US Department of Defense

Oct- 2026 -

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)

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.

1 October

Cyber

Airmen attending a base all-call use their smart phones to follow along and interact during the presentation at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Sept. 26, 2018. Fairchild leadership supporting Airmen is a high priority, and were testing out the interactive format as a means to better connect with Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ryan Lackey)

Rojoef Manuel

DARPA Taps Xint to Find Flaws in Pentagon Messaging Apps

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected cybersecurity firm Xint to research autonomous artificial intelligence to detect software vulnerabilities in messaging applications across the US Department of Defense.

Sep- 2026 -

23 September

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

A Green Beret assigned to 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) demonstrates the operation of an unmanned aerial system during a drone course at Fort Carson, Colorado, Dec. 2, 2025. The training enhances operators’ understanding of drone capabilities and mission integration, improving the unit’s ability to employ unmanned systems in complex operational environments. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zachary Myers)

Rojoef Manuel

Pentagon Names Top 10 Drone Makers in Latest $1B Drone Challenge Flyoff

The US Department of Defense has named 10 top-performing drone makers from Gauntlet II, the second major competition in its $1-billion Drone Dominance Program.

18 September

Americas

Ganesh C. Bora, Sambit Bhattacharya, and Burcu Adivar will lead Fayetteville State University’s new defense AI research program. Photo: Fayetteville State University

Samantha Alexa

$10M Award Funds New Defense AI Research Program at Fayetteville State

Fayetteville State University will use a new $10-million US Department of Defense award to build an applied artificial intelligence program focused on defense challenges, including contested logistics and biomanufacturing.

18 September

Americas

Artwork showing an F-22 Raptor with new pods, external fuel tanks, and an unknown air-to-air missile, potentially the AIM-260

Inder Singh Bisht

US, Lockheed Sign Agreement to Accelerate AIM-260 JATM Production

The US Department of War has signed a framework agreement with Lockheed Martin to expand production capacity for the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, a next-generation air-to-air missile.

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.

Aug- 2026 -

28 August

Americas

A rocket engine or launcher is set up in what appears to be an outdoor testing facility. A stream of bright yellow-orange jet flames is seen jutting out of its main exhaust. In the background, a concrete wall is seen, with the blue sky visible farther back.

Inder Singh Bisht

Firehawk Wins $24M US Contract to Expand 155mm Propellant Production

The US has contracted Firehawk Aerospace to expand domestic propellant production in support of the M1128 155mm base-bleed projectile.

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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