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By Defense News staff
Battlefield Tech
Has the Pentagon given up on AI polygraph analysis of loyalty?
AI-aided scanning of speech patterns, vocal stress or facial expressions to read minds lacks scientific backing and will compound errors, critics argue.
Germany to set up first drone regiment next year, modeled after Ukraine war lessons
Germany plans to stand up its first dedicated drone regiment next year, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced.
By Linus Höller
French Air Force plans loyal wingman flight in 2028 in sovereign AI push
The French Air Force plans to fly crewed fighter jets in collaboration with AI-powered combat drones in 2028, under project Hypairion.
Neros, Perennial Autonomy lead in Pentagon’s drone competition
Two companies scored highest during the second phase of a Pentagon competition to find companies that can produce high-quality, low-cost commercial drones.
SPECIAL FEATURES
AUSA Annual 2026 Coverage
Defense News, the official and exclusive media partner of AUSA Annual, is reporting on the top stories coming out of the show.
2026 Tech Disruptors
The Defense News 2026 Tech Disruptors is an annual list of top tech leaders shaping defense technology.
Autonomous Data Fusion on the Modern Battlefield
A look at how data fusion is critical to maintaining information dominance, how the new prime contractors can offer agility, speed, innovation, and more.
DOD’s Cyber Workforce Challenges
This whitepaper explores how the DoD can close the cyber workforce skills gap, how ‘upskilling’ protects national security in the digital age, and more.
Space
Europe’s push to reduce US reliance is reshaping the defense space market
Spooked by U.S. restrictions on satellite data access during recent crises, European countries are scrambling to catch up on sovereign capabilities.
Artificial Intelligence
VA inventory report reveals 367 AI systems operating in healthcare, benefits and services
A recently released report catalogs AI uses across the VA, from clinical tools used during patient care to systems that help process benefits.
Unmanned
Germany to set up first drone regiment next year, modeled after Ukraine war lessons
Germany plans to stand up its first dedicated drone regiment next year, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced.
French Air Force plans loyal wingman flight in 2028 in sovereign AI push
The French Air Force plans to fly crewed fighter jets in collaboration with AI-powered combat drones in 2028, under project Hypairion.
Ukraine’s former defense minister launches ‘Manhattan Project’ for killer robots
Mykhailo Fedorov told Defense News he wants humanoid-like robots on the battlefield within six months and an assault without infantry within a year.
Unmanned
Report: CIA warned Europe of Russian drone attack from vessels in the Mediterranean
The CIA reportedly warned European nations of a suspected Russian plot to launch explosive drones from aboard commercial vessels in the Mediterranean.
Japanese Global Hawk drone splashes down in crash
A Japanese Global Hawk drone nosedived into the Sea of Japan this week, instantly slashing the country’s fleet of these drones by a third.
Italian NATO jet downs drone in Lithuania, minister says it probably came from Russia
An Italian NATO fighter jet shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday that “most probably” came from Russia, Italy's defense minister said.
Cyber
French Army wants to keep adversaries guessing on see-through battlefield
The French Future Combat Command is looking at what Baratz called “frugal artificial intelligence,” designed to consume as little energy as possible.
Electronic Warfare
Pentagon’s realistic electronic warfare system to move to Navy lab
DARPA says it has built the world’s largest, most realistic electronic warfare test capability.
VIDEOS
Better weapons, new berets and personal comfort | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 10.13.2
From urine collection systems to updated weaponry and even a new beret for EOD airmen, a bevy of updates could be headed for troops across the military.
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US appeals court upholds Pentagon’s blacklisting of Anthropic
A federal appeals court upheld the Pentagon’s blacklisting of Anthropic from military contracts, handing a victory to President Trump and the Pentagon.
By Reuters
Thales in ‘quite advanced’ talks with NATO countries on AI-powered command software
French firm Thales is “quite advanced” in discussions with a number of NATO countries about using its artificial intelligence-powered C2 system.
Report: CIA warned Europe of Russian drone attack from vessels in the Mediterranean
The CIA reportedly warned European nations of a suspected Russian plot to launch explosive drones from aboard commercial vessels in the Mediterranean.
By Linus Höller
Europe’s push to reduce US reliance is reshaping the defense space market
Spooked by U.S. restrictions on satellite data access during recent crises, European countries are scrambling to catch up on sovereign capabilities.
Japanese Global Hawk drone splashes down in crash
A Japanese Global Hawk drone nosedived into the Sea of Japan this week, instantly slashing the country’s fleet of these drones by a third.
AI military targeting may move faster than humans can authenticate, critics warn
AI military targeting may move faster than humans can authenticate, critics warned during a Wednesday hearing in Washington.
Italian NATO jet downs drone in Lithuania, minister says it probably came from Russia
An Italian NATO fighter jet shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday that “most probably” came from Russia, Italy's defense minister said.
By Andrius Sytas and Janis Laizans, Reuters
Polish prime minister: Poland to develop its own Starlink
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the project will pave the way for the launch of a Starlink-like system for the nation.
US radar maker Echodyne mulls European production as drone warfare fuels demand
The U.S. radar specialist said it's sensing new business opportunities in Europe, where governments are scrambling to up their counter-drone capabilities.
Anduril doubles down on Poland with autonomous aircraft pitch for F-35, Apache
U.S. tech company Anduril is pitching two drone types to accompany Poland's envisioned fleets of F-35 fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters.
Hanwha plans to build armored vehicle carrying a counter-drone laser
Hanwha representatives said the vehicle is fitted with a more powerful version of the stationary Cheongwang laser that protects the presidential compound.
German government blames Russia for Leipzig airport drone attack with explosives
Russia was behind the failed explosive drone attack on Germany’s key Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, the authorities in Berlin have concluded.
By Linus Höller
Defense startup raises $61 million to put AI into a wrist-worn display
A defense startup has raised $61 million to put AI into a wrist-worn display that connects field operators to real-time data.
Germany is stepping up on defense — and Washington should celebrate
German defense firms are creating industrial partnerships with American companies, deepening the transatlantic defense production relationship.
By Mark Montgomery and Bradley Bowman
US military uses laser to down 3 Mexican cartel drones near border
The U.S. military used a laser in southern Texas’ Rio Grande Valley to shoot down three Mexican drug cartel drones this week near the U.S.-Mexico border.
By Mike Stone, Reuters