The stated goal is to clean out obsolete satellites, though the capabilities could also be used in weapons that move a target bird to an orbit where it no longer can perform its function, disable it in some manner or simply smash it.
Aligned with the new autonomy czar shop, the department plans to spend $250 million evaluating options and moving out with initial deals for its new Ground-Based Affordable Mass initiative.
Multi-orbit mission capabilities are accelerating decision making across domains.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle has been on a “containerized capability campaign."
SkyFi's Sovereign Intelligence Platform for US Special Operations Command is designed to allow commanders in the field to task a commercial satellite for near-real time imagery.
Space-BACN's optical inter-satellite links and related tech are transitioning to the Defense Innovation Unit for a future on-orbit pathfinder, according to industry execs.
The Dive-XL prototype Anduril will be demonstrating is similar to the Ghost Shark Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (XL-AUVs) being delivered to the Royal Australian Navy.
As part of the DoW’s acquisition transformation, streamlined processes must be extended to all companies in the defense industrial base.
Instead of needing a specially trained human to remote pilot each drone or robot-boat, the Pentagon wants any servicemember to be able to give orders in plain English.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth consolidates tech offices under Pentagon CTO Emil Michael, launches new AI initiatives from swarms to sims to GenAI, and breaks up the sprawling Advana database.
The Janus Program is a joint effort between the Army and the Department of Energy that aims to stand up commercial nuclear microreactors at domestic military bases over the next few years.
If Obviant’s prototype succeeds, the contract allows for expanding its use across the armed services and joint Combatant Commands — potentially complementing or competing with the Pentagon’s own Advana analytics.
Predictive artificial intelligence and autonomy will reshape how forces are sustained across the Pacific.
Anduril’s win paves the way for the defense tech firm to replace Northrop Grumman’s FAAD C2 system, which provides a common picture for operators to detect and defeat air-based threats.
“Realistically, it's gonna take us a few months to do all this. But we are planning to put a draft RFP out within a few weeks, so we're gonna move very quickly,” an Army official said.
In its solicitation, the Defense Innovation Unit explicitly cited the border patrol mission that the White House has prioritized since taking office.
There are four steps the US can take to ensure it doesn't lag behind China and other adversaries in Earth Observation satellites, writes Payam Banazadeh in this op-ed.