Tag: pentagon
226 articles
Pentagon Cyber Chief Warns of Capability Gap
The Pentagon's cyber chief, Katie Sutton, is sounding the alarm on a critical capability gap, warning that the demand for cyber tools far outstrips the supply, and it's a problem that's both urgent and institution-wide. She's on a mission to bridge this gap by building a more robust set of cyber capabilities for the secretary and the president.
Pentagon's Industrial Base Sputters on Qualification Bottleneck
The real bottleneck in the Pentagon's industrial base isn't a lack of funds, but a shortage of qualified suppliers - it can take months or even years to turn a shop into a certified producer of parts that meet program standards. This qualification process is a major hidden hurdle that's slowing down the defense industry's ability to mobilize and deliver.
Feinberg Navigates Funding Talks Amid Midterm Uncertainty
As midterm elections loom, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg is proactively navigating funding talks with lawmakers, ensuring the Pentagon's financial future remains on track despite the uncertainty. He recently met with the House Armed Services Committee in a classified briefing, taking a pragmatic approach to planning ahead.
Pentagon Pushes for Right to Repair Military Hardware
The Pentagon is taking a stand for a crucial right: the ability to repair and maintain its own military hardware, a move that could significantly boost its operational independence. This push, championed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, is now headed to Capitol Hill for consideration.
Pentagon Tweaks Accounting Regime Amid Industry Worry
The Pentagon is shaking up its accounting rules, embracing commercial practices in a move that could bring big changes to government contracts. Deputy Secretary Stephen Feinberg says the department will now accept GAAP-based accounting across all contracts to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Pentagon Accelerates AIM-260 Missile Production Amid China Threat
The Pentagon is ramping up production of the AIM-260 missile to stay ahead of China's growing threat, with a new framework agreement with Lockheed Martin aimed at ensuring a stable and efficient supply chain. This move is part of a broader effort to accelerate development of cutting-edge air dominance weapons.
Pentagon Procurement Chief Warns of Industrial Base Strains
The Pentagon's top procurement officer, Air Force Gen. Dale R. White, is sounding the alarm on strains in the US defense industrial base, warning that capacity concerns are widespread and affecting multiple platforms. These worries aren't limited to specific programs like the F-35 or F/A-XX, but are a broader issue that demands attention.
Pentagon Eyes Lunar Battlespace Amid Orbital Weapons Debate
The Pentagon is setting its sights on the lunar battlespace, with Gen. Dan Caine urging the Joint Force to prepare for combat in a vast, contested territory that now stretches from the seabed to cislunar space.
Pentagon Expands Tech Testbed Along US-Mexico Border
The Pentagon is ramping up its tech testing along the US-Mexico border, with plans to bring on new projects and programs - but only if they can do so safely and with Congressional funding.
Pentagon Shifts Cybersecurity Focus to Leverage Emerging Tech
The Pentagon is shaking up its cybersecurity strategy, recognizing that technology - not just personnel - holds the key to defending its vast digital landscape. Department of Defense CIO Kirsten Davies calls it a complex puzzle that requires a tech-savvy solution, leveraging cutting-edge tools like automation, machine learning, and AI.
Pentagon Leverages Polygraphs to Hunt Leakers, Despite Dubious Science
The Pentagon is ramping up its leak investigation tactics, using polygraph tests on dozens of military officers and civilian employees in a massive probe into press leaks about the Iran war and depleted US munitions. Roughly 50 personnel on the Joint Staff were subjected to the tests in August in an unprecedented move.
Pentagon Picks Indiana Base to Host Nuclear Microreactor
The Pentagon has chosen Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indiana to host a cutting-edge nuclear microreactor, a decision driven by the need to meet a tight 2028 deadline to deploy the first military reactor. This strategic move aims to accelerate the development of this game-changing technology.
Pentagon Prepares to Realign FY27 Priorities Amid Funding Uncertainty
The Pentagon is gearing up to adjust its FY27 priorities due to funding uncertainty, with Comptroller Jules Hurst hinting that the department may revisit its requests with appropriators if the $350 billion reconciliation package isn't passed. This potential shift could impact high-priority programs like Golden Dome, munitions buys, and Defense Autonomy.
Pentagon Drone Program Warns of Funding Lapse Setback
The Pentagon's drone program is at a critical juncture, with Lt. Gen. Steven Marks warning that a funding lapse could stall momentum gained since the program's inception over a year ago. Without crucial funds, including a potential $54 billion from the FY27 budget, the program's progress may start to wane.
Pentagon Expands AI-Powered Maven System Across Operations
The Pentagon is supercharging its decision-making with the AI-powered Maven Smart System, which is being expanded across operations to help officials make faster, data-driven decisions. What started as a tool to connect intelligence and operations is now being used to analyze logistics, supply chain, and budgeting data, and more.
F-35 Costs Surge 11% Amid Production Lot Price Hikes
The F-35 program is hitting new heights, but at a steeper price: costs have surged 11% as production lot prices for all three variants - F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C - have increased. The average flyaway prices now stand at $92 million, $121.4 million, and $110.8 million respectively.
Pentagon Scrambles to Offset Mounting FY26 Operational Costs
Rep. Rosa DeLauro slammed the Pentagon for a secretive attempt to divert NIH funds meant for lifesaving medical research, sparking a heated debate over the true intentions behind the proposed interagency agreement. The disputed deal would have transferred NIH dollars to the Defense Department, but ultimately no funds were transferred.
Pentagon's Drone Push Must Confront Risk of Rapid Obsolescence
The Pentagon's drone-buying strategy needs a wake-up call: instead of fixating on cheap prices, it should prioritize combat value to avoid wasting millions on drones that become obsolete before they're even used. Col. Dustin Thomas argues that a shift in focus is crucial, or else the military risks rendering 70,000 drones useless with a single countermeasure.
GE Aerospace Secures $2.9 Billion F/A-18 Engine Parts Contract
GE Aerospace has landed a massive $2.9 billion contract to supply parts for the F414 engine, powering the Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. This performance-based logistics deal runs through August 2031 and is a huge win for the company.
Trump Taps Cao to Lead Navy Amidst Leadership Void
President Trump has announced his intention to nominate Hung Cao, a seasoned warrior and current acting Navy secretary, as the next Secretary of the Navy, calling him the perfect candidate to lead the department. Trump urged the Senate to confirm Cao ASAP, saying he's the best person to keep the Navy and Marine Corps at the top of their game.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns Amid Strained Pentagon Ties
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down from his role after serving for less than two years, sparking a new chapter for the Department of the Army. His departure comes amid reports of strained ties with the Pentagon and a conversation with President Trump about the Army's future.
Congress Urged to Act as Munitions Shortage Widens
The Pentagon's alarmingly long procurement lead times have sounded the alarm: 31 months for crucial PAC-3 interceptors, 34 months for THAAD interceptors, and a staggering 40 months for Tomahawk missiles. If Congress delays appropriations, these timelines will stretch even further, leaving our defenses vulnerable for years to come.
Pentagon Revises F-35 Lifecycle Costs Downward to $1.93 Trillion
The Pentagon just revised its estimate of the F-35's lifecycle costs down to $1.93 trillion, a significant drop from the previously reported $2 trillion price tag. This updated figure includes all development, procurement, operating, and sustainment costs over the jet's expected service life.
Congress Wrestles with $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget
The Pentagon is seeking a historic $1.5 trillion defense budget, but faces an uphill battle on Capitol Hill as Congress juggles multiple complex bills. A solid budget resolution is crucial, with Sen. Jack Reed saying it would put lawmakers in a much better position to move forward.