What options does the Pentagon have to cover its mounting FY26 operational costs?
“If I were still in the building, I would say, ‘I'm probably screwed now,'" a former official told Breaking Defense.
Pentagon races to spend $152B reconciliation pot — or face cuts
Pentagon program offices are under pressure, juggling the urgency of getting reconciliation funding under contract by Oct. 1 while making sure those contracts include fair pricing and adequate oversight, one defense official told Breaking Defense.
Building logistics networks for contested environments
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.
Appropriators restore funding for Commerce’s TraCSS spacewatch effort
After a drastic reduction proposed by the White House, the Senate Appropriations Committee would fund the Office of Space Commerce at $60 million in FY26 to continue with TraCSS.
Drones and ammunition: Army chief hands lawmakers $4.3 billion wish list for FY26
The Army's Unfunded Priorities List features, for instance, an additional $581 million for small drones and counter-unmanned aerial systems, as both are “changing faster than our budget can react," according to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
Army eyes new program, test with Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic missile in 2026
"If we can build this better, faster, cheaper, both sides should be rewarded for that," said Bryon Hargis, Castelion’s founder and CEO.
Senate advances Trump megabill with $150B in defense funds
The bill moved forward in a 51-50 vote that required Vice President JD Vance to make the tiebreaking vote, with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina opposing the measure.
The Army’s Digital Transformation
AI is reshaping the Army’s approach to cyber, electronic warfare and command and control. At TechNet Augusta 2026, leaders outlined how they’re turning emerging technology into capabilities for the battlefield.
Pentagon formally unveils $961.6 billion budget for 2026, with reconciliation help
The budget reveals new details about some key programs, including an apparent decision to put the Navy's next-gen fighter jet on the backburner.
Army leaders need to show their ‘homework’ for transformation plans, lawmakers say
“You chose to give us a plan with few details, with no budgeting and a failure to answer a lot of our questions, and now [I’m] hearing about how this plan will be implemented from my own constituents, not from leadership,” said Rep. Eric Sorensen.