Defense tech

• Fred Kacher was removed from the role by Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to a source

• The bill resolves a months-long gridlock between the heads of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee over how to reform the SBIR program

• ‘We’re still in the initial phases of that investigation, so we’ll continue to to work with the United Launch Alliance and their suppliers to make sure we’ve got the right level

• Separately, state-owned Havelsan announced the commissioning of an armed unmanned surface vessel, dubbed Sancar, on Tuesday

• ‘I anticipate you will see an investment from the company themselves, from the industry partner themselves, to ensure they can continue to build out that facility that would make

• Beehive Industries, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney and a teamup of GE Aerospace and Kratos will ‘mature engine designs’ for future drone wingmen and other autonomous platforms, accor

• [Sponsored] Agentic AI helps defense manufacturers speed up production, cut complexity and improve decision-making across global supply chains

• Two major trade groups are working on studies to scope the supply chain issues, hone in on the most pressing problems, and identify early mitigation strategies

• ‘Unlocking the potential for spectrum operations at machine speed will be key to winning the EMS fight,’ Col.

• Separately, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the Air Force will continue work on two rapid prototypes for the E-7 Wedgetail, though he did not appear to fully commit to the pr

• This week on The Break Out, Army reporter Carley Welch comes back from Alaska with an on-the-ground report.

• ‘Armor and the Arctic don’t necessarily match,’ Cogbill said. • They would fall off the roads. • They tumble down the side of a mountain. • So we have to be light, highly mobile.

• Drones will play a critical role in surveillance, logistics, and both offensive and defensive operations in the region.

• Defense spending jumped globally to $2.63 trillion in 2025, according to IISS’s latest Military Balance report.

• Anduril’s YFQ-44A drone wingman under development for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program has begun testing flights with a missile underwing, according to an Air Force pres

• Ursa Major’s new CEO Chris Spagnoletti told Breaking Defense that the company’s new hypersonic weapon could cost $3 million a piece.

• The Doomsday Plane contract showcases mid‑tier defense contractors. • It emphasizes flexibility and agility in government procurement. • Intellectual property remains under gover

• Kristin Panzenhageh has taken over Maj. • Stephen Purdy’s former role of military deputy to the Office of Space Acquisition and Integration. • Kristin Panzenhageh has taken over

• A $4.5 billion spending boost for the B-21 program outlined by lawmakers as part of the 2025 reconciliation package will help fund the accelerated production. • A $4.5 billion sp

• Known as Project Overwatch, the AI is trained to distinguish different types of emissions, autonomously identifying the source for the human pilot. • Known as Project Overwatch,

• The $30M award is the first under SDA’s Hybrid Acquisition for proliferated Low-earth Orbit (HALO) program. • The $30M award is the first under SDA’s Hybrid Acquisition for proli

• The spending plan, obtained by Breaking Defense, pumps billions into munitions, missile defense and shipbuilding, among other priorities. • The spending plan, obtained by Breakin

• [Sponsored] R&D, engineering and manufacturing processes must all adapt to keep pace with the dynamic of technology. • [Sponsored] R&D, engineering and manufacturing processes mu

• During JPMRC 26-02, the ‘Arctic Angels’ grapple with tough terrain, fragile tech and logistical shortfalls as the Army tries to sharpen its Arctic edge. • During JPMRC 26-02, the

• Army gears up for surge of small FPV drones, demanding advanced pilot training.\n• Precision targeting with lethal drones requires soldiers to master high-skill FPV operations.\n

• Focusing on the Coast Guard’s development can help the US match countries like China who have already moved on the trend.

• ‘We are definitely seeing, many times over, an over-reliance on technology,’ Capt. • Jake Thomas told Breaking Defense.

• ‘We are definitely seeing, many times over, an over-reliance on technology,’ Capt. • Jake Thomas told Breaking Defense.

• The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance How RTX is equipping the military airspace - for today’s fleet and tomorrow’s fight. • Share this article on Facebook Share this artic

• ‘We’re confident in the design of the aircraft that we have,’ Air Force Program Executive Officer for Training Rodney Stevens told Breaking Defense. • ‘We’re ready to start provi

• Pentagon must balance innovation with proven experience in drone procurement. • New entrants can bring fresh ideas but lack long-term operational track record. • Textron executiv

• ‘This contract reflects the growing strength and success of Austal’s Australian operations - and Australian industry - within the national shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise

• ‘I think coordination has been lacking, and you’re seeing a lot more sort of cowboy behavior, which could be problematic,’ Stacie Pettyjohn, a senior fellow and director of the d

• Under a memorandum of understanding, Northrop will explore options to develop an autonomous boom refueling system for Embraer’s KC-390, hoping to attract US and international cus

• ‘We are deeply grateful for Michelle’s vision, commitment, and the lasting impact that she has made on our organization,’ Chris Chadwick, chairman of Austal USA’s board of manage

• A recent study co-sponsored by NATO’s Innovation Fund found that investment in European ‘Defence, Security and Resilience’ startups increases by 55 percent in 2025.

• ‘What we’re not going to do is let any one company dictate a new set of policies above and beyond what Congress has passed,’ Under Secretary Emil Michael said of the ongoing impa

• Proxies, such as the Houthis, should be heavily considered by the US while measures are taken against Iran.

• IISS research found that China launched 10 submarines with an estimated displacement of 79,000 tonnes between 2021 and 2025.

• Northrop denies seeking direct DoD investment for solid rocket motors. • CEO Kathy Warden highlights strategic synergy driving ownership decisions within the portfolio. • Company

• Chief of Naval Operations Adm. • Daryl Caudle said a robotic autonomous systems commander would coordinate across domains.

• Under the new GHOST-R effort, the Defense Innovation Unit hopes to have a high-resolution bird operating on orbit within 24 months.

• ‘What we don’t want to do is what we’ve always done in the past: siloed programs, by silo services,’ Col. • Arlon Smith, director of Project Dynamis, told Breaking Defense.

• ‘Those [Golden Dome] conversations are ongoing, and we will only participate if it is right for both parties,’ a spokesperson with Canada’s Minister of Defense told Breaking Defe

• Comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz may represent the unofficial pulling of the plug on the effort to produce a sixth-gen fighter for France, Germany and Spain

• Delivery of the first batch of C-27 J MPAs to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces is expected to commence in 2029.

• Breadcrumb Home News Turning Proteins Into PROSE Turning proteins into PROSE PROtein SEquencing launches to build microsystems that decipher complex proteins The ability to rapid

• ‘We are ready to step into the supply line … to fill some of the gaps that Hägglunds has,’ Hanno Pevkur, Estonia’s defense minister, told Breaking Defense.

• A unified force in Japan’s House of Representatives opens the door for widespread military reform under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, writes analyst Ronny Sasmita.

• WORLD DEFENSE SHOW 2026 - SCOPA Defense Industries, a Saudi Arabian firm, has garnered a certain air of mystery at the last two editions of the World Defense Show outside Riyadh.

• WASHINGTON -The Trump administration’s plans for a ‘Maritime Golden Age’ hinges on bolstering the US shipbuilding industry -which has lagged behind China - and boosting US-built

• LongShot program aims first flight test by end of 2026, earlier than originally planned. • DARPA sees X-68A as useful for Air Force and Navy, launching from bomber/fighter. • Fli

• The Break Out went on the road this week, coming to you from the World Defense Show outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. • Get caught up on some major themes from the show and take a lo

• MELBOURNE - Australia will invest $3.9 billion Australian dollars ($2.75 billion) in a submarine construction yard at Osborne in South Australia, to build nuclear-powered submari

• SAN DIEGO - A little-known joint center for integratingcyber operationsproved instrumental during the operation to capture Venezuelan leaderNicolás Maduro, a top Navy cyber offic

• Breadcrumb Home News National Museum of The U.S. • Air Force To Host DARPA Lift Challenge National Museum of the U.S. • Air Force to host DARPA Lift Challenge Public competition

• WASHINGTON - The Air Force’sSentinel nuclear missile programis set to complete a mandated restructuring this year, teeing up the modernized ICBM to become operational early in th

• The USArmyis about to lose millions of dollars in training value for reasons that have nothing to do with funding shortfalls or maintenance discipline. • As armored brigades prep

• Breadcrumb Home News Not Such a Long Shot Not such a long shot X-68A advances toward revolutionizing air combat What was once only conceptual is now making steady progress toward

• MUNICH - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to defuse tension with European allies today, telling them that despite headlines saying otherwise, it is not Washington’s ‘g