The Weekly Break Out

Another week means another executive order — this time with President Donald Trump looking to change how the Foreign Military Sales process works . In the latest edition of The Weekly Break Out, Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Air Warfare Reporter Michael Marrow talk through how this might impact global weapon sales. Then after the break, the two preview the upcoming Munich Security Conference and...

President Donald Trump has again come out swinging in a Truth Social post — this time against the  Canadian aerospace industry  in retaliation for the country's delayed certification of US-made Gulfstream jets for use in Canada. On a new episode of  The Weekly Break Out , Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Deputy Editor Lee Ferran flag how the heated rivalry could affect America's militarized variant...

President Donald Trump used the  World Economic Forum  in Davos to escalate his pressure campaign on the US defense industry to  speed up weapons production . Meanwhile, new reporting reveals the controversial  Qatari Boeing 747 , intended to serve as an interim Air Force One, could fly as soon as this summer, raising fresh questions about security upgrades, contractors and timelines. On a new epi...

What's in a name? Here's who the Air Force has tapped to be program acquisition executives as the Pentagon rebrands its program executive officers. Then,  The Weekly Break Out tours the show floor at the Surface Navy Association's 2026 conference for a peek at an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, a solar-powered maritime drone, a floating combat hospital and more.

It was a Truth Social post that shook the defense industry: President Donald Trump lashed out at big defense contractors over stock buybacks and CEO pay. Get caught up, and then see what there is to "sea" at this week's Surface Navy Association conference.

The United States carried out what may become one of the most consequential military raids in modern history. In this episode of The Weekly Break Out, CSIS defense expert Mark Cancian analyzes the US operation in Venezuela, explaining how American forces penetrated Russian-made S-300 air defense systems, leveraged Cyber Command and Space Command and executed a complex joint mission without America...

This week on The Weekly Break Out, Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran break down the Trump administration's new National Security Strategy, what it signals for Europe, Russia and homeland defense — and how it aligns with what we heard at the Reagan National Defense Forum. Then after the break, the hosts dig into the compromise 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, including why lawmakers added $8 billi...

The Navy's decision to cancel its Constellation-class frigate program has shifted from quiet speculation to front-page news. In this episode of The Weekly Break Out, Breaking Defense unpacks what might come next for Fincantieri and US sailors. Then the conversation moves west to Simi Valley, where the upcoming Reagan National Defense Forum is set to gather defense officials, lawmakers, generals an...

At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, Breaking Defense breaks down the biggest trends in combat aviation in the Middle East — from a surge in autonomous systems to global competition between the US, Russia, China and more. Agnes Helou and Michael Marrow highlight what's driving demand in the region and what's new on the show floor. Then, we take you on a walkaround tour of an F-35 with a fighter pilot who ex...

US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) is rethinking its anticipated "2.0" overhaul — but the final plan looks different from what many expected. On this episode of The Weekly Break Out, Breaking Defense's Deputy Editor Lee Ferran and Senior Networks and Information Warfare Reporter Mark Pomerleau walk through what actually changed, what didn't, and why CYBERCOM's update is now more about talent generation a...

The defense industry is standing by with bated breath as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to give a high-profile speech about acquisition on Friday. While no one's sure what exactly he'll say, there's plenty to preview in this episode of The Weekly Break Out. Then, hear what one congressman says is "heartbreaking" about the current state of US Cyber Command. Stories: Draft memo reveals potent...

Something wicked this way comes to Breaking Defense... Our special Halloween episode of The Weekly Break Out brings you spooky tales of military technology programs that have died — and some that could return from beyond the grave.

This week on The Weekly Break Out, the US Coast Guard hopes publicly shaming Chinese ships for sailing too close to the US will avoid a future dispute. Then we look at the future of military command and control.

The Pentagon and industry are coming up with concepts of what space-based interceptors could be. Plus, we dig into the UK plan to avoid drone swarms. 

This week on The Break Out, Congress reporter Valerie Insinna unpacks the Navy's secretive plans for carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft, while air warfare reporter Michael Marrow breaks down the Sentinel ICBM program's latest steps toward replacing America's aging nuclear missile silos.

This week, Pentagon reporter Ashley Roque discusses how the DoD nixed the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System, better known as JCIDS. Plus, an Air National Guard base gets the F-15EX.

In this week's episode, Air Warfare reporter Michael Marrow discusses how the Pentagon is making DOGE part of its regular process. Plus, Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran discuss changes to the defense cyber workforce.

In this week's episode of the Break Out, we lay out the bumps Ukraine is seeing for its drone exports and we dive into a Navy exercise that mimics a real-world scenario.

In this week's Break Out, we talk Palantir's all-in-one contract and discuss why Golden Dome will be the talk of the Space and Missile Defense Symposium this week in Huntsville.

Adm. Daryl Caudle recently had his confirmation hearing for CNO. Naval Warfare Reporter Justin Katz runs down what you need to know about Caudle's confirmation hearing. Also, the White House recently released the AI Action Plan, which includes 19 recommendations involving the DoD.

In this week's Break Out, Aaron and Lee discuss hints from the administration and congress that might give us a glimpse of the future of the FA-XX program. Plus, get ready for more shows from Breaking Defense that cover Congress and the Middle East.

In this week's episode of The Weekly Break Out, editor Lee Ferran is joined by reporters Justin Katz and Carley Welch to talk icebreakers and a new drone directive.

In this week's episode of the Break Out, Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran discuss how companies, big and small, are exploring Golden Dome. Plus, the latest on the defense budget.

In this week's episode, Air Warfare reporter Michael Marrow reports about NATO's new 5 percent spending requirement. Hear reaction from NATO and European leaders.

In this episode of the Weekly Break Out. Reporter Ashley Roque shows us how the U.S. bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear sites unfolded. And reporter Theresa Hitchens explains the significance of a first-ever satellite refueling in space.