The small business making big investments to deliver advanced defense technologies
Employee-owned Physical Sciences Inc. has been scaling small business government R&D awards to solve some of the thorniest national security challenges.
presented by
Senate poised to reauthorize key small business fund used by Pentagon
The bill resolves a months-long gridlock between the heads of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee over how to reform the SBIR program.
presented by
How defensive cyber responds to hockey-stick growth of AI-driven threats
Artificial intelligence is reshaping adversarial cyber operations at machine speed, requiring defenders to increase operational tempo while imposing pain and cost.
Picogrid wins $9M Air Force contract for counter-drone software written by AI
“It’s something that really wouldn't be possible 12 months ago,” Picogrid cofounder Martin Slosarik told Breaking Defense.
Industry chaos, congressional clampdowns and secret CCA contracts: 2025 review
I didn't include Taylor Swift song recommendations this time, but if you're asking me my favorite tune off "The Life of A Showgirl," it's "Ruin the Friendship."
Space Force officials fear program delays from small business fund fight
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office already is seeing an impact from the congressional impasse on reauthorizing Pentagon use of Small Business Innovation Program grants, Director Kelly Hammett said.
‘Clean those bastards out’: Small business fund used by DoD teeters on the edge
Senate lawmakers are at an impasse over the Small Business Innovation Research program, a key program used by the Pentagon to provide seed funding for small firms.
How AI is shaping geospatial intelligence
Breaking Defense’s latest eBook brings together reporting from GEOINT 2026 on how intelligence leaders are shaping the future of space-based geospatial intelligence.
Small victories: Army Applications Lab issues first progress report
45 percent of AAL’s completed projects have “transitioned” into regular DoD programs, but AAL admits others “end up in the valley of death due to factors external to the project, even if the project meets all milestones and the technology solves the military problem.”
Congress saves SBIR program at the last minute, with strings attached
After lawmakers raised concerns about potential abuse, there was a "Herculean" effort to rewrite the legislation.
Lawmakers propose changes to SBIR as program renewal deadline nears
However the tech-focused small business program proceeds, some lawmakers are calling for change in how SBIR operates, according to documents obtained by Breaking Defense.
Startup SCOUT piques Space Force interest with space data software
Sergio Gallucci, SCOUT co-founder and chief technology officer, told Breaking Defense that its new AFWERX contract is focused on demonstrating its software for integrating and streamlining unclassified data from multiple satellites.
How integrated modeling and simulation accelerates Europe’s defensive edge
Lockheed Martin’s ACES platform delivers a shared virtual battlespace that strengthens readiness, interoperability, and faster decision-making through advanced, integrated modeling and simulation capabilities designed for evolving global threats.
After hearing Silicon Valley complaints, Hicks says no ‘magical’ fix to acquisition
“My view isn't like, I'm going to magically unlock special secret approaches that haven't been touched before,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kath Hicks said Wednesday. “I think it's more about how you start to shift the incentives"
Air Force To Fund, Test Unmanned Hypersonic Plane
"There are so many building block technologies that need to happen first. So, it’s a bit silly, but the appeal of the theoretical end result is undeniable," says Teal Group's Richard Aboulafia.
Could ‘Weather Intelligence’ Take The Pentagon By Storm?
A weather "data coverage gap exists in areas that we operate on a regular basis in the military," says Dan Stillman, director of marketing for Tomorrow.io's space and government division.
Acquisition Reform That Works & No One Has Heard Of
Congress and the new Pentagon leadership must act now and expand the program to the Army and Navy, and the defense agencies. Scaling the program up will not cure all the department’s innovation woes but it will send an important message to our next generation of entrepreneurs that the Pentagon really is open for business.