Pentagon

Battlefield robots getting ‘common sense’ training before deployment

Although legged robots have existed for several years, in order to be deployed, they would need to adapt in real-time to unseen scenarios such as changing terrains, changing payloads and wear and tear.

No consensus yet on military spending for next year, except for more of it

House lawmakers on Wednesday offered new and conflicting plans for defense spending next year, setting up intense congressional debate in coming months over what the right level of military funding for fiscal 2023 should be.

Defense agencies among worst for disclosing contracting needs

General Services Administration received the highest score. Marine Corps Systems Command and Naval Information Warfare Systems Command won honorable mentions.

Pentagon should consider ‘National Hypersonic Initiative’ to speed development, lawmakers say

The House Armed Services Committee wants DoD to explore options for creating a National Hypersonic Initiative that would guide collaboration among the services and agencies involved in development and testing activities and help accelerate production and fielding of hypersonic systems.

Five questions for Army’s Robert Collins as he moves to Pentagon acquisitions office

"I’ve been doing this for 30 years," the general said, "and any time the coach puts you back in for a couple more plays on the playing field, I'll tell you, that gives you a lot of energy."

Most land mine use banned by US military, except in Korea

The announcement reverses a more permissive stance by then-President Donald Trump, and it concludes a review that has lasted for more than a year. Bonnie Jenkins, the State Department’s undersecretary for arms control and international security, said the new policy fulfills “a commitment that President Biden made as a candidate,” when he described Trump’s decision as “reckless.”

House seeks to establish critical munitions reserve in defense authorization

A provision in the House’s annual defense authorization bill, released on Monday, would require the Defense Department to establish a critical munitions reserve while identifying a pilot program to keep better tabs on the subcontractors involved in their production.

Paul to oppose small business program Pentagon uses to spur innovation

A key U.S. lawmaker says he will oppose reauthorization of federal small business innovation grants favored by the Pentagon, raising doubts about how Congress will avert their expiration Sept. 30.

House lawmakers eye 70% funding boost for Pentagon’s commercial innovation hub

The recommended budget growth follows calls from committee members for greater DoD investment in commercial technology.

Senators seek boosts for JADC2, cyber mission, hypersonics in defense bill

The Senate Armed Services Committee on June 16 published its summary of the annual defense bill, tackling everything from future network development to supply chain challenges, electronic warfare integration to hypersonic weapons development.

Congress wants to double rare earth mineral fund to free defense supply chain from China

Congress seeks to more than double the net worth of the national strategic mineral stockpile in order to lessen the defense industrial base’s reliance on adversaries such as China in supply chains needed to build everything from bullets to nuclear weapons to night vision goggles.

Army equipment stored in Europe being looked at by inspector general

The pre-positioned stocks are being used for the first time ever, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine to get thousands of secure radios in latest US package

The radios will be sourced using Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds and will not be siphoned from existing U.S. stockpiles.

US sending Ukraine new $1 billion arms package amid grinding Donbas fight

The U.S. will send Ukraine another $1 billion in weapons to fight Russia, including Harpoon anti-ship launchers for the first time from the U.S., and more ammunition for high-tech, medium-range rocket launchers, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.

Commentary

The Defense Production Act is helping rebuild the US industrial base. Let’s keep it that way.

A legitimate debate may arise over the use of the DPA beyond traditional defense needs. As that debate unfolds, Congress may find that the act's authorities need to be expanded at the Pentagon.

Defense spending plan for next year will see a significant hike, lawmakers say

Rep. Adam Smith said he'll push for smart spending instead of mere budget boosts, but an increase over the White House plan appears inevitable.

Pentagon to swap out nuclear boss, Europe commander and more

Three combatant commands are preparing to welcome new leaders, pending Senate confirmation.

Lawmakers propose ‘Technology Competitiveness Council’ to champion US innovation

The council, chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris, would craft a National Technology Strategy that assesses U.S. competitiveness and recommends policy and funding measures to support innovation within the national security sector.

House Democrats rebuke calls to raise spending in defense bill

House Democrats sided with the Biden administration by allocating $762 billion in the first draft of their fiscal 2023 defense spending bill the Appropriations Committee released Tuesday.

Russia-Ukraine war is teaching the Pentagon a lesson about the Pacific

Russia’s war in Ukraine is teaching the Pentagon it can’t get logistics and sustainment wrong in the Pacific theater, its No. 2 civilian said Monday.

US Defense Secretary Austin meets Thai leader to boost ties

Thailand and the United States are longtime military allies.

Austin talks Taiwan independence, Russia’s invasion and AUKUS deal at security summit

"Do rules matter? Does sovereignty matter? Does the system that we have built together matter?" the Pentagon chief asked the audience at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Pentagon chief meets Chinese counterpart for first time in Singapore

The officials discussed North Korea, Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Biden nominates Marine general as next commander of US forces in Africa

If confirmed, he would become the Marine Corps' first Black four-star general.

Pentagon’s Hicks expects real results from artificial intelligence office

“What I will say is that we have to be able to deliver,” said the deputy secretary. “We have to advance, and advance quickly, on the challenge set that the warfighter faces.”