U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare a first-person view small unmanned aircraft system during an FPV sUAS live fire demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2026. I MEF, in partnership with Defense Innovation Unit, evaluated fiber-optic drones for use in signal-degraded environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology Dr. Joseph S. Jewell participates in the Department of War Lab Day at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 5, 2026. (DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Carson Croom)
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing departs from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, June 25, 2026. Members assigned to both the 20th and 96th Bomb Squadrons performed a flyover in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Preston Crawford)
The Air Force expects to complete modifying a second B-52 bomber with radar upgrades by the end of 2026, but it remains unclear when testing will resume.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth operates a touch screen to remotely control a helicopter from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in Arlington, Va., Nov. 14, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)
U.S. Marines compete in wargaming during Modern Day Marine 2026 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C., April 30, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew A. McDonnell)
Every operational plan in every military headquarters in the world is now obsolete. The hedge strategists said this day would come. It has arrived. The question is…
Hung Cao, then-undersecretary of the Navy, meets with Capt. John Frye, commanding officer, U.S. Naval Base Guam, Feb. 23, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Rey Rabara)