The US military wants a fleet of missile-killing laser drones
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology. Subscribe here. The U.S. military is once again pursuing flying directed energy weapons to counter threats to American airspace, according to the Defense Department’s missile...
Three’s company: Trio of US carriers operating in Middle East for first time in decades
Three U.S. aircraft carriers are operating simultaneously in the Middle East for the first time since 2003, U.S. Central Command said on Friday, marking the largest concentration of naval power in the region in decades. The USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford and USS...
US soldier charged with making $400,000 on Maduro removal bets
A U.S. Army soldier involved in the capture of Nicolas Maduro has been charged with making $400,000 by betting on the removal of the ousted Venezuelan leader, the Justice Department said on Thursday. In the weeks leading up to Maduro’s January 3 capture, Gannon Ken...
Marine creates ride-hailing app to combat impaired driving among service members
A U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant developed an app meant to combat drunk driving for fellow service members, helping him earn the 2026 James Maguire Award for exceptional achievement in Marine aviation. Last year, SSgt. Christian Smellie launched GY6Lift, a no-cost ride-hailing app designed to...
The 100th Buck of the Month Model is Here
The 100th Buck of the Month has arrived, a new and (as usual) very limited version of the 112 Ranger. This is a stylish and high-performance rendition of this close relative of Buck’s most famous folder. These days, the 112 Ranger’s fan base can stand...
US Navy is reviewing cost of future Ford-class carriers to ensure they ‘make sense’
Recently ousted Navy Secretary John Phelan told reporters Tuesday that the service is analyzing the cost and design of two aircraft carriers it is set to procure in the coming years. Phelan, who left his position as the civilian leader of the U.S. Navy on...
In first, Ukrainian unmanned vessel launches interceptor to knock out Shahed drone
Ukraine has reportedly unleashed a powerful new defense against Russian Shahed drones that have tied up its air force and traumatized civilians with persistent attacks. Cheap, domestically manufactured drones have played an increasingly critical role for both sides in the four-year war following Russia’s invasion...
As Iran saps US focus, the troop math for monitoring a Ukraine peace deal looks grim
KYIV, Ukraine — The Pentagon has surged tens of thousands of service members to the Middle East since the war with Iran began, raising questions here about how involved the Trump administration could get in securing a peace agreement in Ukraine when the time comes...
US Marine Corps, Navy join forces to combat insufficient amphibious fleet size
The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy are collaborating to boost the nation’s current inadequate amphibious fleet size, according to the top-ranked U.S. Marine Corps officer. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said at the 2026 Sea-Air-Space Conference during a Tuesday keynote that the two services...
US Marine Corps, Navy joins forces to combat insufficient amphibious fleet size
The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy are collaborating to boost the nation’s current inadequate amphibious fleet size, according to the top-ranked U.S. Marine Corps officer. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said at the 2026 Sea-Air-Space Conference during a Tuesday keynote that the two services...
