What we know about the US military’s new joint laser weapon system
The Army-Navy effort aims to produce a containerized 150-kilowatt high-energy laser weapon to counter incoming cruise missiles.
Global military spending surges and reaches record high
In addition to providing the latest numbers, SIPRI researchers also raised a concern about transparency.
Massive frigate buy from Japan jolts Australian warship program
Hughes explained the aim is to have as few Australianized changes as possible, because that “would delay the delivery of the ship.”
Ukraine to field 25,000 ground robots in push to replace soldiers for frontline logistics
Ground robots ran more than 9,000 frontline missions in March, triple November's count, and captured their first Russian position last summer.
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Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
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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.
Whitepaper: How Modular Systems Help Ensure Defense Readiness
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Air
US Air Force looks to launch cheap missiles from cargo aircraft
The U.S. Air Force wants inexpensive, long-range missiles that can be launched in mass volleys by cargo aircraft.
Land
US Army eyes a heavier, hybrid-powered Infantry Squad Vehicle
While the original ISV was designed to rapidly move a nine-soldier squad across rugged terrain, the ISV-H is built to do more than just transport troops.
Pentagon
Pentagon seeks funds for Golden Dome, drones, AI in largest-ever budget request
According to Pentagon officials, the president's key priorities include the Golden Dome, drones, AI, data infrastructure and the defense industrial base.
Space Force’s 15-year vision calls for more personnel, simulators and survivability
A new Space Force vision document grapples with the future of space warfare and how the service can prepare for it.
Vessels report being hit by gunfire as Iran says Strait of Hormuz shut again
Merchant vessels attempting to cross the strait on Saturday received radio messages from Iran’s navy telling them they were not allowed to pass.
Pentagon
US to delay weapons deliveries to some European countries due to Iran war, sources say
Some European counterparts have been told that select U.S. weapons deliveries may be delayed as the Iran war continues to draw on weapons stocks.
Starlink outage hit drone tests, exposing Pentagon’s growing reliance on SpaceX
Last August, a global outage across Elon Musk’s satellite network left U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessels bobbing off California, halting operations.
White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge
"I don't have a ballpark," White House budget director Russell Vought told lawmakers Wednesday about the cost of the Iran war.
Naval
Massive frigate buy from Japan jolts Australian warship program
Hughes explained the aim is to have as few Australianized changes as possible, because that “would delay the delivery of the ship.”
Space
US Space Command provides update on phased headquarters relocation to Alabama
The command plans to break ground on a new headquarters facility on an approximately 60-acre site near the center of Redstone Arsenal in 2027.
VIDEOS
The Navy absorbs lessons from Epic Fury | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.26
At the Navy League of the United States’ recent conference, Navy leaders digest lessons from the U.S. campaign in the Middle East and look to the future.
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Why aircraft carriers are the best (and worst) place for laser weapons
High-energy laser weapons are a natural fit for large, power-rich aircraft carriers — with limits.
By Jared Keller
What we know about the US military’s new joint laser weapon system
The Army-Navy effort aims to produce a containerized 150-kilowatt high-energy laser weapon to counter incoming cruise missiles.
By Jared Keller
Global military spending surges and reaches record high
In addition to providing the latest numbers, SIPRI researchers also raised a concern about transparency.
By Linus Höller
Massive frigate buy from Japan jolts Australian warship program
Hughes explained the aim is to have as few Australianized changes as possible, because that “would delay the delivery of the ship.”
Ukraine to field 25,000 ground robots in push to replace soldiers for frontline logistics
Ground robots ran more than 9,000 frontline missions in March, triple November's count, and captured their first Russian position last summer.
By Katie Livingstone
US Air Force aims to double F-15EX Eagle fleet
The U.S. Air Force plans to boost the number of F-15EX Eagle II aircraft in its inventory to 267.
By Michael Scanlon
The US military wants a fleet of missile-killing laser drones
The U.S. military is once again pursuing flying directed energy weapons to counter threats to American airspace.
By Jared Keller
Italy forgoes $14 billion deficit spending on defense amid wobbling economy
“Today we have other priorities. I have the priority of energy costs and the priority of responding to the needs of citizens," said the prime minister.
By Tom Kington
Three’s company: Trio of US carriers operating in Middle East for first time in decades
Three U.S. aircraft carriers are operating in Central Command's area of responsibility for the first time since 2003.
By Eve Sampson
ArianeGroup studying ballistic-missile production in Germany: Les Echos
“Everyone in Europe is convinced that we need options for conventional ballistic missile for deep strike given the expansion of conflicts,” Bruneau said.
NATO eyes Swedish-Canadian jet for AWACS role in shift away from Boeing
The political momentum behind the GlobalEye had been building for a while.
By Linus Höller