Pentagon Unveils $961.6B Defense Budget
The Defense Department released its fiscal 2026 budget, making official a $961.6 billion request. The breakdown among the services: $197.4B for the Army, $292.2B for the Navy, $301.1B for the Air Force and Space Force, and $170.9B for defense-wide activities.
DOGE Can Now Review Unclassified Contracts at DoD
The DoD Department of Government Efficiency team will now get a chance to assess unclassified contracts before they’re awarded. DOGE may now review solicitations, requirements, and cost estimates for new contracts and modifications,
Trump Proposes New Fighter Jet, the F-55
President Donald Trump wants the US military to have a new twin-engine F-35. He wants to call it the F-55. It will have two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35. Some analysts say it will be a highly challenging engineering endeavor.
Boeing Wins $20B Contract for Newest Fighter Jet
The US Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet. Boeing has been awarded the $20 billion contract for the new aircraft, the F-47.
5,400 Job Cuts to Hit Pentagon This Week
About 5,400 Defense Department employees will lose their jobs this week. The cuts are the first in what is expected to be a 5% to 8% reduction of the civilian workforce. The department employed 764,000 civilians as of June 2024, which means more than 61,000 people could lose their jobs. The White House also wants an 8% cut to the DoD budget.
F-35 Crashed in Alaska, Pilot Safe
A USAF pilot crashed an F-35 on Tuesday during the landing phase of a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, 25 miles south of Fairbanks, AK. The pilot was able to eject from the aircraft and was in stable condition at a medical facility. The crash caused significant damage to the aircraft.
Pentagon Paused V-22 Osprey Flights Again
The Pentagon paused non-essential flights of its Bell Boeing V-22 Ospreys again, after initial investigations into the emergency landing of an Air Force CV-22 last month indicated a potential material failure in a component. The fleet was temporarily grounded a year ago after a Nov. 29, 2023 crash near Yakushima Japan killed all eight aboard.
Who’s on Trump’s List for DefSec?
Who will be the next US secretary of defense? Familiar names being floated include Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL). Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on the list and then off in a matter of days.
FAA Issues Final Rule for Powered-Lift eVTOLs
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued its final rule for powered-lift aircraft, which creates the operating and pilot training basis for eVTOLs. This development is critical to the success of the advanced air mobility industry, says the FAA.
FTC: Make It as Easy to Cancel as Sign-up
The US Federal Trade Commission adopted a final rule on Wednesday requiring businesses to make it as easy to cancel subscriptions and memberships as it was to sign up. It is the agency’s last major ruling before the Nov. 5 election.
