Elon Musk returns to the Trump administration to co-lead the Pentagon's new warfare project

Good news! It did not take long and he is back!

(239) Elon Musk returns to the Trump administration to co-lead the Pentagon's new warfare project - YouTube

Pentagon shot down About 100 Cartel Drones at southern Border in August using e.g. lasers

Concerning!

"... A senior Department of War (DOW) official confirmed the number to Fox News, marking the first time the Pentagon has said publicly just how often it is using anti-drone technology to knock cartel aircraft out of the sky. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported the official’s account on X.

The tools being used include high-energy lasers. According to the official, the military coordinated every single takedown ahead of time with Mexican military and border authorities, so both sides knew what was happening along the border. ...

The tools being used include high-energy lasers. According to the official, the military coordinated every single takedown ahead of time with Mexican military and border authorities, so both sides knew what was happening along the border. ..."

DOW Official: Pentagon Zaps About 100 Cartel Drones at Border in One Month

30 major US research universities ordered by the Department of War to audit foreign research partnerships

Good news! From time to time such audits are necessary to deal with the enemies of open and free societies!

Not only capitalists are greedy and willing to sell anything (incl. the infamous rope to hang them)! 😊

"The US Department of War (DoW) has ordered 30 major research universities, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to audit and report on their financial and research collaborations with foreign institutions by the end of the month or risk losing federal funding. ..."

30 US universities ordered to audit foreign research partnerships | News | Chemistry World (behind paywall) "Pentagon says review must be finished by the end of August to maintain federal funding"

Pentagon centralizes oversight across offensive and defensive drone programs

Good news!

"The Pentagon has introduced the direct-reporting portfolio manager for unmanned systems (DRPM-UxS), a new position established by War Secretary Pete Hegseth. This role is designed to oversee all Department of War drone and counter-drone programs, consolidating management of unmanned aerial, surface, underwater and ground systems, as well as related autonomy and AI initiatives, under a single leader. The DRPM-UxS will report directly to Deputy War Secretary Stephen Feinberg."

"

• War Secretary Pete Hegseth established the DRPM-UxS, a new direct-report position to oversee all Pentagon drone and counter-drone efforts
• The role covers UAS groups 1–3, surface and underwater vessels, ground systems, AI and swarming software, counter-drone, and drone and counter-drone marketplaces
• Senior Pentagon officials will discuss military drone and autonomy efforts at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 and the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27

... "

IEEE USA Smartbrief

Pentagon Establishes New Drone Portfolio Manager Role

Pentagon orders plan for rapid weapons production as US munitions dwindle

So much for this latest and often repeated news media hoax and/or sensationalism of depleting US ammunition!

Pentagon orders plan for rapid weapons production as US munitions dwindle | The Jerusalem Post "Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg wrote that industry leaders had 21 days to present plans to “drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production.""

How DARPA plans to get nuclear power in the size of a 'AA battery'

Good news! When can I get one? 😊

"... As a way to bypass that roadblock, DARPA funded seven competing teams as part of its Rads to Watts program to refine a range of approaches to radiovoltaics. The objective of the multi-million-dollar program (full figures weren’t disclosed) is a new kind of miniature power cell that can run anything from satellites in space to tactical radios to pacemakers, tough enough to work for years or decades without recharging and in extreme environments that freeze or fry traditional power systems. ..."

How DARPA plans to get nuclear power in the size of a 'AA battery' - Breaking Defense "Seven teams are competing as part of DARPA's Rads to Watts program to create a new kind of miniature power cell that last for years or decades without recharging."

The Pentagon is blocking more than 150 wind projects over drone fears and interference with radar surveillance

Wind turbines are not only ugly in the landscape!

"Wind turbines can confuse radar systems on ships and aircraft. Their massive rotating blades create a ​“blade flash” on radar screens, while their steel bases reflect electromagnetic waves, making it difficult to distinguish the turbines from aircraft or other objects. ..."

The Pentagon is blocking more than 150 wind projects… | Canary Media "The Trump administration claims wind turbines pose a national security threat. The industry says it’s pure politics."

Pentagon launches low testosterone screening program for male troops

What hormone will the DoD test female soldiers for? Is testerone testing in the military necessary? Is it obscure?

Is this potentially a violation of gender equality?

"The Pentagon will begin annually screening service members for testosterone deficiency, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday, citing the need to ensure troops maintain the “biological foundation” to fight.

Under the new program, the secretary said service members aged 30 and older will be tested yearly for testosterone deficiency as part of routine health assessments. Troops under 30, meanwhile, will have the option to be tested, he said. ...

The decision to receive testosterone replacement therapy — if recommended by a medical professional — will remain up to the individual service member. ..."

Forged by the T: Pentagon launches testosterone screening program for troops

US Department of Defense wants nearly $30 billion for a new AI Arsenal in FY 2025

Signs of our times! Let robots do the combat!

"The Defense Department is requesting close to $30 billion in fiscal 2027 to purchase and enable next-generation AI supercomputers and modernize the military’s computing infrastructure to power them. According to recently published budget documents, the Pentagon aims to build out its portfolio of highly secure data centers, and ultimately centralize and scale supercomputing assets across the joint force through its new “AI Arsenal initiative.” ... to integrate commercial AI models into battle management and warfare operations, threat detection and analyses, supply chain logistics and more.  ..."

DOD wants nearly $30 billion for a new AI Arsenal | FedScoop

Golden Dome-style missile shield could cost up to $1.2T over 20 years to develop, deploy, and operate, CBO estimates

That is only $60 billion per year! Not too bad!

More concerning is how outdated it might be in the age of hypersonic missiles and drone warfare. How will the Golden Dome be adjusted for that?

Is the acquisition and development of Greenland included? Just kidding! 😊

"... CBO said most of the cost, over $1 trillion, would be needed for acquisition, including “costs for the system’s major components — namely, the interceptor layers and a space-based missile warning and tracking system.”

“The most expensive component is the space-based interceptor layer, which accounts for about 70 percent of acquisition costs and 60 percent of total costs,” the report says. ..."

Golden Dome-style missile shield could cost up to $1.2T over 20 years, CBO estimates - Breaking Defense

Potential Costs of a National Missile Defense System

Price tag for Epic Fury (war on Iran) tops $11 billion in first six days, Pentagon tells Congress

And the war on Iran is not over yet! Making war is expensive! Make love not war (as the war protesters used to say in the 1960s)! :-)

"Pentagon officials told senators in a classified briefing this week that the first six days of Operation Epic Fury cost American taxpayers an estimated $11.3 billion, according to a person familiar with the session.

The figure, however, omitted a range of war-related expenses, indicating the overall total is likely to rise. ..."

Price tag for Epic Fury tops $11 billion in first six days, Pentagon tells Congress

US Defense Department eyes cheap commercial satellites that can spy on other satellites

Amazing stuff! A spy to spy on other spies!

"The Pentagon is looking for cheap commercial satellites that can maintain surveillance on other satellites in orbit, including close-range inspections, according to a Defense Innovation Unit solicitation published Tuesday.

The Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance project — also referred to as “Ghost Recon” (as in the Tom Clancy novels and video games) — is intended to address a vulnerability in America’s space-monitoring capabilities. ..."

DOD eyes commercial satellites that can spy on other satellites

Disclaimer:

I am currently blogging from behind the Great Firewall of China.

My Internet service in China is very spotty. Thus, I am not able to blog as usual.

Anthropic sued the Trump administration for designating it a security threat. Really!

Is this a frivolous lawsuit by Anthropic? Quite possibly!

It is probably well within the discretion and authority of the US President to designate a US company as such a threat.

".. The DOD and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are among the defendants. “President Trump will never allow a radical-left, woke company to jeopardize our national security by dictating how the greatest and most powerful military in the world operates,” the White House said. ..." (Source)

US Defense Secretary Hegseth says Pentagon is cutting all ties with Harvard University

Very recommendable! Good news! Bravo! Nice speech by Hegseth!

Other elite universities will follow!

(138) Hegseth says Pentagon is cutting ties with Harvard - YouTube

US Senator Mark Kelly, a retired US Navy captain, will be demoted by the Secretary of Defense for a seditious video

Good news! Bravo!

"The Pentagon is moving to demote Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, over his participation in a video calling on troops to resist illegal orders, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

Reducing the Arizona Democrat’s retired rank would significantly cut his retirement pay. Hegseth also said he’d issued a formal “Letter of Censure.” The actions taken against Kelly are an extraordinary censure of a sitting U.S. senator but stop short of recalling him to active duty and prosecuting him, as Trump officials have threatened to do. Hegseth didn’t rule it out."

The Wall Street Journal What's news

What does his wife Gabby Giffords think of his video? (Source)

US Defense Secretary Hegseth: Nicolas Maduro f’d around and he found out

I don't know, too much Rambo talk!

Image of the day

 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth! (Source)

How times have changed (Source)

US troops should be alarmed at Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats. Really!

An anonymous civilian employee of the DoD speaks out! Maybe a swamp creature? Maybe a Dimocratic Party affiliate?

This fool even believes Trump's attacks on narco traffickers would give China an excuse to invade Taiwan! Ridiculous or Trump Derangement Syndrome!

"Editor’s note: This op-ed was authored by a Department of Defense civilian employee who requested anonymity due to concerns about potential retaliation for expressing dissenting opinions from the Trump administration. Military Times granted anonymity for the author to express their views freely."

Caveat: I did not read this opinion piece.

"... As a Defense Department employee ... These actions not only create legal controversy that stands out from those of the war on terror era but also set the stage for China to use this precedent to take control of Taiwan in a fait accompli. ..."

US troops should be alarmed at Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats

US Defense Secretary Hegseth directs Navy to probe US Senator Mark Kelly for 'potentially unlawful conduct,” report by Dec. 10

Good news! Bravo! What was this fool thinking when he participated in this shameful add!

What does his wife Gabrielle Gifford say about this?

"War Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the United States Navy on Tuesday to conduct a review of Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly's recent comments in a viral video that urged troops to defy "illegal orders."  ..."

Hegseth directs Navy to probe Mark Kelly for 'potentially unlawful conduct,” report by Dec. 10 | Just The News "Hegseth's referral to the Navy is because Kelly served in the branch for 25 years and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm before he retired at the rank of captain. He was also a NASA astronaut until 2011."

Maybe his next suit will be an orange jumpsuit at the notorious Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp (just kidding)

‘No more beardos’: Hegseth gives military branches 60 days to end shaving waivers for almost all US troops

Hegseth triggers headlines! Weirdos are no beardos?

"The Pentagon will cease granting permanent medical shaving exemptions and end most religious exemptions that have allowed some U.S. military troops to wear beards in uniform in recent years, according to a Tuesday memorandum from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. ..."

‘No more beardos’: Hegseth gives military branches 60 days to end shaving waivers for almost all US troops | Stars and Stripes