Breaking Defense

EXCLUSIVE: SNC pulls out of Navy’s trainer jet competition, leaving Textron likely winner

Thales subsidiary lands US Navy contract for remote mine hunting modules

The contract, awarded to Advanced Acoustic Concepts, is worth $53.9 million and also covers engineering support for the modules.

By Diana Stancy

Air Warfare

Air Force divests its few A-29s, explores ‘future options’

A set of three A-29 Super Tucanos are destined for storage after officials at the Air Force Test Pilot School opted against using the turboprops, a spokesperson for Edwards Air Force Base told Breaking Defense.

By Michael Marrow

Naval Warfare

France investing in naval power as military ambition is ‘to be feared’: Armed forces minister

Macron has previously used similar words during his nuclear strategy address in March, when he announced in Brittany an increase in the country’s nuclear warhead stockpile.

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Latest News

Air Warfare

UK reveals future fighter demonstrator design, advances GCAP tech de-risking

An artist rendering of the demonstrator, set to fly for the first time in 2027, showcases a design complete with a single cockpit, twin engine, canted twin tail and delta wing blueprint.

By Tim Martin

Naval Warfare

White House’s new shipbuilding office moved to OMB, leader departs

The staffer leading the relatively new office, Ian Bennitt, announced his departure late Wednesday night on social media.

By Justin Katz

In this episode:

Another busy week for the defense industry, with Euronaval underway in Paris and the International Fighter Conference convening in Germany
A closer look at the Hollywood star who became an Air Force general

Pentagon

From directed energy to AI and hardening, JIATF-401 is widening counter-UAS options

There is no single answer to the drone threat, pushing the Pentagon toward a broader mix of defenses.

By Barry Rosenberg and Casey Laughman

Air Warfare

Trump taps new Air Force, Space Force No. 2s

Pending Senate confirmation, Gen. Thomas Bussiere would become the Air Force's next vice chief of staff, while Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton has been nominated to fill the Space Force's vice role.

By Theresa Hitchens and Michael Marrow

Congress

‘Significant impact’: Senators warn White House over Reciprocal Defense Procurements

"The decision to enter or renew such agreements should be guided by strategic imperatives, not expediency," Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Jim Banks say in a new letter. "Our domestic industrial base should be able to take priority when that goal clashes with other priorities."

By Valerie Insinna

Air Warfare

SASC defense policy bill adds billions for Arleigh Burke destroyer, Sentinel ICBM programs

The Senate Armed Services Committee passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act last week, but details of a $32 billion boost to the topline were only revealed today.

By Theresa Hitchens, Justin Katz, Valerie Insinna, Ashley Roque, Michael Marrow and Carley Welch

Space

Resolute Space exercise focuses Guardians on countering ‘realistic’ threats to satellites

"If the space domain feels pain, the rest of the Joint Force will likely feel that pain as well," said Lt. Col. Shawn Green, commander of the Space Force's 527 Space Aggressor Squadron.

By Theresa Hitchens

Global

If Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, these are the ballistic missiles it will use

Missile analyst Ralph Savelsberg walks through Iran's anti-ship ballistic missile capabilities, and how the US and its partners might try to counter them going forward.

By Ralph Savelsberg

Air Warfare

Airbus, Kratos team to pitch German Air Force drone wingmen

An Airbus spokesperson told Breaking Defense that the partnership, featuring Kratos’s XQ-58A Valkyrie paired with Airbus-provided mission systems, is “offer[ing] our German customer something we believe they have a requirement for in the coming years.”

By Michael Marrow

Congress

Calvert: Growing the defense innovation ecosystem

In this exclusive op-ed, Rep. Ken Calvert, the head of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, calls for bolstering defense innovation in Congress.

By Rep. Ken Calvert

Air Warfare

Netherlands Air Chief urges NATO to examine ‘shortfalls’ without ‘US assets’

“Above all, deep pockets filled with ammunition,” is required, Lt. Gen. André Steur said, “because numbers do matter in the world we live in.”

By Tim Martin

Air Warfare

HASC adds funds for Virginia-class subs, Ukraine in FY26 policy bill

Republicans successfully batted down a number of Democratic amendments during the 14-hour markup session.

By Valerie Insinna

Air Warfare

Michigan: Arsenal of Democracy for dangerous times

Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.

By Barry Rosenberg

Air Warfare

Army’s 25th ID swaps some cannons for HIMARS

“When you compare the HIMARS to a piece of towed artillery, a HIMARS can shoot and move all in one organic platform very rapidly,” 25th ID Commander Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans told reporters.

By Ashley Roque

Air Warfare

The Weekly Break Out: Are cracks developing in the ICE Pact? [Video]

On episode 25 of The Weekly Break Out, editor Lee Ferran is joined by reporters Justin Katz and Carley Welch to talk icebreakers and a new drone directive.

By Breaking Defense Video

Breaking Defense

Latest News

Another busy week for the defense industry, with Euronaval underway in Paris and the International Fighter Conference convening in Germany

A closer look at the Hollywood star who became an Air Force general

Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy: A New Era in Defense

Pentagon Buzz News Video