- The Defense Brief
- Posts
- ⚔️ Army Plans to Eliminate Programs Not Contributing to Lethality
⚔️ Army Plans to Eliminate Programs Not Contributing to Lethality
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll unveiled the Army Transformation Initiative, a strategic effort to reassess all programs and strip away non-essential ones to sharpen the service’s focus on combat effectiveness.
Dallas Hartley
June 19, 2025
📬 In Today’s Defense Brief
⚔️ Army Plans to Eliminate Programs Not Contributing to Lethality LINK
🛰️ Space Force Is Contracting with SpaceX for New Secretive MILNET Satcom Network LINK
✈️ Eurofighter CEO Hopes Export Push Could Lead to Doubled Production by 2028 LINK
🔭 Chinese Sats Appear to Be Attempting First‑Ever On‑Orbit Refueling, Sat Tracking Firms Say LINK
💣 KNDS’ Mataris Loitering Munitions Finding Contracts from French Government LINK
🎱 Plus 6 other news stories you may like
📰 Full Breakdown
⚔️ Army Plans to Eliminate Programs Not Contributing to Lethality LINK
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll unveiled the Army Transformation Initiative, a strategic effort to reassess all programs and strip away non-essential ones to sharpen the service’s focus on combat effectiveness.
The aim is to reallocate resources toward systems and capabilities that directly boost battlefield lethality—empowering leaders to take calculated risks and adapt rapidly.
This shift underscores a broader pivot away from administrative bureaucracy toward a leaner, more agile military posture optimized for future conflicts.
🛰️ Space Force Is Contracting with SpaceX for New Secretive MILNET Satcom Network LINK
The U.S. Space Force, in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office, is procuring a private contractor‑operated LEO satellite network named MILNET from SpaceX, integrated into a hybrid mesh architecture blending DoD and commercial assets.
The network will be overseen by Space Systems Command’s Delta 8, ushering in a new paradigm of on-orbit resilience through mesh connectivity across military and civilian satellites.
Designed to bolster secure communications and connectivity for the Joint Force, this marks the first known deployment of a mesh-based defense-focused satellite constellation.
✈️ Eurofighter CEO Hopes Export Push Could Lead to Doubled Production by 2028 LINK
Eurofighter consortium CEO outlined a plan to expand production to 30 aircraft annually by 2028, contingent on securing major export deals in Austria, Poland, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
With 729 jets already ordered, the strategy involves extending production longevity and incentivizing upgrades to ensure fighters remain effective into the 2060s.
The approach reflects a concerted effort to revitalize European defense manufacturing and strengthen regional aerospace industrial bases through sustained program continuity.
🔭 Chinese Sats Appear to Be Attempting First‑Ever On‑Orbit Refueling, Sat Tracking Firms Say LINK
Satellite-tracking firms report two Chinese-built spacecraft engaging in extremely close orbital maneuvers, leading analysts to believe China may be conducting the first-ever on-flight satellite refueling.
The Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 spacecraft were observed approaching within mere degrees of longitude—consistent with refueling or servicing tests in geostationary orbit.
If confirmed, the capability could significantly extend spacecraft lifetimes and represent a strategic milestone in on-orbit logistics, raising implications for space sustainability and defense.
💣 KNDS’ Mataris Loitering Munitions Finding Contracts from French Government LINK
KNDS’ new Mataris loitering munitions series, offering a 25 km range with 45-minute endurance (and higher in tests), is being procured by the French government under the Larinae project.
These lightweight munitions are launched by hand, feature jam-resistant links, operate in GPS-denied environments, and carry a 550 g explosive/incendiary payload.
The acquisition aligns with France’s push for sovereign tactical systems, enhancing its operational independence and battlefield lethality in contested environments.
🌏 Other Important News
Thanks for reading today’s Defense Brief. If you found it useful, consider forwarding it to a friend or colleague who'd appreciate staying sharp on defense tech and military news.