New amendments added to Congress' must-pass annual defense policy bill would allow the Space Force to take over certain state-controlled Air National Guard space units, despite protests from every governor in the country and existing legislation to create a Space National Guard instead.
The Navy is waiting for Pentagon leaders to pick a company to build the service’s sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter jet, now that Congress moved to restore funding, according to the service’s air boss.
Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for researching and engineering and the Pentagon’s CTO, has taken on the role of acting director of the Silicon Valley-headquartered Defense Innovation Unit in the wake of Doug Beck’s resignation, DefenseScoop has learned.
Congressional defense hawks in the Senate are once again pushing to boost the topline of the defense budget in fiscal 2026, but as lawmakers return to Capitol Hill in September, they will have to face an even more pressing question: Will they be able to pass a full-year spending bill at all?
The Air & Space Forces Association’s Doolittle Leadership Center has announced the launch of “Building Better Leaders,” a podcast featuring candid conversations with leaders from diverse industries, professions, and backgrounds.
The Trump administration is “thinking” about taking an equity stake in defense and munitions companies, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “There’s a monstrous discussion about defense,” he said Aug. 26 in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” when asked if there’s a “line” on government ownership of private companies. “I mean, Lockheed Martin makes 97 percent of their revenue from the U.S. government. They are basically an arm of the U.S. government.”
The Air Force—taking another step toward incorporating automation into its fleet—has signed a contract to acquire a pilotless cargo aircraft that is set to become certified for transit over civilian areas.
Israel’s security cabinet met on Aug. 26 to discuss the country’s new military offensive in Gaza, officials said, but left the fate of a cease-fire proposal in doubt as nationwide protests flared over the intensifying war.
The Army introduced the Master Combat Infantryman Badge earlier this year to recognize some of its most accomplished and dedicated Soldiers. Last week, it went to an Air Force recipient.
