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Navy removes the head of its drone program just 8 months into her tenure
Eight months after her appointment as Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems, Rebecca Gassler was removed from her position.
Firestorm Labs builds drones aboard USS Essex without shore resupply
Service members aboard the USS Essex were able to 3D-print 12 first-person view drones using a containerized microfactory.
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Trump-class battleship program will cost $275 billion, CBO report says
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Navy’s new Trump-class battleship program will cost $275 billion, with the first ship costing $23.4 billion.
US Navy, Saildrone to use unmanned systems in expanded counternarcotics role
The U.S. Navy is extending its use of Saildrone unmanned surface vehicles for an expanded counternarcotics mission.
US Navy is reclassifying 19 Virginia-class submarines to reflect increased attack capabilities
The U.S. Navy is changing the designation for 19 planned Virginia-class submarines with the Virginia Payload Module, which increases munitions capacity.
US Coast Guard had 14 suicides in 2024, the highest in a decade
The service had 76 suicides among members from 2014 to 2024.
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Your Navy
The countdown begins: National Coast Guard Museum one year from opening
The 80,000-square-foot National Coast Guard Museum is slated to open the week of the service's 237th anniversary.
Risk of developing ALS varies by service, study finds
Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy veterans had the highest rates of ALS diagnosis in an analysis of more than 14,400 cases.
US used ‘virtually all’ long-range precision missiles during Iran war, sources say
The U.S. Army has reportedly used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during America's five-month war with Iran.
House Oversight Democrats seek records behind Pentagon changes to Iran war casualty database
Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform are investigating changes made to the Pentagon's public Iran war casualty count.
In other news
Trump’s new commission will target quality of life for military spouses
The new President's Military Spouse Commission, chaired by Jennifer Hegseth, is tasked with addressing persistent problems for military spouses.
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Navy Reserve retention bonuses on the rise | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 8.7.26
The Navy ups the ante for recruiting and retaining Reserve sailors, and a service medal is revived by the Pentagon. Plus, a tour of a military museum.
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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.
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.”
By J.D. Simkins
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.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
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MORE STORIES
VA staff finished 2M disability claims faster than ever this year
The department is about 15% ahead of its claims workload pace from last summer.
Survey shows surge in support for US leadership in foreign affairs
Almost two-thirds of respondents in the Reagan Institute poll pushed for a bigger role for U.S. leaders on the global stage.
Pentagon leaders hail successful Iran strikes but wary of retaliation
The operation against Iran involved 125 American aircraft, 75 precision weapons and a bevy of other U.S. military assets.
US strikes on Iran draw support from GOP leaders, concerns from Dems
Saturday's attack on Iran nuclear sites is expected to spur new congressional discussions about presidential war powers.
US troops, bases in Middle East could be targets in conflict with Iran
About 40,000 U.S. personnel are spread throughout the region, giving Iran a chance to strike back at American military forces.
White House taps nominees for VA’s top benefits, technology roles
Karen Brazell currently works as a senior VA advisor and would serve as the department's next Under Secretary for Benefits.
DOD schools reorganize to target more support to military children
The school system is adding more psychologists and administrative officers, but there's concern about some positions being eliminated.
By Karen Jowers