The Weekly Break Out

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 American losses. The discussion explores what the raid reveals about Russian air defense weaknesses, lessons learned from past US failures and what China and Russia can — and cannot — replicate, particularly in a Taiwan scenario. Cancian also assesses the long-term implications for US military posture in the Western Hemisphere and whether sustained forces in the region are now inevitable. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. Stories: After US raid on Venezuela, analysts weigh lessons about Russian air defenses https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/after-us-raid-on-venezuela-analysts-weigh-lessons-about-russian-air-defenses/ 150 aircraft, cyber effects and 'overwhelming force:' How the Venezuela operation unfolded https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/venezuela-150-aircraft-cyber-effects-maduro-operation-how-it-happened-caine/ US attacks Venezuela, captures leader Maduro in 'spectacular assault': Trump https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/us-military-attacks-venezuela-captures-maduro-trump-says/ 

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 billion above the Pentagon's request and why this year's bill stayed clean. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS.

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 and CEOs for one of the most influential policy events of the year. We lay out the themes and personalities expected to dominate the conference, including White House budget office boss Russ Vought. If you follow US defense policy, shipbuilding challenges, or the intersection of politics and the Pentagon, this episode is for you. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS.  Read more: Navy kills four ships in Constellation-class frigate program in 'strategic shift' 

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 explains the jet's sensors, weapons, engine, stealth features and how Block 4 upgrades enable manned-unmanned teaming with CCAs. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. Get our full Dubai Airshow coverage here. 0:00 — Autonomous systems dominate the 2025 Dubai Airshow 0:34 — Global players push drones and manned-unmanned teaming 1:57 — Russia's Su-75 model 2:34 — Space technology expands at the show 3:08 — F-35 walkaround tour begins 4:31 — F-35 sensors 5:31 — F-35 weapons 6:05 — F135 engine 7:00 — Block 4 CCA teaming 📰 Get more defense coverage at https://breakingdefense.com/

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 and training infrastructure than sweeping structural reforms. Then, Land Warfare Reporter Carley Welch breaks down the Army's Flight School Next initiative, a back-to-basics push to replace the UH-72 Lakota training helicopter with a simpler, IFR-certified single-engine aircraft. We cover the requirements, industry competitors, shutdown delays and what the future Army pilot pipeline could look like. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. Stories: Pentagon releases 'revised' plan to boost cyber talent, 'domain mastery' Inside six helo companies gunning for the Army's Flight School Next program

In this inaugural episode of The Break Out, we discuss if Elon Musk's DOGE, or Department of Government Efficiency, might end up setting policy. Plus, we dive into fleet issues as the Surface Navy Association symposium starts off. And finally, we will tell you more about this show, The Break Out and where to find it.

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 potentially sweeping Pentagon acquisition reforms How the 'heartbreaking' lack of a confirmed leader is impacting CYBERCOM and NSA   0:00 - Introduction 0:33 - Hegseth's speech to defense CEOs 1:07 - Defense Security Cooperation Agency moving to acquisition office 1:38 - Army, Navy and Air Force acquisition changes 2:01 - How the defense industry might react 3:11 - Underwritten by Leonardo DRS 3:26 - CYBERCOM leadership void 4:21 - Why an acting leader isn't enough 5:58 - Conclusion 📰 Full coverage at https://www.breakingdefense.com Subscribe to The Weekly Break Out to get new episodes delivered straight to your feed.​

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.