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Army tests robotic coyotes to defend fighter jets
Unmanned ground vehicles mounted with life-size plastic coyotes are one idea proposed as part of a new effort to keep wildlife away from military aircraft.
Navy did not document changes to recruitment procedures, watchdog says
The Navy reached its recruitment goal in fiscal 2024 by working through a backlog of 8,600 medical waivers, recruiting 5,845 sailors in the process.
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US strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program up to 2 years, DOD says
“We’re thinking probably closer to two years — like degraded their program by two years,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Wednesday.
Pentagon creates new military border zone in Arizona
The fourth national defense area created along the US-Mexico border will be an extension of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in the Sonora Desert.
Chinese nationals charged with spying on US Navy
The DOJ said two Chinese nationals spied on Navy sailors and bases for China's intelligence agency and attempted to recruit service members as assets.
Senate passes Trump’s major policy bill with $150 billion for the DOD
Funding included in the bill would go toward shipbuilding, the Golden Dome homeland missile defense project, munitions and other key Pentagon priorities.
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Military History
Undersea expedition discovers bow of USS New Orleans, lost in WWII
On Nov. 30, 1942, a torpedo sank the heavy cruiser New Orleans, sending it to the bottom of the Pacific. Its whereabouts were lost to history — until now.
Ken Burns documentary on American Revolution to premiere this fall
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Ken Burns is releasing a deep look into the fight for American independence.
Trump, Netanyahu take victory lap over strikes on Iran nuclear sites
President Trump ordered U.S. forces to strike three key Iranian nuclear sites in June, a decision the Israeli leader says warrants a Nobel Peace Prize.
VA expects 30K voluntary job cuts by October, erasing need for layoffs
More than 17,000 Veterans Affairs jobs have been eliminated or vacated since the start of the year.
In other news
Sailor pleads guilty to bribing official for unauthorized military IDs
Raymond Zumba attempted to bribe a NAS Jacksonville employee for base access cards he was purchasing for Chinese buyers, according to court documents.
VIDEOS
What’s in the Pentagon budget for 2026?
In a year without a large-scale DOD budget rollout, our reporters decipher what programs will receive Pentagon funding in fiscal 2026.
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SPECIAL FEATURES
Sea-Air-Space 2025 Coverage
Defense News is reporting on the top headlines and news coming out of Navy League’s annual show.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
‘A new challenge’: Air Force vet becomes two-time living organ donor
Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is a two-time living organ donor after giving a kidney to a fellow veteran and part of her liver to another recipient.
An ode to Dwight Schrute, The Office’s best squad leader
He'd rub people the wrong way in a real squad. But he'd also make sure you had water, ammo and a working red lens flashlight on the night of land nav.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Why Despicable Me’s Gru is just a warrant officer with better branding
If Gru wore a uniform, it wouldn’t have stars or stripes. It would have a coffee stain and rank that no one really understands.
Why Patrick Star is the blue falcon of Bikini Bottom
Patrick Star is every lovable mess-up squadmate who cost you a weekend because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut during formation.
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Opinion
Sacrifices for military readiness are a family affair
A 2021 Department of Defense survey reported an unemployment rate among active duty military spouses of about 21%.
By James D. Rodriguez
Navy extends service lives of four more destroyers
Each warship will now serve 40 years instead of the expected 35.
Wounded Warrior head set to retire in early 2024
Linnington served in the Army for 35 years before joining the national veterans non-profit.
By Zamone Perez
Why the Army’s 1950s hovercraft platform failed
The Army hovercraft traces its roots to the 1950s.
By Sarah Sicard
Opinion
The case for an enhanced major non-NATO ally status
Congress should consider revising the current major non-NATO ally designation or creating a new category with additional benefits.
By Sam Mundy and Mick Mulroy
Opinion
Barbenheimer: Unleashing the transformative power of the bombshell
The histories of nuclear energy as a World War II product and Barbie as a postwar creation are inextricably linked.
By Michael Doidge
The Navy’s deployed resiliency counselor program evolves, 10 years in
While the need remains, the program has struggled to fill all its counselor billets.
Opinion
Honoring our ‘PACT’ to veterans
This week marks one year since the PACT Act, legislation expanding health and disability benefits for veterans, was signed into law.
By Rep. Mark Takano
Mini SEAL sub reaches initial operating capability
The so-called "dry combat submersible" will make underwater rides more comfortable for Navy special operators.
More Marines, sailors operating in Red Sea amid tensions with Iran
The increased presence of sailors and Marines aims to de-escalate tensions caused by Iran’s harassment and seizures of merchant vessels.
By Diana Stancy