Top stories
Pentagon asks Congress to codify ‘Department of War,’ estimates $52 million cost
Only Congress has the authority to permanently rename executive department names, and it has not yet changed the title of the Department of Defense.
Trump showcases US military in King Charles White House visit
Hundreds of U.S. service members took part in welcoming King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House on Tuesday.
Latest
Utility shutoffs, mounting debt — Coast Guard endures hardships in ongoing shutdown
Coast Guard members and civilian employees are wondering whether they will get paid as the partial government shutdown continues.
US soldier pleads not guilty to charges of gambling on Maduro ouster
Prosecutors said the U.S. Army Special Forces master sergeant was involved in the planning and execution of the raid that captured Maduro.
Vietnam veteran, daughter sue VA over Agent Orange birth defect benefits
The VA provides disability compensation for birth defects to the children of women Vietnam veterans, but not to the children of men who served in the war.
Global military spending surges and reaches record high
In addition to providing the latest numbers, SIPRI researchers also raised a concern about transparency.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has the latest information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Your Military
Golden Dome has ‘pathways to pivot’ if delays arise, general says
Gen. Michael Guetlein, the appointed czar for America's “Golden Dome” initiative, told lawmakers that plans to build the shield were proceeding apace.
What we know about the US military’s new joint laser weapon system
The Army-Navy effort aims to produce a containerized 150-kilowatt high-energy laser weapon to counter incoming cruise missiles.
Why aircraft carriers are the best (and worst) place for laser weapons
High-energy laser weapons are a natural fit for large, power-rich aircraft carriers — with limits.
A missed lane and a comeback: Ranger team wins Best Sapper
On the first day of the Army’s most elite combat engineering competition, the winning team made an error that could have knocked them out of running.
In other news
US Air Force seeks $3.9 billion to boost KC-46 fleet
The service also clarified plans for the size of its KC-46 fleet.
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.”
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.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
Don't miss
VIDEOS
The Navy absorbs lessons from Epic Fury | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.26
At the Navy League of the United States’ recent conference, Navy leaders digest lessons from the U.S. campaign in the Middle East and look to the future.
Featured Videos
MORE STORIES
All Marines required to follow grooming standards within 12 months or face separation
The Corps announced that even those who request exemptions for medical conditions can face administrative separation after 12 months of non-compliance.
US Navy’s unmanned MQ-25A Stingray notches first successful test flight
The U.S. Navy and Boeing conducted the Stingray's first test flight on Saturday, showing its ability to taxi, take off, fly and land autonomously.
US Air Force looks to launch cheap missiles from cargo aircraft
The U.S. Air Force wants inexpensive, long-range missiles that can be launched in mass volleys by cargo aircraft.
By Michael Peck
US Army eyes a heavier, hybrid-powered Infantry Squad Vehicle
While the original ISV was designed to rapidly move a nine-soldier squad across rugged terrain, the ISV-H is built to do more than just transport troops.
By Daniel Terrill
US Navy commissions newest Virginia-class submarine USS Idaho
The Navy welcomed the 26th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine to active service during a Saturday ceremony in Connecticut.
By Riley Ceder
Global military spending surges and reaches record high
In addition to providing the latest numbers, SIPRI researchers also raised a concern about transparency.
By Linus Höller
Augmented reality brings Revolutionary War to life at Army Museum
“American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition” will remain open until at least July 2027.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Remains of USS Arizona crew buried as unknowns after Pearl Harbor to be identified
While the advocacy group Operation 85 met the 60% DNA threshold last November, the DPAA has finally confirmed its effort.
By Richard Sisk
A century of the ‘Ma Deuce’: How the M2 Browning became America’s workhorse machine gun
The highly versatile weapon has seen action affixed to the wings of P-51D Mustangs, aboard vessels in Vietnam and atop Humvees in the Middle East.
Ukraine to field 25,000 ground robots in push to replace soldiers for frontline logistics
Ground robots ran more than 9,000 frontline missions in March, triple November's count, and captured their first Russian position last summer.
By Katie Livingstone