Recap: Highlights from the US Army’s 2025 conference in Washington
The Army continues to transform, with efforts focused on next-gen weaponry, long-range artillery, unmanned systems and much more.
Unmanned
Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills
Industry and military drone operators flew tethered and untethered first-person drones through a course designed to test endurance and maneuverability.
Pentagon tests high-power microwave systems against drones
The Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office has completed its third demonstration to look at capability that could fill identified gaps to defeat the growing drone threat around the world.
War in Ukraine reinforces need for US Army network upgrades, generals say
“Also, when you have a living and breathing threat,” Army Maj. Gen. Robert Collins said, “you need to think about the things such as a contested and congested environment.”
Space Force releases plan for testing satellites, ground systems
The Space Force signed off on the new test enterprise vision in March, which calls for an integrated test force and a more robust space test and training range infrastructure.
How the Pentagon is harnessing 5G for the future fight
The Defense Department’s 5G strategy is written with a sense of urgency: The nations “that master advanced communications technologies and ubiquitous connectivity will have a long-term economic and military advantage,” its unclassified, public pages read.
Why the Army CIO wants data upgrades now
“You could have the world’s best weapon systems, you could have the world’s best army,” Chief Information Officer Raj Iyer said. “But our advantage in the future is going to be how well and how quickly we’re able to synthesize” data and share it.
DARPA seeks funding for next phase of hypersonic weapon
Initial funding for MoHAWC would fund long-lead components for four flight-test systems, technology risk-reduction efforts and early ground tests.
Defense Innovation Unit chief to resign in September
Brown has served as DIU director since 2018 and will leave his post at the end of his term in September.
Pentagon reviewing hundreds of industry proposals in effort to rapidly arm Ukraine
Pentagon acquisition chief Bill LaPlante said Friday the influx of proposals will help mitigate supply chain issues, speed up production lines and address strategic objectives in the region.
Atlantic Council urges Pentagon to utilize commercial space capabilities
The Atlantic Council report urges Congress to improve its oversight of how the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community adopt commercial space services.
