Pentagon

For their next acts, former Trump administration DoD officials look beyond traditional defense contractors

The moves align with an increased focus by the Defense Department on transformative technologies — from artificial intelligence to 5G networks to hypersonic weapons.

US, Japan agree to two defense pacts amid China worries

The U.S. and Japan are close to signing a new five-year pact for Japan to support U.S. military forces in the country and a new agreement to research and develop new defense technologies.

Austin to testify on Afghanistan next week

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to testify in Congress next week on the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan.

Why the US should fight Russia, China in the ‘gray zone’

Time for Washington to get more active in the 'gray zone,' especially cyber and information warfare, according to the Atlantic Council.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has coronavirus, symptoms ‘mild’

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.

Congress gives Missile Defense Agency authority to research and develop laser tech for missile defense

The Missile Defense Agency has received a renewed mandate from Congress to research and develop defensive laser weapons to take out ballistic and hypersonic missile threats.

Pentagon pushes maximum telework through January 2022

The health protection condition status for the Pentagon Reservation hasn't changed, but officials are tightening restrictions and safety measures for the worksite.

Inflation and budget gridlock take a toll on the Pentagon

The prospect of increased weapons costs and rising wages are already causing significant problems for Pentagon planners as they craft President Joe Biden’s upcoming budget proposal for fiscal 2023, defense experts say.

Designs for next-gen missile defense interceptors pass key review ahead of schedule

A Northrop Grumman-Raytheon team and a Lockheed Martin-Aerojet Rocketdyne team pass through the systems requirements review gauntlet.

Grady confirmed as new vice chair for Joint Chiefs

The move fills a key leadership vacancy at the Pentagon just before Congress ends its legislative work for the year.

FY22 defense bill gives feds parental bereavement leave, makes changes at the Pentagon

Feds will receive two weeks of paid leave to grieve the death of a child, under the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.

Congress passes defense policy bill with budget boost, military justice reforms

After months of debate and weeks of angst, the Senate has sent its annual defense bill to the president.

Pentagon watchdog: US should insist TransDigm refund $20 million in ‘excess profit’

The Defense Department's inspector general recommends the Pentagon seek a refund of at least $20.8 million from TransDigm, a company long under fire for what department officials say is a pattern of collecting “excess profit.”

State Department approves potential frigate sale to Greece, despite agreement with France

Though France in September announced an agreement to sell Greece three frigates, Greece asked the U.S. to continue finalizing its proposal for four new frigates, modernizing existing Hellenic Navy ships and providing an interim solution for Greek sailors to use during that modernization effort.

Congress wants Hawaiian missile defense radar up and running by end of 2028

The FY22 National Defense Authorization Act support a homeland missile defense radar in Hawaii and the establishment of a robust missile defense architecture in Guam.

Pentagon creates new digital and artificial intelligence office

The position is meant to streamline disparate efforts within the department to drive faster innovation and capabilities with China in mind.

On deterring Russia and China, Pentagon officials walk a fine line

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought to assure the Reagan Defense Forum that "China's not 10 feet tall," but was often hesitant to get specific.

Sweeping military justice reforms, plan to add women to draft dropped from compromise authorization bill

Lawmakers hope to rush the slimmed down authorization bill through both chambers of Congress this week.

US Missile Defense Agency declares initial delivery of Long-Range Discrimination Radar in Alaska

The Alaska-based missile defense radar that can detect intercontinental ballistic missiles has reached initial fielding, the Missile Defense Agency declared in a Dec. 6 ceremony at Clear Air Force Station.

NRO director: Innovation is the key to America’s advantage in space

Our collective success advancing technology and delivering capabilities faster will be vital to maintaining America’s intelligence advantage in space, not just today, but for the next 60 years and beyond.

US military tech leads: Achieving all-domain decision advantage through JADC2

Adversaries of the United States are beginning to pull ahead, and they won’t wait for us to catch up. It remains up to us to synchronize our efforts and achieve success where others have previously failed.

CYBERCOM and NSA chief: Cybersecurity is a team sport

In the future, mutual collaboration between the public and private sectors is required for a safer, more secure online environment for all Americans.

LIFT Aircraft boss: Progress at the Pentagon from the view of a startup

AFWERX and Agility Prime are shining examples of a new approach to innovation the DoD has undertaken in the past couple of years. The new mantra is “dual use” — identifying promising new tech that could have both commercial and military use, and leaning in to support startups, sometimes even before specific military missions and use cases are identified. Research and development funding is often matched by venture capital, significantly reducing risk.

Cyberwarriors will soon have access to more training tools

The newest version of the Persistent Cyber Training Environment will roll out early next year.

Commentary

The steps we must take to strengthen America’s national security innovation base

We must openly and honestly discuss novel and creative ideas to leverage America’s strength and compete against our adversaries’ coercion, theft and authoritarianism.