Geopolitics & Defense
Geopolitics, conflicts and defense: Ukraine and Russia, the Middle East, China and Taiwan, NATO, military industry, sanctions, trade and energy security.
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US Army eyes developing soldier-worn drone detection gear
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Army is in the early stages of developing and testing a wearable or lightweight device that could alert soldiers to the presence of hostile drones without substantially adding to their combat load, officials said in a briefing with reporters on Wednesday.
‘Revolutionary’: Bell touts MV-75 Cheyenne II as combat game changer
The Army's MV-75 Cheyenne II is expected to bring increased capability through its speed, range and modular open systems approach.
Kratos combat drone completes first Euro flight, advances turbojet engine production
The California-based defense company Kratos announced this week the first test flight of the uncrewed combat aircraft known as the U740 Valkyrie over European skies, as well as the first successful flight tests of a new turbojet engine designed for small aerial systems.
US Army to stand up second expeditionary cyber battalion in coming months
The Army will soon double the number of battalions it uses to train and deploy expeditionary cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare teams, according to the Army.
Routine testosterone screening of US troops may require extensive follow-on care, study finds
One-time testosterone testing of troops found that 100,691 active-duty soldiers had morning screening levels below the medical threshold.
France to go it alone on next-gen combat aircraft after FCAS collapse
France will develop a next-generation combat aircraft domestically, after a joint project with Germany and Spain collapsed earlier this year.
Pentagon seeks expertise to develop brain injury assessment standards
The Defense Department is seeking a variety of information that can help in formulating standards for assessing mild traumatic brain injuries, or mTBI.
US ‘economic supremacy’ key in the Western Hemisphere, top US Army general says
The U.S. Army’s top commander for the Western Hemisphere described American “economic supremacy” as an overarching national security goal.
Thales Australia tackles heavy battlefield logistics with new big-rig robot
PERTH, Australia — Imagine an unmanned ground vehicle large enough to cart a 20-foot container around the battlefield, as well as possessing sufficient power to run a radar or launch a barrage of missiles.
‘Who doesn’t want to be first?’ Best Squad, NCO and Soldier named at AUSA
After a multi-day gauntlet of obstacle courses, ruck marches and technical trials that tested human endurance and proficiency, the five-soldier squad from the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment was named the Best Squad during a ceremony at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition on Monday. From Sept. 11 to 19, 11 squads battled at Fort Benning, Georgia, to earn the titles of Soldier of the Year, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Best Squad. Cpl. Michael Shield was named the Army’s Soldier of the Year, and Staff
US Army to address parents’ blocked access to teen medical records
To military parents who are frustrated because they can’t get access to their teenagers’ medical records, the U.S. Army Surgeon General has a message: “We share your concern,” and are working to address it.
Honeywell Aerospace’s counter-drone software unites data from multiple sensors into one
Honeywell Aerospace’s SAMURAI system is designed to bring information from disparate sources into a single interface.
Acting US Army secretary creates task force for HVAC repairs
A new, enterprise-level Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Task Force has identified more than $100 million in projects for early 2027.
US soldiers must train on ‘new basics’ of unmanned systems, officials say
As the U.S. Army trains soldiers for multi-domain operations, like in the multinational exercise Project Flytrap, the service needs to prepare them with “new basics” to establish one standard and baseline, officials said.
Northrop Grumman breaks out the big guns at AUSA
With the growing threat of attacks by small unmanned aircraft systems on the battlefield, Northrop Grumman is pitching gun-based air defense systems designed to take down waves of aerial threats.
Pentagon needs $50B for mass drone production, Hegseth says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants $50 billion in reconciliation funding to support the Pentagon’s push to scale autonomous and robotic systems.
France mulls keeping Charles de Gaulle carrier sailing after 2038
France is studying whether the Charles de Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier can continue to sail beyond its envisaged retirement in 2038.
‘Addicted to the Guard’: Generals call for ‘traffic cop’ to control state governor’s demands
One National Guard leader proposed a new "traffic cop" to filter state and federal activation and employment requests as the Guard faces increasing demand.
Disrupt, Strike, Assault and Endure: The 4 pillars of the US Army’s new warfare guidance
“How The Army Fights” is a new 46-page U.S. Army-issued guide on how the service should fight — and survive — on the modern battlefield.
European officials weigh mix of high-tech drones and heavy armor
European leaders are figuring out the right mix between unmanned systems and heavy armor to secure NATO's eastern flank.
‘You’re a coward’: Protesters heckle Hegseth during AUSA panel
Protesters derailed a Washington, D.C., panel featuring U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, calling him a “war criminal” and a “Nazi.”
US Army generals propose larger-footprint, more frequent military exercises in Korea
A month after President Donald Trump intervened to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, citing a desire not to upset his “very good relationship” with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, the commander of Army forces on the peninsula said he’d like to go bigger – both in exercise frequency and geographic scope.
Oshkosh adapts JLTV for Dutch military patrol vehicle
Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense has begun production of the first prototype of the Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicle, or DXPV. According to the company, the new vehicle, also called the “Kaaiman,” was derived from the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, and adapted for the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. At the 2026 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Pat Williams, the company’s chief program officer, described the “production” as “an important step in delivering next-generation capability to the Netherlands.”
Forterra partners with Hypercraft on autonomous vehicle for high-risk missions
Defense companies Forterra and Hypercraft have collaborated to produce a contested-environment-ready autonomous vehicle, which they showed off for the first time at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.
US Army taps 9 companies to build next-gen command and control software
The U.S. Army announced that it is awarding initial contracts to several defense technology companies to build applications for its new battlefield software.
‘Nobody’s losing pay’: Army Cyber Command head says new tech mastery program won’t affect troop wages
The head of the U.S. Army’s digital defense wing on Monday reassured soldiers in the field that a new initiative aimed at enhancing cyberspace proficiency wouldn’t affect their pay.
How to earn the US Army’s Jungle tab in Panama — and lose 10lbs
Earning the U.S. Army's jungle tab at its newly reinstated course in Panama requires more than slogging through mud.
Estonia weighs buying light jet aircraft to shoot down Russian jet-powered drones
VIENNA — Estonia’s new defense minister said his country should consider buying light jet aircraft to shoot down Russia’s faster, jet-powered attack drones.
US Army expands drone marketplace to 33 nations
The U.S. Army’s online marketplace for rapid drone acquisition is expanding internationally. Representatives of Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Japan, Kuwait, Morocco, Albania and Panama signed a statement of intent to join the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Marketplace during a ceremony Tuesday at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Retired Gen.
Pete Hegseth to discuss autonomous warfare at AUSA Annual 2026 on Oct 14 at 10am EST
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is scheduled to appear at the Association of the United States Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for a discussion on the future of autonomous warfare.
Watch live: Hegseth speaks on autonomous warfare panel at AUSA Annual 2026
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers remarks livestreamed from AUSA Annual 2026.
Ukraine races to field faster interceptors as Russia hammers its energy grid
With jets being used in more and more Russian attacks, Ukraine is leveraging fighter jets, AI-aimed gun turrets and scarce missiles for air defense.
US Army transfers 600 enlisted soldiers to Space Operations Branch
The U.S. Army bolstered its Space Operations Branch by 600 soldiers, the service recently announced, officially creating the branch’s first permanent enlisted cadre.
US Army hackathon sets backdrop for an AUSA focused on autonomy
The Army recently wrapped up a hacking initiative that asked defense companies to break into each other’s networks and allow their autonomous machines to communicate.
US Army, Navy research labs team up to combat Arctic cold
For much of recorded military history, the through line between mission success and failure came down to the basics, including adequate latrine facilities to keep disease vectors at bay.
97% of US soldiers complete brain health assessment
Nearly all U.S. soldiers completed a mandatory test meant to track the effects of blast exposure and monitor brain health across the Army, the service said in a release. The test, or Neurocognitive Assessment Tool, is computer-based and records neurological activity, such as attention, concentration, reaction time, memory, processing speed and decision-making. Testing started in 2024 in response to
US Army suspends longtime hometown recruiter assistance program, faces cancellation
For years, Army recruiters have enjoyed flagging a special perk for new Advanced Individual Training graduates: an opportunity to return to their hometowns for 14 days with pay prior to their first duty station, with the understanding they’ll help local recruiters during that time and tell the Army story.
Anduril’s Palmer Luckey envisions missiles made in car factories, underground battles
Anduril founder and co-leader of the newly formed Project Meridian gave a sneak peek into what he sees as the future of war.
Anduril awarded contract to expand US Army’s next-gen battlefield command system
The Army awarded Anduril Industries a contract on Sept. 30 worth up to $1.8 billion over five years to help the service transition its new battlefield software from the experimentation phase to the fielding phase.
LaNeve to industry: ‘We are not walking away from modernization’
The U.S. Army's Futures and Concepts Command has been redesignated as U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems, the service's top officer announced.
BAE Systems unveils new layered air-defense system
The weapons include the long-awaited Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System and a High-Power Microwave.
How autonomous weapons are changing the way brigades fight
At Fort Bragg in August, Army soldiers tested how unmanned systems could help troops breach obstacles while reducing their exposure to battlefield hazards.
Startup wants US soldiers to command AI agents through its smart glasses
Last year, Washington, D.C.-based Rivet was one of two contractors selected for the U.S. Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command program, an effort to develop a device that enhances situational awareness and communication on the battlefield.
Army eyes changes to emergency war gear stocks amid review
As the war with Iran provides the military with new insights on how to prepare for contemporary conflict, the Army is nearing decisions on changes to make to its own emergency stockpiles.
Kongsberg to build new plant in Poland for counter-drone systems
WARSAW, Poland — Norway’s Kongsberg has decided to build a new production facility for counter-drone systems in northern Poland, with plans to invest more than 200 million zloty ($51 million) in the plant.
US Army targets 2028 for first high-energy laser counter-drone weapons
The first directed energy weapon selected by the U.S. Army for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program could be out of testing and ready for counter-drone operations by early 2028, Army officials told Military Times at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington.
Anduril reveals family of surface-to-air interceptor missiles
Anduril released a new family of surface-to-air interceptor missiles in an effort to create a more diverse range of defensive measures while building at scale.
Lockheed eyes fresh PAC-3 interceptor production options for Ukraine, Europe
Lockheed Martin is weighing new industry partnerships to produce urgently needed PAC-3 Patriot interceptors in Europe, an avenue that could also help fill Ukraine’s shortfalls, a company executive said.
General Dynamics showcases Wolf XM30, new counter-drone systems at AUSA
General Dynamics Land Systems is showcasing a 1/8 model of the Wolf XM30, the company’s candidate to replace the M2 Bradley at AUSA this week.
US Army to stand up command for unmanned and autonomous warfare
An Oct. 1 memo directs the Army vice chief of staff to establish the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command, or FASCOM.
The Lynx XM30 is making its case to be the US Army’s Bradley replacement
One of the U.S. Army’s next-gen combat vehicle prototypes is finally being seen and operated by the service members who will one day steer the final product.
Different suppressors for training, combat? Sig Sauer offers new way to reduce toxic fumes
The company is exploring offering different suppressors that maximize blowback reduction during training and signature masking in combat.
With the cold breed: For soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division, ‘winter is always coming’
Survival in Alaska’s vast wilderness presents its own difficulties. Training soldiers to fight in these environs is an undertaking even more daunting.
US Army aspires to create Indo-Pacific manufacturing hub in Korea
As the Army builds out its logistics capability in Korea, it’s investing in manufacturing to supply local forces — and troops across the Pacific region.
Drone carrying M250 machine gun completes firing test
A heavy-duty quadcopter carrying Sig Sauer’s new M250 light machine gun has completed a test requiring it to identify and engage targets from the air, the company announced Tuesday.
The US Army is back in the jungle. Panamanians are showing soldiers the way
Panamanian service members have trained, lived — and in some cases, fought — in the jungle. Now, they are teaching U.S. service members.
Twenty-Six Defense unveils new soldier-worn tech
The defense firm formerly known as Elbit America introduced Primex, a headset designed with night vision and augmented reality capabilities.
Italy eyes MBDA armaments for new Italo-Turkish drone
ROME — Italy is holding tests with MBDA to mount the European firm’s armaments on the new Astore Levante drone being built by Turkey’s Baykar and Italy’s Leonardo, the head of the Italian air force has said.
US Army creates robotics technician job to focus on drone warfare
The U.S. Army kickstarted a military occupational specialty focusing on robotics and unmanned systems with an induction ceremony this month at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Lockheed’s New PAC-3 Edge interceptor aims for agility
The latest iteration of Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 family of missile interceptors is designed to bring extreme agility to bear against a diverse array of missile threats, Defense News learned.
Sikorsky packs 4 Nomad drones into a single shipping container
Sikorsky on Monday introduced a containerized kit that packs four of its Nomad 100 drones and the gear needed to fly them into a single shipping container. The announcement came as the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting opened in Washington.
3 US soldiers awarded Purple Hearts after March missile attack on Saudi Arabia base
Three U.S. soldiers were awarded Purple Hearts for their efforts assisting fellow service members despite their own injuries after a missile attack hit their air base during Operation Epic Fury.
Ukraine is building a patchwork antiballistic defense, one stopgap at a time
Kyiv is relying on stockpile transfers, Patriot and Aster licenses and the Freyja interceptor to survive the winter — but time is running short.
‘Noticeable shift in warfare’: US Army under secretary on the lessons of modern combat
U.S. Army innovation and acquisition is entering unprecedented territory. Army Under Secretary Mike Obadal (left) is at the center of these efforts.
India sells air defense missiles to Tajikistan, Turkmenistan in Central Asia push
NEW DELHI — India has sold its homegrown, short-range surface-to-air missile system called Akash, to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan gaining a foothold in Central Asia as it seeks to expand its defense exports.
Mangroves and mud: Inside the Army jungle school’s notorious ‘Green Mile’
Soldiers slog through punishing terrain in the Green Mile, the grueling finale of the Army's jungle school in Panama.
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