2026 budget Archives

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, tactical unmanned air vehicle, soars overhead during its second test flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)

Marine Corps requests more funding for collaborative combat aircraft development

Details about plans for the CCA effort were included in fiscal 2026 budget justification documents.

Jul 9, 2025 By Jon Harper

Army Cyber Command, Cyber Flag 2019 — Participants in the Army’s Cyber Flag exercise in Suffolk, Virginia, in June 2019. (U.S. Cyber Command photo)

Cyber Command creates new AI program in fiscal 2026 budget

The funding follows a push from Congress for Cybercom to develop an AI roadmap.

Jul 7, 2025 By Mark Pomerleau

Pentagon’s AI office eliminates CTO directorate in pursuit of ‘efficiencies’

It's unclear how employees, responsibilities and investments were dispersed following the termination.

Jul 3, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Armored Division inspects an antenna as he prepares for Project Convergence – Capstone 5 (PC-C5) at Fort Irwin, Calif., in early March 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kelvin Johnson)

Army plans to spend roughly $3B on next-gen command and control in fiscal 2026

Funding to support Next Generation Command and Control will come across several funding lines that have been realigned.

Jul 2, 2025 By Mark Pomerleau

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division set up a command post with the M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle during exercise Spectrum Blitz 25 at the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, April 11, 2025. Spectrum Blitz 25 is an exercise that provides an opportunity to train Electronic Warfare Teams in Electronic Warfare Training Strategies at the platoon level. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Collin Mackall)

Army’s new budget proposal invests in electromagnetic force protection capabilities

As the Army continues its long journey to modernize and rebuild its electronic warfare arsenal, the FY26 budget request aims to invest in a raft of capabilities…

Jul 1, 2025 By Mark Pomerleau

Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in cyber operations room at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo illustration source: DVIDS)

Cyber Command significantly increases funding request for defense in Indo-Pacific region

The command has requested significantly more funds to support cyber defense in the Pacific region and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

Jul 1, 2025 By Mark Pomerleau

Pentagon budget goes ‘all in’ on Air Force’s F-47, putting Navy’s sixth-gen fighter on hold

The Defense Department has decided to delay funding for the Navy's F/A-XX program due to concerns over the industrial base's capacity to produce two major next-gen fighter…

Jun 27, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

U.S. Soldiers from various units across Europe launch a Switchblade 600 during Loitering Munitions Training at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Nov. 5, 2024. This was the first time U.S. Soldiers launched Switchblade 600s, a loitering munition system, in Europe. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Cody Nelson)

Army’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal aims to equip infantry brigades with more kamikaze drones

The request for additional loitering munitions comes as officials are undertaking a new Army Transformation Initiative to modernize the force for future high-tech combat.

Jun 27, 2025 By Jon Harper

A Boeing unmanned MQ-25 aircraft is given operating directions on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Hillary Becke)

Billions for new uncrewed systems and drone-killing tech included in Pentagon’s 2026 budget plan

The Defense Department rolled out information to reporters Thursday on its FY26 budget request.

Jun 26, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch/Recovery Equipment) 2nd Class Diangelo Watson, from Jonesboro, Georgia, assigned to air department’s aircraft launch and recovery division, signals for an aircraft to take off on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 9, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class August Clawson)

Despite proposed cuts, Navy requirements for F/A-XX next-gen fighter ‘still valid,’ Joint Chiefs chairman says

The future of the the Navy's sixth-gen fighter remains uncertain as lawmakers support robust funding for the program while the Trump administration tries to slash spending in…

Jun 12, 2025 By Jon Harper