U.S. Department of Defense

The US is attempting to replenish its depleted missile stocks through a $3 billion expansion of interceptor missile production, but challenges like long lead times, industrial bottlenecks, and cost issues may delay deployable results. The Department of Defense signed agreements with defense contractors including Lockheed Martin to boost production capacity.

The US Department of Defense has canceled a tender to purchase lithium for its strategic stockpiles, highlighting challenges in securing critical minerals. The canceled plan involved a $300 million acquisition.

The U.S. is accelerating efforts to reduce reliance on China for rare earth minerals critical to defense systems, with Phoenix Tailings in New Hampshire working to extract elements like neodymium and dysprosium from mining waste. A $500 million Pentagon loan aims to expand the company's production capacity, addressing urgent military needs amid the Middle East war depleting munitions stocks.

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten introduced bills to require data centers to report water and energy usage and update Department of Defense efficiency standards. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is seeking public comment on a draft permit for Oracle and Open AI's data center in Saline Township, with comments due by Aug. 24. A protest against data centers occurred at President Donald Trump's rally at the General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford.

The U.S. has depleted 65% of its Patriot missile interceptors and 38% of THAAD interceptors during the conflict with Iran, according to a CSIS analysis, raising readiness concerns for future conflicts. The Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin a $58.6 billion contract to produce Patriot missiles through 2032 to rebuild stockpiles.

The US Navy requires nearly 12,000 temporary beds during barracks renovations and increased recruiting, considering options like hotels, RVs, man-camps, and houseboats. The search for flexible housing aims to avoid disrupting naval operations, with challenges including redirected facilities funding to southern border operations and aging infrastructure.

Over 600 US military service members have been wounded since February 2026 when President Trump ordered strikes against Iran, with 417 attributed to Operation Epic Fury and 207 to Overseas Operations. The Pentagon revised casualty figures, moving four deaths from Operation Epic Fury to Overseas Operations, drawing criticism over transparency and data manipulation.

Vice President JD Vance and Gen. Dan Caine raised concerns about escalating the war in Iran during a White House meeting as President Donald Trump considered military options. The US paused its bombing campaign on Iran after nearly two weeks of strikes, with officials citing risks to civilian infrastructure, potential refugee crises, and regional escalation.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the death of an Army staff sergeant who was reported missing after an Iranian assault on an air base last week.

Oracle has signed a 10-year software contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, valued at up to $7 billion. The agreement involves Oracle supplying on-premises software to the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump honored four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base. The fallen soldiers, identified as Tyler James Feehan, Isabella Gonzales, Angel S. Rampersad, and Michael Emmanuel Swinton, were killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan and an Iraqi detonation. Trump expressed condolences to their families and vowed retaliation against Iran.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee discussed military funding needs for the war in Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimating $37.5 billion in costs and Republicans citing urgent requirements. Democrats, including Patty Murray, criticized the war's impact and may oppose additional funding.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a heated exchange with a Michigan Senator who labeled him a failed leader. The article references a $37 billion cost associated with the war over Iran.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing to discuss additional military funding for the war in Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimating $37.5 billion in costs. Republicans emphasized urgent funding needs, while Democrats like Patty Murray criticized the war's impact and potential for more spending. Hegseth warned of critical shortfalls without congressional approval.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee that the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion, with unobligated funds from a prior law insufficient to cover expenses. Committee members debated funding needs, with Republicans citing urgent military requirements and Democrats, including Patty Murray, opposing additional war funding due to concerns over safety and resource depletion.

The U.S. Department of Defense released the name of a soldier missing after an attack on a Jordanian air base. The attack killed two other service members and the soldier is believed to be deceased.

The U.S. Department of Defense released the name of a soldier missing after an attack on a Jordanian air base that killed two other service members. The soldier, a sergeant, is believed to be deceased.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee debated additional military funding for the Iran war, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimating costs at $37.5 billion. Lawmakers discussed unobligated funds from a Republican-backed law and differing views on war-related expenses, with Democrats criticizing the conflict's impact on safety and stockpiles.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion, urging Congress for additional funding to address critical shortfalls. Senate Appropriations Committee members debated funding needs, with Democrats like Patty Murray opposing further military spending due to safety concerns and resource depletion.

Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, faces Senate lawmakers over the Trump administration’s $87.6bn Pentagon funding request, which aims to sustain the US-Israel war on Iran amid concerns about escalating costs. The request includes $67.1bn specifically for the war effort, as the Pentagon warns of dwindling funds.

A U.S. Army soldier from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and another soldier were killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on a Jordanian air base. The Department of Defense reported the deaths of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, both killed in action during the attack. The U.S. military death toll in the conflict with Iran has risen to 17.

Two U.S. soldiers, 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, were killed in Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. They were active duty personnel supporting the mission against the Islamic State. The total U.S. military deaths in the war with Iran now stand at 17, with over 400 injured.

Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, frequently posts workout videos with military personnel, but critics highlight his improper exercise form. The article references military training manuals that detail correct techniques for exercises like the bench press and push-up, which Hegseth appears to ignore in his public demonstrations.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans a September trip to the U.S. and Texas to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, following a failed May attempt. The trip includes a Pentagon visit, potential meetings with Congress and defense industry leaders, and a ceremonial rollout of an F-35 fighter jet bound for Germany. Hegseth recently announced a review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe, raising concerns about defense coordination.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced acquisition reform focused on accelerating the delivery of critical capabilities to warfighters. Key initiatives include a commercial-first policy emphasizing existing acquisition authorities, non-traditional contract vehicles, and flexible solicitations.

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth ordered annual testosterone-deficiency screening for active-duty and reserve service members aged 30 and older to maintain military readiness. Medical professionals warn the policy may not achieve its goal and could risk infertility or other issues if testosterone is inappropriately prescribed.

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth ordered annual testosterone-deficiency screening for service members aged 30 and older to maintain military readiness, but medical professionals warn it could increase infertility risks if testosterone is prescribed inappropriately.

The U.S. and Western militaries are investing heavily in expensive legacy weapons systems like the Boeing F-47 fighter jet, despite the growing effectiveness of cheaper unmanned vehicles in recent conflicts. Historical parallels are drawn to past resistance to mechanization, as modern military leaders downplay the shift towards drone and AI-driven warfare.

Sandra Oudkirk has begun her role as US Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine on July 8. She has over 30 years of diplomatic experience and previously worked at the US Department of Defense and the American Institute in Taiwan. Julie Davis concluded her tenure as acting head of the embassy on June 27.

The Trump administration halted offshore wind projects, citing national security risks from radar and sonar interference. A classified defense report raised concerns, while other countries like Sweden and the UK are also addressing similar issues with offshore wind energy.

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, has directed troops over 30 to undergo annual testosterone level testing. The policy mandates regular checks for testosterone in this age group within the military.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a plan to test troops for low testosterone, stating it is not about artificial enhancement. Service members have faced scrutiny for using testosterone and similar substances to boost performance.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new policy to annually screen troops 30 and older for testosterone deficiency, with voluntary testing for younger service members. The initiative, which aims to maintain troops' physical and mental readiness, aligns with broader Trump administration efforts to expand access to testosterone replacement therapies, though the Pentagon did not specify targeted conditions or address female troop eligibility for estrogen screening.

Michael Dell's net worth has surged to $223 billion as Dell shares rose 240% this year, driven by a $6.25 billion contribution to Trump's accounts and a $9.7 billion DoD contract. AI infrastructure growth, with $29 billion in revenue, further boosted Dell's performance.

The U.S. military's use of AI in targeting operations, including Anthropic's Claude and the Maven Smart System, has sparked congressional efforts to regulate military AI through proposed legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senators introduced bills in 2026 to establish safeguards, amid controversies over AI-driven munitions deployment and supply chain risks involving companies like Anthropic and OpenAI.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin and six Democratic senators wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding explanations for blocking eight Navy officers from promotions, citing concerns about political motivations and demographic impacts. The blocked officers included women and Black individuals, and Hegseth allegedly prioritized someone from his inner circle. The letter requested documentation on the criteria and legal basis for the decisions.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to discuss a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The proposed sale is expected to anger Israeli officials, and Iran will also be a topic of discussion.

Hesai Technology, a Chinese lidar maker with ties to Nvidia, was blacklisted by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2024 as a national security threat. The department designated Hesai as a Chinese military entity.

KSOS, a Unix-compatible operating system developed in the late 1970s and 1980s with US Department of Defense backing, used a type-safe programming language (Modula) and was designed for formal verification. Its source code, now publicly available via The Unix Heritage Society, highlights its modern security features and historical significance compared to contemporary systems like seL4 and Rust-based projects.

A Malaysian parliamentary committee will hold a hearing on July 16 to discuss a $96 million rare earths supply deal between Australia's Lynas Rare Earths and the U.S. Department of Defense. The deal was signed earlier this year, and the hearing follows a statement by a senior Malaysian lawmaker on July 6.