Special Multimedia Reports: Defense News Conference

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith takes a pause Sept. 6, 2023, before answering a question at the Defense News Conference in Pentagon City.

As both the No. 1 and No. 2 Marine, his schedule is ‘not sustainable’

“I don’t mind breaking my own back,” said Gen. Eric Smith, who is both the acting and assistant commandant. “It’s just, I have to make good decisions.”

Marines aim to accelerate Force Design modernization, if budget allows

The Corps wants to speed up the fielding of anti-ship missiles, small drones and loitering munitions, to get more weapons out to deployed Marines faster.

Marines draw inspiration from drug runners for unmanned resupply boat

The Marine Corps is looking at a low-profile unmanned boat to move missiles and weapons around contested areas to resupply forces ashore.

Military pay could be a casualty of looming government shutdown

Lawmakers are warning that a political budget fight could have severe financial consequences for troops and their dependents.

An unmanned underwater vehicle is seen as personnel with Marine Corps Systems Command look at the ocean in January 2020.

Marine Corps leader eyes drone swarm launched from above, beneath waves

While Marines have yet to test a combo of USV, UUV and attack drones, such a trial is possible in the near future, according to Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl.

VIDEOS

Defense News Conference: USMC Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl

United States Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl speaks with Defense News Naval Warfare Reporter Megan Eckstein at the 2023 Defense News Conference.

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Defense News Conference: USMC Gen. Eric Smith

Defense News Conference: USAF Gen. Mark D. Kelly and Lt. Gen. James Slife

Defense News Conference: Undersecretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo

Defense News Conference: The State of Play in Europe

Defense News Conference: Rita Flaherty, GE Aerospace

Defense News Conference: Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee

Defense News Conference: Joe Larson and Schuyler Moore

Defense News Conference: Jeremy Tondreault, BAE Systems Platforms & Services

Defense News Conference: Dr. Jason Rathje

Defense News Conference: Dr. Ely Ratner

Defense News Conference: Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks

Defense News Conference: Brian Zimmerman, Booz Allen

US assesses foreign military sales process in wake of Ukraine's invasion

US Army taps new Futures Command chief

China has the 'aspiration to fundamentally reshape the international order'

More Stories

Military pay could be a casualty of looming government shutdown

Lawmakers are warning that a political budget fight could have severe financial consequences for troops and their dependents.

By Leo Shane III

An unmanned underwater vehicle is seen as personnel with Marine Corps Systems Command look at the ocean in January 2020.

Marine Corps leader eyes drone swarm launched from above, beneath waves

While Marines have yet to test a combo of USV, UUV and attack drones, such a trial is possible in the near future, according to Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl.

By Colin Demarest

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl answers a question Sept. 6, 2023, at the Defense News Conference in Pentagon City.

Marines to test out first stern landing vessel at Project Convergence

Five companies are building competitive prototypes, and the Marines will select one to fulfill the Landing Ship Medium program within the next two years.

By Megan Eckstein

U.S. Army Undersecretary Gabe Camarillo answers a question Sept. 6, 2023, at the Defense News Conference in Pentagon City.

US Army to reward big contractors that ingest smaller innovator’s tech

Project Vista will give contractors credit, as part of competitive proposals, for inserting small business-developed technology.

Defense News Conference: The State of Play in Europe

The State Department’s Laura Cressey, the Department of Defense’s Mike Miller and Kusti Salm of the Estonian Ministry of Defence discuss Europe.

US Army scraps Abrams tank upgrade, unveils new modernization plan

The service is now pursuing a more significant modernization effort to increase mobility and survivability on the battlefield.

Sluggish deployment of emerging tech hampers US military, officials say

The Pentagon rolled out its largest-ever innovation and modernization budget earlier this year, requesting $145 billion from Congress for fiscal 2024.

By Colin Demarest

Marines to establish ‘overdue’ safety center led by general officer

The Marine Corps will elevate its safety division to fall under the command of a general officer, to ensure more uniform safety compliance across the force

By Megan Eckstein

US Air Force general eyes more uses for drone wingmen

The U.S. Air Force should consider additional uses for its planned fleet of drone wingmen beyond just flying them alongside fighter jets, a general says.

By Stephen Losey

Top Armed Services Democrat sees hard path to pass final defense bill

At the Defense News Conference, Rep. Adam Smith outlined a rocky path forward on negotiating a final defense policy bill with several conservative riders.

By Bryant Harris

Upgraded F-35 deliveries could slip to June 2024

The F-35 Joint Program Office says the upgraded jet is showing software troubles in flight tests, prompting it to push the schedule back.

By Stephen Losey

Budget cohesion may be lost with acting leaders, top Marine says

The Marine Corps is continuing through the annual budget process on time, but it's harder without a confirmed service chief, the acting commandant said.

By Megan Eckstein

Pentagon’s strategic capital office finalizing investment framework

One of OSC’s first tasks was to develop a plan for steering capital investment toward the 14 technology areas the Pentagon has deemed most critical.

By Courtney Albon

Replicator drone program needs no new money, Hicks says

“We’re not creating new bureaucracy, and we will not be asking for new money in [fiscal 20]24,” the deputy defense secretary says.

By Noah Robertson

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