Space Force launches X-37B space plane
The Space Force on Thursday conducted the latest launch into space of the X-37B space plane, known formally as the orbital test vehicle.
Drones Unleashed
As the U.S. watches the conflict in Ukraine redefine the tactics of warfare, the Department of Defense has issued guidance to strengthen and advance the American drone industrial base to keep up with the changing threats. The Threat Status team takes a deeper look at what industry is doing to meet the demand to keep our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines equipped with the latest technology.
Production underway for Army’s second wave of short-range reconnaissance drones
The Army this week said production is underway on the second wave of short-range reconnaissance drones for its soldiers as the service, and the military as a whole, begin to equip warfighters with small, unmanned vehicles at the tactical level.
China’s military parade reveals new hypersonic missiles, drone submarines and ICBMs
Soldiers in pristine and pressed uniforms marched in lockstep, their boots clacking a steady cadence on the pavement and their eyes following leader Xi Jinping as he drove by in review. Helicopters flew overhead, forming the numbers 8 and 0 in honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Russia launches over 500 drones and missiles at Ukraine as Zelenskyy seeks more support
Russia fired more than 500 drones and two dozen missiles at Ukraine overnight, authorities said Wednesday, as Ukraine’s president and European leaders persevered with talks aimed at strengthening Ukrainian defenses and adding momentum to so far unsuccessful U.S.-led peace efforts.
Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries have some regions in Russia running on empty
Gas stations have run dry in some regions of Russia after Ukrainian drones struck refineries and other oil infrastructure in recent weeks, with motorists waiting in long lines and officials resorting to rationing or cutting off sales altogether.
LISTEN: How closely is the U.S. monitoring China’s expanding activity in the Arctic?
Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Col. Stu Bradin, the President and CEO of the Global SOF Foundation, joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion on Special Operations Forces.
LISTEN: Is the Pentagon too focused on drones?
Retired Air Force Gen. David Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, joins the show to talk about the future of American air power, whether the Pentagon is focused too heavily on drones, and why the Space Force needs a bigger budget.
LISTEN: How drones could threaten World Cup, Olympics
Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, joins the show to talk about potential terrorist threats to the World Cup, Olympics and other major events.
Creating ‘unbelievable chaos’: L3Harris ‘Wolfpack’ aims to give U.S. an edge in crowded battlespace
It’s a simple idea but one that’s far more complex in practice: Create an “unbelievable” level of chaos on modern-day battlefields so that America’s enemies are overwhelmed, overmatched and unable to mount an effective counterattack.
Pentagon chief Hegseth issues new order aimed at boosting small drone production
All U.S. Army squads could be equipped with small attack drones by the end of next year as the Pentagon looks to expand drone production and cut red tape under a new directive from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Russia launches over 700 drones at Ukraine as Trump promises more aid
Russia hammered Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones overnight, prompting Kyiv to call for harsher sanctions against Moscow.
Marine commandant: Corps to focus on advanced weapons and contested logistics in prep for war
The Marine Corps recently unveiled its budget request for fiscal 2026 that calls for spending $57.2 billion on new aircraft, drones, advanced weapons and military technology for its readiness in the Indo-Pacific.
Shield AI, RTX team up to bring next-generation AI to defense platforms
Shield AI will integrate its advanced software into select RTX defense platforms as part of a new partnership announced this week.
Changing face of war: Hegseth says Pentagon racing to expand use of small offensive drones
The U.S. military is investing heavily in military drones based on the battlefield successes by Ukraine and Israel using attack drones in remote strikes, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress.
Ukraine’s drone attacks spotlight U.S. bomber vulnerability to container-launched missiles
The stunning effectiveness of recent Israeli and Ukrainian attacks deep inside enemy territory using smuggled and disguised drones and missiles has raised sharp new questions about the vulnerability of U.S. bases, ships and planes to weapons hidden in harmless-looking shipping containers — containers that may already be stashed on American soil.
LISTEN: Here’s why the Army wants to 3D print drones
Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, deputy commanding general and acting commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command, joins the show to talk about the 3D printing of drones and how the Pentagon is rethinking the way it moves materiel and personnel around the world.
Russia blasts Kyiv with hundreds of drones for second straight night
Moscow launched another blistering swarm of drones at Ukraine’s capital city Tuesday morning, striking most of Kyiv’s districts in response to Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb last week.
L3Harris to provide the Defense Dept. with more equipment to disable drones
L3Harris secured a new contract this week to provide the Department of Defense with additional equipment to disable drones or unmanned aerial systems.
Russia launches massive overnight drone, missile strike on Kyiv
Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight, killing at least four people and injuring around 20, in response to Ukraine’s massive drone offensive from earlier this week.
Russia downplays damage done in Ukrainian drone attack, says it will make repairs
Russia’s deputy foreign minister downplayed Thursday the scale of damage done by a Ukrainian drone attack that reportedly destroyed dozens of Russian warplanes.
LISTEN: Here’s what the future of drone warfare looks like
Ben interviews Ryan Gury, co-founder and CEO of the drone company PDW, live from the SOF Week 2025 convention in Tampa, Florida.
Behind-the-scenes with L3Harris: Robots, precision missiles and futuristic drone cameras
Retired Navy Vice Admiral and L3Harris VP Dave Johnson takes National Security Editor Guy Taylor on a tour of disruptive products the company displayed at IDEX 2025.
Threat Status podcast: Inside the IDEX 2025 weapons expo
Guy joins the show from the United Arab Emirates and offers an inside look at the major IDEX 2025 weapons expo.
AeroVironment unveils JUMP 20-X AI powered drone at IDEX
Robotic systems developer AeroVironment revealed its latest uncrewed aircraft system, the JUMP 20-X, at the International Defense Exhibition this week, showing off its precision in complex and dangerous environments.
Shield AI’s V-BAT among advanced drones on display at weapons expo in Mideast
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — One of the more futuristic drones that Ukrainian forces have used to carry out surveillance for strike missions deep inside Russia is on display at the massive International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) that has drawn weapons companies from around the world to this Mideast city in recent days.
