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Brandi Vincent: Behind-the-byline of one the Pentagon’s top tech reporters

Vincent goes in depth on her approach to covering the DOD as AI takes the forefront and the freedom of the press in the Pentagon has been…

16 hours ago

Michael Dodd, assistant secretary of war for critical technologies, shakes hands with the newest members of the U.S. Air Force during a Joint Enlistment Ceremony at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at Speedway, Indiana, May 17, 2026. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Austin Goss)

After Army commits to Joint Laser Weapon System program by 2028, Pentagon critical tech official presses other services to do the same

“I’ll say it here, I’m going to knuckle roll the other services to do the same," said Michael Dodd, assistant secretary of defense for critical technologies.

5 days ago By Drew F. Lawrence

Sailors assigned to Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Group (UUVGRU) 1 and Undersea Vehicle Squadron (UUVRON) 3 conduct training with the Navy’s newest Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LUUV), the Anduril Dive-LD, in Keyport, Washington, Dec. 11, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Loren Nichols)

U.S. military’s Anduril Dive-LD drone was ‘dead in the water’ before Iran nabbed it

In the wake of the incident, a Centcom spokesperson told DefenseScoop that “U.S. operations in area waters continue.”

Sep 8, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS (Image courtesy of Textron Systems)

Textron wins Navy task orders for drone ISR services to support 7th Fleet, other forces

Textron plans to provide its Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system for its efforts under the task orders.

Sep 4, 2026 By Jon Harper

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 147th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform postflight checks on an MQ-9 Reaper drone assigned to the 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard, at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, during exercise Northern Viking 26, Aug. 21, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

Air Force moves to accelerate effort to replace MQ-9 Reaper after combat losses in Iran war

“We want to bring this thing forward because of the fact that, although we have plenty of MQ-9As today, we are going through them at a rate…

Sep 4, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

A U.S. Army drone observes a training unit in the woods during exercise Saber Junction 26 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center’s Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Aug. 29, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Brandon Miles)

Lawmakers with ‘deep concerns’ press Army leadership about decision to terminate unit’s Ukraine-informed drone mission

Following an exercise in Germany set to end this month, the battalion will stop its specialized drone mission and return to its core task as an airborne…

Sep 3, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Manama in retaliation against US-Israeli attacks, in Bahrain February 28, 2026. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Memo outlines new policies for military families affected by war-triggered evacuation from Bahrain

Bahrain has been a key location and innovation hub for the U.S. Navy.

Sep 1, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

Navy kicks off search for first increment of CCA drones

The Navy’s request for information outlines a carrier-capable CCA drone that can be demonstrated and certified within three years of an award.

Sep 1, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll arrives for the United States Military Academy commencement ceremony in Michie Stadium at the U.S. Military Academy on May 23, 2026 in West Point, New York. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submits resignation

Driscoll’s move to resign follows reports of long-standing tensions between the Army boss and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Aug 31, 2026 By Jon Harper Drew F. Lawrence

A U.S. Army soldier with 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), monitors the southern border through binoculars during a patrol in Yuma, Az., Jan. 5, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sawyer Carleton)

After back-to-back airspace blunders earlier this year, border task force shoots down ‘cartel-linked’ drones with AV laser

Over two days this week, Joint Task Force-Southern Border used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system to engage three "hostile" UAS, according to a press release.

Aug 28, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence