Top stories
US military needs ‘urgent revolutionary institutional change’ to prepare for modern war, Petraeus says
Ret. Army Gen. David Petraeus praised the Pentagon’s new Autonomous Warfare Command but said the U.S. must rapidly prepare for modern autonomous war.
Air Force unit halts rappelling, ropes training after airman dies during public demonstration
After Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died from injuries sustained during a public demonstration, his squadron ceased all rappel and rope training events.
Latest
The flight nurses of the Pacific who saved thousands of Marines
In 1945, a dozen U.S. Navy nurses evacuated 2,393 men from Iwo Jima on 125 flights — more than 13% of everyone evacuated from the island.
Tom Skerritt, Air Force veteran and ‘Top Gun’ star, dies at 93
Skerritt served in the U.S. Air Force before launching an acting career that spanned from the 1960s to the 2020s.
A ‘super’ rebrand: Navy mandates dropping ‘artificial intelligence’
The U.S. Navy this week became one of the first services to mandate changing terminology from "artificial intelligence" to "super intelligence."
US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling
The goal is for AI to automatically analyze refueling operations from cameras mounted on the tankers and provide “hot wash” feedback to the tanker crews.
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EDITOR'S PICKS
Commentary
Salaries, food and sumo wrestling suits: What I learned paying the bills for war
From Vietnam to Iraq, "I had a bird's-eye view on how money and war are inextricably linked," this Air Force veteran reflects in The War Horse.
‘Jaws of hell’: A B-24 crew’s capture, survival after WWII air raid
In his new book, Adam Makos writes about how an American B-24 bomber crew was saved by a Romanian princess following the deadly Ploesti Raid in WWII.
Opinion
Tip of the spear, or stranded on beaches? Chinese planners dissect USMC Pacific posture
Understanding these dynamics, American leaders should recalibrate and opt to rely less on forward defense, writes analyst Lyle Goldstein.
Opinion
The Army’s most dangerous logistics problem is hiding behind motor pools
The Army must establish company-level asset management chiefs before the next major conflict, an active-duty officer writes.
In other news
Green Beret who survived an IED now clears Ukraine’s landmines
A Green Beret and Silver Star recipient who once survived an IED and now clears Ukraine's landmines is the subject of a new documentary, "Safe Ground."
VIDEOS
Defense leaders weigh in on expanding production | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 10.27.26
Top leaders from the defense industry share their ideas on how to scale up production and integrate AI in remarks from the show floor at AUSA 2026.
Featured Videos
A ‘super’ rebrand: Navy mandates dropping ‘artificial intelligence’
The U.S. Navy this week became one of the first services to mandate changing terminology from "artificial intelligence" to "super intelligence."
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
By J.D. Simkins
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
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MORE STORIES
Lawmakers aim to ease state-to-state moves for military homeschoolers
The Republican proposal would exempt military families from conflicting state laws on homeschooling, as long as they remain in compliance with one state.
By Karen Jowers
DoD should review special needs health care programs to ensure they’re helping military families, watchdog says
The coverage amounts for Tricare ECHO services haven't increased since 2009.
By Karen Jowers
‘Scary and silencing’: Troops, families receive threats from foreign bad actors
The threats began after the U.S. strikes against Iran and have included identifying details about troops, their spouses and children.
By Karen Jowers
US forces disable Iranian-flagged tankers trying to cross blockade
This week, U.S. forces around the Strait of Hormuz have launched strikes against Iranian military facilities and disabled missiles launched by the IRGC.
By Riley Ceder
Golden Dome has ‘pathways to pivot’ if delays arise, general says
Gen. Michael Guetlein, the appointed czar for America's “Golden Dome” initiative, told lawmakers that plans to build the shield were proceeding apace.
By Hope Hodge Seck
US Air Force seeks $3.9 billion to boost KC-46 fleet
The service also clarified plans for the size of its KC-46 fleet.
By Michael Scanlon
3 sailors injured after fire breaks out aboard USS Zumwalt
A fire broke out aboard the guided-missile destroyer as it was stationed pierside at a Mississippi shipyard.
US soldier charged with making $400,000 on Maduro removal bets
Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a master sergeant with U.S. Army Special Forces, used sensitive classified information to make wagers on prediction market Polymarket.
By Jasper Ward and Luc Cohen, Reuters
US commander warns Taiwan not to ‘starve the chicken’ on defense
Adm. Samuel Paparo stressed the importance of Taiwan passing its stalled defense budget.
By David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina, Reuters
US did not move defense system from Korea, general says
The Washington Post reported in March that the Pentagon was moving parts of a THAAD system to the Middle East from South Korea.
By Reuters