US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling
The goal is for AI to automatically analyze refueling operations from cameras mounted on the tankers and provide “hot wash” feedback to the tanker crews.
Leonardo, Rheinmetall secure $4 billion contracts with Italian Army, report says
The defense companies secured two contracts with the Italian Army for $4.16 billion for armored vehicles, an Italian financial newspaper reported.
Saudi missile plant expansion may produce more powerful missiles, study says
More capable missiles could help Saudi Arabia deter Iranian attacks and make its military more self-reliant, but they risk fueling a regional missile race.
China’s first aircraft carrier forms ‘evolving pattern’ of voyages in disputed Asian seas
The carrier group’s passages not far from Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines have raised alerts.
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AUSA Annual 2026 Coverage
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Top 100 Defense Companies 2026
Explore Defense News' 2026 ranking of the top 100 defense companies.
Whitepaper: Protecting the Shield
Learn more about how Golden Dome’s layered missile defense architecture functions, how integrating legacy and emerging systems creates risk, and more.
Whitepaper: Quantum-Ready Encryption in Hybrid Defense
Learn more about the quantum threat to modern defense encryption, why migrating to quantum-resistant security is complex and unavoidable, and more.
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Air
Israel secures procurement of 12 Apache gunships in last-minute maneuver
Israel is set to acquire 12 Apache “Echo” attack helicopters from Boeing, according to an Israeli ministry of defense announcement this week.
Land
US Army seeks manufacturers for 155mm howitzer barrels amid boost in demand
The move comes amid Pentagon concerns that the U.S. government’s only plant for manufacturing howitzer barrels can’t keep up with the recent demand.
Pentagon
Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 10-year deal for 850 F-35 jets
The decade-long framework guarantees at least 850 F-35 Lightning II fighters for the U.S. military, pending congressional approval and funding.
The Pentagon wants ketamine wafers as a battlefield medicine option
The Pentagon awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to the Singapore-based iX Biopharma to develop a small, ketamine-packed wafer.
Pentagon ignored cybersecurity flaws before data breach, Marines’ lawsuit says
A pair of Marines filed a class-action lawsuit Tuesday against the Pentagon over a data breach at the Defense Manpower Data Center.
Pentagon
Pentagon AI oversight office struggles to keep pace with department’s ambitions, GAO finds
The Pentagon office tapped in 2022 to oversee the military’s responsible use of AI had filled just three of 10 authorized positions as of February 2026.
Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer tapped as Barracks Task Force senior advisor
Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer was selected as Secretary Hegseth's senior advisor and will visit military installations across the country.
Hegseth discusses Iran with Netanyahu in unannounced visit to Israel, officials say
Netanyahu and Hegseth discussed “the threats in the region” and the U.S.-Israel partnership in dealing both offensively and defensively with those threats.
Naval
China’s first aircraft carrier forms ‘evolving pattern’ of voyages in disputed Asian seas
The carrier group’s passages not far from Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines have raised alerts.
Space
‘The West can’t stop me’: Space wars heat up as Russia tails a Ukraine-linked US satellite
Washington blamed Moscow for deliberately moving a Russian military satellite with an undisclosed mission close last week to a U.S.-registered satellite.
VIDEOS
Red Cat Expands Its Drone Portfolio With New Aerial and Maritime Systems
Red Cat highlights new aerial and maritime unmanned systems, upgraded drone capabilities and efforts to scale production for the U.S. military.
Featured Videos
More Stories
France, UK carry out joint airborne nuclear-strike exercise for first time
“This is a revolution for the Strategic Air Forces, which have always operated in complete autonomy since their creation in the 1960s,” said one analyst.
US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling
The goal is for AI to automatically analyze refueling operations from cameras mounted on the tankers and provide “hot wash” feedback to the tanker crews.
By Michael Peck
Leonardo, Rheinmetall secure $4 billion contracts with Italian Army, report says
The defense companies secured two contracts with the Italian Army for $4.16 billion for armored vehicles, an Italian financial newspaper reported.
By Reuters
Saudi missile plant expansion may produce more powerful missiles, study says
More capable missiles could help Saudi Arabia deter Iranian attacks and make its military more self-reliant, but they risk fueling a regional missile race.
By Jonathan Landay, Reuters
China’s first aircraft carrier forms ‘evolving pattern’ of voyages in disputed Asian seas
The carrier group’s passages not far from Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines have raised alerts.
By Military Times staff
New Zealand defense chief resigns over ‘inappropriate relationship’
“These matters revolved around an inappropriate relationship I had when in a position of unit command, and I regret not disclosing this."
US Army seeks manufacturers for 155mm howitzer barrels amid boost in demand
The move comes amid Pentagon concerns that the U.S. government’s only plant for manufacturing howitzer barrels can’t keep up with the recent demand.
By Michael Peck
Denmark to buy Kongsberg, Covenant missiles for new long-range strike option
Copenhagen wants to acquire the capability to strike back at enemies attacking first, hoping for a deterrent effect.
Trump, Putin negotiate release of US Air Force veteran from Russian prison
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran, was released from Russian custody on Wednesday after spending over four years in prison.
Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 10-year deal for 850 F-35 jets
The decade-long framework guarantees at least 850 F-35 Lightning II fighters for the U.S. military, pending congressional approval and funding.
US Army long-range fires make a splash on the frontline with China
The U.S. Army has been upgrading its missiles and rocket artillery, largely in response to China's missile arsenal.
By Christopher Woody
The Pentagon wants ketamine wafers as a battlefield medicine option
The Pentagon awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to the Singapore-based iX Biopharma to develop a small, ketamine-packed wafer.
By Eve Sampson