuts loom as Army streamlines ground vehicle autonomy efforts: Official
“If acquisition reform is going to be successful … it will take us exercising our authority to stop things that don't make sense anymore. Even if they're new,” Army Chief Technology Officer Alex Miller told Breaking Defense.
To field weapons quicker, Pentagon should improve testing and evaluation process: GAO
The office outlines 13 recommendations for the DoD and services that primarily revolve around revising weapon systems' test and evaluation policies to reflect “leading practices” for product development.
Breaking Defense announces Breaking Defense Europe, a new, distinct, European edition
Breaking Defense Europe will launch May 4 with Tim Martin and Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo as co-editors.
Hegseth, counterparts praise AUKUS ‘commitment’ after Pentagon review
“The reviews are done. It's time to deliver,” said John Healey, the UK’s Secretary of State for Defense.
Pentagon acquisition chief pledges new ‘program czars’ will cut red tape, not add to it
Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey outlined key steps taken since an early November mandate to move out on acquisition reform.
Hegseth endorses National Security Strategy, outlines military priorities focused on the West
“We will instead put our nation's practical, concrete interests first,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. “We will deter war. We will advance our interests. We will defend our people. Peace is our goal.”
US National Security Strategy calls for reviving ‘Monroe Doctrine,’ limiting NATO expansion
The document hits Europe hard, stating that the largest issue facing Europe is the "Stark prospect of civilizational erasure."
Modernizing defense enterprise IT without disrupting the mission
Government can’t stop to update systems, so modernization has to happen without interruptions.
Poll finds increasing support for international engagement, Golden Dome spending
“Majorities want the United States to take the lead in international affairs, believe American military superiority is essential, and support a force sized to deter and, if necessary, win conflicts against more than one major adversary at a time,” said a summary of the annual Ronald Reagan Institute poll.
Army eyeing laser weapon capability for new large drone, official says
“We’re not trying to blow up the Death Star. You can blind the optics, start fires, melt plastic, disrupt targeting, overheat electronics. All of that is possible now,” said General Atomics spokesperson C. Mark Brinkley.
MDA picks over 1,000 initial winners for Golden Dome contracting vehicle
In total, the agency is providing awards to 1,014 "qualifying offerors" for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program, under deals that could eventually total $151 billion over 10 years.
For Europe’s ‘drone wall,’ detecting threats is challenge number one: Officials
“Detection — especially detection on the low altitudes — this is the most difficult part and when you add to the drones, the low flying cruise missiles, then the detection is really a challenge,” Estonia’s Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur told Breaking Defense.