Breaking Defense

SpaceX wins $1.6B to launch Space Force ‘sensing and targeting’ sats

Air Force plans downselect for second CCA batch next year

A separate competition to replace the MQ-9A Reaper is expected to kick off a concept refinement stage early in the next fiscal year, according to an Air Force official.

By Michael Marrow

Sponsored Post, Networks & Digital Warfare

Reliable, adaptable communications are critical to field operations, and localizing them can lead to tactical advantages. (Photo provided by Rafael.)

Localizing tactical communications for sovereign, NATO-ready C3I

Beyond foreign sales, Rafael’s model enables tech transfer, local engineering, and is a template for NATO partners.

By Breaking Defense

Air Warfare

Ukraine, NATO launch new funding program to counter Russian drones

Five areas were listed by Brave1 as of high interest: active protection systems against FPVS; affordable counter-shaded systems; electromagnetic support for signals intelligence; electromagnetic attack technology against FPVs; and high-altitude platforms.

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Latest News

Pentagon

150 aircraft, cyber effects and ‘overwhelming force:’ How the Venezuela operation unfolded

"Failure of one component of this well-oiled machine would have endangered the entire mission," Gen. Dan Caine said of Operation Absolute Resolve.

By Aaron Mehta

Global, Pentagon

US attacks Venezuela, captures leader Maduro in ‘spectacular assault’: Trump

The president said the US would temporarily "run" the South American nation and "take back" oil he said was "stolen."

By Lee Ferran and Aaron Mehta

In this episode:

The US military's renewed ambition to harness solar power for missions in orbit

Congress

More turmoil in Congress? Probably: 2026 preview

As Stanley Tucci famously quipped in The Devil Wears Prada: "All right, people, gird your loins!"

By Valerie Insinna

Air Warfare

US-European relations will define the next year: 2026 preview

Transatlantic political turbulence could disrupt orders from European customers for US defense equipment over the long term, but if the last year is anything to go by, business is likely to be relatively predictable.

By Tim Martin

Global

Israeli defense industry looks to capitalize on hard-won combat lessons: 2026 preview

Officials in European capitals have said they need to procure systems quickly that have relevance on the modern battlefield, and Israel is well-placed to provide solutions that are often proven because Israel has used them in its multi-front wars.

By Seth J. Frantzman

All Domain

China to once again dominate the headlines: 2026 preview for the Indo-Pacific

China will almost certainly dominate the defense and security headlines in the coming months, as tensions continue to simmer in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

By Mike Yeo

Pentagon

A year of new shows: Top 5 videos in 2025

A look at some of the most informative and entertaining videos from Breaking Defense in 2025.

By Alyssa Schonhaut

What’s next for Army’s ambitious Next Gen C2 effort: 2026 preview

One of the Army's goals for 2026 is to test an NGC2 prototype against "enemy" sensor capabilities.

By Mark Pomerleau

Space

Europe’s time to shine in space? 2026 preview

Germany is sprinting to pump up its military space systems, perhaps changing the balance of power in setting European-wide priorities.

By Theresa Hitchens

Networks & Digital Warfare

For defense AI, bubble, bubble, toil and … bargains?: 2026 preview

“The bubble is real,” said the founder of the Pentagon’s Joint AI Center, retired Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan. “[But] for the DoD, there could be new opportunities to partner with all kinds of tech companies…if their commercial opportunities start to evaporate.”

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Air Warfare

The drone wingman race kicks into high(er) gear: 2026 preview

Sometime in 2026, the Air Force will make a decision about what designs to produce for the first round of its drone wingmen program. The service is also expected to home in on what it wants next.

By Michael Marrow

Air Warfare

France finalizes $1.3B USD contract for 2 Saab GlobalEye radar planes

Initially announced at the Paris Air Show in June, the deal makes France the second customer for the Swedish Airborne Early Warning and Control planes after the UAE.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Global