Cao says industry needs to ‘move forward’ in first speech as acting SecNav
Published: April 28, 2026 21:36
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao delivered his first public remarks since stepping into the role.
🦜 Breaking DefenseFull RSS Feed - Breaking Defense
@breakingdefense.com.full-rss-feed@rss-parrot.net
I'm an automated parrot! I relay a website's RSS feed to the Fediverse. Every time a new post appears in the feed, I toot about it. Follow me to get all new posts in your Mastodon timeline! Brought to you by the RSS Parrot.
---
Defense industry news, analysis and commentary
Site URL: breakingdefense.com/full-rss-feed/
Feed URL: breakingdefense.com/full-rss-feed/
Posts: 40
Followers: 2
Marine requirement for lightweight counter-drone tech to be released in coming months
Published: April 28, 2026 20:31
Though there is not a current requirement or program of record for such systems, they have been fielded to Marines due to an “urgent field need.”
Pentagon formally requests name change to War Department, setting up fight with Dems
Published: April 28, 2026 19:01
The Defense Department stated in a legislative proposal that it will likely spend about $50 million in fiscal 2026 to get the ball rolling on a name change.
Unmanned vessels in the water at Sea Air Space 2026
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/unmanned-vessels-in-the-water-at-sea-air-space-2026/
Published: April 28, 2026 16:25
This week on The Break Out, a tour of the Sea Air Space 2026 conference from scenic National Harbor, Md.
Australia boosts army with HIMARS and more armored vehicles
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/australia-boosts-army-with-himars-and-more-armored-vehicles/
Published: April 28, 2026 15:51
The HIMARS buy will come to $2.3 billion AUD, as the Australian military aims to “significantly enhance” its long-range strike capability.
UK lawmaker report warns AUKUS under threat from ‘shortcomings and failings’
Published: April 28, 2026 15:06
Findings also claim that the Royal Navy’s Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines have been “stretched” to, or “even beyond,” their limits.
Accelerating space power through software-defined mission dominance
Published: April 28, 2026 14:40
[Sponsored] As space threats continue to evolve, existing satellites need new capabilities to defend and protect, even after launch.
Army releases commercial solutions opening for rapid EW and signals intelligence capabilities
Published: April 28, 2026 13:52
The commercial solutions offering aims to produce a “library” that will provide options for units to determine what capabilities meet their structure and mission.
Forterra, Polaris tout new autonomous vehicle for CASEVAC, logistics
Published: April 28, 2026 12:30
The MESA vehicle is designed for both logistics and casualty evacuation operations up to the “last tactical mile.”
CSO Saltzman: Focus space acquisition on ‘minimum viable capabilities’
Published: April 27, 2026 20:07
In his first Commander’s Note of 2026, Gen. Chance Saltzman urges close collaboration between the Space Force acquisition and operational corps to speed delivery of new capabilities.
Risk as design input: The Eight-Factor Risk Framework for cognitive operations
Published: April 27, 2026 19:08
[Sponsored] The Eight-Factor Risk Framework’s theoretical foundation describes the three zones every audience holds simultaneously.
Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray carrier drone completes first test flight
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/navys-mq-25-stingray-carrier-drone-completes-first-test-flight/
Published: April 27, 2026 18:42
The aircraft took off from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., for an approximately two-hour flight.
Rheinmetall lands $1.2 billion German future soldier contract
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/rheinmetall-lands-1-2-billion-german-future-soldier-contract/
Published: April 27, 2026 18:27
“In total, the German Bundestag has approved €1.3 billion for the project a few days ago, so further call-offs are expected,” said the European manufacturer.
Buoyed by European rearmament boost, global military spending jumps to $2.89 trillion
Published: April 27, 2026 14:47
While Europe saw a 14 percent increase in defense spending, US expenditure declined by 7.5 percent.
Satellites at the center: Inside the Pentagon’s next-gen space architecture
Published: April 24, 2026 20:10
From emerging data networks to missile tracking and cyber resilience, Breaking Defense’s latest eBook brings together essential reporting on the evolving role of satellites in national security.
Space Force tasks a dozen companies for Golden Dome space-based interceptors
Published: April 24, 2026 18:38
The service pledged it would demonstrate an “initial capability” for the orbital missile killers by 2028.
President Trump should secure America’s nuclear future by taking weapons out of DoE
Published: April 24, 2026 17:06
America’s nuclear weapons arsenal is too central to national defense to be buried inside the Department of Energy, argues Franklin C. Miller and Frank A. Rose.
Lockheed limbo in Lima? Firm says Peru is buying F-16s, but questions remain
Published: April 24, 2026 16:00
Peru’s interim president indicated the deal was on hold, as the US Embassy in Lima insists at least part of it has already been signed.
Three carriers operate in Middle East for first time since 2003: CENTCOM
Published: April 24, 2026 15:52
Aircraft carriers George HW Bush, Abraham Lincoln and Gerald R Ford are now operating in the Middle East amid Operation Epic Fury.
‘Clear divide’ in military readiness for countries on NATO’s eastern flank: Report
Published: April 24, 2026 14:24
“We further found that sustainment in [many Eastern Flank countries] is the real and serious gap: maintenance capabilities, logistical limitations stemming from poor transportation infrastructure …,” one of the authors of the report told Breaking Defense.
Pentagon’s Munitions Acceleration Council identifies 14 ‘critical’weapons for 2027
Published: April 24, 2026 13:11
“We’re making them put skin in the game … and we expect them to meet the ramp rates that they agree to. And, if they don’t, there’ll be penalties for them,” said Jules “Jay” Hurst, who is performing the duties of the Pentagon comptroller.
‘No longer theoretical’: Golden Dome czar touts first steps amid skepticism
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/golden-dome-guetlein-show-the-public-norfolk/
Published: April 23, 2026 20:16
When asked if the American public has bought into the program, Guetlein said, “No.”
Pentagon workers vibe-code 100,000 AI ‘agents’ to use on unclassified networks
Published: April 23, 2026 17:54
A Google Gemini tool on GenAI.mil allows Defense Department personnel to create their own AI agents to handle data and automate online tasks.
Department of Air Force picks bidders for nuclear microreactors, assigns locations
Published: April 23, 2026 17:12
Supporters say the program could enhance national security by strengthening DoD’s energy sources. Critics, meanwhile, have argued that ANPI’s benefits are illusory, and come with too much cost and risk.
EXCLUSIVE: Lockheed exits Navy trainer aircraft competition
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/exclusive-lockheed-exits-navy-trainer-aircraft-competition/
Published: April 23, 2026 14:16
After the surprise move, the field of competitors for the Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System has now narrowed to SNC, Boeing, and Textron subsidiary Beechcraft in partnership with Leonardo.
Multi-sourcing, MOSA, and producibility form next-level defense acquisition reform
Published: April 23, 2026 13:38
If the Pentagon wants more resilient supply chains, it must stop buying proprietary products and start building programs around multi-sourced and competitive projects.
OMB director launches broadside at shipbuilders to close Sea Air Space 2026
Published: April 23, 2026 01:11
Aaron Mehta and Diana Stancy wrap up this year’s conference.
Navy Secretary Phelan leaving post immediately, Pentagon says
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/navy-secretary-phelan-leaving-post-immediately-pentagon-says/
Published: April 22, 2026 21:44
In a surprise move, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said John Phelan’s departure was “effective immediately.”
FY27 budget request negates need for INDOPACOM spending wishlist: Commander
Published: April 22, 2026 20:07
INDOPACOM Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo’s comments come as the department begins detailing plans to spend $12 billion next year for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.
Space Force shifts from SDA transport layer to new Space Data Network ‘backbone’
Published: April 22, 2026 19:40
A project previously called MILNET will now be funded in a budget line labeled “proliferated LEO SATCOM,” which the Space Force is seeking $1.6 billion in reconciliation funding to kick off.
The sights of Sea Air Space Day 3
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/the-sights-of-sea-air-space-day-3/
Published: April 22, 2026 19:07
A selection of photos from day three of Sea Air Space.
Trump taps defense firm execs to lead space acquisition, NRO
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/trump-taps-defense-firm-execs-to-lead-space-acquisition-nro/
Published: April 22, 2026 19:04
Erich Hernandez-Baquero has been selected to serve as the Space Force’s next acquisition czar, while Roger Mason has been nominated as the next director of the National Reconnaissance Office.
Italy lists Ukraine among top buyers for arms, while eyeing drone deal
Published: April 22, 2026 18:31
In 2025, Kyiv rose to become the 4th largest importer of Italian military equipment, up from outside the top 10 the year prior, with exports reaching €349 million ($409 million).
OMB director rebukes shipbuilders over production delays
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/omb-director-rebukes-shipbuilders-over-production-delays/
Published: April 22, 2026 18:17
OMB Director Russ Vought pointed to large shipbuilding backlogs as one way defense contractors are benefiting from program delays.
Army unveils sweeping XM30 push, $4B bet on NGC2 in newly released budget materials
Published: April 22, 2026 17:53
“The Army is in the midst of its most significant modernization in over 40 years,” Maj. Gen. Rebecca McElwain, director of the Army budget, told reporters during the Pentagon’s budget rollout Tuesday. “This involves developing and fielding new…
Not one-drone-fits-all: Admirals stress unmanned systems tailored to the mission
Published: April 22, 2026 17:23
“As we start fleshing out these concepts, what we start to understand is that … something that is a really great capability over in EUCOM or CENTCOM right now may not translate over to the Pacific, where the distances are way, way greater,” Rear Adm.…
Rheinmetall lands multibillion dollar FV-014 loitering munitions framework contract
Published: April 22, 2026 16:19
The framework contract signing comes after Rheinmetall announced in February a FV-014 demonstration in collaboration with a potential undisclosed NATO customer.
Turkish firms boost defense ties with Malaysia in missiles, comms and AI
Published: April 22, 2026 15:46
“Malaysia chose Turkish suppliers because they offered a rare combination of combat-proven capability, affordability, speed of delivery, and eagerness to build long-term industrial partnerships rather than simply sell end products systems,” one expert…
Northrop slated to deliver surface EW system to carriers in 2028
Published: April 22, 2026 14:28
Northrop Grumman’s Montá Harrell told Breaking Defense the company has a SEWIP configuration for destroyers and one for aricraft carriers.
The Navy’s plan for pilot training could add the first clean-sheet trainer aircraft since the 1950s
Published: April 22, 2026 13:16
[Sponsored] SNC’s Freedom trainer is engineered for the hard landings that come with naval missions.