Pentagon

Defense News offers premier news and analysis of Pentagon policy affecting defense programs to keep military and industry decision-makers informed.

Strategic Command boss reveals No. 1 need for missile defense

Adm. Richard also discussed the recent Minuteman III test delay.

4 hours ago

Unmanned program could suffer if Congress blocks F-22 retirements, Hunter says

The Air Force wants to retire 33 older F-22s in fiscal 2023, but Congress wants the service to keep the fighter jets and bring them to parity with newer variants.

23 hours ago

Defense News

Battelle to manage $10 billion health care contract for Defense Department

The Omnibus IV contract addresses four market segments that companies could be selected to provide services to the DoD: research and development; R&D support services; regulatory processes; and translational science and support services.

Pentagon eyes broader missile defense amid calls for more advanced countermeasures

America’s focus on countering intercontinental ballistic missiles is broadening to cruise and hypersonic missiles, and modest spending might not cut it.

3 days ago

Dozen Pentagon nominees stalled as Senate leaves for August recess

The Senate adjourned for the month-long August recess without confirming any of the 12 Defense Department nominees that have become log-jammed in the Senate amid Republican holds.

4 days ago

Pentagon again delays nuclear missile test amid Chinese drills near Taiwan

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has again ordered the Pentagon to postpone a planned test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, this time amid increased tension with China over Taiwan.

8 days ago

US spy agency sends another satellite to space in show of rapid launch capability

The Pentagon's National Reconnaissance Office says the two recent missions demonstrate the United States’ agility and speed in space intelligence.

8 days ago

Pentagon names new press secretary

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder will be the department's next press secretary.

8 days ago

Remember 5G? Pentagon backs 6G hub tied to Army Research Lab

“The DoD has a vital interest in advancing 5G-to-NextG wireless technologies and concept demonstrations,” said Sumit Roy, the IB5G program director.

9 days ago

Pentagon’s secret communications network to get upgrade from Booz Allen

“DISA has made clear that we will not forget that the ‘fight’ is fought on SIPRNet,” said Christopher Barnhurst, the agency’s deputy director.

10 days ago

Big changes ahead for how troops battle future chemical, biological threats

New funding, strategy and focus puts CBRN back in the mix.

10 days ago

Biden to send Ukraine ammo for HIMARS as Kyiv, Congress push for more

The Pentagon announced Monday it will send $550 million’s worth of new lethal aid for Ukraine, including ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System as well as 75,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition.

11 days ago

White House aims to release overdue security strategies within weeks

Amid pressure from lawmakers, the White House is weighing a September rollout for its long-delayed National Security Strategy, now being rewritten to emphasize Russia alongside China following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

11 days ago

Northrop wins $3 billion contract to manage US homeland missile defense systems

The Missile Defense Agency has awarded Northrop Grumman with a contract potentially worth several billion dollars to modernize and upgrade the weapon systems that make up the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System that protects the U.S. homeland from ballistic missile attacks.

11 days ago

Nearly 9% boost for defense spending next year under new Senate plan

But Senate Republicans say the total still isn't enough to cover military needs.

2 weeks ago

Tech. Sgt. John Rodiguez provides security with a Ghost Robotics Vision 60 prototype at a simulated austere base during the Advanced Battle Management System exercise on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Sept. 1, 2020.

They’re ‘all different’: Air Force adviser says services diverge on JADC2

“I’ve looked at all of the documentation associated with all three,” she said, referencing Project Convergence, Project Overmatch and the Advanced Battle Management System.

2 weeks ago

Pentagon reviews removing Morocco as host of largest military exercise in Africa

The Defense Department is looking at alternative locations to host the largest military exercise in Africa amid Senate pressure to bump Morocco from its coveted position as an annual host for the drills.

3 weeks ago

Biden presses for chips legislation in meeting with Pentagon’s No. 2 and Lockheed

President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday with the chief executive of Lockheed Martin and other companies to spur forward a bill to boost semiconductor production in the United States.

3 weeks ago

500-plus drones, extra HIMARS headed to Ukraine in latest US package

Plans also call for long-term discussions over what future aircraft Ukrainian pilots could use.

3 weeks ago

Pentagon renames UFO office, expands mission to include ‘transmedium’ objects

Earlier this year, Congress held its first hearing on UFOs in over a half century. During the hearing, lawmakers questioned Pentagon officials for more information about sightings of UFOs, with many lawmakers voicing criticism about a lack of transparency surrounding the issue.

3 weeks ago

US to send more HIMARS precision rocket systems to Ukraine in latest package

The U.S. will send four more high mobility artillery rocket systems to Ukraine in its next military aid package to strengthen Kyiv in what’s become a grinding artillery duel.

3 weeks ago

UK aviation sustainability mandates could bolster US defense sector

Companies at the Farnborough Airshow this week are highlighting their investments in aviation sustainability, and executives say that while much of this work is driven by U.K. government requirements, it will have ripple effects across business areas.

3 weeks ago

Greece moves to join Lockheed’s F-35 program as Turkey F-16 bid stalls

Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos is visiting the United States this week as Athens continues its bid to join Lockheed Martin’s F-35 co-production program and lobby against a potential F-16 sale to Turkey.

3 weeks ago

‘The clutch isn’t engaged yet’: Lockheed posts slow sales amid supply chain woes

Lockheed Martin’s chief executive said Tuesday the U.S. and its allies are “changing gears” toward increased defense spending that will boost the company’s future sales ― but it will take time.

3 weeks ago

global satellite connections

General Dynamics IT wins $908 million Air Force networks contract in Europe

The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity deal has a five-year base period with one three-year option available, according to the company.

3 weeks ago

L3Harris, Northrop picked for $1.3 billion hypersonics tracking satellite project

Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear on Monday declined to say who else was interested in furnishing the systems, but did say the competition was healthy and heating up.

4 weeks ago

Leonardo, Mitsubishi to collaborate on radar technology demonstration

The agreement, announced during the Farnborough Airshow, follows the completion of a series of joint concept and feasibility studies between the two companies earlier this year and signifies approval from their respective national defence ministries to move forward with the program.

4 weeks ago

Pentagon plan for homeland cruise missile defense taking shape

The Pentagon is narrowing in on a plan for cruise missile defense for the homeland as think tank unveils its suggested architecture to protect against the growing threat.

4 weeks ago