Daily News Roundup

CENTCOM has become a battle lab for unmanned systems

Unmanned systems have moved quickly from experimentation and exercises into the demands of an active war.

F-16 fighter jet crashes at US air base in western Germany

An F-16 fighter jet assigned to the US air base Spangdahlem in western Germany crashed on Tuesday, according to U.S. officials.

South Korea faces no good choices in sending forces for Trump’s unpopular Iran mission

Experts worry that U.S. requests for troop contributions to America's faraway campaigns could leave South Korea exposed when it matters most.

US Army awards Lockheed Martin $1.2B PrSM contract

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a PrSM contract worth up to $1.2 billion.

US to open two new military bases in Greenland, sources say

The U.S. plans to re-establish a Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland and set up another on the east coast, according to sources.

Opinion

The Golden Dome czar must get control of all US missile defense programs

The Defense Department must heed a vital organizational lesson from the past if Golden Dome is to succeed, writes analyst Thane Clare.

General Atomics delivers FQ-42 Vengeance to Nevada air base

Creech Air Force Base received a new FQ-42 Vengeance aircraft on Friday, with the jet to continue regular test and evaluation operations.

The Pentagon asked industry how fast it could make more weapons. The numbers remain private.

The Pentagon remains mum about defense contractors' plans to boost weapons production and delivery following a 21-day deadline for companies to send ideas.

US watching Chinese marine presence off Alaska, Arctic Coast Guard chief says

The United States is watching China’s presence in its Arctic zone “very closely” amid increasing concerns, a senior U.S. Arctic military official said.

Hegseth to chair Pentagon’s new Homeland Defense advisory board

The newly established Homeland Defense Board aims to fill a gap Pentagon leaders see in providing military guidance to homeland security missions.

Denmark says NATO shares responsibility for Arctic security under Greenland deal

An agreement on Greenland's security, including a role for NATO, is expected to be signed at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

US clears way for $24.3 billion fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. Department of State said on Thursday it had approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

US Air Force has a $14 billion supply hole, service officials say

As the force grapples with supply chain and maintenance issues, sustainment funding to fill the $14 billion gap is becoming increasingly necessary.

Latvia chooses Czech howitzers over Swedish Archer offer

Latvia will buy Czech Morana 155 mm howitzers, reversing an earlier decision to by the rival Archer artillery weapon from Sweden's BAE Systems Bofors.

French Army wants to keep adversaries guessing on see-through battlefield

The French Future Combat Command is looking at what Baratz called “frugal artificial intelligence,” designed to consume as little energy as possible.

US Air Force to extend service of B-1, B-2 bombers, official says

The service lives of the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit will be extended, with their pilots to be some of the first to fly the B-21 Raider.