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Policy
Pentagon is placing probationary employees on leave in advance of mass firings
The terminations are expected within weeks under plans to fire nearly one-tenth of DOD’s 55,000 “probies.”
Science & Tech
Pentagon aims to accelerate acquisition of new tech through software-contracting change
Buyers must default to rapid-acquisition processes long used by DIU, SecDef memo orders.
Defense Systems
This AI startup wants to give federal workers a taste of the intel community
Using AI that learns from images and video, Danti’s platform puts the power of an intel analyst at the fingertips of anyone with a .mil or .gov email address.
Policy
‘5 bullet points’ email now a weekly task for Pentagon civilians
A short explanation of recent achievements is due every Tuesday, SecDef says in additional guidance.
Sponsor Content
Healthy Outcomes: Frontline Innovations Driving Health IT Modernization
Government health organizations must modernize with technology to improve resiliency and data management amid rising healthcare costs.
Business
General Atomics says it’s ready to pump out up to 18 CCAs per month
The two companies building the robot wingmen get an Air Force designation.
Policy
Pentagon freezes government credit cards in DOGE cost-savings push
All non-essential official travel reservations for civilians must be canceled, per a March 5 memo.
Sponsor Content
Using AI for Defense
In the sixth episode in Google Public Sector’s TV series, experts came together to discuss AI’s integration into our nation’s defense efforts.
Business
F-35 to get new software this summer—but there’s no date yet for planned full upgrade
Lockheed is hoping to wring out problems this year as the new administration revisits purchase plan.
Policy
CIA is terminating some probationary employees
Recent U.S. intelligence has signaled that foreign adversaries are increasing efforts to recruit disgruntled federal employees in sensitive national security roles.
Voices
Science & Tech
Pentagon to build AI for war planning in Europe and Asia
Scale AI will develop an AI tool for interactive war gaming, resource allocation, analyzing Chinese threats.
Policy
Space Force hopes it gains from Hegseth’s budget shift
Vice chief says service is looking for things to cut—and has suggestions for things to buy.
Threats
Even a brief pause in the flow of US arms and intel ‘greatly weakens’ Ukraine’s defense
White House pressure on Kyiv is making it harder on its embattled troops.
Threats
‘Extremely lean’ Space Force acquisition units brace for Trump’s workforce cuts
Civilian employees make up about a third of the five-year-old service’s personnel.
Ideas
Don't cut this key driver of technological advantage
Defense-related research and development at America’s universities has helped make the U.S. military the best in the world.
Policy
Weld, baby, weld: White House to create an ‘office of shipbuilding’
Trump wants America to bend steel and build like it used to.
Policy
At least one Pentagon agency has begun firing probationary workers
The Defense Logistics Agency has begun dismissing its share of the Defense Department’s 5,400 targeted employees.
Science & Tech
‘No more viable option than NGAD,’ Air Force says as decision rests in new hands
With China unveiling its new sixth-gen designs, the service can do nothing better, officials say.
Ideas
By halting Ukraine aid, Trump courts personal defeat
There’s still time to avoid emboldening America’s enemies—and a humiliation that dwarfs his predecessor’s Afghanistan withdrawal.
Policy
Air Force, Space Force chiefs make forceful cases for ‘warrior ethos’
The intense speeches were delivered to a less-than-full ballroom due to Trump-administration travel restrictions.
Threats
Chinese info ops, military sales driving ‘wedges’ between US and partners in the Middle East
Concerns come as the Trump admin slashes USAID—leaving space for more Chinese influence globally.
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