Pentagon awards more funding to refine drone interceptor technology for Navy
Two vendors are working on prototypes for DIU’s Counter NEXT program.
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Flight test of Zone 5 Technologies’ drone interceptor. (Image courtesy of Zone 5 Technologies) Weapons -
A Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC 617) small boat crew interdicts two suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea, July 25, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Vigilant/DVIDS) Weapons DIU wants nonlethal weapons to disable small boats, amid US crackdown on drug cartels
“This has been a longstanding challenge and isn’t unique to narco-terrorists,” an expert analyst told DefenseScoop.
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A light stanchion with the flags of the United States and Israel on the road leading to the American embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo source: Getty Images) Tech House lawmakers propose the stand-up of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel
The House version of the fiscal 2026 NDAA would require the Pentagon to set up a new DIU hub overseas.
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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) Weapons DOD touts ‘successful transition’ for Replicator initiative — but questions linger
The Defense Department has remained secretive about Replicator since its inception.
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Emil Michael appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nomination to become undersecretary of defense for research and engineering in Washington, D.C. March 27, 2025. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom) Tech Pentagon CTO Emil Michael becomes acting director of DIU
Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for researching and engineering and the Pentagon’s CTO, has taken on the role of acting director of the Silicon Valley-headquartered Defense Innovation Unit in the wake of Doug Beck’s resignation, DefenseScoop has learned.
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Defense Innovation Unit Director Doug Beck speaks to Master Sgt. Joshua Shelly, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, about the Neros Archer drone during the AI+ Expo in Washington D.C., June 2, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean) Tech Doug Beck resigns as DIU director
Doug Beck had led the Defense Innovation Unit since May 2023.
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LAKE TRAVIS, Texas (Oct. 24, 2023) A prototype unmanned surface vehicle (USV) made by Saronic Technologies transits Lake Travis, Texas, during testing of an autonomous over-the-horizon solution conceived by student researchers at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). (U.S. Navy photo) AI Navy moves to buy autonomous maritime drones from Saronic via $392M OTA
Details are sparse regarding the specific features, types and quantities of unmanned vessels Saronic will deliver.
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The U.S. Capitol Building is seen at dusk after the National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the region on June 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) Tech House Defense Modernization Caucus pushes authority and acquisition reforms for fiscal 2026
The caucus secured multiple provisions in the HASC draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2026.
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(Photo courtesy of U.S. Central Command Public Affairs) Tech US Central Command hires new chief data officer
Cyrus Jabbari is the new CDO at the combatant command that oversees American military operations in the Middle East.
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a drone demonstration at the Pentagon, July 10, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac Llanez Delgado) Tech Hegseth directive on ‘unleashing U.S. military drone dominance’ includes deadlines for major overhauls
Hegseth referred to uncrewed systems as “the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation.”