🐍 U.S. Air Force Unveils AI-Piloted VENOM F-16 Fighter Jet

The Air Force officially revealed the VENOM (Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model) program featuring an F-16 piloted by artificial intelligence.

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

✈️ Skyraider II: U.S. Unveils New Tactical Aircraft with Dual-Role Capabilities LINK

🐍 U.S. Air Force Unveils AI-Piloted VENOM F-16 Fighter Jet LINK

🌖 U.S. Navy Warship Preparing for Role in NASA’s Artemis Moon Mission LINK

🌊 Anduril Unveils AI-Powered Underwater Sensor Network for Submarine Detection LINK

💵 U.S. Army Awards $4.2B Contract to Support Aerostat Surveillance Program LINK

🎱 Plus 12 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

✈️ Skyraider II: U.S. Unveils New Tactical Aircraft with Dual-Role Capabilities LINK

  • The U.S. has unveiled the Skyraider II, a next-generation tactical aircraft designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

  • Developed to complement 5th-gen aircraft, it incorporates advanced avionics, a modular payload system, and extended loiter time to support operations in contested environments.

  • Officials say the aircraft is built for adaptability, with potential export appeal and an eye toward affordability and sustainment compared to more complex stealth platforms.

🐍 U.S. Air Force Unveils AI-Piloted VENOM F-16 Fighter Jet LINK

  • The Air Force officially revealed the VENOM (Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model) program featuring an F-16 piloted by artificial intelligence.

  • The VENOM jet successfully conducted its first AI-controlled flight, marking a significant step in integrating autonomy into tactical fighter operations.

  • The project is intended to serve as a testbed for manned-unmanned teaming and rapid iteration of AI combat behaviors under real-world conditions.

🌖 U.S. Navy Warship Preparing for Role in NASA’s Artemis Moon Mission LINK

  • The Navy is preparing the USS John P. Murtha to support NASA’s Artemis lunar mission by recovering astronauts and the Orion capsule post-splashdown.

  • Sailors have been training with NASA personnel to refine recovery procedures, including simulated extractions and spacecraft handling.

  • This marks the Navy’s continued involvement in space recovery operations, bridging military readiness with civil space exploration goals.

🌊 Anduril Unveils AI-Powered Underwater Sensor Network for Submarine Detection LINK

  • Anduril announced a new AI-driven underwater sensor platform designed to detect submarines and undersea threats across wide areas.

  • The system fuses sonar data with machine learning to autonomously identify and track vessels, reducing reliance on manned detection efforts.

  • The technology reflects Anduril’s continued push into layered autonomous defense systems and highlights rising interest in undersea domain awareness.

💵 U.S. Army Awards $4.2B Contract to Support Aerostat Surveillance Program LINK

  • The Army has finalized awards under a $4.2 billion multi-vendor contract to support persistent surveillance using aerostat-based radar and ISR systems.

  • The contract aims to ensure 24/7 battlefield awareness and wide-area monitoring, supporting both CONUS and deployed operations.

  • Vendors will provide maintenance, data integration, logistics, and sustainment services as the Army looks to modernize long-endurance surveillance infrastructure.

🌏 Other Important News

  • DARPA Adds 18 Companies to Quantum Benchmarking Initiative LINK

  • Boeing, NG Win Global Contracts for P-8, E-2C Systems; Polaris Debuts New Military Snowmobile LINK

  • Rafael’s Typhoon Gun Tackles Drone Threats in New Modular System LINK

  • USS Comstock, 11th MEU Deployed to Pacific Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions LINK

  • NATO Should Remain U.S.-Led, SACEUR Cavoli Argues LINK

  • Leidos Wins $390M SIGINT Contract with Up to 5-Year Term LINK

  • DoD IG Opens Probe into Hegseth’s Use of Signal App on Yemen Strike Comms LINK

  • Navy Expanding Use of AI for Target Detection and Tracking LINK

  • BAE Systems to Upgrade Virginia-Class Submarine Firepower LINK

  • Lockheed Set to Resume F-35 Deliveries Next Week After Delays LINK

  • NSA Chief Timothy Haugh Dismissed by Trump Over Loyalty Concerns LINK

  • UAE’s EDGE Group Expands to Brazil with Drone and Missile Agreements LINK

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