What the Pentagon is testing along the US-Mexico border
A brief overview of high-tech plans along the southern border as FY27 funding hangs in the balance.
Pentagon eyeing tech testbed expansion along US-Mexico border
“We want to do as much as we can; I would love to continue to bring on new projects, new programs to the border and try it out, but we want to do it in a responsible way that's safe,” Mark Ditlevson, assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense and Americas Security Affairs, told Breaking Defense.
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How the industrial base is responding to Air Force, Space Force needs
Demand signals from leadership are shaping investments in design, engineering and manufacturing.
Army awards first-ever laser production contract to AV, with $465M value
“One of the key exciting components of this particular production program is introducing production-directed energy for the first time in the nation's history,” AV’s vice president of directed-energy systems told reporters.
An Army leadership shakeup, plus lasers on the border
US soldiers are demonstrating new systems to shoot down drones while the Army starts the search for a new secretary.
Military uses AV directed-energy system to ‘defeat’ drones at the border
The task force did not disclose exactly where the drones were engaged or who was suspected of flying them, but suggested they could have been used for reconnaissance by a drug cartel.
Pentagon counter-drone task force preps ‘shoot-off’ for directed energy prototypes
A promising demonstration could result "in a purchase order that allows us to start building the production lines to get these systems into the field,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of the Pentagon’s JIATF-401.
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Building the stand-off and stand-in weapons needed for the fight
Threats have changed the range, seeking and attack capabilities necessary to ensure effectiveness.
Pentagon picks Lockheed, nLIGHT for laser defense project
Separately, MBDA and Rheinmetall were selected to develop a laser weapon system for the German Navy.
After Iran attacks, Turkish industry seeing increased Gulf interest in air defense platforms
Both companies expressed their readiness to transfer technology in line with mandates in Gulf states to localize defense production.
Here’s how the Army plans to spend nearly $1 billion in procuring small counter drone tech
The FY27 budget request sets aside $994 million in total for small c-UAS, with all of that sum coming from discretionary funding.
Golden Dome czar signals space-based interceptors not guaranteed, as DoD weighs cost
"If boost-phase intercept from space is not affordable and scalable, we will not produce it, because we have other options to get after it," said Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein.
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Processor upgrades enable computing at the edge
Avoiding vendor lock and providing more room for sensors and upgrades are critical considerations.
Give ’em E-HEL: Army seeks industry ideas for counter-drone laser systems
The Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program is the Army’s first program of record for a new family of high-energy lasers.
How industry is lining up for big Golden Dome business
While big primes appear to be positioning themselves for leadership roles, Leidos CEO Tom Bell told reporters the company doesn't need to be "Mr. Golden Dome."
Army awards HII’s tech division contract to develop high-energy laser
The weapon is envisioned to protect Army bases and vehicles from small- to medium-sized drones.
State of Navy’s shipboard laser efforts is embarrassing, says top fleet commander
More Navy leaders as of late have been publicly bemoaning the service's inability to scale functional laser weapon systems.