3 congressional races that matter for defense
Several lawmakers with major influence over defense policy and spending are fighting for their political futures.
2026 midterm cheat sheet: Which races to watch on defense
With pollsters predicting that Democrats will flip one or both chambers of Congress, there could be major changes to the roster of defense advocates on Capitol Hill.
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Drones and autonomous warfare: ‘One-way attack’ and reshaping ISR
Systems that can work independently while still being part of a unit are critical to carrying out multi-domain operations.
Feinberg’s closed-door meeting on the Hill
Republicans are still pushing for a record-setting $1.5 trillion defense budget, but the way ahead on Capitol Hill is not yet clear.
A peek into munitions spending, and a chat with Sweden’s DefMin
This week on The Break Out, we're talking billions for missiles and priorities in Stockholm.
Details of the $1.5 trillion defense budget request, and a key lawmaker’s take on the F-35
This week on The Break Out, we've got details on the massive defense budget request.
Rep. Rob Wittman on Army modernization, DoD relations and right to repair
In a wide ranging interview, Wittman hits on some of his key priorities for the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act.
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Winning the information war is as much about ideas and perception as it is about data
"Being able to tell the commander you don't need to do something is actually a pretty powerful message, as well."
What new weapons could a supplemental buy, plus news on the Army’s C5ISR plans
Rep. Rob Wittman, plus Pentagon officials Jules Hurst and Joseph Welch, all make an appearance on the Break Out this week.
With the Pentagon’s FY27 budget request forthcoming, it’s unclear if it will hit $1.5 trillion
The Trump administration has not disclosed if that figure will be spread between the base budget and supplemental for operations against Iran.
Will Congress back an Iran war supplemental? Rep. Rob Wittman thinks so.
Rep. Rob Wittman joins Breaking Defense to talk through congressional support for an Iran war supplemental and the FY27 budget.
Iran supplemental to fund mix of ‘new things’ and legacy systems: Pentagon comptroller
Jules Hurst did not say when lawmakers could expect to receive the funding request, which is said to be over $50 billion.
From directed energy to AI and hardening, JIATF-401 is widening counter-UAS options
There is no single answer to the drone threat, pushing the Pentagon toward a broader mix of defenses.
Navy’s Caudle: F/A-XX fighter decision needs to come ‘quickly’
"My job is to pressurize that decision, because the war fighting imperative, I think, is there, and and I'm trying to build a compelling case to get that decision made quickly," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said.
Navy assures lawmakers billions were well spent in sub industrial base, despite lag in production
“Those efforts have been about workforce, hiring and retention. They have been about supply chain resiliency, modernization of the yards, strategic outsourcing [and] infrastructure issues,” Brett Seidle, the Navy's acting acquisition executive, told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Who’s Who in Defense: Rob Wittman, Chairman, HASC’s Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee (TAL)
Wittman chairs the Tactical Air & Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over ammunition programs, Army and Air Force acquisition programs related to aircraft, ground equipment, missiles, ammunition, and other procurement.
Navy at ‘tipping point’ with Constellation-class frigate: Lawmakers
“The question is, are we at a point where we either quickly recover and get back on track with this? ... Or do you say maybe we're too far along with this and we go in a different direction?" said Rep. Rob Wittman.