Top stories
Navy must ‘start killing manned programs,’ defense official says
The Navy needs to get a lot more ruthless to bring the fleet into the future, a top leader of the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit said Wednesday.
Support grows for dark horse Army secretary contender Marc Andersen
Six people described Marc Andersen's "squeaky-clean" image and good relationships that make him favorable for the Army's top civilian post.
Latest
Pentagon codifies fitness standards across branches
The new regulations spell out testing timelines, standards for troops in combat arms specialties and guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum fitness.
They served through America’s post-9/11 wars. 25 years later, what did that service mean?
Nearly 3 million Americans served in the wars that followed Sept. 11. Three veterans reflect in The War Horse about what they saw, lost and still carry.
Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
US Navy’s next-generation fighter decision to be unveiled soon, sources say
The program, currently unnamed but designated F/A-XX, has been buffeted by delays and funding disputes for years.
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MilTech
Iran likely to reverse-engineer captured US underwater drone
Iran will almost certainly try to pry open the captured drone’s hardware, but the platform's software does carry built-in defenses, analysts say.
Russia sends bones of medieval warrior prince to Ukraine front to boost morale
Bone fragments from the sword hand of a medieval Russian prince who won a famous victory over the Mongols have been sent to the front in Ukraine.
Trump departs DC on Qatar-gifted Air Force One after emergency slide accidentally deploys
President Donald Trump's departure to Texas was briefly delayed after an emergency slide on Air Force One was accidentally deployed by military personnel.
Navy not doing enough to study long-term brain damage in aviators, lawmakers say
A House committee found that the Navy was at fault for not doing more to research long-term brain damage in aviators, despite knowledge of suicides.
In other news
VA to mark 9/11 anniversary with volunteer opportunities at national cemeteries
The VA will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by hosting volunteer events on Saturday, Sept. 12, at more than 144 locations.
VIDEOS
Marines to add thousands to ranks in coming years | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.8.26
The Marine Corps seeks to swell its ranks in the next five years. Plus, the Army museum remembers Sept. 11 and those who responded.
Featured Videos
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
By J.D. Simkins
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
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MORE STORIES
Air Force launches B-52, B-1 readiness campaign
To increase the number of mission capable B-52 and B-1 aircraft, the North Star Readiness Campaign aims to speed up parts delivery and depot maintenance.
Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
By Enas Alashray, Idrees Ali and Jana Choukeir, Reuters
US Navy’s next-generation fighter decision to be unveiled soon, sources say
The program, currently unnamed but designated F/A-XX, has been buffeted by delays and funding disputes for years.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
US Air Force seeks ‘rapidly deployable’ drone swarms for base security
The U.S. Air Force is looking to use "rapidly deployable" swarms of AI-controlled drones for base security.
By Michael Peck
Defense startup’s AI aims to make every munition count
Smack Technologies' CEO said its AI modeling tool will help commanders decide not just which targets to strike, but how to sequence strikes over time.
Iran says it captured US submarine drone in Strait of Hormuz
Iran said Tuesday it captured a U.S. uncrewed submarine in the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon said it had malfunctioned more than a day ago.
By Idrees Ali and Joe Brock, Reuters
Veterans fight against arch that would obstruct view of Arlington Cemetery
Advocacy groups continue their push to halt Trump’s plans to construct a 250-foot-tall arch that would obstruct the view of Arlington National Cemetery.
Navy base settles lawsuit with military spouse over Facebook ban
Attorneys for the plaintiff called the settlement a “warning” that officials cannot pick and choose what viewpoints to allow in digital public forums.
Ukraine contracting around 1,000 Patriot missiles from allies, defense chief says
Ukraine is contracting a supply of around 1,000 missiles for U.S.-designed Patriot air-defence systems.
By Reuters