Ukraine declares its first homegrown guided aerial bomb combat-ready
A 250-kilogram answer to Russia's daily glide-bomb campaign and Kyiv's dependence on Western precision strike capabilities for mid-range targets.
US Air Force looks to convert offshore oil rigs into rocket recovery platforms
An Air Force plan calls for old oil platforms to become Sea-based Recovery Stations for the U.S. Space Force and private spaceflight companies.
Former University of Michigan researcher accused of hiding Chinese military drone ties
Investigators say Chuan Wang claimed modest roles on visa applications when in fact he was publicly known in China for his military drones.
Army leaders in hot seat over Poland deployment cancellation
Lawmakers questioned the timing and the reasons, lambasting the order that Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said sent a “terrible message to Russia and our allies.”
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Whitepaper: The Ongoing Evolution of Ground Vehicles
This whitepaper explores how Army modernizing vehicles are being used to counter emerging threats, how open systems allow fast tech upgrades, and more.
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Learn how a Modular Open Systems Approach avoids proprietary lock-in, how ease of sourcing replacement parts helps ensure readiness, and more.
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Money Moves for Life After College — Money Minute
Jeanette Mack from Navy Federal Credit Union shares advice on how to prepare for financial success after college.
Air
Israel to extend F-35I range amid war with Iran
Elbit Systems was awarded the development contract, valued at approximately $34 million (100 million NIS).
Land
US Army’s 7th Infantry Division, 1st MDTF to merge as Multi-Domain Command-Pacific
The two-star Multi-Domain Command-Pacific will merge the 7th ID’s Stryker infantry brigades and a combat aviation brigade with a multidomain task force.
Pentagon
ISIS leader killed in Africa as US commander raises force reduction concerns
Despite recent operations, U.S. force reduction moves have ignited concerns over America's ability to stifle terror plots emanating from the continent.
Army leaders in hot seat over Poland deployment cancellation
Lawmakers questioned the timing and the reasons, lambasting the order that Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said sent a “terrible message to Russia and our allies.”
China fires verbal warning shot at US over Taiwan
Any misstep over Taiwan could push the U.S. and China toward direct confrontation, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump.
Pentagon
Iran military threat is diminished but not eliminated, CENTCOM chief says
Adm. Brad Cooper said the U.S. had severely degraded Iran’s warfighting capacity, including the elimination of roughly 90% of its inventory of naval mines.
Pentagon reaches agreements with defense firms on containerized missiles
The Pentagon is announcing framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos and Zone 5 to acquire over 10,000 containerized missiles.
US special operations leaders frustrated by inability to modify their own equipment
The military must wait for manufacturers to fix or upgrade equipment, leaving them with outdated capabilities as technology evolves quickly, they said.
Naval
USS Gerald R. Ford to return from 11-month deployment on Saturday
The world’s largest aircraft carrier is finally returning home after etching its name into Navy history books.
Space
US Air Force looks to convert offshore oil rigs into rocket recovery platforms
An Air Force plan calls for old oil platforms to become Sea-based Recovery Stations for the U.S. Space Force and private spaceflight companies.
VIDEOS
DARPA eyes breakthrough with synthetic human blood | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.19.26
Pushing the biotech envelope, DARPA and researchers are on the cusp of a massive breakthrough in emergency battlefield medical care.
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New Zealand defense minister to help shepherd military-integration push with Australia
Chris Penk is the first defense minister to have previously served with both New Zealand and Australian forces.
Trump says he has agreed to two-week ceasefire with Iran
Trump said he expects an agreement to be “finalized and consummated” during the two-week ceasefire.
By Parisa Hafezi and Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters
Russia supplies Iran with cyber support, spy imagery to hone attacks, Ukraine says
Russian satellites have made detailed imagery surveys of military facilities to help Iran strike U.S. forces, according to a Ukrainian intel assessment.
By Tom Balmforth and John Irish, Reuters
US Navy seeks 1,200% increase in Tomahawk missile procurement for 2027
The U.S. Navy is requesting $3 billion to replenish its stockpile of Tomahawk missiles that have been depleted over the course of the Iran war.
By Riley Ceder
Iran’s other would-be WMD program lies in ruins following strikes by Israel and the US
“It almost seems like an afterthought and lower priority to the war planners,” said Jim Lamson, a former Iran analyst for the CIA of 23 years.
By Linus Höller
US hits military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island
Vice President JD Vance said the strikes were not a change in U.S. strategy.
By Reuters
‘A whole civilization will die tonight,’ Trump says as Iran defies deal
A former U.S. State Department legal advisor said the remarks “could plausibly be interpreted as a threat to commit genocide.”
By Parisa Hafezi and Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters
Outpaced by the US, China’s military places selective bets on artificial intelligence
China may have surpassed the United States in AI for drone swarms, one Taiwan-based analyst said.
By Military Times staff
Israel to sell PULS systems to Greece for $750 million
The deal between the two countries includes dozens of launchers and rockets.
Ukraine missile maker targets ‘game changer’ air defense system by 2027
Fire Point, maker of Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missile, is in talks with European companies to launch a new air defense system by next year.
By Max Hunder and Daniel Flynn, Reuters