GAO: Pentagon’s hypersonic programs grappling with schedule constraints, production woes
The Government Accountability Office’s annual assessment of major DOD programs details potential risks and delays for three high-profile hypersonic weapons.
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Soldiers from B Battery (Dark Eagle), 5th Battalion, 3d Field Artillery Regiment (LRFB), give a capabilities brief on the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System in Northern Territory, Australia, July 9, 2025. The battery participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Perla Alfaro) Weapons -
US President Donald Trump, alongside (L/R) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, speaks to the press following US military actions in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images) Emerging Tech Trump’s budget supplemental would secure billions for munitions, emerging defense tech
Along with replenishing munitions stockpiles, the supplemental request supports two key Space Force programs, drones, cybersecurity and autonomy.
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Defense leaders discuss changing role of data management at GDIT’s ‘Battlespace of the Future’ summit. Panelists include, from left: Scoop News Group SVP Billy Mitchell, DOW Assistant Secretary Joseph Jewell, Army Lt. Gen. Jeth Rey, and GDIT President Amy Gilliland. (Photo by Scoop News Group) Sponsored Emerging Tech In the Battlespace of the Future, Data is the Decisive Munition
Leaders from the U.S. Army, DOW, and GDIT highlight data and technology shifts needed to speed decision-making and strengthen mission advantage.
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DefenseScoop TV DOW’s Hon. Joseph Jewell on operationalizing defense research
Hon. Joseph Jewell, Ph.D. | Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology
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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec, 6, 2024) – A Mission Specialist Defender Mark IV remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) transits the Atlantic Ocean submerged during the Australia, United Kingdom and U.S. (AUKUS) Pillar II Subsea and Seabed Warfare Event Two/Integrated Battle Problem 25.1. During the event, U.S. Navy, Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy personnel launched, tested and provided demonstrations for several unmanned underwater vehicles, to include the Mission Specialist Defender Mark IV remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and the IVER4 900 autonomous-underwater vehicle. The AUKUS Advanced Capabilities line of effort – known as Pillar II – is a seminal strategic partnership and technology accelerator for the three AUKUS nations to harness and uplift innovation enterprises and industrial bases, remove barriers to cooperation, and deliver advanced capabilities for AUKUS warfighters. (Image produced utilizing a screen capture from video.) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin E. Yarborough) Emerging Tech AUKUS allies launch new undersea drone project
The partner nations will be developing “cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems” to enhance their UUV arsenals.
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Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Daryl Caudle testifies in a budget hearing for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to discuss the Navy’s fiscal year 2027 budget and strategic posture in Washington, D.C., May 12, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Elliott Fabrizio). Emerging Tech Navy comes ‘full circle’ on nuclear power for next-generation battleship
“I’m thrilled that we finally landed on the fact it’s going to be nuclear,” Adm. Daryl Caudle said.
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Leidos’ new Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM) is expected to significantly enhance the country’s ground-launched combat capability. Image: Leidos Weapons Pentagon signs deals with industry to rapidly field 10,000 low-cost missiles
Through the framework agreements, Anduril, CoAspire, Zone 5 Technologies and Leidos will scale production to deliver thousands of missiles within just three years.
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A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron is undergoes pre-flight procedures at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 8, 2020. The aircraft conducted a captive-carry flight test of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the Southern California coast. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem) Weapons Air Force wants to develop follow-on to ARRW hypersonic missile
The Air Force’s budget request for fiscal 2027 also shows that it wants to begin development of an Air-Launched Ballistic Missile to complement other hypersonic weapons.
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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in front of a map of Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Space CBO estimates Golden Dome-like missile shield could cost $1.2T over 2 decades
The newest cost projection comes from a “notional” missile defense architecture that includes systems outlined in the current plan for Golden Dome.
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Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director of the Missile Defense Agency prepares before the House Armed Services Subcommittee FY27 missile defense and missile defeat programs and activities hearing in the Rayburn House office Building on April 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Luke Johnson/Getty Images) Weapons Missile Defense Agency looks to demo hypersonic weapon interceptor in 2027
If the demonstration is successful, Project Maverick could lead MDA to fielding an interim counter-hypersonic weapon until the Glide Phase Interceptor is delivered in the 2030s.