Defense Budget

When Congress deliberates or passes the Defense Department budget, find appropriations for key technologies, DoD agencies, cyber and more here.

4 strategies for government contracting success amid volatility

The push for advanced defense systems, infrastructure development and green products and services offers opportunities.

7 months ago

159th Fighter Squadron pilots take off from the 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville, Florida, on Aug. 26, 2016.

US Air Force prioritizing cloud-based command and control

“It’s really about prioritization, right?” Brig. Gen. Luke Cropsey said. “How far can you get with the dollar you have available?”

8 months ago

AI & ML

Sluggish deployment of emerging tech hampers US military, officials say

The Pentagon rolled out its largest-ever innovation and modernization budget earlier this year, requesting $145 billion from Congress for fiscal 2024.

An airman assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing approaches a KC-46A Pegasus on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Jun. 17, 2022. (Senior Airman Joseph Morales/Air Force)

US Air Force seeks the aircraft equivalent of a Swiss Army knife

Some KC-46s have tools that allow them to pass information between fifth-generation fighters, therefore serving as data-sharing nodes on the battlefield.

18 months ago

Labor shortage pinching aerospace, defense sectors

Study found 70% of companies in the aerospace and defense sector saw increased turnover in the last 12 months.

18 months ago

Harden the cybersecurity of US nuclear complex now

Buried in both the Senate and House versions of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act are provisions augmenting the cybersecurity of the NC3.

18 months ago

Tactical Air Control Party specialists at the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron conduct reconnaissance training, Aug. 03, 2021, at Fort Carson Army Base. The training provided instruction and preparation for Joint All-Domain Command and Control operations.

How military teams can optimize data, decision-making at tactical edge

Simply having a lot of data doesn’t mean anyone’s gaining actionable insights from it.

19 months ago

How NASA launches - and delays - hurt US defense innovation

By outsourcing the rocket’s R&D activities across more than 20 states, SLS has garnered much political support from many members of Congress.

19 months ago

Congress must act on Small Biz Innovation Research reauthorization

There are two reasons given for Congress’ failure to reauthorize the 40-year-old program: national security and so-called SBIR mills.

20 months ago

Unmanned program could suffer if Congress blocks F-22 retirements, Hunter says

The Air Force wants to retire 33 older F-22s in fiscal 2023, but Congress wants the service to keep the fighter jets and bring them to parity with newer variants.

21 months ago

Biden pick for Pentagon acquisitions role vows to cut weapons system costs

The Pentagon is struggling to control costs associated with sustaining its weapons systems. For the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 jet, sustainment costs are on track to become so expensive that the Air Force will either have to cut its planned buy or flying hours, the the Government Accountability Office found.

21 months ago

NORTHCOM wants millions more for AI and data handling

U.S. Northern Command has asked Congress for almost $30 million to buy information technology equipment and to optimize infrastructure for artificial intelligence and machine learning at its joint operations center with the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

2 years ago

SPACECOM requests more funding for key space domain awareness center

The $74 million request would support projects in support of the National Space Defense Center, an important command-and-control and space domain awareness capability.

2 years ago