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Navy ‘going to study’ possibility of building ships outside US, Phelan says
The Navy is exploring ways to alleviate pressure as U.S. shipbuilding faces issues with labor capacity, Navy Secretary John Phelan said.
Pentagon seeks funds for Golden Dome, drones, AI in largest-ever budget request
According to Pentagon officials, the president's key priorities include the Golden Dome, drones, AI, data infrastructure and the defense industrial base.
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US Navy to integrate PAC-3 MSE interceptor missile with Aegis Combat System
The Navy will integrate PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles with the Aegis Combat System, according to Lockheed Martin.
US Navy unmanned surface vessel fleet to grow sevenfold in Indo-Pacific
The fleet of medium unmanned surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific is expected to grow to at least 30, with smaller USVs and unmanned aerial systems.
US Navy successfully tests new long-range, winged JDAM out to 200 miles
An April 1 test saw the munition deployed from an F/A-18 Super Hornet, fly approximately 200 miles in 34 minutes and strike within meters of its target.
CNO denies reports of poor food service aboard Navy vessels
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle disputed reports that sailors were experiencing food shortages aboard vessels stationed in the Middle East.
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Military History
Push to identify remains of POWS who endured Bataan Death March, hell ships
Since 2014 the DPAA has been working to identify, recover and repatriate the remains of POWs who died in the prison camps or aboard Japanese hell ships.
US Southern Command stands up autonomous unit
Once fully operational, the new command will be tasked with engaging autonomous, semi-autonomous and unmanned platforms to “counter threats across domains.
Saildrone announces new USV class aimed at anti-submarine warfare
Spectre, a new class of unmanned surface vessel, will face sea trials in early 2027.
Used as an ‘individual target’ by the Germans, this Medal of Honor recipient kept up the fight
Although mortally wounded, Robert Booker “remained retrained and unfazed as he continued to encourage his squad and helped direct their fire.”
In other news
Flu vaccine requirement discarded ‘effective immediately,’ Hegseth says
The flu vaccine has been required annually for U.S. military personnel since the 1950s .
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Beating UAV threats starts with time—and better radar
Leonardo DRS explains how radar range and speed are critical to countering UAV threats.
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Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
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2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
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MORE STORIES
US Navy unmanned surface vessel fleet to grow sevenfold in Indo-Pacific
The fleet of medium unmanned surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific is expected to grow to at least 30, with smaller USVs and unmanned aerial systems.
Flu vaccine requirement discarded ‘effective immediately,’ Hegseth says
The flu vaccine has been required annually for U.S. military personnel since the 1950s .
By Patricia Kime
US Navy successfully tests new long-range, winged JDAM out to 200 miles
An April 1 test saw the munition deployed from an F/A-18 Super Hornet, fly approximately 200 miles in 34 minutes and strike within meters of its target.
By Brooke Griswold
Unregulated prediction market may endanger US national security, experts and lawmakers warn
With how futures markets are structured, officials could place bets anonymously and influence combat operations to ensure they get a payout, experts say.
By Riley Ceder
Anduril, HD Hyundai expand partnership with first autonomous surface vessel in production
The companies are expecting their first autonomous surface vessel to hit the waters this October.
Trump clears path for expanded psychedelic research to treat veterans’ PTSD
The order commits at least $50 million in federal funds to boost research on ibogaine, a powerful hallucinogen.
By Tanya Noury
CNO denies reports of poor food service aboard Navy vessels
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle disputed reports that sailors were experiencing food shortages aboard vessels stationed in the Middle East.
By Riley Ceder
US Navy wants helicopter sonar that can detect subs – and mines
Instead of separate tech to spot mines and subs, the Navy is exploring the convenience of having one sonar that allows a single helicopter to do both.
By Michael Peck
US Navy destroyer fires on cargo vessel attempting to sail to Iranian port
The USS Spruance "disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room," CENTCOM stated.
By J.D. Simkins
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower experiences small fire while undergoing maintenance
The aircraft carrier has been sidelined since it began planned maintenance availability at Naval Support Activity Portsmouth on Jan. 8, 2025.
By Riley Ceder