🧠 Puma drone gets upgraded “brain," eyes-on autonomy for unmanned systems

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

💥 Boeing Completes Acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems — Read More

🧠 Puma drone gets upgraded “brain,” eyes-on autonomy for unmanned systems — Read More

📄 Compromise NDAA Released with Bigger Topline Funding for F-A-XX — Read More

💡 Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill possible — Read More

🪖 Army stands up Western Hemisphere Command, National Defense Strategy highlights domestic operations — Read More

🎱 Plus 12 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

💥 Boeing Completes Acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems — Read More

• Boeing officially closed its purchase of Spirit AeroSystems — reincorporating the major aerostructures manufacturer into Boeing’s commercial aerospace and establishing a separate “Spirit Defense” arm for defense and space programs.

• The integration aims to restore stability to Boeing’s supply chain and improve quality control and production reliability — a move widely viewed as a response to past structural issues and quality problems.

• Defense- and space-related operations under Spirit will continue under the independent “Spirit Defense” entity, preserving ongoing contracts and support for U.S. defense programs.

🧠 Puma drone gets upgraded “brain,” eyes-on autonomy for unmanned systems — Read More

• The update for the “Puma” unmanned aerial system brings advanced autonomy — effectively giving the drone a more capable “brain” for detection, navigation, and possibly autonomous mission execution.

• With GPS-denial and contested environments becoming more common, this autonomy boost improves resilience and flexibility for unmanned ISR and strike platforms.

• The enhancement mirrors broader military trends: fewer human pilots and greater trust in AI-driven systems operating independently or semi-autonomously under supervision.

📄 Compromise NDAA Released with Bigger Topline Funding for F-A-XX — Read More

• A newly negotiated version of the annual defense authorization bill (NDAA) has emerged, including larger topline funding allocations for the next-generation fighter program known as F-A-XX — signaling Congressional support for next-gen air power.

• The compromise reflects balancing across multiple defense priorities, accommodating both traditional procurement and emerging capability demands.

• By boosting funding for F-A-XX early, stakeholders aim to ensure the program avoids some of the delays that have plagued past aircraft development efforts.

💡 Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill possible — Read More

• Pete Hegseth, speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, suggested that the recent one-time $156 billion defense funding boost may be just the start — and signaled the possibility of a second “reconciliation”-style bill next year.

• The push reflects a broader intent to rebuild U.S. military strength, re-invest in the defense industrial base, and support urgent capability needs.

• If realized, sustained higher defense spending could reshape procurement timelines, force structure, and readiness priorities.

🪖 Army stands up Western Hemisphere Command — National Defense Strategy highlights domestic operations — Read More

• The U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC) has been activated — merging elements of previously separate commands to consolidate homeland defense and regional operations under a single command structure.

• According to recent statements, the reorganization supports the broader 2025 National Defense Strategy emphasis on defending the Western Hemisphere, homeland security, and regional stability.

• The move underscores a shift in posture: focusing not only on overseas threats but also on domestic/regional security priorities, potentially including border defense, strategic positioning in the Americas, and rapid response to regional crises.

🌏 Other Important News

🌊 Sea

• And just Navy’s frigate program — back on track after previous setbacks — Read More

• Navy’s CAUDLE / F-A-XX fighter decision needs to come quickly — Read More

• U.S.–Canada strike weapons deal moves forward — Read More

♟️ Strategy

• Europe must invest in munitions to keep the U.S. invested in Europe — Read More

• Israeli official says Gaza conflict was first “robotics war” — Read More

• Army will seek new airborne jammer, lightweight ground EW systems in 2026 — Read More

• Army shakeup will “supercharge” simulation training and network operations — STRI chief outlines changes — Read More

• Biden-era “Replicator” drone initiative lives on as “DAWG” looks at bigger UASs — Read More

🌐 Diplomacy

• US, Denmark approve FMS for IBCS & AMRAAM — strengthening Baltic and NATO air defense — Read More

• Australia monitors Chinese task group operating in Philippine Sea — regional tensions spike — Read More

• No decision made yet on second round of reconciliation for defense — OMB, Pentagon remain ambiguous — Read More

📦 Logistics

• No warehouses anymore — Ukrainian troops get drone deliveries to the front — Read More

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