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Rebuilding defense industrial base requires skilled labor
September 10, 2026 — Rebuilding the defense industrial base means more than just facilities and businesses. It also means having the right people to do the skilled work, said Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of war for industrial base policy, during a field hearing before the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee...

ChatGPT, Grok Added to War Department's AI system options
September 2, 2026 — The War Department increased its artificial intelligence offerings by launching versions of Grok and ChatGPT to GenAI.mil to go alongside Google's Gemini. ...

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. ...

Army develops ultra-light vehicle for changing battlefields
August 19, 2026 — In fielding the Infantry Squad Vehicle, an ultra-light tactical vehicle that carries nine passengers and their equipment, the Army took a rapid acquisition approach, using commercial off-the-shelf solutions and minimal military modifications...

DAF, Texas Space Commission establish strategic alliance to accelerate defense space innovation
August 5, 2026 — The Department of the Air Force and the state of Texas partnered in a landmark collaborative agreement to accelerate the integration of commercial technologies into national security space architecture, July 30, 2026...

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...

Reauthorizations accelerate tech for War Department
April 30, 2026 — The reauthorization of a couple of small business technology programs opens the gates for the War Department to get cutting-edge technology more quickly into the hands of warfighters. ...

Southcom establishes Autonomous Warfare Command
April 24, 2026 — Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan directed the establishment of the Southcom Autonomous Warfare Command, which will employ autonomous, semiautonomous and unmanned platforms and systems to counter threats and challenges across the region. ...

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...

Army launches data operations center, giving warfighters decisive edge
April 13, 2026 — The Army launched the Army Data Operations Center — a key initiative designed to transform how it manages and uses its vast data resources to ensure decision dominance on the modern battlefield...

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 Aviation takes major leap with delivery of first autonomous-ready Black Hawk
March 23, 2026 — The Army officially received a groundbreaking H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter upgraded for autonomous or piloted flight, marking a pivotal moment in its push to build a safer, smarter and more versatile helicopter fleet for the future...

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...

DAF space medicine leaders, civilian partners strategize policy at inaugural Space Force Medicine Summit
March 11, 2026 — The Air Force Surgeon General’s Space Force Medical Operations Directorate hosted more than 100 DAF leaders and civilian partners for the inaugural Space Force Medicine Stakeholder Summit to align efforts to improve Guardian medical support...

AFIMSC seeks submissions for Financial Management Innovation Rodeo
March 9, 2026 — The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is seeking entries from across the Department of the Air Force for a financial management “Shark Tank”-like competition. ...

Texas grant to expand space domain awareness accelerator
March 2, 2026 — The Space Force and the Texas Space Commission partnered to establish a $9.27 million hub at the University of Texas at Austin, an effort to speed the development of technology for national defense...

Senior Air, Space Force leaders discuss defense of homeland
February 26, 2026 — The War Department's 2026 National Defense Strategy prioritizes defending the homeland as its first line of effort. At the Air and Space Forces Association's warfare symposium in Colorado, three senior Air and Space Force generals discussed how their respective combatant commands are working to do that...

AFIMSC unveils ‘SPEED CSO’ to fast-track innovation for installation mission support capabilities
February 25, 2026 — The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has launched a streamlined contracting process to speed up the delivery of innovative commercial capabilities to warfighters...