Top stories
DARPA ends cargo seaplane program, eyes new uses for tech
Liberty Lifter was intended to design and build a seaplane with the cargo capacity of a C-17 Globemaster, that could take off and land in rough seas.
Former Air Force chiefs sound alarm about planned F-35, E-7 cuts
Nearly 20 retired Air Force general officers, including six former chiefs of staff, urged lawmakers to reverse Pentagon plans to cut the E-7 and F-35s.
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Pentagon & Congress
Proposed Senate defense bill would add $500M in long-term Ukraine aid
The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative is one of two main ways the Pentagon has provided military support to Ukraine over the last three years.
Space Force building out more realistic digital training environment
STARCOM plans to transition Swarm to a cloud-based environment in the next year or two if it has the funding to support the effort.
US is selling weapons to NATO allies to give to Ukraine, Trump says
After a pause in some weapons shipment, U.S. officials said this week that 155 mm munitions and precision-guided rockets were on their way.
Hegseth calls for extensive reforms to Pentagon drone-buying practices
The memo directs the military services to create active duty formations by September, built for the sole purpose of scaling the use of drones across DOD.
In other news
US resumes sending some weapons to Ukraine after Pentagon pause
The defense secretary directed the pause last week to allow DOD to assess its weapons stockpiles, in a move that caught the White House by surprise.
‘A new challenge’: Air Force vet becomes two-time living organ donor
Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is a two-time living organ donor after giving a kidney to a fellow veteran and part of her liver to another recipient.
An ode to Dwight Schrute, The Office’s best squad leader
He'd rub people the wrong way in a real squad. But he'd also make sure you had water, ammo and a working red lens flashlight on the night of land nav.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Why Despicable Me’s Gru is just a warrant officer with better branding
If Gru wore a uniform, it wouldn’t have stars or stripes. It would have a coffee stain and rank that no one really understands.
Why Patrick Star is the blue falcon of Bikini Bottom
Patrick Star is every lovable mess-up squadmate who cost you a weekend because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut during formation.
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What’s in the Pentagon budget for 2026?
In a year without a large-scale DOD budget rollout, our reporters decipher what programs will receive Pentagon funding in fiscal 2026.
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MORE STORIES
Navy spouse sues base officials over free speech after Facebook ban
A military spouse alleges his First Amendment rights were violated when officials banned him from the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay’s Facebook page.
By Karen Jowers
DARPA ends cargo seaplane program, eyes new uses for tech
Liberty Lifter was intended to design and build a seaplane with the cargo capacity of a C-17 Globemaster, that could take off and land in rough seas.
Trump’s tariffs may overshadow Rubio’s first official trip to Asia
Rubio is visiting Malaysia as the U.S. seeks to boost relations with Indo-Pacific nations to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
Fighter pilots integrate drones into air combat training
The drones served in a "loyal wingman" role to the pilots, marking “a major leap in human-machine teaming," the Air Force said.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
Trump caught off guard by DOD pause on Ukraine arms deliveries: Report
Trump’s decision to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine came after he privately expressed frustration over DOD's pause, The Associated Press reported.
By Tara Copp, AP
Former Air Force chiefs sound alarm about planned F-35, E-7 cuts
Nearly 20 retired Air Force general officers, including six former chiefs of staff, urged lawmakers to reverse Pentagon plans to cut the E-7 and F-35s.
Air Force review spotlights risks in space agency’s go-fast approach
The report recommends SDA make process and culture changes as it looks to scale from handfuls of demo satellites to hundreds of operational spacecraft.
Ken Burns documentary on American Revolution to premiere this fall
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Ken Burns is releasing a deep look into the fight for American independence.
Trump, Netanyahu take victory lap over strikes on Iran nuclear sites
President Trump ordered U.S. forces to strike three key Iranian nuclear sites in June, a decision the Israeli leader says warrants a Nobel Peace Prize.
By Tia Goldenberg
VA expects 30K voluntary job cuts by October, erasing need for layoffs
More than 17,000 Veterans Affairs jobs have been eliminated or vacated since the start of the year.
Explore the depths of Ironbottom Sound with Bob Ballard’s team, live
Audiences will be able to embark on a real-time exploration of the waters surrounding Guadalcanal and the naval battles that changed the course of history.
Army tests robotic coyotes to defend fighter jets
Unmanned ground vehicles mounted with life-size plastic coyotes are one idea proposed as part of a new effort to keep wildlife away from military aircraft.
By Hope Hodge Seck