Department of Defense

Oct- 2026 -

14 October

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

Fleet of Lightfish unmanned surface vessels. Photo: Seasats

Pentagon Turns to Lightfish Drone Boats to Secure Gulf of Mexico

The US Department of Defense is expanding its use of unmanned surface vessels into the Gulf of Mexico after a pilot program along the Rio Grande detected and deterred illicit maritime activity.

6 October

Arms

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth tours SpaceX facilities with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as part of his Arsenal of Freedom Tour, Brownsville, Texas, Jan. 12, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Rojoef Manuel

Pentagon Taps Elon Musk for ‘Project Meridian’ Weapons Planning Strategy

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appointed SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to lead “Project Meridian,” a new 120-day initiative tasked with identifying the technologies and capabilities required for future military dominance.

5 October

Technology

Marines prepare ammunition for a 155 mm Howitzer during a Helicopter Support Team exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15, 2017. During the exercise, the Marines prepared and lifted a 155mm Howitzer to a landing zone. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division participated in the training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jon Sosner)

Rojoef Manuel

Metallus Secures $995M Pentagon Deal to Boost US Military Steel Supply

The Pentagon’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has awarded specialty metals manufacturer Metallus a contract worth up to $995 million to supply steel for defense applications.

Sep- 2026 -

30 September

Americas

Christine Casimiro

L3Harris to Scale THAAD Propulsion Production Under $6B Contract

L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract valued at more than $6 billion to scale production of propulsion systems for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

17 September

Americas

Christine Casimiro

AEVEX Bags $92M Deal to Support US Hypersonic Flight Testing Program

AEVEX has secured a contract valued at up to $92.2 million to support the Pentagon’s efforts to accelerate and modernize hypersonic flight testing under the SkyRange program.

14 September

Americas

Christine Casimiro

Nitradyn Bags $581M Pentagon Deal to Build IMX-104 Plant in Kentucky

The Pentagon is further enhancing domestic munitions production by awarding Nitradyn a contract to build an Insensitive Munition Explosive‑104 production facility.

8 September

Americas

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth conducts physical training with U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) aboard Boxer in Singapore, May 29, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry)

Rojoef Manuel

Pentagon Pauses Mandatory Troop Testosterone Screening Guidance

The US Department of Defense has temporarily rescinded clinical guidance on implementing mandatory testosterone deficiency screenings for active-duty and reserve service members aged 30 and older.

7 September

Air

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft dispenses flares

Rojoef Manuel

Extant Nabs $147M Pentagon Deal for Aircraft Decoy Launcher Parts

The US Department of Defense has awarded Florida-based Extant Aerospace a contract worth up to $147.3 million to supply components for the ALE-47 airborne countermeasure dispenser system.

4 September

Americas

US service members work at computer stations. Photo: Pentagon

Giulia Bernacchi

US Launches Mobile Secure-Facility Network for Classified Defense Work

The US launched an initiative to establish 50 mobile secure facilities nationwide, giving more companies access to classified defense work.

Aug- 2026 -

26 August

Air

An F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, takes off from Nellis AFB, Nevada, Feb. 20, 2026. The 40th FLTS conducts developmental flight tests for U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft, focusing on weapon systems, software upgrades and avionics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Bella Swarr)

Rojoef Manuel

Boeing Wins $131B Pentagon Deal for Global F-15 Jet Support

The US Department of Defense has awarded Boeing a contract worth up to $131.23 billion to overhaul, modernize, and support the international F-15 combat aircraft fleet.

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