Army shifts autonomy strategy to lean more on ‘awesome vendors’
An Army official told Breaking Defense the service's original plan to build a software backbone itself makes less sense now that there's real industry investment in the capability.
Updating Navy warships at the speed of software
After years of wanting and waiting, the Navy is now updating combat systems over-the-air on ships at sea, write two Navy Department leaders.
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.
Leonardo DRS to acquire software company Raft
The $450 million all-cash offer seeks to improve DRS's ability to offer a wider range of technologies to customers.
Army to push M1E3 prototypes to soldiers this summer, five years ahead of schedule
Instead of waiting until all the tank's fixings meet every requirement, the service wants soldiers in the field to “plug and play” with various hardware and software components, Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said.
Army says new software directive coming soon, priority on flexible funding
“For years we’ve been trapped by the color of money,” Army Undersecretary Michael Obadal said. “We try to buy modern, agile software with rigid funding authorities, and predictably….it doesn’t work.”
Northrop Grumman’s AI testbed will fly for the first time this fall, company says
Northrop’s new Prism software will not only fly the aircraft but also allow partner companies to plug-and-play all sorts of software modules for different missions and special equipment, Northrop Grumman's Dan Salluce told reporters.
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Support for Patriot air-and-missile defense is a case study for the industrial base
Manufacturing scale, global sustainment, and next-gen tech are becoming inseparable.
AI for ATO: Pentagon seeks AI to streamline cumbersome cybersecurity processes
“Like Frank's Red Hot Sauce, we should be trying to put AI on anything that you can," said David McKeown, a senior cybersecurity official.
Northrop Grumman unveils first phase of tech partners for Beacon autonomy program
The six companies will partner with Northrop to develop and scale autonomous flight capabilities during flight demos later this year.
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Cybersecurity skills don’t come from a manual, but from practical hands-on training
Cybersecurity skills must evolve in near-real time as Zero Day threats continue and AI provides new challenges.
‘Get well’: Army’s upgunned Stryker approaches first fielding but trio of problems linger
“I want to make it very clear that the turret is not a mission essential system, if the turret was to go down, the vehicle is still mission capable,” said Clifton Boyd, the project manager for the Stryker brigade combat team.
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Why Bigger Fences Aren’t Enough in the Age of Drones
Traditional thinking about how to protect facilities must adapt to new threats such as drones or downstream attacks.
Anduril unveils new cruise-missile like weapon, plus voice-controlled drones
The defense tech startup disclosed a new “Barracuda” weapon, and put on a demo for reporters where drone wingmen were controlled using voice commands.
Eyeing more special forces business, GDIT acquires AI, tech firm Iron EagleX
“The combination of Iron EagleX and GDIT represents a new chapter in our company’s stated goal of having a ‘generational impact on national security,’” said Michael Grochol, Iron EagleX’s CEO.
After industry pushback, Army pledges to revise software acquisition – up to a point
"If some companies don't want to bid on a contract, it's a free country. Don't bid. Others will," Doug Bush said. "My goal is simply to get the capability for the Army, not to make everybody happy."
Army attempts to reassure industry on software acquisition
“Many of the right things were said publicly,” Warren Katz, chairman of the Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government, told Breaking Defense. “However, those sentiments do not seem to have translated into the RFI and directive documents.”