Battlefield Tech
Taiwan needs a ‘hornet’s nest’ of drones to deter conflict, US diplomat says
Taiwan says it needs to bolster its defenses in the face of a stepped-up threat from China, which claims the island as its own territory.
By Ben Blanchard
Unmanned
Hegseth creates powerful new drone office, pulling authority from the military services
The reorganization is the latest step in Hegseth’s push to field weapons faster.
Defense startups raid auto and fracking sectors for parts to speed weapons output
Defense tech startups are repurposing automotive chips and pipes used in fracking in an effort to deliver weapons to the Pentagon faster and at lower cost.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
US Navy seeks to boost production of new anti-radar missile
Naval Air Systems Command is asking industry whether it is capable of supplying up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles per year.
By Michael Peck
In ‘red hot’ counter-drone market, Echodyne CEO sees radar demand boom
Defeating drones starts with detection, and suppliers of relatively small and affordable radars are rushing to meet global demand.
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2026 Tech Disruptors
The Defense News 2026 Tech Disruptors is an annual list of top tech leaders shaping defense technology.
Autonomous Data Fusion on the Modern Battlefield
A look at how data fusion is critical to maintaining information dominance, how the new prime contractors can offer agility, speed, innovation, and more.
DOD’s Cyber Workforce Challenges
This whitepaper explores how the DoD can close the cyber workforce skills gap, how ‘upskilling’ protects national security in the digital age, and more.
Whitepaper: How Modular Systems Help Ensure Defense Readiness
Learn how a Modular Open Systems Approach avoids proprietary lock-in, how ease of sourcing replacement parts helps ensure readiness, and more.
Space
ICEYE to double radar-satellite capacity by late 2027 as demand surges
The company's goal is to ramp up production to two satellites a week as it responds to surging demand from European militaries.
Artificial Intelligence
VA inventory report reveals 367 AI systems operating in healthcare, benefits and services
A recently released report catalogs AI uses across the VA, from clinical tools used during patient care to systems that help process benefits.
Unmanned
Hegseth creates powerful new drone office, pulling authority from the military services
The reorganization is the latest step in Hegseth’s push to field weapons faster.
In ‘red hot’ counter-drone market, Echodyne CEO sees radar demand boom
Defeating drones starts with detection, and suppliers of relatively small and affordable radars are rushing to meet global demand.
Video purportedly shows Ukrainian unit running down Russian Shahed. The US is paying attention.
An unverified video of Ukrainian unit taking down a Shahed drone with an American-made interceptor comes as the U.S. Army seeks to field drones at scale.
Unmanned
Ukraine is launching strike-drones from everything – including Black Sea robo-boats
The Pentagon is studying the lesson as it shifts focus toward a possible conflict with China.
Latvia and Ukraine to open drone factory right on Baltic nation’s border with Russia
The Latgale region, where the new drone factory is to be built, is historically one of Latvia’s most economically disadvantaged.
USMC awards $20 million contract for first autonomous ground vehicles
The Marine Corps is pursuing a first-of-its-kind $20 million production contract for fully autonomous ground vehicles.
Cyber
Pentagon to launch ‘Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay’ program
The initative, dubbed Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay, is slated to begin in early October.
Electronic Warfare
Pentagon’s realistic electronic warfare system to move to Navy lab
DARPA says it has built the world’s largest, most realistic electronic warfare test capability.
VIDEOS
GWOT Memorial group open to design changes | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.30.26
The president of the GWOT Memorial Foundation says he’s taking feedback on the installation’s design. Plus, foam drones and a throwable 360-degree camera.
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The US military wants a fleet of laser trucks. Here’s what they might look like.
Two ground vehicles could define how the Pentagon fields high-energy laser weapons at scale.
By Jared Keller
Ukraine is launching strike-drones from everything – including Black Sea robo-boats
The Pentagon is studying the lesson as it shifts focus toward a possible conflict with China.
Israel tests Iron Dome with Iron Beam, pairing missiles with laser pulses for air defense
The combination of technologies is meant to give Israel a leg up in shooting down high-volume swarms of incoming threats like drones or missiles.
Latvia and Ukraine to open drone factory right on Baltic nation’s border with Russia
The Latgale region, where the new drone factory is to be built, is historically one of Latvia’s most economically disadvantaged.
By Linus Höller
German Counter-drone startup Tytan eyes 3,000 interceptors per month in new factory
Production at the new plant is scheduled to begin in August, according to the company's CEO.
Philippines deploys US-made Triton naval drones in its western waters to scout for intruders
The transfer comes after the military revealed that China discreetly deployed a 6x6 meter floating platform equipped with an antenna at Scarborough Shoal.
ICEYE to double radar-satellite capacity by late 2027 as demand surges
The company's goal is to ramp up production to two satellites a week as it responds to surging demand from European militaries.
Poland buys V-BAT drones to boost Baltic Sea naval operations
The deal puts Poland in line to become the first country on NATO’s eastern flank to acquire the Shield AI-made drone.
VA inventory report reveals 367 AI systems operating in healthcare, benefits and services
A recently released report catalogs AI uses across the VA, from clinical tools used during patient care to systems that help process benefits.
By Natalie Oliverio
US Army tests fire control software that helps moving vehicles kill drones
The Army has successfully tested software designed to help vehicle-mounted weapons shoot down drones while both the target and the vehicle are moving.
By Eve Sampson
Frustrating Israel, fiber-optic killer drone technology has arrived in southern Lebanon
Analysts believe that any military engaged in conflict will, in one form or another, encounter technologies first seen in Ukraine.
The unlikely role of Operation Epic Fury in a Mississippi AI data center lawsuit
The lawsuit argues that the data centers are operating illegally and polluting surrounding areas, but the DOJ said they’re needed for national security.
Ukraine launches ‘TrophyLab’ platform to share captured Russian weapons with allies
Among the listed items available for study are, for example, a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and a T-90M tank.
By Linus Höller
Japan joins the global craze to field interceptor drones
The interceptor drone systems are expected to be installed by 2027 near radar sites, bases, vessels and other critical locations, the agency stated.
Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter program
The announcement comes as the Polish government is mulling plans to acquire up to 32 new fighter jets.
Renault teams up with Thales to boost France’s drone production
The carmaker will build Thales’ Toutatis remotely operated loitering munitions at one of its factories, with estimated production of 1,000 units a month.
By Gilles Guillaume and Florence Loeve, Reuters