The Insider

HII and Shield AI partner to integrate USV and autonomy software
By Abby Shepherd
November 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM

After a three-day test event, shipbuilder HII and defense company Shield AI successfully completed the first major test of an integrated autonomy solution for HII’s ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel, the companies announced Monday.

In October, the two companies integrated Shield AI’s autonomy software framework -- known as its Hivemind enterprise software development kit (SDK) -- with HII’s Odyssey autonomy suite onboard a ROMULUS 20 USV, according to an announcement.

The ROMULUS USV family includes high-endurance, 25+ knot vessels that can operate in the open ocean and are built on commercial-standard hulls.

“This collaboration between HII and Shield AI showcases how adaptable autonomy frameworks can accelerate development,” HII Mission Technologies President Andy Green said. “Using the Hivemind Enterprise SDK, our teams integrated capabilities quickly and effectively. The successful deployment on ROMULUS 20 validates the power of this partnership and paves the way for even greater autonomy across the ROMULUS fleet.”

Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software allows unmanned systems to continue operating amid GPS-denied environments, according to the company.

“Through close collaboration with HII and the shared use of Shield AI’s modular, open architecture SDK, we integrated advanced maritime capabilities in less than six weeks -- work that typically takes months or years,” Shield AI Chief Technology Officer Nathan Michael said. “We look forward to continuing to expand multi-domain autonomy together.”

AI platform provider gets DIU-backed prototype award worth up to $99M
By Theresa Maher
November 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM

The Defense Innovation Unit will award data intelligence platform provider Obviant up to $99 million under a prototype award for its AI solution unifying defense procurement data currently scattered across the federal government, the company announced today.

The award will see Obviant equip DIU’s commercial team with an operating platform that streamlines information across requirements, contracting, budgeting, congressional and program records.

Despite DIU’s status as direct recipient, any Defense Department or U.S. government organization interested in increased visibility across the defense acquisition ecosystem will have access to the platform, Obviant said.

The AI solution provides role-based support for decision makers by absorbing and analyzing data from a plethora of sources including program documents, budget justification books and congressional reports, the company said.

“Obviant’s data provides commanders, program managers, analysts and companies a shared, real-time view of mission capability gaps, available solutions, acquisition routes and funding options,” Brendan Karp, Obviant co-founder and CEO, said.

Army soliciting industry for E-HEL counter drone system
By Dan Schere
November 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM

The Army issued a request for information last week seeking potential vendors to produce a high-energy laser weapon system "to protect semi-fixed and maneuver forces” from unmanned aerial systems.

The Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) would protect forces from groups 1 through 3 UAS, meaning those that weigh less than 1,320 pounds, according to the Oct. 30 solicitation. E-HEL will use a hard kill for groups 1 and 2 UAS, while using one-way attack for group 3 UAS.

The directed-energy office that is housed within the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office is spearheading the effort.

The E-HEL will need to operate in a “palletized configuration,” or it could be integrated onto a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, the notice states. The system should be able to track UAS in various types of environments with the use of Forward Area Air Defense.

The Army initially will produce as many as 20 E-HEL systems using a modular open system approach that uses “range proven laser and beam control technologies” -- meaning they have been tested at a government facility. If a technology has not been tested by the government, vendors will still have the opportunity to test it on a range with representatives from the RCCTO directed-energy office.

Last week’s RCCTO solicitation follows an industry day the Army held in Huntsville, AL Sept. 30 to give vendors an overview of the production requirements and get feedback on the E-HEL program.

RCCTO plans to host demonstrations, from Dec. 8-19 and from Jan. 5-30 at Dugway Proving Ground, UT in which vendors will be able to test their products in the presence of Army officials. The service plans to down select a vendor to produce around 20 E-HELs in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 “or later,” the notice states.

Vendors are asked to respond to the RFI by Nov. 21.

The INSIDER daily digest -- November 3, 2025
By John Liang
November 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on rare earth elements, the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, plus modernizing the Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands and more.

The Defense Department will receive warrants -- options allowing the federal government rights to purchase a company’s stock for a predetermined price at a later date -- in two companies building rare earth elements:

Rare earth magnet company, critical mineral refinery strike $1.4B deal with Pentagon, Commerce Department

North Carolina-based rare earth magnet maker Vulcan Elements and critical mineral refinery ReElement are teaming up with the federal government on a $1.4 billion partnership to scale the companies' fully domestic rare earth magnet supply chain, Vulcan announced last week.

One of the Air Force's prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft flew last week for the first time:

Anduril's CCA prototype completes first flight

Anduril Industries' YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft flew for the first time last week, the Air Force announced, furthering the service's efforts to field swarms of drone wingmen by the end of the decade.

Army contracting officials, though, are now asking industry for input on its planned acquisition strategy for agreements to revamp the Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Test Site:

DOD pushing forward on decade-long modernization at key missile defense test site

The Defense Department, flush with cash from Congress, is moving ahead with a decade-long effort to modernize the Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands, a key hub for U.S. missile defense testing.

The Army is setting up a "Close Combat Innovation Cell":

DEVCOM, Picatinny Arsenal joining forces on 3D printing of sUAS for light IBCTs

The Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) is beginning an initiative in partnership with Picatinny Arsenal, NJ and the 10th Mountain Infantry Division out of Ft. Drum, NY to establish a "Close Combat Innovation Cell" (CCIC).

In its long-term fighter force structure plan -- which was sent to Congress this month -- the Air Force establishes a roadmap to procure F-15EX Eagle II’s, F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance platforms in huge quantities over the next decade as long as it has sufficient money, flexibility and production capacity:

Ten-year fighter plan is aspirational without money to back it up, Air Force says

If the Air Force is going to have a fighter force with "low" operational risk by 2035, as it detailed in a recent report, the government is going to need to figure out a way to pick up the tab for about 400 more jets, according to a service official.

Document: Air Force fighter aircraft force structure report

The week ahead
By Tony Bertuca
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Congress will consider key defense nominees this week, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to speak about acquisition reform with key defense company leaders.

Tuesday

The Senate Armed Services Committee holds a hearing for several senior Pentagon posts.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a discussion on the threats to homeland defense depicted in the film “House of Dynamite.”

House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-CT) speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Wednesday

The Atlantic Council hosts a discussion on the “next-generation agenda” for the U.S.-South Korea relationship.

Thursday

The Senate Armed Services Committee holds a hearing for several senior Pentagon posts.

Friday

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to address senior leaders of the U.S. defense industry on Pentagon acquisition reform.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 31, 2025
By John Liang
October 31, 2025 at 3:13 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Army setting up a "Close Combat Innovation Cell," the Air Force's 10-year fighter aircraft procurement plan, plus a retired general getting a bit part in a hit Netflix movie and more.

The Army is setting up a "Close Combat Innovation Cell":

DEVCOM, Picatinny Arsenal joining forces on 3D printing of sUAS for light IBCTs

The Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) is beginning an initiative in partnership with Picatinny Arsenal, NJ and the 10th Mountain Infantry Division out of Ft. Drum, NY to establish a "Close Combat Innovation Cell" (CCIC).

In its long-term fighter force structure plan -- which was sent to Congress this month -- the Air Force establishes a roadmap to procure F-15EX Eagle II’s, F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance platforms in huge quantities over the next decade as long as it has sufficient money, flexibility and production capacity:

Ten-year fighter plan is aspirational without money to back it up, Air Force says

If the Air Force is going to have a fighter force with "low" operational risk by 2035, as it detailed in a recent report, the government is going to need to figure out a way to pick up the tab for about 400 more jets, according to a service official.

Document: Air Force fighter aircraft force structure report

Nuclear nonproliferation news:

DOD pushing forward on decade-long modernization at key missile defense test site

The Defense Department, flush with cash from Congress, is moving ahead with a decade-long effort to modernize the Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands, a key hub for U.S. missile defense testing.

Retired SMDC boss brings real-world nuclear command experience to Netflix thriller

When the director of "A House of Dynamite" -- the new Netflix nuclear thriller -- began preparing to shoot scenes depicting U.S. Strategic Command, she wanted every blinking light, console switch and dialogue to ring true.

Trump's nuclear testing order is the focus of STRATCOM confirmation hearing

President Trump's order to restart nuclear weapons testing became the focus of Navy Vice Adm. Richard Correll's nomination hearing today to take command of U.S. Strategic Command.

Document: Correll's STRATCOM nomination testimony

During remarks earlier this week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting, Trump praised increased maritime industrial base collaboration between the U.S. and South Korea and highlighted the Philly Shipyard acquisition, saying he thinks the yard is "going to be one of the most successful yards in the world":

Trump: South Korea will build nuclear-powered sub in U.S.

President Trump said South Korea will build a nuclear-powered submarine in Philadelphia and indicated the United States will share closely guarded technical information on nuclear propulsion with its Indo-Pacific ally.

American Rheinmetall to maintain damaged Bradleys near Ukrainian front lines
By Dominic Minadeo
October 31, 2025 at 12:42 PM

American Rheinmetall will put up forward-deployed maintenance sites in Poland to patch up Bradley Fighting Vehicles crippled by Ukrainian combat, the company has announced.

An 18-month, $31 million deal tasks the subsidiary of German-based company Rheinmetall AG with putting together sites for vehicle assessment and repairs near the front lines. The contract was handed down by the Michigan-based National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, a consortium angled toward boosting the domestic industrial base.

“It’s one thing to talk about keeping 100% of your vehicles operational in peacetime,” Mike Milner, who until yesterday was the vice president of business development and strategy at American Rheinmetall, told Inside Defense in an interview. “It’s another thing when you’re fighting for your country’s life and getting every vehicle out there is most important.”

Milner yesterday announced he was stepping into the role of CEO at American Rheinmetall Munitions. As he takes the helm of the munitions portfolio, Chris Haag, who previously served as senior director of business development for the company, will move into Milner’s previous role.

The maintenance sites will take in damaged Bradleys to potentially fix those that aren’t too far gone by plugging in parts from “dumpster diving” for things like electronic boxes from vehicles in long-term storage or from scrap parts salvaged from immobile Bradleys left on the battlefield, according to Milner.

Not all Bradleys will return to the action -- but the idea is, “If you gave me five vehicles, can I make three out of them?” he said.

American Rheinmetall will also have full access to the U.S. supply chain to order parts, according to Milner, as well as to repair and operator manuals needed to fix up the Bradleys, which are supplied to the Army by BAE Systems' U.S. subsidiary.

The demonstration is designed to assess the effectiveness and scalability of the forward-deployed maintenance sites, with the focus being to “bridge the gap” between the battlefield and depot-level repairs, according to the company announcement.

“I don’t think they have that ability, really to repair forward, like we would probably do it as the U.S. Army,” Milner said of Ukraine. “So they don’t have those resources and they also don’t have the technical information on the system itself.”

Sites are expected to start triaging and taking on vehicle repairs in a year and a half -- although it’s not quite clear where in Poland they will be stationed yet.

The Army’s own sustainment of the Bradley has been far from stellar, as the last time the vehicle met the Army’s readiness standard -- a 90% mission capable rate -- was fiscal year 2015, according to the Government Accountability Office.

As of January, the U.S. military had provided Ukraine with more than 300 Bradleys and four Bradley Fire Support Team vehicles, according to a Ukraine aid fact sheet.

Senate confirms Wilsbach as Air Force chief
By Shelley K. Mesch
October 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM

The Senate confirmed today through unanimous consent retired Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach as Air Force chief of staff.

Wilsbach, who recently retired from his role as head of Air Combat Command, will succeed Gen. David Allvin, who is set to retire Dec. 1.

“I want to welcome General Kenneth Wilsbach as the 24th Chief of Staff of the Air Force!” service Secretary Troy Meink wrote on X. “With his vast experience in the Pacific and as a commander at all levels, he is the right leader for the" Air Force.

Allvin is leaving his position just two years into a typically four-year tenure. He is one of more than a dozen top military leaders who have either been fired or retired early this year.

Most recently, Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey announced he was stepping down as head of U.S. Southern Command less than one year after taking the job.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 30, 2025
By John Liang
October 30, 2025 at 1:57 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the White House moving money around to pay military troops their wages, plus submarine coverage and more.

We start off with coverage of how the administration is working to keep military troops paid during the shutdown:

White House raiding reconciliation funds and DOD weapons accounts to pay troops

The Trump administration plans to divert a total of $5.3 billion from the Pentagon's war chest -- including procurement programs -- to pay U.S. troops amid the ongoing government shutdown, according to a White House official.

Submarine news:

Trump: South Korea will build nuclear-powered sub in U.S.

President Trump said South Korea will build a nuclear-powered submarine in Philadelphia and indicated the United States will share closely guarded technical information on nuclear propulsion with its Indo-Pacific ally.

Future submarine contract negotiations not currently impacted by shutdown, HII CEO says

The ongoing government shutdown and subsequent federal worker furloughs have not impacted negotiations for impending block VI Virginia-class submarines and Columbia-class contracts, HII CEO Chris Kastner told investors this week.

Keep an eye out for a major acquisition reform speech the defense secretary is slated to make late next week:

New FMS reform will see DSCA moved under acquisition chief

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning to soon announce a key reform to the U.S. foreign military sales process that will move the Defense Security Cooperation Agency out from under the purview of the Pentagon's policy shop and place it under the supervision of the acquisition chief, according to several sources.

Oshkosh is still making money on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program:

DOD hands Oshkosh $25 million for JLTV software access

Despite losing out on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program more than two years ago, Oshkosh has won an additional $25 million from the Pentagon in exchange for access to intellectual property related to the JLTV, company leaders reported during a quarterly earnings call this week.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, designed by the Missile Defense Agency and built by Lockheed Martin, lacks the supplier redundancy that now underpins other missile lines such as Lockheed's variant of the Patriot missile, the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement:

Lockheed Martin seeks second sources worldwide to boost THAAD missile output

Lockheed Martin is partnering with the Missile Defense Agency to identify new suppliers worldwide for its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor, a push executives say is essential to meeting record demand for missile defense systems and strengthening fragile production lines.

Boeing is looking to replace workers currently on strike:

Boeing 'accelerating' efforts to permanently replace striking workers in St. Louis

After a nearly three-month stalemate between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the company is now intensifying plans to hire permanent replacement workers across several of its production facilities in the St. Louis area, according to an internal memo obtained by Inside Defense.

L3Harris CEO says shutdown is 'definitely impacting the timing of awards'
By Dan Schere
October 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM

The government shutdown, in its 30th day as of Thursday, is "clearly the challenge" facing defense contractor L3Harris, and is "definitely impacting the timing of awards," CEO Chris Kubasik said today.

“We have a handful [of awards] that . . . we just need to have the government open up and have the decisions made. I think some of our export licenses for international are being slowed down, and cash collections are impacted,” Kubasik said during a third-quarter earnings call Thursday.

Kubasik said overall he is pleased with the company’s portfolio of defense programs it is involved with. Assuming the shutdown ends in November, December will be a month that will need to be used to “catch up on everything.”

“It's disappointing where we are, and you know, we need Congress to get together and resolve this situation. I look at it, there’s clearly an incongruency within the government. The [Department of War] wants to go fast. They meet with us all the time. You’ve got to go quicker. And then Congress can’t fund the DOW. So we’re kind of stuck between those two situations,” he said, using a secondary name to refer to the Defense Department.

Asked about L3Harris’ capabilities that would be potentially part of the Pentagon’s Golden Dome for America space and missile defense competitions, Kubasik said the company feels confident in its capabilities, and pointed to its Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) as a recent success.

“We’re waiting for the government to reopen, and I’m confident that there’s a scenario where maybe there’s a scenario where we could get an award or a competition here in the fourth quarter,” he said.

Kubasik also noted a request for proposals for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 3 program came out in April, and L3Harris turned in a “best and final” offer earlier this month.

“There’s another example where I think we need the government to open up and get back to work and make an award. You’ve heard us say before we’ve been on all three tranches. We’re performing well. We think our past performance puts us in a position to win that program,” he said.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 29, 2025
By John Liang
October 29, 2025 at 1:41 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on proposed U.S. troop withdrawals from Romania, an Infantry Squad Vehicle quickly deploying a mortar system in the field, domestic shipbuilding and more.

Republican lawmakers aren't happy with proposed U.S. troop withdrawals from Romania:

GOP chairmen oppose U.S. troop cuts in Romania, worry about further reductions in Europe

The Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services committees said today they "strongly oppose" the Trump administration's decision to reduce U.S. troop presence in Romania -- the eastern flank of NATO.

The Army recently held a test event with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, HI, under the service's second iteration of Transforming in Contact:

Global Military Products' mortar-carrying ISV-U shrinks deployment time 225547

Army soldiers driving two utility versions of the Infantry Squad Vehicle last week on Oahu, HI, pulled into a field, unfolded an 81mm mortar system out of the back, simulated firing off six rounds and peeled out, all in about a minute and 15 seconds, a video shared with Inside Defense shows.

President Trump is in Asia this week for a series of summits and meetings where critical minerals are a topic of discussion:

In new minerals deal, U.S. eyes price floors to counter unfair practices

In newly signed critical minerals agreements with Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia, the U.S. has secured commitments to combat unfair and nonmarket trading practices via pricing measures, with the texts of all but the Japan deal referring specifically to the use of price floors.

The Senate Coast Guard, maritime and fisheries subcommittee held a hearing on domestic shipbuilding this week:

Senators appear receptive to SHIPS Act, express concern for state of domestic shipbuilding

Senators expressed bipartisan support today for a rebuild of the domestic commercial shipbuilding industry -- a goal that could be supported by the SHIPS Act, currently working its way through the Senate Commerce Committee.

Document: Senate hearing on reviving commercial shipbuilding

The lapse in appropriations has kept about 80% of the AFRL and AFWERX civilian workforce from returning to work, according to an Air Force Materiel Command spokesperson:

AFRL operating with skeleton crew during government shutdown

A majority of the engineers, scientists and other expert government civilians working within the Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX -- the service's innovation arm -- have been furloughed due to the prolonged government shutdown, a spokesperson told Inside Defense.

Lockheed, Saildrone launch partnership to arm USVs
By Nick Wilson
October 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM

Lockheed Martin will invest $50 million into uncrewed surface vessel maker Saildrone with the goal of arming and delivering commercially available USVs to the Navy, the companies announced today.

Under the partnership, Lockheed will integrate weapon systems onto Saildrone USVs to support Navy missions including fleet defense and attack. Initial work will include integrating Lockheed’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) quad launcher onto Saildrone’s Surveyor platform -- a 65-foot, wind-powered USV.

“This strategic collaboration will deliver commercially available unmanned surface vehicles (USV) equipped with lethal, combat-proven defense technology,” the announcement states. “The companies will collaborate with a goal of delivering integrations, including on-water, live fire demonstrations, in 2026.”

The companies also plan to equip Lockheed’s Mk 70 vertical launch system, and its thin line towed arrays onto undisclosed larger vehicles currently under development at Saildrone.

Saildrone will maintain “all shipbuilding responsibilities” while Lockheed serves as “lead mission integrator,” the notice adds.

The Navy has been operating Saildrone USVs since 2021, using them primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Leonardo DRS CEO to retire
By John Liang
October 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM

Leonardo DRS CEO Bill Lynn will retire as chairman and chief executive officer, the company announced today.

John Baylouny has been named president and CEO and a member of the board of directors, while Fran Fragos Townsend was named board chair. All of the changes are effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Lynn led the company for 14 years. Baylouny has been with Leonardo for more than 35 years, currently serving as chief operating officer, a position he has held since late 2018. Prior to that role, he was the company's chief technology officer with enterprise-wide responsibility for its technology investment strategy.

Townsend has served as a Leonardo board director since 2009 and also is the company’s lead independent director. She currently chairs the Compensation Committee and serves on the Government Security Committee.

Naval Submarine League cancels annual symposium
By Nick Wilson
October 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM

The Naval Submarine League has canceled its annual symposium and industry update, saying many of the uniformed and civilian military personnel scheduled to appear at the November event are unable to attend due to the government shutdown.

The event, which is typically held in mid-November in Arlington, VA and focuses almost exclusively on submarines and undersea warfare, has been an important venue for the Navy to communicate with industry and with the public on a range of budgetary and operational priorities.

NSL, a non-profit organization intended to support the U.S. submarine force, will hold its annual meeting virtually on Nov. 12 to comply with its bylaws in the absence of the typical multiday convention and trade show, the group announced today.

NSL is evaluating its ability to conduct the event at an undisclosed date later this year, NSL Chairman and retired Navy Adm. John Richardson wrote in the announcement.

“This is dependent on the government reopening as well as formal approval for speakers to participate, which is controlled by DOD/DOW,” Richardson added. “Their bandwidth has been affected by government furloughs and approval timelines are unclear. We will work closely with our sponsors, exhibitors and registrants to determine the best way ahead.”

The announcement comes as the government shutdown stretches to nearly a month, throwing Navy and Pentagon-wide activities into disarray.

The NSL symposium is the first major military convention to be canceled due to the shutdown. The annual Association of the United States Army (AUSA) event proceeded as scheduled earlier this month.

This development also follows a series of moves by the Defense Department to restrict public information access.

The Pentagon has classified budget reconciliation spending plans, restricted think-tank appearances and communication with Congress and rolled out a new press access policy effectively barring resident media from the building.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 28, 2025
By John Liang
October 28, 2025 at 1:57 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a multilateral space treaty, plus the Missile Defense Agency and Army working to combine the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system with the Integrated Battle Command System and more.

Marc Berkowitz testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee this morning on his nomination to be assistant defense secretary for space policy:

Space policy ASD nominee opposes Russia and China's treaty proposal

President Trump's nominee for assistant defense secretary for space policy opposes a new multilateral treaty relating to military use of space proposed by Russia and China, according to responses to senators' questions submitted ahead of his confirmation hearing today.

Document: Senate hearing on Berkowitz, Jewell, Caggy, Rogers nominations

Combining the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system with the Integrated Battle Command System would substantially improve the performance of THAAD against sophisticated threats:

MDA is disaggregating THAAD to integrate with IBCS in 'big' five-year software project

The Missile Defense Agency and Army are moving ahead with plan to merge the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system into the service's new Integrated Battle Command System -- a shift with the potential to fundamentally change how the Army defends against missiles as well as support the Golden Dome domestic air defense project.

The Air Force recently submitted its long-term fighter force structure plan to Congress, which was requested in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act:

Air Force wants to build up fighter inventory as focus in new 10-year plan shifts to homeland defense

Over the next decade the Air Force wants to procure F-15EX Eagle II, F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance jets in greater numbers to meet homeland defense priorities determined in the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, according to a report obtained by Inside Defense.

The Defense Department hasn't responded to repeated requests for information regarding why it marked the first $90 billion "tranche" of its reconciliation spending plan to Congress as "classified":

DOD's decision to classify budget reconciliation spending plan draws concerns

Amid recent departures from long-standing government funding norms -- and an ongoing crackdown on information that has traditionally been available to Congress and the public -- the Pentagon, in choosing to classify its plan for spending $150 billion in budget reconciliation funds, has sparked questions and concerns in several corners of the Washington defense community.

Inside Defense recently spoke with various U.S. shipyards on the effects of the government shutdown:

Public shipyards will continue working without pay as shutdown lengthens

The majority of employees at the nation’s four public shipyards are working without pay during the ongoing government shutdown, while approximately 2-4% of the workforce has been furloughed, a Navy official confirmed to Inside Defense.