Breaking Defense reports that the US military has a crucial role to play in defending against foreign disinformation campaigns. As disinformation exploits friction points and undermines trust in institutions, the military must contest the information space adversaries currently occupy in America's cognitive domain.
The US military is quietly reviving airfields first carved out of jungle and coral during World War 2 to counter potential threats from China. The effort, driven by the Agile Combat Employment doctrine, aims to create a network of smaller, far-flung locations where US aircraft can operate from, reducing vulnerability in a war defined by long-range precision weapons.
Rep. Ken Calvert proposes an initiative to maximize American manufacturing capacity in the US, as part of the upcoming fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations bill and FY26 National Defense Authorization Act.
The Pentagon announced it was adding Xai's Grok to GenAI.mil, a secure version of popular AI tools, amid concerns about defense spending. Meanwhile, North Korea unveiled its first nuclear-powered submarine, while China conducted a large-scale exercise in Taiwan's airspace.
China has successfully completed the first flight of its large unmanned 'mothership' aircraft, Jiutian, which is designed to carry dozens of smaller drones. The platform can deploy up to 100 UAVs in flight and has a range of several thousand miles.
Breaking Defense reports that China will likely dominate defense headlines in 2026, with tensions simmering in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Japan may see an increased PLAN presence, while Russia joins Chinese forces.
Breaking Defense reports on China's military parade showcasing its nuclear triad and new missiles, including the HQ-29 anti-satellite interceptor. This event highlights China's growing belligerent behavior in the Indo-Pacific region, with implications for regional security.
Breaking Defense reports on the most significant news stories from the Middle East in 2025, including Turkey's Steel Dome air defense system, Saudi Arabia's potential deal with General Atomics, Egypt's military drills with China, UAE's satellite launch plans, and the Middle East defense industry's growing presence in SIPRI's Top 100. The region's defense landscape is characterized by increased investment, cooperation, and competition, reflecting the complex web of alliances and rivalries that shape global security.
The Air Force awarded Boeing the Next Generation Air Dominance sixth-generation fighter contract, citing the need to counter new threats posed by China. The selection comes after a year marked by significant changes in the Air Force's leadership and priorities.
China has confirmed the maiden flight of its CH-7 stealth uncrewed aerial vehicle, marking a significant step in the country's effort to develop low-observable drones. According to China Daily, the aircraft completed its first flight from an airfield in northwest China and features a blended wing-body shape and shielded engine exhaust intended to reduce radar and infrared signatures.
According to Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch, senior enlisted advisor to the deputy chief of space operations for intelligence, China and Russia are experimenting with stealth technologies aimed at making it harder for radar and telescopes to find their satellites. The Chinese military has been experimenting with shaping microsatellites since 2012, while Russia recently orbited an experimental satellite called Mozhayets in medium Earth orbit with very low visibility.