Top cover and clear metrics: How to make the new PAE structure work
Two moves, made in the right order, will break portfolios — and eventually the acquisition system as a whole — out of the compliance trap, writes Timothy Cooke in this op-ed.
Here’s how a new Army directorate is delivering tech to soldiers in under 180 days
In an interview with Breaking Defense, Col. Christopher Hill, director of the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate, explained how the service’s shift in cultural norms is resulting in delivering tech at speed and at scale.
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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.
DIA centralizes AI efforts with Digital Modernization Accelerator
“I want you to move like somebody’s on your heels, and they’re about ready to eat you,” the Defense Intelligence Agency’s chief AI officer, Maj. Gen. Robert Kinney, tells his team.
Lockheed industry team to prototype integrated data layer for Army NGC2
The OTA awarded to Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems and their team of non-traditional innovators and commercial technology providers seeks to deliver an integrated data layer to 25th Infantry Division.
Trump order threatens cancellation for over-budget, delayed Pentagon programs
The new Executive Order, signed by President Donald Trump today, gives the Pentagon 90 days to review all of its major defense acquisition programs and compose a list of poor-performing programs for potential termination.
EXCLUSIVE: Hegseth draft memo lays out software acquisition reform push
A memo obtained by Breaking Defense outlines changes to how the Pentagon acquires software — and potentially presages more changes to come.
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Networked for the fight: Army aviation’s next advantage
As operating environments grow more complex, Link 16 provides instantaneous, mission-wide connectivity to ensure no aircraft flies alone.
Space Force doubles down on acquisition reform ahead of DoD moves
Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy walked through activities to flesh out former space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli's "nine space acquisition tenets" that showcased how the Space Force is positioned to meet expected guidance from new Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for accelerating weapons system development.
What is preventing the Army from integrating autonomous vehicles into its formations?
Challenges related to software, communication and mobility of UGVs have been a concern for the branch. The bureaucracy involved in procurement processes also hampers efforts to deploy uncrewed platforms into convoys.
Supercomputers on demand: Rescale, Parallel Works ramp up for DIU cloud contract
“You click a big button and in two minutes, you get one of these [high-powered computing] systems ready to go," Matthew Shaxted, co-founder and CEO of Parallel Works, told Breaking Defense of a new DIU initiative.
Open DAGIR: DoD plans July industry day, experiments for new CJADC2 command apps
The Chief Digital & AI Office wants to bring in a wide range of software developers to rapidly create new applications for Combatant Commands worldwide, with the new apps plugging into Palantir’s open-architecture Maven Smart System.
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Europe’s military advantage depends on sovereign command of the ground truth
As NATO and European governments accelerate investment in space-based intelligence, decision advantage will depend on how quickly sovereign and commercial capabilities can be fused into a trusted operational picture.
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Small satellite acquisition: Contracting for success
Millennium Space Systems' Vice President of Contracts Joshua Madrigal shares how contracting plays a critical role in acquisition.
Army’s Project Convergence tested space links for TITAN targeting system
Northrop Grumman's TITAN "pre-prototype" was designed to test only the ability of a ground station to rapidly tap into and disseminate satellite imagery.
Pentagon tightening rules for non-traditional contracts in wake of internal audit
An audit by the DoD Inspector General found that while federal law "allows for one of 4 conditions for a prototype OT award," Pentagon rules contain "no requirement to validate that the contractor met those conditions," an OIG spokesperson told Breaking Defense.
Northrop Grumman to build Space Force prototype for cyber protection of satellite networks
The prototype, called Space End Crypto Unit (ECU), is being developed in tandem electronics firm Aeronix, with planned delivery in 2024.