Breaking Defense

AMTI ASAP: Space Force readying multi-source acquisition for satellites to track aircraft

Space

China, Russia experiment with stealthy satellites, Space Force official says

"Not only are [some Chinese satellites] difficult to visually acquire, that shape, they believe, would be incredibly beneficial in terms of masses of the radar cross section," Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch said.

By Theresa Hitchens

Pentagon

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.

By Ashley Roque

How a mid-tier landed the Air Force’s “Doomsday” plane

From SAOC to other programs, open architecture and government-owned data cut sustainment costs and speed modernization.

By Breaking Defense

Latest News

Air Warfare

US will sell F-35 to Saudi Arabia: Trump

The statement from Trump came ahead of a meeting this week with Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman.

By Agnes Helou and Aaron Mehta

Networks & Digital Warfare

From lasers to logistics: Pentagon CTO announces top six tech priorities

Under Secretary for Research & Engineering Emil Michael pruned a sprawling list of “critical technology areas” down from 14 to just six: AI, quantum, biomanufacturing, contested logistics, directed energy (lasers, microwave weapons, et al), and hypersonics. His aim: “deliver capabilities” in three years or less.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

In this episode:

With the Reagan National Defense Forum in the rearview mirror, lawmakers are zeroing in on a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act.

Land Warfare

New Army-led task force plans to stand up digital marketplace for counter-drone tech

"We've got a wide variety of counter-UAS tools, and I actually think that we need all of them, because depending on where you are or what threat you're focused on, your requirements will be slightly different,” Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, commander of JIATF 401, said.

By Carley Welch

Land Warfare

Army doubles balloons for upcoming SWARMS demo, adds NORAD to the mix

"We're going to launch in multiple waves, demonstrating what a phased use of these might look like over time," said Andrew Evans inside the Army’s intel shop.

By Ashley Roque

Opinion

Golden Dome: Loosen the gag order, and start talking

If the Pentagon does not start explaining Golden Dome, it will never be built, says Tom Karako of CSIS.

By Tom Karako

Air Warfare

In a first, F-22 pilot controls wingman drone from cockpit, General Atomics says

“We already know the F-22 will play a critical role in crewed-uncrewed teaming operations, and General Atomics is in a unique position to get this started now,” company spokesman C. Mark Brinkley told Breaking Defense.

By Michael Marrow

Air Warfare

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184) (center), accompanied by JMSDF escorts, and U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) (right) forces sail together in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 20, 2025 in support of Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 25. ANNUALEX is a multilateral exercise that enhances the Japan and U.S. alliance, strengthens naval interoperability and demonstrates a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran)

As China pushes out from the First Island Chain, US allies like Japan and the Philippines surveil from nearby

Industrial imbalance grows in the Indo-Pacific as China outbuilds the region in ships and rockets.

By Barry Rosenberg

Air Warfare

Macron hugs Zelenskyy in front of a Rafale fighter

Zelenskyy says Ukraine could buy up to 100 French Rafale fighters

In late October Kyiv signed a similar letter of intent for the potential purchase of scores of Swedish-made Gripen fighters.

By Lee Ferran

Air Warfare

New KC-46 vision system begins test flights, as Boeing eyes more Gulf sales

Boeing defense chief Steve Parker also disputed that cost disputes drove a decision by the US Air Force to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail program, which has now led to NATO reversing plans to buy the aircraft as well.

By Michael Marrow

Air Warfare

Colombia signs $3.6B deal for Gripen fighters

The deal covers 15 Gripen E one-seater aircraft, along with two Gripen F two-seaters and a host of equipment and weapons, the Swedish company announced. Delivery of the jets will take place between 2026 and 2032.

By Aaron Mehta

Naval Warfare

US clears $3.2 billion in missiles for Germany

The missiles may be carried by Germany's new F127 class frigates as part of a maritime air defense capability, a US government notice said.

By Lee Ferran

Global

Potential defense partnerships in the desert: Previewing Dubai Airshow 2025

Aaron Mehta and Michael Marrow of Breaking Defense preview the 2025 Dubai Airshow.

By Breaking Defense Video

Featured:

AMTI ASAP: Space Force readying multi-source acquisition for satellites to track aircraft

China, Russia experiment with stealthy satellites, Space Force official says

To field weapons quicker, Pentagon should improve testing and evaluation process: GAO

How a mid-tier landed the Air Force’s “Doomsday” plane

Latest News

US will sell F-35 to Saudi Arabia: Trump

From lasers to logistics: Pentagon CTO announces top six tech priorities

With the Reagan National Defense Forum in the rearview mirror, lawmakers are zeroing in on a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act.

New Army-led task force plans to stand up digital marketplace for counter-drone tech

Army doubles balloons for upcoming SWARMS demo, adds NORAD to the mix

Multi-Domain Operations: Global C2 and Joint Operations

France’s Safran.AI, UAE’s TII team up on agentic AI for geospatial intelligence

Joint Ukraine-NATO training and analysis team gets classified, AI-enabled Google Cloud

IBCS set for full rate production, Polish milestone, Northrop says

Golden Dome implementation plan under review, Congress may get look this week

Army doubles balloons for upcoming SWARMS demo, adds NORAD to the mix

Golden Dome SBIs will need to be defended from adversary attack: Experts

Pentagon formalizes conventional forces’ role in irregular warfare, but will it stick?

‘That’s a tank’: Army introduces AI-aided target recognition to Next Gen C2 prototype

US slams ‘discriminatory’ draft EU space law as imperiling NATO cooperation

Golden Dome: Loosen the gag order, and start talking

In a first, F-22 pilot controls wingman drone from cockpit, General Atomics says

As China pushes out from the First Island Chain, US allies like Japan and the Philippines surveil from nearby

Zelenskyy says Ukraine could buy up to 100 French Rafale fighters

New KC-46 vision system begins test flights, as Boeing eyes more Gulf sales

Golden Dome: The Path Forward

Inside Honeywell’s business strategy for Golden Dome

Golden Dome faces challenges of size, scope and scale from every angle

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]

Colombia signs $3.6B deal for Gripen fighters

US clears $3.2 billion in missiles for Germany

Potential defense partnerships in the desert: Previewing Dubai Airshow 2025