Weapons Archives

Defense Threat Reduction Agency test personnel prepare to carefully offload the 30,000-pound massive ordnance penetrator, or MOP, for a static test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. (DTRA photo)

Air Force taps ARA to develop Next Generation Penetrator prototypes

The NGP is the planned successor for the GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which was used by the Pentagon earlier this year to strike Iran's underground nuclear facilities.

20 hours ago By Mikayla Easley

A Soldier of the 25th Infantry Division fires a Switchblade 600 rocket from the Loitering Unmanned Systems Directed Requirement (LUS DR) system during a new equipment training at the Pohakuloa Training Area in Hilo, HI. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Antonio Deric, 25th Infantry Division)

DOD touts ‘successful transition’ for Replicator initiative — but questions linger

The Defense Department has remained secretive about Replicator since its inception.

Sep 3, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth tests a Dronebuster while touring static displays led by the 3rd Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (3/10 MTN) Warriors and Foreign Legion Force Poland Battle Group in Powidz, Poland, Feb. 15, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander C. Kubitza)

Hegseth orders Army secretary to create new joint interagency counter-drone task force

The new task force will be expected to serve as the Defense Department’s lead organization for developing capabilities to defeat small unmanned aerial systems.

Aug 28, 2025 By Jon Harper

This picture shows smoke rising following an explosion during a night mass drone and missile strikes on Kyiv on August 28, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

How the war in Ukraine is shaping NATO’s approach to future fights

Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, shared new details about NATO’s near-term digital transformation plans this week.

Aug 28, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

A YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft takes off during flight testing at a California test location. (Courtesy photo)

General Atomics begins flight tests for Air Force CCA drone program

General Atomics recently began flight testing of its prototype, dubbed the YFQ-42A, at an unnamed location in California.

Aug 27, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

Launched effects are expected to bring a critical capability to the Army with advanced teaming between crewed and uncrewed systems to detect, identify, locate, and report pacing threats in contested environments. (Photo by Shawn Nesaw)

Army issues solicitation for ‘launched effects’ autonomous drones

Army leadership has directed program officers to field the drones to every division and Multi-Domain Task Force in 2026.

Aug 6, 2025 By Jon Harper

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 10: Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) arrives to a caucus meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill May 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Inside the congressional Foreign Arms Sales Task Force’s effort to spearhead reform

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., shared new details on the team's approach during an exclusive interview with DefenseScoop this week.

Jul 24, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

Lt. Elliot Reed, right, assigned to Air Department aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), signals to a Carrier Air Wing 8 F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 87, as it launches from the flight deck, July 14, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tajh Payne)

CNO nominee Adm. Caudle warns F/A-XX delays could jeopardize Navy’s air superiority

"Without a replacement for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler, the Navy will be forced to retrofit 4th generation aircraft and increase procurement of 5th generation…

Jul 24, 2025 By Jon Harper

Battle damage assessment from Iran strikes could lead to improvements in MOP bomb technology

A senior defense official discussed the Massive Ordnance Penetrator weapon during a briefing with reporters Thursday.

Jul 10, 2025 By Jon Harper

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel Torres and Staff Sgt. Maxwell Carlson place an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle on level ground during a UUV Recovery rehearsal for exercise Kaiju Rain on Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, April 17, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kira Ducato)

U.S. military is on the hunt for killer UUVs

DIU is trying to find solutions that meet the U.S. military’s need for undersea kamikaze drones and UUVs that can be launched from submarines.

Jul 9, 2025 By Jon Harper