Pentagon Archives - Defense Daily

Sandhoo Named SDA Director, PAE For Missile Warning And Tracking

Cal Biesecker — Tue, 19 May 2026 20:18:51 +0000

After serving as the acting director of the Space Development Agency (SDA) since last September, Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo was named director of the agency effective May 11, SDA said on […]

DIU Picks Five Companies As Winners of Drone Dominance Program’s Lethality Challenge

Frank Wolfe — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:17:03 +0000

The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has chosen five companies as winners of the Drone Dominance Program’s Lethality Prize. Northrop Grumman [NOC] was the only traditional defense company picked. The […]

DoD Awards DPA Funds To Solid Rocket Motor Component Supplier PacSci

Cal Biesecker — Mon, 18 May 2026 15:12:29 +0000

The Defense Department last Friday evening said it awarded Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Co. (PacSci EMC) $27.3 million to boost production of a key safety component for solid rocket motors […]

Pentagon Conducting Review Of Its Military Labs, Identifying ‘Barriers’ To Tech Proliferation

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 06 May 2026 21:32:56 +0000

The Pentagon is currently conducting a review of its military laboratories to assess “barriers” that can be removed to proliferate its technology development work faster, officials said Wednesday. The review […]

Munitions Fired Represent Most of $25 Billion Spent By Pentagon on Iran War So Far

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:36:50 +0000

Munitions fired in the two-month old “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran represent most of the $25 billion cost the Pentagon has incurred thus far in the conflict, the acting Defense […]

DoD Details Massive Drone, Industrial Base Investment In FY ‘27, Explains Reconciliation Outlook

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:28:57 +0000

Senior Pentagon officials on Tuesday detailed the department’s aim to massively increase spending on drone and industrial base investment initiatives by tens of billions of dollars in fiscal year 2027, […]

Pentagon’s Counter-Drone Task Force Seeks More Than $580 Million For R&D In 2027

Cal Biesecker — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:54:53 +0000

The Defense Department’s office focused on speeding the development and delivery of systems and technologies to counter threats from small drones is requesting more than $580 million in research, development, […]

Pentagon, Boeing Announce Seven-Year Framework To Triple PAC-3 Seeker Production

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:15:51 +0000

The Pentagon and Boeing [BA] announced Wednesday they have agreed on a new framework to triple production of seekers for Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 interceptors over the next seven years. […]

Meink And Duffey Determining Path Forward For GPS Ground System

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:44:07 +0000

Pentagon leaders, including Defense Department acquisition chief Michael Duffey, are weighing options for the future GPS ground system–options that include a cancellation of the GPS Next Generation Operational Control System […]

DoD In New Framework Deals To Speed Production Of PrSM, THAAD Seekers, Various Subsystems

Cal Biesecker — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:54:35 +0000

The Defense Department Wednesday morning announced additional framework agreements with Lockheed Martin [LMT], BAE Systems and Honeywell [HON] to quadruple production of Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) and seekers for the […]

Recruitment And Retention Of Contracting Officers Key, As DAF Examines Incentives

Frank Wolfe — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:03:53 +0000

As Golden Dome and other modernization programs face a flood of new funding in a possibly $500 billion requested increase for the Defense Department in fiscal 2027, the Department of […]

No Estimate From Military Officials On Future Percentage Of Low-Cost Munitions For DoD

Frank Wolfe — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:41:53 +0000

The Pentagon’s recently formed Munitions Acceleration Council, chaired by Deputy Defense Secretary Steven Feinberg, has eyed a doubling or quadrupling of production for about a dozen munitions viewed by the […]

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:55:23 +0000

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Pentagon Eyes April Rollout Of FY ‘27 Budget Docs, Will Detail Multi-Year Requests Beyond Munitions

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:37:10 +0000

The Pentagon’s forthcoming fiscal year 2027 budget request, which a lead official has said is likely to be detailed in April, is expected to lay out plans to seek new […]

Funding To Support Multi-Year Missile Production Deals Expected In Iran Supplemental, FY ’27 Request

Cal Biesecker — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:25:23 +0000

Spending to back up framework agreements the Pentagon has negotiated with at least two defense contractors to demonstrate long-term demand for certain missile systems will be requested in the forthcoming […]

Pentagon ‘Working Options’ On Iran Supplemental, May Seek Funds For New Capabilities

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:07:53 +0000

The Pentagon is “working options” for a potential supplemental spending request to fund the operation against Iran and replenish munitions used in the strike campaign, with a senior official noting […]

Ukrainian Defense Companies Moving To All Domestic Production Of Components

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:50:30 +0000

Representatives of Ukrainian drone, counter-drone, and defense tech companies said this week that they are reducing their dependence on Chinese components significantly, as Ukraine builds its domestic supplier base. Some […]

Ukraine Only Country That Can Provide ‘Immediate Counter-Action’ Against Shahed Drones, Ambassador Says

Frank Wolfe — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:08:26 +0000

The U.S. should take immediate advantage of in-person Ukrainian counter-drone expertise to defeat kamikaze drones in Iran and elsewhere, according to the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. “When the first […]

Amid Questions On Weapons Stockpiles, Caine Says U.S. Has ‘Sufficient’ Munitions For Iran Operation

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:10:58 +0000

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over the rate at which the U.S. is employing critical munitions in its military strike campaign against Iran, with lawmakers also pressing […]

Heritage Report Assesses U.S. Military Strength As ‘Marginal’

Cal Biesecker — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:35:22 +0000

The posture of the U.S. military to fight and win two major conflicts at the same time is “marginal,” marked by areas of strength and weakness, a new report from […]

SASC Leaders Criticize Trump’s Defense Strategy, Press Colby On Policy Shifts

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:38:44 +0000

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) leadership on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and pressed the Pentagon’s top policy official to explain the document’s priorities. SASC […]

Daily Use Of Several Thousand Munitions Over Several Months Would Strain U.S. Inventory

Frank Wolfe — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:39:34 +0000

Firing several thousand munitions daily, as during the opening of Operation Epic Fury, is unsustainable over several months, defense analysts have warned, yet the pace of that usage is likely […]

Hegseth, Caine Offer Details On Iran Strike Campaign, U.S. Has Employed ‘Classified Effects’

Matthew Beinart — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:10:19 +0000

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday said the U.S. military operation to strike Iran has utilized “classified effects,” with U.S. Central Command having also alluded to “special capabilities” it could […]

Trump Orders Government To Stop Using Anthropic’s AI, Hegseth Deems Firm ‘Supply Chain Risk’

Matthew Beinart — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:04:55 +0000

President Trump has directed all federal agencies to “immediately cease” working with artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic’s technology, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has designated the company a “supply chain […]

“Not Sure How They Get To Where They Wanna Be,” Calvert Says of $1.5 Trillion Defense Topline Proposal

Frank Wolfe — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 19:36:54 +0000

As the federal government enters a third week of tardiness in a fiscal 2027 budget release, a big question is how the Pentagon will be able to spend $500 billion […]

DoD Acquisition And Sustainment Office To Use Obviant’s Data Visibility Platform

Cal Biesecker — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:03:20 +0000

Obviant last week said its contract with the Defense Department’s Innovation Unit (DIU) for consolidating and providing real-time visibility into disparate data sources for acquisition and requirements is being scaled […]

Hegseth Hints At Potential Boeing Deal To Work Rapidly On ‘Exquisite Systems’ For Munitions

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:34:19 +0000

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday teased a new deal Boeing [BA] may sign soon related to rapid work on “exquisite systems” for munitions. “I’m hearing yet another deal will […]

Pentagon CTO Confirms Work With Anthropic Is ‘Under Review,’ Pushes Back On AI Use Concerns

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:13:30 +0000

The Pentagon’s chief technology officer confirmed the department’s relationship with artificial intelligence firm Anthropic is “under review,” after the company reportedly raised concerns over the department potentially using its technology […]

DoD Completes Initial Review Of Defense Firms’ Performance, But Not Releasing Findings Yet

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:35:10 +0000

The Pentagon has completed its initial assessment to identify defense firms that are insufficiently investing in production expansion, according to a department spokesperson. Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman, confirmed media […]

America First Arms Transfer Strategy Looks To Larger FMS

Frank Wolfe — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 23:01:33 +0000

In an ironic acknowledgment that an “America First” military depends on other nations, President Donald Trump on Feb. 6 signed his “America First Arms Transfer Strategy.” “As the first strategy […]

Golden Dome Official Highlights Importance Of Affordability, Acquisition Reform

Rich Abott — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:20:26 +0000

A lead Defense Department official for the Golden Dome program this week argued that while technology for homeland missile defense effort is generally all proven out, the limiting factor is […]

RTX Signs Framework Agreements With DoD To Increase Production On Five Munitions

Rich Abott — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:11:01 +0000

RTX’s [RTX] Raytheon business signed framework agreements with the Defense Department to expand production of five major munitions over seven years, the company said on Wednesday. Under the Feb. 4 […]

DoD Inspector General Launches Audit Into SM-3 IIA

Rich Abott — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:24:09 +0000

The Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General (OIG) last week announced it has opened an audit of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) management of the RTX [RTX] Standard […]

Pentagon Set For Temporary Weekend Shutdown, As Senate Votes On Final Spending Deal

Matthew Beinart — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:41:46 +0000

While the Senate will vote Friday night on a spending deal that includes final fiscal year 2026 defense appropriations, the Pentagon is set to have a temporary lapse in funding […]

Lockheed Martin, Pentagon Sign Agreement To Quadruple THAAD Interceptor Production

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:47:52 +0000

Lockheed Martin [LMT] and the Pentagon have agreed on a framework for the company to quadruple the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors over the next seven […]

Duffey Teases Announcement Of More Production Boost Initiatives ‘In the Coming Days’

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:23:46 +0000

After having recently rolled out major initiatives to rapidly boost production of Patriot interceptors and solid rocket motors, the Pentagon’s acquisition chief on Tuesday teased that additional efforts along those […]

Trump Admin Releases National Defense Strategy With Homeland Defense As Top Priority

Matthew Beinart — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:42:34 +0000

The Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) places homeland defense as a top priority, and calls for international partners to increase defense spending investments along with continuing to “supercharge” […]

Pentagon Launches Pilot Waiving Fees For 400 Patents To Help ‘Productize’ Its Billions In IP

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:01:07 +0000

The Pentagon wants to license more of its intellectual property to industry, and on Thursday launched a two-year pilot project waiving fees and royalties for around 400 patents in top […]

Northrop Grumman Says It’s In Tune With Rapid Production Goal In DoD-L3Harris Agreement

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:50:10 +0000

Northrop Grumman [NOC] said that it is in tune with the rapid production goal that the Pentagon said motivated its agreement with L3Harris Technologies [LHX] to spin off the latter’s […]

Hegseth Directs ‘AI-First’ Military Strategy

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:50:58 +0000

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed a new strategy to accelerate the Pentagon’s adoption of artificial intelligence, detailing an aim to become an “AI-first” military. A new memo from Hegseth […]

Duffey: “We’re Picking Speed” In $1 Billion Investment In L3Harris SRM Spin-Off

Frank Wolfe — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:09:26 +0000

L3Harris Technologies [LHX] is to spin off its newly created missile solutions business as a new company with a $1 billion infusion from the Pentagon’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment […]

Hegseth Puts Chief Technology Officer In Charge Of DoD Innovation Efforts

Cal Biesecker — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:27:04 +0000

Defense Secretary Pete Hegeth has directed the chief technology officer (CTO) to oversee the Defense Department’s sprawling innovation effort. Under secretary of defense for research and engineering (R&E) Emil Michael, […]

DoD Strategic Capital Office Seeks Solutions To Better Engage With Technology Ecosystem

Cal Biesecker — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:14:14 +0000

The Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) last week issued a Commercial Solutions Opening seeking complete solutions to help Defense Department personnel accelerate their understanding of the business and technology ecosystems […]

Lockheed Martin Announces “Record Breaking” Delivery Of 191 F-35s In 2025

Frank Wolfe — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:34:52 +0000

On Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time, Lockheed Martin [LMT] issued a statement that it had “a record-breaking year for the F-35 Lightning II program” in delivering 191 F-35s in […]

Pentagon Inspector General Highlights Continuing F-35 Readiness Concerns

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 22:31:40 +0000

While Air Force F-35A and Navy F-35C fighters by Lockheed Martin [LMT] were in the U.S. strike package against Venezuela on Jan. 3, a Pentagon Inspector General (IG) report last […]

Conventional Wisdom On S-300 Effectiveness Called Into Question

Frank Wolfe — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:20:29 +0000

Conventional defense wisdom has held that Russian-made long-range S-300 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) pose significant threats to U.S. military aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35 stealth fighter, yet the Jan. […]

Bozeman’s Lattice Materials To Gear Up Germanium Production

Frank Wolfe — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:11:56 +0000

Bozeman, Montana-based Lattice Materials said that it will use an $18.5 million Pentagon award last month under the Defense Production Act to produce optical-grade germanium and silicon crystals and gear […]

DoD Makes Additional Investments In Solid Rocket Motor Industrial Base

Cal Biesecker — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:09:49 +0000

The Defense Department last month made two Defense Production Act (DPA) investments worth a combined $32.7 million to expand the solid rocket motor (SRM) industrial base. The largest award, $27.7 […]

U.S. Used Over 150 Aircraft In Operation To Capture Venezuela’s Maduro, Caine Says

Matthew Beinart — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 21:33:37 +0000

The overnight U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro utilized over 150 aircraft, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said Saturday, including advanced fighters, bombers and drones. Caine added […]

DoD Awards First Round Of APFIT Projects Using FY ’26 Funds

Cal Biesecker — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:29:49 +0000

The Defense Department on Monday said it has awarded over $400 million in more than a dozen contracts to aid companies in moving technologies into production under the Accelerate the […]