Microscopic Precision, Global Impact: Navy Scientists Support Trident Missile System

Aug. 24, 2026 | By Paige Bounds, Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division |

The pristine precision needed to certify the nation's underwater nuclear deterrent is anchored on the talents of civilian scientists at a Navy laboratory in Southern California. 

At Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division, scientists can measure parts down to millionths of an inch — the level of exactitude required to keep the Navy's Trident nuclear missiles ready. 

The Trident II D5 Life Extension ballistic missile is launched underwater from submarines, providing a critical deterrent and survivable response to aggression. The Navy's Portfolio Acquisition Executive Strategic Systems Programs provides the highly accurate and reliable weapon system to the warfighter. 

NSWC Corona's Measurement Science and Technology Laboratory plays a critical role in the Trident II D5LE missile by controlling and certifying the ultra-precision tools required for its assembly, known as special interface gages. 

"Every single component from every manufacturer is built correctly thanks to these gages," said Michael Pierce, NSWC Corona's Weapons Interface Assessment branch manager. "The work that we do here guarantees that those weapons will work as they're intended every single time." 

Special interface gages verify the form, fit and function of missile parts down to tolerances in the millionths of an inch. These highly precise gages ensure missile components are manufactured to the exact shape and size needed, so they fit and work as designed when installed on a submarine. 

NSWC Corona controls and ships gages to the defense industrial base partners responsible for manufacturing and assembling the Trident missile. The mandatory use of these gages ensures that the missiles manufactured by industry meet the Navy's requirements. 

"We have engineers that design these highly specialized tools," Pierce said. "They are certified against the nation's highest measurement standards to guarantee their precision." 

In addition to supporting the Trident missile, NSWC Corona's Measurement Science and Technology Laboratory helps sustain critical weapons systems throughout the Navy and Marine Corps. From small pistols to hypersonic missiles, the warfare center's expertise in calibration and specialized gages ensures the accuracy of measurements throughout the fleet. Its inventory ranges from precision hand-held tools, like calipers, to computerized machinery, like coordinate measuring machines. 

"Nearly every weapon system deployed by sailors and Marines relies on Navy special interface gages to ensure peak operational readiness," Pierce said. 

With warfighter safety fueling their mission, the scientists' microscopic measurements result in a global impact. Whether supporting the Trident missile or other systems throughout the fleet, NSWC Corona's work equips sailors with the confidence to trust their systems — empowering them to deliver peace through strength when the nation depends on them most.

Department of War Announces a $750 Million Investment as Part of a $1.55 Billion Initiative to Secure Critical Rare-Earth Elements From Serre Verde

Aug. 24, 2026 |

The Department of War's (DoW) Economic Defense Unit (EDU), in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (IBP) announced today a $750 million investment with US SIIE, LLC through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. These funds will be utilized to support an offtake agreement for mixed rare-earth carbonates (MREC) produced at Serra Verde's Pela Ema Project in central Brazil. 

This strategic partnership will establish a secure supply chain for rare-earth elements (REE) critical for national defense and economic security.

This $750 million is part of a broader $1.55 billion total investment structure mobilized by EDU, which includes a $300 million purchase commitment from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and a $500 million commitment from a money-center bank. 

"Securing resilient domestic and allied supply chains is a fundamental warfighting requirement," said HON Mike Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy. "By partnering with Serra Verde, we are taking a decisive step to break our adversaries' near-monopoly on rare-earth elements. This collaborative effort ensures that our defense industrial base has the guaranteed, long-term access to the critical materials needed to manufacture next-generation weapons systems and maintain our technological edge."

This initiative aggressively addresses an over-dependence on China for rare-earth elements. Once fully operational, this project will secure a massive supply of vital elements like Dysprosium, Terbium, Neodymium, and Praseodymium, effectively bypassing Chinese supply chain dominance and supporting emerging U.S. magnet manufacturing capabilities. The deal follows a DFC financing agreement with Serra Verde for a $565 million loan to optimize and expand the Pela Ema Project. These investments work in parallel with the Department of Commerce's efforts to establish a non-Chinese mine-to-magnet value chain. 

"This historic $1.55 billion investment is a major step towards securing one of the most vital supply chains for our warfighters and our economy," said George K. Kollitides II, Director of the Economic Defense Unit. "By ensuring reliable access to these critical rare-earth elements, we are protecting the production of everything from fighter jets and nuclear submarines to the energy infrastructure and commercial technology that power our modern world."

Rare-earth elements are necessary to improve the thermal stability and magnetic strength of Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are essential for manufacturing critical components for our warfighters. These include advanced systems in nuclear submarines, fighter jets, satellites, guided missiles, combat vessels, and drones. Beyond defense, these high-purity materials are a vital raw material for energy infrastructure, transportation, aerospace, and electronics, making them a cornerstone of a modern, industrial economy.

Motors Assembled at Tobyhanna Army Depot Power Drone to World-Record Flight

Aug. 21, 2026 | By Lindsay Grant, U.S. Army Materiel Command |

A battery-powered small unmanned aircraft system recently shattered a world endurance record, flying for more than eight hours in the desert heat — a milestone achieved using critical propulsion components assembled by the Army's organic industrial base.  

During the Game of Drones 26-2 demonstration at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 15-17, two brushless direct current motors assembled at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pennsylvania, successfully powered a Group 1 small UAS to a record-breaking flight time of eight hours, 41 minutes and 43 seconds. The aircraft flew for approximately 300 miles before safely landing, surpassing the previous record by 50 minutes.  

The record-breaking flight represents a major milestone for Army Materiel Command and its efforts to build secure, domestic supply chains for critical defense technologies. The demonstration served as the first major outdoor operational test of the Tobyhanna-assembled motors on an active aircraft.  

"AMC is proud to provide materiel solutions to support innovation across the uncrewed systems spectrum," said Army Capt. Lee Washburn, AMC military liaison for advanced manufacturing of small UAS. "From providing components to soldiers at innovation labs, to providing industry clean supply chain solutions in support of drone dominance, it is our goal to continue to participate in events that demonstrate our capabilities and help refine our components for the warfighter based upon realistic testing."  

Rapid, collaborative on-site manufacturing made the achievement possible. The drone was designed in less than 10 minutes using computer prompts via adaptability software. Within 24 hours of takeoff, the aircraft was fabricated inside a mobile containerized production factory using commercial 3D printers, integrated with the Tobyhanna brushless motors and a battery from an industry partner and assembled on-site by a three-person team.  

The event, sponsored by the Defense Contract Management Agency blue list team, highlighted a strategic shift toward domestic production. By establishing manufacturing capabilities within the Army's organic industrial base, the service is working to eliminate foreign dependencies for critical parts.  

"This is a huge milestone for AMC and Tobyhanna, considering the fact that we just cut the ribbon on the new brushless motor line on June 30," said Jon Strzelec, the AMC advanced manufacturing lead for small UAS.  

AMC recently began transforming the organic industrial base to produce and assemble various critical small UAS components, including frames at Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, Illinois, and batteries at Red River Army Depot, Texas.  

A key focus of this initiative is developing organic industrial base capabilities to help government, industry and academic partners secure Defense Contract Management Agency approval for systems and components to be included on the blue list. The blue list is an aggregated reference portal of compliant, cybersecure and U.S.-manufactured UAS platforms and components, facilitating safer, faster procurement for defense users. AMC is already seeing positive results through this initiative, having sent small UAS that the organic industrial base fully assembled to several Army units for use in training events. Additionally, two brushless motor form factors and multiple lithium-ion battery configurations from Tobyhanna are being tested on various platforms at Redstone Test Center's new UAS test operations center.  

"Game of Drones was proof that industry and the government can work together in creative ways to produce exceptional results," Strzelec said. "The event showcases exactly what the Army set out to do — provide opportunities for industry to partner with the Army and let the Army leverage the innovation and technical depth of industry."  

As AMC continues to scale its advanced manufacturing capabilities including chassis, circuit card assemblies and propellers, its coordination with Defense Contract Management Agency remains vital.  

"As AMC's production efforts across the [organic industrial base] continue to expand, we will continue to work with [the Defense Contract Management Agency] in not only blue listing these components but also providing them to the experimental test force for Game of Drones events to innovate and break other performance and endurance records," Washburn said.  

The small UAS performance data from Edwards Air Force Base has been officially submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for verification.

Army Develops Ultra-Light Vehicle for Changing Battlefields

Aug. 18, 2026 | By Jacqueline Hames, Army Acquisition Support Center |

Getting troops and equipment across the battlefield is a vital part of every theater operation — soldiers and their kits, as well as spare ammunition and other supplies, all need to arrive quickly, with nothing left behind — or risk jeopardizing the mission. 

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Humvee have done a great job at performing those tasks so far, but the battlefield is always changing. In some cases, those vehicles are too heavy and impractical for the task at hand. So, the Army chose to develop a new, ultra-light troop transport vehicle.

The Infantry Squad Vehicle is an ultra-light tactical vehicle that carries nine passengers and their equipment. Its evolution was informed by soldier touchpoint events.

"We are extremely proud of this program and what we've been able to achieve in a short period of time," said Susan Fung, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maneuver Ground's mobile brigade combat team deputy project manager. "In this high-stakes environment of modern warfare, playing it completely safe is often the most dangerous thing a leader can do for decades."

Fung explained that the team is intentionally trading the illusion of a risk-free acquisition process for the ability to use commercial products and iterating with continuous soldier feedback through the Army's Transformation in Contact program.

"Traditional defense acquisition has prioritized its bureaucratic processes and zero-defect mentality over speed, and while well-intentioned, that approach often meant our soldiers had to wait quite a bit for critical capabilities to reach the field," she said.  

Exponential Growth

The Infantry Squad Vehicle program began in 2019, with a procurement objective of 649 vehicles. However, based on soldier feedback and TIC experimentation, Fung said soldiers told them what they truly needed. 

"This led to an explosive growth driven entirely by operational demand," she added.

The number of vehicles required increased to 900 in February 2021. It increased two more times and was set at 2,593. In April 2025, the service approved the ISV utility variant and increased the Army procurement objective, bringing the total to 5,733 vehicles across both variants, Fung explained.

"In February of 2026, the Army established the current position objective and procurement objective at 11,582 vehicles," she said. "That shows you the increased objective based on soldier demand, and that's really equivalent to about an 18-fold increase from the original requirement. Not because of requirements creep, but really because soldiers validated the capability in the combat training environments and demanded more."

John Hufstedler, the product director for ground mobility vehicles at PAE Maneuver Ground, said that connecting with the system's mission was critical during the development of the vehicle. 

"Early on, the ISV succeeded by staying locked-in. A few key requirements were transportability, [but] mobility and payload and resisting requirements creep," he said, adding Army senior leaders kept the vehicle's mission in focus. 

"Anytime somebody wanted to add a radio with encrypted keys or hang another piece of encrypted equipment off the platform, leadership just didn't buy into it. And that allowed the vehicle to stay focused and true to its mission, so we didn't have to leave a soldier back with the vehicle. All nine could go execute the mission and objective," Hufstedler said.

The traditional acquisition approach allows custom military specifications, extensive government testing and sequential milestone gates. Hufstedler explained that this process can take four to 10 years, often resulting in cost overruns and technological obsolescence.

Instead, he explained that the ISV took the rapid acquisition approach, using commercial off-the-shelf solutions and minimal military modifications. That approach resulted in the first unit being equipped within 24 months. 

Transparency Aids Progress

Taking a more risk-positive approach to developing the ISV required somewhat of a culture change within PAE Maneuver Ground. Specifically, it required more direct, transparent communication.

Hufstedler believes that leading by example, empathy, listening, incorporating team feedback into decisions and a willingness to stand by those decisions as leaders were key. He added that providing team autonomy, while clearly defining boundaries and success criteria and transparency at all levels of communication, also contributed to their success.

Next-Generation Variants

"With the ISV program, we prove[d] that calculated risk works," Hufstedler said. "We keep going back to commerciality — I think that has helped us a lot — trusting our soldiers' judgment and moving at the speed of relevance; I think we've delivered that capability."

The Army's willingness to accept commercial standards as a starting point and make the soldiers the primary evaluators of the equipment will be critical to the success of developing ISV variants, he noted.

Fung said the team is currently developing the ISV heavy variant. It will include enhanced onboard power generation and storage capability to support next-generation command and control equipment.

"Overall, the ISV program is a great example of our acquisition reform, which allows getting capabilities to the field faster, leveraging commercial technologies while staying agile and giving soldiers what they really want," she said.

Department of War, Boeing, and RTX Forge Agreements to Strengthen Production of Critical SM-3 Block IIA and SM-3 Block IB Munitions

Aug. 14, 2026 |

The Department of War (DoW), in cooperation with Boeing and RTX, today announced two major framework agreements to increase production of key components of Standard Missile-3 Block IB (SM-3 IB) and increase production of components for Standard Missile-3 Block IIA (SM-3 IIA).

Both agreements will strengthen production of the series of critical ship-fired surface-to-air interceptors that underpin the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System and form the backbone of U.S. sea-based missile defense at home and abroad.

"These agreements ensure our Warfighters get the munitions they need to win," said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. "We are stabilizing our supply chains, expanding munitions production and putting our entire defense industrial base on a wartime footing."

Production of the SM-3 Block IIA and Block IB, a backbone of U.S. missile defense, will accelerate under these new frameworks, with Boeing driving component manufacturing. This directly accelerates the pipeline from the factory floor to the fleet.

The DoW's Acquisition Transformation Strategy (ATS) enabled these agreements, removing red tape and allowing the Department to engage with suppliers at every level of the industrial base.

Azimuth Program Immerses Cadets in Space Force Missions

Aug. 13, 2026 | By Brandon Kalloo Sanes, Space Training and Readiness Command |

Approximately 300 cadets participated in the Space Force's Azimuth program throughout the summer at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they gained exposure to its missions, organizations and guardian culture.

The program serves cadets already selected to commission into the Space Force and those considering Space Force career opportunities. It also introduces future officers from other services and Canada to the role of space capabilities in joint and coalition operations.

Detachment 1, Space Delta 1, hosted three sessions of the three-week pre-commissioning program, with most of the cadets hailing from either the academy or an Air Force ROTC detachment.

"Through classroom instruction, operational visits, hands-on experiences and capstone exercises, cadets gain the knowledge and perspective to arrive at their first assignment better prepared to contribute," said Space Force Maj. Sarah Dawdy, the detachment's chief of staff. "More importantly, we want them to understand where they fit into the bigger picture and arrive at their first assignment ready to learn, contribute and lead."

The Azimuth program directly supports the Space Training and Readiness Command's mission to prepare combat-ready forces to fight and win in a contested, degraded and operationally limited space environment. By prioritizing the deliberate development and education of these cadets early in their careers, Starcom is actively shaping the next generation of space warfighters.

The curriculum progressed from foundational instruction to operational exposure, culminating in an exercise requiring cadets to apply what they had learned.

During the first week, cadets learned about the Space Force's organization, missions, threat environment, space weather, international partnerships and access to space.

They reinforced those lessons through hands-on electives involving cyber operations, imagery analysis and satellite operations. Other activities included neutral buoyancy training and high-powered rocketry.

The second week moved cadets from the classroom to operational units in Colorado at Schriever, Peterson and Buckley Space Force Bases as well as other mission locations.

"The operational visits are always a highlight because cadets get to see the mission firsthand and interact directly with guardians doing the job every day," Dawdy said. "Apollo Dagger, the space policy game and the hands-on electives also give them the opportunity to apply what they've learned and see how it all comes together."

Cadet Austin Smith, Michigan State University Air Force ROTC, said the program provided additional exposure to the space mission.

"For me, Azimuth has been absolutely wonderful," Smith said. "It's been the ability to actually see Space Force competencies, Space Force career fields and Space Force life in a way that I never would have been able to if I didn't have this opportunity."

During the final week, cadets participated in Apollo Dagger, a capstone exercise conducted alongside a special warfare orientation course.

Participants served as a space planning cell supporting special operations forces during scenarios focused on electromagnetic warfare, orbital warfare and missile warning. They developed mission products and space domain awareness information in support of operational planning.

This year's program placed greater emphasis on operational missions, mission planning and the Space Force's role within the joint force and the international community. It also covered the military, political and economic implications of decisions involving space operations.

While addressing cadets, Space Force Col. Krista St. Romain, Delta 1 commander, challenged them to embrace the responsibility of serving in the space domain.

"There are new opportunities for each one of you, should you choose to become a guardian," St. Romain said.

She went on to explain that space comes with its own unique set of challenges, requiring solution-oriented recruits with an eye for problem-solving.

"Don't just identify a problem," St. Romain said. "Who's going to solve it? We're moving fast and those are the individuals we're looking for in the Space Force."

Industry representatives also discussed how the commercial space sector contributes to national security and future capabilities.

"Azimuth wouldn't be possible without the tremendous support from across the Space Force and our partners," Dawdy said. "Operational units and organizations, academia and industry partners volunteer their time to mentor and educate."

The program concluded with a post-course assessment, end-of-course survey and closing ceremony for each group.

"Whether they commission into the Space Force or another service, we want them to understand how space capabilities support and enable the joint force," Dawdy said. "For those becoming guardians, we want them to have a solid foundation they can build on."

Army Corps of Engineers Rehabilitates 1942 Flood Mitigation Machinery

Aug. 12, 2026 | By Andrew Byrne, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District |

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is currently rehabilitating two cranes used for the past 84 years to position the steel gates that manage water output at the Loyalhanna Dam in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania.

In 1942, as the United States was redirecting its steel, machinery, labor and federal resources toward World War II, some plans were put on hold, such as extending the Pennsylvania Turnpike. However, constructing the Loyalhanna Dam remained a priority. 
 
The project was already authorized and underway before the U.S. entered the war. As Pittsburgh factories downstream worked around the clock producing steel and other materiel, the dam went into operation as part of the region's growing flood-mitigation system. 
 
The nation was also investing in another piece of wartime infrastructure: pigeons. It's not as ridiculous as eight decades of hindsight makes it sound. During the war, the U.S. Army Signal Corps furnished approximately 54,000 pigeons to the armed services, relying on trained birds to carry messages when radios, telephone wires and other communications were unavailable or unreliable. 
 
Some pigeons became decorated heroes, such as G.I. Joe — the pigeon credited with carrying a message that prevented an Allied bombing and saved troops in Italy. 
 
The pigeons are no longer on the payroll, and soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District now manage the Loyalhanna Dam.  
 
Throughout the past 84 years, the dam has prevented more than $658 million in flood damage, partly because it uses five colossal steel gates to help manage output during high-water events. Two 64-ton bridge-shaped machines, called gantry cranes, use hoists and wire ropes to position the gates. 
 
The Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is currently rehabilitating the cranes, which have spent more than eight decades exposed to weather, corrosion and the gradual betrayal of obsolete parts. 
 
The cranes also attracted pigeons, many of which infiltrated the spaces through the machinery-room louvers and established a homestead around moving mechanical equipment.  
 
The contamination complicated access for crews and added an unscheduled layer of work to a project already contending with lead paint, asbestos flooring, aging electrical systems and machinery positioned roughly 65 feet above the dam. 
 
The cranes had become flood-control equipment, historic machinery and an avian HOA under one roof — until the local food chain intervened. 
 
"There was a hawk, and he scared away the pigeons for a while," said Wayne Carney, a civil engineer assigned to the district. "But now the hawk is gone, and the pigeons are back." 
 
However, responsible infrastructure strategy is not based on a single hawk's continued cooperation, so the district modified the rehabilitation contract to include barriers designed to keep pigeons away from the equipment. 

It is one part of a much larger effort to extend the service lives of two machines that are older than six constitutional amendments. The gates act as an additional contingency to help the district manage the reservoir during high-water events, making the cranes an important part of the region's flood-control system. 
 
In April, contractors began removing equipment from the operator cab, electrical components, mechanical systems, wire ropes and other interior hardware. 
 
Each crane has roughly 16,000 square feet of painted surface. After more than three decades since the previous paint restoration, much of the coating had corroded, rusted or begun flaking. The contractor removed the lead-based paint, stripped the steel to bare metal and applied a modern epoxy coating designed to resist corrosion. 
 
The coating work is not cosmetic; paint protects the steel beneath it, and neglected corrosion eventually causes section loss, holes and water infiltration. At that point, maintenance work becomes reconstruction work. 
 
"Catching this maintenance opportunity as early as possible and making sure there's no section loss in the steel is a big deal," Carney said. "We're avoiding other maintenance issues that come from letting the coatings decay." 
 
The project also replaces the cranes' aging wire ropes and brakes. As part of the project, electrical systems will receive an equally thorough overhaul. Crews will install new control panels, power distribution equipment, variable-frequency drives, lighting and operator consoles. 
 
The rebuilt cabs will receive steel flooring, insulated walls, new windows and doors, heating, and ventilation. A projecting window and closed-circuit television system will give operators better visibility during gate movements. 

"The controls were getting antiquated," Carney said. "New controls were definitely needed to bring them up to today's operational acceptance criteria." 
 
When the rehabilitation is finished, the cranes will retain their original purpose, but with modern controls, renewed mechanical systems, protected steel and considerably fewer pigeons. 
 
Crews expect to complete installation, testing and commissioning for the first crane by the end of 2026, and maintenance on the second crane is expected to begin next year.

 

ManTech Marks 70 Years of Creating Innovative Military Solutions

Aug. 11, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

This year marks a 70-year milestone for the War Department's Manufacturing Technology enterprise, which has been solving challenges beyond industry partners' investment capacity and risk tolerance for decades and has spawned separate service and agency specific programs. 

The ManTech program was established in 1956 to solve manufacturing problems that were too costly for industry partners to take on, said Emil Michael, undersecretary of war for research and engineering, during a commemorative event at the Pentagon yesterday. 

He added that investments in the enterprise have been the unseen force behind precision-guided munitions, stealth aircraft, combat vehicles, advanced microelectronics and other advances. 

For instance, the Navy ManTech program is using robots to increase submarine construction, and the Army ManTech program is using the investment capital to build ballistic helmets for troops. Also, the Defense Logistics Agency ManTech program has restored domestic production capability for legacy defense microelectronics, thereby extending the life of critical weapon systems.

As military systems become more complex, investments have evolved to tackle broader challenges in the defense industrial base, with a focus on workforce, public-private partnerships and collaboration, Michael said. 

"We're moving fast to bring on new entrants, lowering the barriers for entry, so that agile startups, nontraditional defense contractors and commercial innovators can rapidly plug into our ecosystem," he said. 

The department has been increasing the number of industry competitors, Michael pointed out.  

"And it's working," he said. "There's been more defense tech investment dollars in new entrants than ever before."  

The department is working on ways to help them succeed, so that it has a more robust, competitive ecosystem. 

"We have processes. We have procedures. We have things that are not designed for small companies, for new entrants, for new innovators to succeed as easily as the big guys," Michael said, adding that it's incumbent upon the department to give those small companies and new innovators a helping hand to ensure they have a shot at working for the Pentagon.  

One of the ManTech enterprise's primary vehicles to build at speed and scale is the Manufacturing Innovation Institute, which has more than 2,200 member organizations that have trained over 700,000 workers and students. 

The department's ManTech program showcased cost-effective, innovative technologies during events at the Pentagon yesterday and today. Technologies included additive manufacturing, robotics, advanced materials for munitions, combat vehicle modernization, microelectronics and artificial intelligence.  

The enterprise doesn't develop weapon systems — it develops the manufacturing capabilities needed to build them, through collaboration across the military services, War Department agencies, industry, academia and public-private partnerships.  

Many of today's advanced defense systems, including stealth aircraft, submarines, advanced munitions, combat vehicles and radar systems benefited from ManTech enterprise manufacturing investments. A few of their other many advances include: 

• The Air Force ManTech program lowered production costs for active electronically scanned array radar used aboard ships, aircraft and on the ground. 
• The Army ManTech program introduced advanced armor materials and robotic welding to improve production speed, quality and worker safety. They also helped modernize cannon tube production, reducing production time by about 50%.   
• The Navy ManTech program developed a ceramic coating that extends the service life of submarine seawater valves to match the operational life of the sub, saving more than $100 million in life-cycle costs.

Department of War Launches the 'Golden Dome for America Hub' To Accelerate Industry Engagement, Revolutionize Homeland Missile Defense Partnerships

Aug. 11, 2026 |

The New Digital Portal Slashes Bureaucratic Red Tape, Connecting Commercial Innovators, Venture Capital, and Nontraditional Startups Directly with the Office of Golden Dome for America

At the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium today, Gen. Mike Guetlein, Director of Golden Dome for America, announced the official launch of the "Golden Dome for America Ecosystem Hub" (the Hub), a groundbreaking digital platform designed to streamline collaboration between the Department of War (DoW) and the commercial technology sector.

Accessible immediately at hub.goldendome.mil, the Hub represents a fundamental shift in how the United States builds its next-generation, multi-layered homeland missile defense shield. By removing legacy organizational barriers, the Hub serves as a unified entry point for traditional defense contractors, commercial tech companies, venture capitalists, academic institutions, research laboratories, and nontraditional entrepreneurs to deliver innovative capabilities at the speed of the market.

"To defeat a new generation of sophisticated, maneuvering aerial threats, we must build a defensive shield that adapts faster than the adversary," said Guetlein. "We are doing this by cutting bureaucratic red-tape, harnessing innovation through partnerships, and leveraging the true power of the Arsenal of Freedom. We are dismantling the historical walls separating commercial innovation from national defense and short-circuiting the 'Valley of Death' that so often stalls the deployment of critical technologies."

Guetlein emphasized this paradigm shift is built upon strict fiscal accountability. "While we are committed to making the necessary investments to defend and protect the nation, we are equally committed to being responsible with every dollar of the $185 billion we need to deliver Golden Dome. To do that, we are leveraging commercial-off-the-shelf technologies and fostering a competitive environment to drive down costs."

He explained this approach helps to ensure that Golden Dome for America is not only the most effective, but also the most affordable, defense system for the nation.

"Defense of the Homeland is a national imperative, and as a result requires a close partnership between industry and the government to leverage innovation to the maximum extent possible," Guetlein added.

A Unified Platform to Mobilize the Free Market

The newly established Hub is the collaborative tissue that connects authorized experts, like program managers, directly with commercial providers, venture capitalists, and academic researchers. Key capabilities and features of the Hub include:

• Direct Engagement and Rapid Submissions: Traditional and nontraditional innovators can easily register, upload concepts, and submit designs directly to program decision-makers, bypassing months of administrative delays.
• Transparent Demand Signals: The Hub provides real-time, unclassified visibility into the immediate capability gaps of the Golden Dome program, allowing the private sector to align investment and R&D with active mission requirements.

Strengthening the Supply Chain and Industrial Base

In coordination with the DoW, the Hub will help to facilitate strategic supply chain security and industrial base revitalization. Through the Hub, qualified suppliers can connect with innovative capital tools.

This diversified strategy actively encourages multi-vendor participation, mitigates sub-tier supply chain vulnerabilities, prevents vendor lock-in, and establishes a highly resilient foundation for rapid production scaling.

The Hub was developed with industry partners to leverage an innovation mindset and partnering on best practices to deliver this mission-critical platform.

"Our mission is to establish an unassailable, highly resilient industrial base built on transparency and collaborative problem-solving," Guetlein added. "By bringing private capital, commercial agility, and national defense objectives into a single, accessible environment, the Hub ensures that our defensive network remains affordable, scalable, and secure against the very real threats of today and tomorrow."

Immediate Action Required for Industry Partners

The Golden Dome for America Hub is now live. The DoW strongly encourages all interested defense contractors, commercial tech firms, research laboratories, and nontraditional entrepreneurs to register their organizations and submit initial capability overviews at: hub.goldendome.mil

Office of Strategic Capital Signs $400 Million Conditional Loan Commitment With Sunrise Energy Metals Limited to Expand Scandium Mining Operations

Aug. 7, 2026 |

The Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) announced today a $400 million conditional loan commitment to Sunrise Energy Metals Limited (Sunrise) to build out the company's scandium operations. 

Sunrise is an Australian publicly listed company (ASX: SRL) that owns the Syerston Scandium Project in New South Wales, Australia. Scandium is a metal that is found throughout the Earth's crust in low concentrations. Currently, it is harvested through byproducts of other industrial or resource extraction processes. No primary mine-source scandium supply exists globally, and foreign competitors dominate the supply side, accounting for approximately 80% of global mining production and nearly 100% of scandium processing. 

With these funds, alongside private capital, Sunrise will develop a full scandium value chain, beginning with its primary mining operations at its Syerston project, which boasts a high-grade scandium deposit. Additionally, Sunrise will build metallization and additive layer manufacturing capabilities to ensure Western alignment from mine to finished product. This financing will provide the Department with a right of first offer on Sunrise's output, and the scandium produced by Sunrise would support the demand of U.S. companies, including defense industrial base companies.

"Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, securing our critical minerals supply chain is a top national security priority. The contemplated Sunrise transaction marks a significant step in establishing supply chain resiliency for an increasingly critical mineral. This nearly $1 billion deal, bringing together public and private capital, would help address foreign dependencies in scandium supply and facilitate scandium's use in critical defense and commercial applications," said David A. Lorch, Director of the Office of Strategic Capital and Senior Advisor to Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg.

With this conditional loan commitment to Sunrise, OSC directly advances President Trump's mandate to secure a resilient, domestic supply chain for rare earths. The company's production will directly support warfighting capabilities in aerospace and defense as well as strategically important economic sectors such as data centers, semiconductors, and the automotive sector.

"This commitment is an example of the strategic financing OSC can provide," said Asad Akram, Managing Director and Co-Head of Critical Minerals at OSC. "Sunrise's scandium deposit will support strategic sectors in both national and economic security, with the capability to secure and expand both compute capacity and enhanced capabilities of modern fighter aircraft." 
 
"This conditional loan commitment is a decisive step toward creating a U.S.-aligned scandium value chain, ensuring our warfighters and manufacturers no longer depend on adversaries. We are attracting meaningful private capital investment into the front lines of our industrial base," said Peter B. Zuckerman, Senior Managing Director at OSC. "The Sunrise commitment is just the first step in our effort to strengthen the scandium supply chain as OSC is conducting active due diligence on additional opportunities."

"By backing Sunrise, we would be engineering a complete, allied mine-to-metal supply chain," said John Gallagher, Co-Head of Critical Minerals at OSC. "Providing the capital to extract scandium from a primary mine and connecting it directly to onshore U.S. metallization ensures that the materials required for the future success of commercial and defense industries remain under our sovereign control."

"Secretary Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Feinberg are mobilizing the Department of War's resources to secure our critical mineral supply chain," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "Congress provided the necessary resources, and OSC is aggressively executing that mandate to deliver for the American warfighter."

The conditional loan commitment between OSC and Sunrise specifies customary additional steps the company must take to proceed toward financial close, including satisfying financial, legal, technical, and other requirements. 

In FY 2026, OSC has committed over $8.4 billion in debt financing and has successfully mobilized over $17.8 billion in total capital from the public and private sectors to support the American industrial base.

Office of Strategic Capital Signs $150 Million Conditional Loan Commitment With Niron Magnetics, Inc. to Scale Domestic Rare Earth-Free Magnet Production

Aug. 7, 2026 |

The Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) announced today a $150 million conditional loan commitment to Niron Magnetics, Inc. (Niron) to build out the company's rare earth-free magnet production capabilities. 

Founded in 2014, Niron is a private U.S. corporation headquartered in Minnesota. The company seeks to eliminate dependence on rare earth magnets sourced from foreign jurisdictions.  Niron's magnets are revolutionary because  they do not use rare earths, yet they provide similar, and in some cases superior, performance and physical properties compared to rare earth magnets.

Niron develops and manufactures 100% domestic, rare earth-free permanent magnets, eliminating reliance on foreign-dominated supply chains. Built on over a decade of research and development, Niron's magnets offer a path to ending dependency on foreign-produced rare earth magnets. Niron circumvents the concentrated and vulnerable rare earth supply chain by synthesizing magnets from domestically abundant commodity inputs, specifically iron and nitrogen.

Niron recently completed a two-year pilot project with the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, which facilitated the manufacture of 1 to 2 tons per year of rare earth-free magnets. Niron is now seeking to produce its magnets at scale. Alongside private capital, OSC's proposed financing will support the construction of a $605 million manufacturing plant in Sartell, Minnesota, capable of producing up to 1,500 tons of rare earth-free magnets annually.

"OSC's commitment to Niron directly aligns with President Donald J. Trump's mandate for the Department of War to leverage advanced commercial technology to maintain military capabilities while rapidly onshoring critical supply chains," said David A. Lorch, Director of the Office of Strategic Capital and Senior Advisor to Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg. "By supporting the establishment of a wholly domestic, rare earth-free permanent magnet manufacturing facility, this transaction mitigates a key supply chain vulnerability, bolsters U.S. industrial resilience against geopolitical disruptions, and ensures that next-generation technologies are powered by secure, domestically sourced components."

"With the conditional loan commitment to Niron, OSC is seeking to advance President Donald J. Trump's priority of securing a domestic supply chain for high-performance magnets, which are ubiquitous across commercial and defense applications," said Asad Akram, Managing Director and Co-Head of Critical Minerals at OSC.  
 
"High-performance magnets are integral to the U.S. economy and defense industrial base, and their importance is only going to grow on account of electrification, robotics, and defense modernization," said Peter B. Zuckerman, Senior Managing Director at OSC. 

"I applaud OSC for its continued focus on investments that deliver impact to the industrial base and shoring up supply chain vulnerabilities," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "Rare earth-free magnets will reduce dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains and help equip the warfighter with more capable systems that enhance battlefield lethality." 

The conditional loan commitment between OSC and Niron specifies customary additional steps the company must take to proceed toward financial close, including satisfying financial, legal, technical, and other requirements.

In FY 2026, OSC has committed over $8.4 billion in debt financing and has successfully mobilized over $17.8 billion in total capital from the public and private sectors to support the American industrial base.

Department of War Announces an $85.5 Million Agreement With Strategic Bauxite USA to Secure the Critical Refractory Grade Bauxite Supply Chain

Aug. 7, 2026 |

The Department of War's (DOW) Economic Defense Unit, in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy announced today an $85.5 million equity investment agreement with Strategic Bauxite USA, LLC (SBX) through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. This strategic partnership will establish a secure, vertically-integrated U.S. supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite, a critical material for national defense and key industrial base sectors.

"Our defense readiness relies on secure, regional access to critical minerals," said the Honorable Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy. "This partnership with Strategic Bauxite through the equity funding and analysis provided by the IBAS program ensures that critical materials in the western hemisphere stay in supply chains that protect the United States and its allies." 

The Department's contribution of $85.5 million from IBAS is complemented by an additional $64.5 million co-investment from the private sector.  These funds will be used to acquire and expand the First Bauxite (FBX) mine in Guyana, develop new calcination facilities for primary processing, and contribute to a follow-on project to construct a brown-fused alumina (BFA) facility in the United States. 

This initiative addresses an over-dependence on imports for refractory-grade bauxite for the U.S. supply chain, with the vast majority sourced directly from China or Chinese-owned entities. Once fully operational, this project is expected to meet 100% of U.S. military demand for BFA and 100% of U.S. demand for refractory bauxite. IBAS equity and direct investments are strategically targeted at critical supply chain bottlenecks, particularly where private venture capital has historically been hesitant to invest due to long developmental timelines.

"The Department of War is no longer waiting for supply chain dependencies to be exploited," said George K. Kollitides II, Director of the Economic Defense Unit. "This agreement shows how EDU and the Department can partner with the commercial sector to rapidly turn opportunities into advantages for the warfighter."  

Refractory-grade bauxite is necessary for manufacturing high-temperature-resistant materials used to make critical components for our warfighters such as heat shields, thermal barriers, and turbine engines in guided missiles, rockets, military aircraft, and space systems. Beyond defense, this high-purity bauxite is a vital raw material for steel and aluminum production, energy infrastructure, and industrial furnaces, making it a cornerstone of a modern, industrial economy.

This agreement also serves as an example of how the Department is coordinating across the interagency to support national security requirements. As part of the broader effort, the Department of State provided critical funding to support infrastructure associated with the project, enabling the U.S. government to act quickly and reinforce the long-term viability of the supply chain.

Department of War Publishes Fifth Release of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Files on WAR.GOV/UFO

 

Aug. 7, 2026 |

Statement Attributable to Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs and Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell:

Today, the Department of War is publishing the fifth release of declassified and historical Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) files as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). The collection continues to be housed on WAR.GOV/UFO, and the Department will release additional files on a rolling basis.

The Department of War and our agency partners are actively working on the next release of UAP files. The fifth release of UAP files is available now on WAR.GOV/UFO.

Space Launch Delta 45 Partners With Florida National Guard to Strengthen Hazmat Response

Aug. 7, 2026 | By Gwendolyn Kurzen, Space Launch Delta 45 |

Space Launch Delta 45 Emergency Management personnel partnered with the Florida Army National Guard's 44th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team during a multiday training exercise at Patrick Space Force Base July 28, and at Kennedy Space Center July 30, both in Florida.  

This marks the second time Space Launch Delta 45 has hosted the 44th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team to strengthen emergency response capabilities through realistic training scenarios. 

The 44th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team is a specialized unit of Army and Air Force personnel that includes full-time Florida Army National Guard soldiers and four airmen. The team supports civil authorities during chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive incidents that exceed the capabilities of local hazardous materials response agencies. The team's mission focuses on protecting public health and safety while supporting local, state and federal agencies during intentional or unintentional domestic emergencies. 

The 44th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team is organized into specialized sections that work together to support incident commanders during hazardous materials emergencies. A command element coordinates operations and provides on-scene leadership, while survey teams enter contaminated areas to collect samples, conduct testing and identify hazardous agents. Decontamination personnel establish entry and exit control points to process responders entering and leaving the hot zone safely. A dedicated medical team stands ready to treat personnel who become ill or are exposed.

The unit also operates a secure mobile command post equipped with encrypted communications and a mobile analytical laboratory capable of fully characterizing unknown chemical, biological or radiological hazards in the field. 

"Public safety is our No. 1 priority," said Army Lt. Col. David Deitz, 44th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team commander. "We are committed to answering every alert and showing up wherever necessary in order to support local and federal agencies in CBRNE matters." 

Joint training brought together Space Force and National Guard personnel to rehearse coordinated responses to a simulated chemical incident, allowing both organizations to improve communication and response procedures. During this exercise, participants established a decontamination corridor before survey teams entered the simulated hazardous area to identify chemical agents, collect samples and assess potential threats.

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For Space Launch Delta 45 Emergency Management personnel, the exercise provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships and receive specialized hands-on training with the response team and gain valuable experience alongside experts who routinely support hazardous materials incidents across Florida. This partnership also introduces airmen and guardians to potential career opportunities with the civil support team following military service.

"Working with our local partners to facilitate this training helps them remain proficient in their field," said Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Ridgway, Space Launch Delta 45 Emergency Management Flight noncommissioned officer in charge. "This joint collaboration aids in improving both teams' procedures for more effective emergency response. Many of our 45th [Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management] personnel are exposed to this as a future career opportunity following their service."  

Training together in realistic scenarios will continue to strengthen their partnership, and ensure both organizations remain prepared to respond rapidly to CBRNE incidents in support of local communities, mission partners and the nation's busiest spaceport.

Department of War Enhances C-UAS Marketplace to Expand Access to Validated Technologies

Aug. 3, 2026 |

The Department of War, through Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), is enhancing its counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) marketplace to improve how military organizations, domestic law enforcement agencies, and international allies and partners identify, evaluate and acquire validated counter-drone technologies.

Developed in partnership with Kaizen Laboratories, the application helps users rapidly identify proven solutions, enabling clearer procurement pathways and faster fielding timelines.

These ongoing enhancements will make it easier for authorized users to search technologies by operational requirements, review validated performance data, and purchase C-UAS products through a streamlined process.

"JIATF-401 remains focused on delivering the right counter-UAS capabilities to the right users at the right time," said U.S. Army Maj. Mike Hapner, C-UAS marketplace lead for JIATF-401. "Our revolutionary marketplace, powered through our partnership with industry, creates a streamlined, trusted pathway for the Joint force, domestic law enforcement, and our international partners to rapidly discover and acquire validated technologies."

The C-UAS marketplace also supports the Secretary of the Army's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Fast Lane initiative by integrating with existing acquisition pathways to accelerate requirements development and reduce foreign military sales timelines. Through this process, industry partners submit their products for inclusion in the FMS Fast Lane. JIATF-401, in partnership with Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation (DASA DE&C), then evaluates and pre-clears these products for Foreign Military Sales, ensuring the capabilities are seamlessly integrated across the joint force, partners, and Allies.

The marketplace is part of JIATF-401's broader effort to strengthen collaboration across government, industry, and Allied nations while expanding access to trusted C-UAS capabilities. By providing a common platform for validated capabilities, JIATF-401 is helping ensure users can make informed acquisition decisions and respond more quickly to an evolving drone threat.

"Drones are a defining threat of our time," said Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401. "The proliferation of small systems and small drones and the threat that they pose both to critical infrastructure and to defense critical assets requires us to move faster in this space. In order to address this threat, we are expanding the counter-UAS marketplace to allow us to share best practices and equipment globally."

The JIATF-401 C-UAS Marketplace can be accessed here: https://cuas.mil/

Department of War Signs Framework Agreements With Northrop Grumman to Ramp Production of PAC-3, THAAD Components

Aug. 3, 2026 |

The Department of War, in cooperation with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, today announced two framework agreements to expand production capacity of critical missile-interceptor components. These historic agreements are critical to ensuring long-term demand signals flow to key suppliers, allowing Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) production to triple and quadruple, respectively. This effort to stabilize supply chains for our most important interceptors advances President Trump's and Secretary Hegseth's joint vision to build the Arsenal of Freedom, accelerate delivery of critical capabilities, and reinforce the Nation's integrated air and missile defense.

"Building the Arsenal of Freedom requires robust, dynamic supply chains at every level of the industrial base," said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. "Framework agreements with munition components suppliers like Northrop Grumman are vital to accelerating the tripling of PAC-3 and quadrupling of THAAD interceptor production."

This initiative is a direct application of the Department's Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which prioritizes engaging directly with key suppliers at all levels of the industrial base. Rather than relying solely on prime contractors, the Department is establishing strategic agreements with critical suppliers. This approach ensures the entire supply chain has the stability and long-term demand signals necessary to invest in advanced tooling, facility modernization, and workforce development to scale production.

Under these landmark agreements, the Department of War is driving significant capacity increases across two critical defense programs. First, for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), this framework agreement establishes a second source for Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs). By providing a steady demand signal for a second source, the Department of War is driving stability and competition into the supply chain, creating a more resilient industrial base. Additionally, the agreement ramps up production of ignition safety devices for PAC-3. Second, for THAAD Component Production, this framework agreement will quadruple the production of THAAD interceptor structural components. This includes critical parts such as mid-body shells, muzzle covers and rail car assemblies.

This initiative demonstrates the Department's revitalized Acquisition Transformation Strategy, executed in collaboration with the Munitions Acceleration Council, the Economic Defense Unit, the Missile Defense Agency, and the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment.