How Hegseth envisions a new Autonomous Warfare Command
The Pentagon wants to combine drone procurement and operations under a new command, but Congress will have a say.
The Pentagon wants to combine drone procurement and operations under a new command, but Congress will have a say.
Hegseth also announced a new study group led by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich.
Elon Musk's SpaceX is already expected to conduct more than two dozen national security-related space launches over the next few years.
“While we rely on our vital industrial base to deliver cutting-edge technology and support, we must in-source more expertise and harness the unparalleled talent of our existing experts to drive financial efficiency and operational strength,” Hegseth wrote in the memo.
President Donald Trump said the project to develop a missile defense shield should be "fully operational" before the end of his term, and claimed Canada has asked to join the project.
Meink, most recently the principal deputy director for the National Reconnaissance Office, is a relative anomaly amongst President Donald Trump’s picks for top Defense Department leaders, having an extensive history of working within the US government.
A separate Boeing project to integrate a new radar on the B-52 Stratofortress bomber has also suffered a cost breach, said Air Force official Darlene Costello.
Effectively untouched after about four hours of debate, the bill will now go to the House Budget Committee.
There are a lot of hopes within DoD and the Space Force for Project Kuiper's success, with officials seeing the constellation as offering diversity beyond Starlink in the supplier base for so-called proliferated LEO services.
“I have no relationship with Space X or Mr. Musk outside of a professional relationship in execution of my current duties,” Meink stated in written responses to questions from Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Explore how software, edge AI and resilient connectivity can strengthen military logistics in contested environments. Join Breaking Defense on Oct. 21 and earn 1 CPE credit.
A memo from the secretary of defense also directs the Pentagon's Chief Information Officer to prepare to negotiate more favorable cloud computing service deals.
"I think that at its essence, what the DOGE wants to do is become more efficient, and that is core to how we view our own portfolio," DON CIO Jane Rathbun told Breaking Defense.
“These reports raise concerns about your ability, if confirmed as Secretary, to treat contractors fairly and prioritize the Air Force’s mission over Elon Musk’s business interests,” wrote Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Elizabeth Warren.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Department of Government Efficiency chief Elon Musk is “helping us in a big way” to speed up the schedule for the two planes, as setbacks risk delaying their delivery until after Trump leaves office.