Top stories
US Army wants new grenade launcher, ammunition to be able to destroy drones
The Army is calling for prototype submissions that include 16 weapons, fire controls systems and around 25,000 rounds of ammunition.
US special forces rescue second F-15 airman from Iran
The airman, the weapons officer of an F-15 jet shot down on Friday, was wounded but “will be just fine,” President Trump announced.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
Trump says Iran could be ‘taken out’ on Tuesday
“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night," the president said.
The FBI’s secret fight to track down American traitors in Europe during WWII
Author Stephen Harding tells the true story of a small band of FBI agents who went undercover to hunt down U.S. traitors in Europe.
Iran leaves door open for peace talks as hunt for missing US pilot continues
The prospect of a U.S. service member alive and on the run in Iran comes days after Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.”
Iran ‘skirmish’ has no effect on strong US economy, White House advisor claims
The rosy analysis was prompted by the monthly jobs report, which showed the jobless rate for all veterans came down from 4.1% in February to 3.9% in March.
In other news
‘Drone Hunters of Kherson’ takes viewers into a war that blends ‘trench warfare and the Terminator’
The documentary focuses on an American embed as he follows Ukrainian counter-drone units patrolling against the Russian threat.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
By Clay Beyersdorfer
When veterans take the pen, war stories start to change
Hollywood has never lacked war stories. But it has often lacked veteran storytellers telling them.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
Don't miss
VIDEOS
Medal of Honor recipients recognize citizen heroes for everyday valor
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society awarded a group of everyday citizens at a recent ceremony, including two youths with extraordinary stories.
Featured Videos
Trending Now
MORE STORIES
Pentagon expands firearm access for off-duty military members on base
The memorandum instructed installation commanders to consider requests with a “presumption of approval."
By Eve Sampson
Hegseth asks Army’s top general to retire, fires two others as Iran war rages
The Pentagon intends to replace him with a leader aligned with Hegseth and President Donald Trump’s vision for the Army, an official told Military Times.
By Tanya Noury
Bipartisan group of senators vow to keep US in NATO despite Trump threats
The senators reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO just one day after Trump threatened to abandon the transatlantic alliance.
By Tanya Noury
Golden Dome, ships and missiles top Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense wish list
Trump is set to unveil the fiscal 2027 defense budget request on Friday.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
‘Drone Hunters of Kherson’ takes viewers into a war that blends ‘trench warfare and the Terminator’
The documentary focuses on an American embed as he follows Ukrainian counter-drone units patrolling against the Russian threat.
Trump threatens to walk away from NATO
Trump’s rebuke of NATO allies stems from their reluctance to support American efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
By Tanya Noury
US carried out nearly 50 strikes in Somalia so far this year
The pace puts 2026 on track to rival or exceed last year's operations against Islamic militant groups.
By Eve Sampson
Iranian strikes target the infrastructure behind US airpower
Iran has struck radar systems, satellite communications and mission-critical aircraft at US bases across Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
By Michael Scanlon
Hegseth appears to reverse pilots’ suspensions after viral flyby of Kid Rock’s home
In a post on social media, Hegseth thanked the rocker and said “pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
By Eve Sampson
‘Infrastructure is the weapon’: Inside the race to build portable interceptor factories
As the Iran war drives global demand for interceptor drones, defense startups are betting they can fit a production line into a shipping container.
By Katie Livingstone
Kid you not: Army aviators suspended for helo flyby of musician’s home
Kid Rock posted a video of an Apache helicopter hovering by the deck of his "Southern White House" on Saturday.
By Eve Sampson
Fewer service members died by suicide in 2024 than year prior, report finds
The report on 2024 suicides found a decrease in the total force suicide rate, though active component rates have steadily increased from 2011 to 2024.
Hegseth reveals secret trip to Middle East amid escalating Iran war
Hegseth said morale is high and service members are determined to “finish the mission."
By Tanya Noury
Limited missions, big risks: What a US ground fight in Iran could become
Military analysts point to several possibilities of what ground operations could entail, including coastal assaults and nuclear site raids.
By Eve Sampson
Trump says massive military complex to be built beneath White House ballroom
The new White House ballroom "essentially becomes a [shield] for what's being built under by the military," Trump said.
By Tanya Noury