Ukraine’s top drone units to bring frontline lessons to Washington this month
Some of Ukraine’s best-known drone military commanders and experts will be visiting Washington later this month to brief policymakers and defense leaders.
Defense
These are Ukraine’s $1,000 interceptor drones the Pentagon wants to buy
Ukraine spent years perfecting cheap drone killers. After burning through billions in missiles in three days, the U.S. and its allies are asking for help.
Pentagon and FAA agree to conduct anti-drone laser tests in New Mexico
The agreement comes after the deployment of lasers led the FAA to suddenly close airspace in Texas twice in the last month.
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI.
VA to formally rescind controversial disability ratings rule
A policy requiring VA medical examiners to include effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be formally rescinded on Feb. 27.
Supreme Court declines COVID vaccine mandate cases
The justices denied petitions Monday for Poffenbarger v. Meink and Doster v. Meink.
Rapid scaling, soldier-led market key to US drone ambitions, Army secretary says
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said the service will soon launch a soldier-led marketplace to market drone innovations alongside private industry.
How commercial drones make the Pentagon’s ‘Blue UAS Select’ list
For an off-the-shelf drone to be added to the Blue UAS list, it must pass rigorous testing and cyber security evaluations.
SpaceX and Blue Origin abruptly shift priorities amid US Golden Dome push
The largest U.S. commercial space companies recently shifted priorities toward lunar development, just as DOD pushes its next-gen missile shield plans.
VA restores gun rights to some disabled veterans
The VA announced it will immediately stop reporting veterans to the FBI’s national background check database if they need a fiduciary for their finances.
Pentagon official blesses Europe’s push to spend defense money at home
“Otherwise people in Germany or Poland or whatever are going to say: ‘Why are we only sending money across the Atlantic?’” said the Pentagon policy chief.
Coast Guard to work without pay during DHS shutdown
Coasties will likely not feel the effects until the next scheduled military payday Feb. 27, which they could miss if Congress can’t reach an agreement.
Unemployment rates for veterans worsen amid civilian job market gains
While overall hiring increased by 130,000 jobs in January, post-9/11 veterans saw their jobless rates balloon to 5.8%.
Sore throat? Tricare Prime now offers virtual option for urgent care
Nurses will decide whether the symptoms can be treated virtually, and set up the virtual appointments.
Judge dismisses deportation case for Mexican father of 3 US Marines
The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that it would appeal the judge’s decision.
2027 defense budget could double 2026 ship requests, US Navy secretary says
The 2026 defense budget set aside $27.2 billion dollars for the Navy to procure 17 ships.
Health care access a top complaint among troops, top enlisted leaders tell lawmakers
A Democratic senator also questioned whether the services are doing everything they can to increase child care slots.
