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Army lasers blast drones, proving directed-energy weapons are future
August 31, 2026 — Service members assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system to stop three hostile, unmanned aircraft systems deemed a threat. They were believed to be linked to drug cartels. ...

Senior DOW tech official says department AI use up 1,775% in past year
May 21, 2026 — Emil Michael, undersecretary of war for research and engineering and War Department chief technology officer, said that use of artificial intelligence across the department is up by roughly 1.42 million users over the past calendar year. ...

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 awards $500 million counter-UAS contract
May 19, 2026 — JIATF 401 awarded a three-year contract with a $500 million ceiling to support enterprisewide counter-unmanned aerial system operations, ensuring that top-tier technologies can be rapidly scaled and sustained in response to evolving threats...

$1.5 trillion budget request prioritizes service members, modernization
April 22, 2026 — The president's fiscal year 2027 budget request was made public during a briefing at the Pentagon, with $1.5 trillion — the largest request in history — aimed at, among other things, supporting military families, securing the homeland, modernizing equipment, rebuilding the defense industrial base and providing a raise to service members...

Counter-UAS marketplace streamlines acquisition, first purchases total $13 Million
April 16, 2026 — Joint Interagency Task Force 401 announced the first set of purchases completed through its new counter-unmanned aircraft systems marketplace, four acquisitions collectively valued at $13 million...

Joint Task Force commits more than $600 million to procure new counter-UAS capability
April 7, 2026 — Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has committed over $600 million at a record pace to strengthen counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities in support of Operation Epic Fury, the FIFA World Cup and homeland defense...

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 Enhances Counter-UAS Capability to Protect the Southern Border
April 3, 2026 — Joint Interagency Task Force 401 is rapidly delivering counter-unmanned aircraft systems to protect the southern border with advanced technology, an integrated system architecture and expanded authorities...

Army adapts doctrine force-wide, integrating drone lessons to achieve ‘drone dominance'
March 31, 2026 — The U.S. Army is implementing a force-wide overhaul of its operational doctrine, integrating lessons from the widespread use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to maintain its edge in modern warfare...

War Department senior leaders prioritize Western Hemispheric security
March 19, 2026 — The War Department is prioritizing security in the Western Hemisphere, which is integral to U.S. homeland defense, said Joseph M. Humire, performing the duties of assistant secretary of war for homeland defense and Americas security affairs...

Joint Interagency Task Force spearheads contract, unifies drone defenses
March 16, 2026 — To counter the rapidly evolving threat from hostile unmanned aircraft systems, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has championed a groundbreaking enterprise-level agreement to provide a cutting-edge command-and-control solution through a strategic action. ...

Hegseth says there's no shortage of American will, resources in Operation Epic Fury
March 6, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said there is no shortage of American will, nor is there a shortage of materiel, when it comes to U.S. kinetic engagement against the Iranian terrorist regime during Operation Epic Fury...

War Department asks industry to make more than 300K drones, quickly, cheaply
December 3, 2025 — The War Department requested information to gauge industry's willingness and ability to make some 300,000 drones quickly and inexpensively — a concrete effort by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to directly meet the "drone dominance" goals laid out by the president...