News
Space X wins $2. 29 B to speed Space Force's LEO communications 'backbone"
1+ hour, 12+ min ago (350+ words) The Space X "backbone" constellation will support the broader Space Data Network, which will include the Space Development Agency's Transport layer satellites. WASHINGTON " The Space Force today announced it has awarded Space X $2. 29 billion to "accelerate" fielding of a "backbone…...
Air Force sees another year delay for next-gen engines
6+ hour, 56+ min ago (370+ words) The Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program is now projected to complete prototyping work in 2031, a cumulative delay of three years compared to earlier projections. WASHINGTON " The Air Force now expects prototyping for highly advanced fighter jet engines will not be…...
Beyond satellites: Why FOG inertial navigation is the new imperative for land warfare
8+ hour, 50+ min ago (303+ words) The era of uncontested GPS dominance is over. As counterspace threats and electronic warfare redefine the battlefield, learn how Exail's Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) technology provides the high-end stability and autonomous "source of truth" required for land maneuver and precision…...
Despite 'peak hype,' orbital data centers for AI not yet ready for Nat Sec prime time
10+ hour, 34+ min ago (1153+ words) One expert summed up the defense market viewpoint of AI data centers in space as: "If they build it, we might come." WASHINGTON " Citing the skyrocketing demand for artificial intelligence tools to synthesize data and speed decision-making, including in the…...
Ground robots in Latvia and the history of manned-unmanned teaming
7+ hour, 50+ min ago (136+ words) Breaking Defense This week on The Break Out, we travel to eastern Europe for drone testing with NATO troops before briefly reviewing the history of unmanned systems. This week on the Break Out, Breaking Defense Europe's Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo shares what…...
Navy green lights seven MUSV marketplace submissions to advance to prototype phase
4+ day, 12+ min ago (449+ words) The Navy did not reveal which companies' designs were selected to advance. WASHINGTON " The Navy has selected seven submissions in the medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) marketplace to move forward into the prototype evaluation phase, according to the service." The…...
Loitering munitions, launched effects had strong presence at SOF Week 2026
4+ day, 4+ hour ago (424+ words) "The [Rogue 1] Block 2 upgrade leverages user feedback to greatly enhance performance, resilience, and operational capability, all while maintaining existing form-factor," a Teledyne FLIR statement read. TAMPA, Fla. " Armed drones, loitering munitions and launched effects were all center stage at this…...
Enemy submarines are harder to detect, but next-gen sonobuoys search them out
5+ day, 4+ hour ago (773+ words) As adversary submarines grow quieter and more elusive, the Navy turns to a new generation of more capable, connected, and open sonobuoys. The demand for improved sensing for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) is expanding across the Indo-Pacific and other contested maritime…...
How drones can navigate without GPS
5+ day, 10+ hour ago (36+ words) Breaking Defense As drones become more valuable for combat, logistics and support operations, adversaries are countering that with intense electronic warfare to contest their ability to navigate via GPS signals....
'Have to be very careful': Special ops head calls for combat AI 'reality check"
5+ day, 10+ hour ago (323+ words) Adm. Frank Bradley told the audience at SOF Week that before unleashing "violence," humans must be in the loop. TAMPA, Fla. " As the Pentagon rushes to embrace artificial intelligence, the head of US special operations called for a "reality check,…...