The Weekly Break Out

The weekly news show on defense politics, policy, procurement and technology from the the world's leading defense media, Breaking Defense. Available here in audio podcast form, or on our site in video. Follow and subscribe today!

Hegseth to unveil major acquisition reforms in address to defense CEOs - The Weekly Break Out

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.​

11-04
06:26

Zombie planes and other Pentagon ghost stories - The Weekly Break Out

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.

10-28
07:32

US Coast Guard Calls Out Chinese Ships - The Weekly Break Out

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.

10-07
05:47

Space-based interceptors: What to expect. The Weekly Breakout

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. 

09-16
05:50

Navy's Secret Combat Drone Plans. The Weekly Break Out

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.

09-09
05:16

Pentagon axes key capability office. The Weekly Break Out

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.

08-28
05:30

How DOGE cuts are being institutionalized in the Pentagons policy. The Weekly Break Out

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.

08-19
07:32

Ukraine's hopes of drone exports hits turbulence. The Weekly Break Out

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.

08-12
07:04

Army bets big on Palantir and Golden Dome takes center stage. The Weekly Breakout

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.

08-05
05:17

A potential new CNO plus a look at a White House AI Action Plan. The Weekly Breakout

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.

07-30
06:19

What's going on with the Navy's next-gen fighter? The Weekly Break Out Ep. 26

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.

07-22
04:44

Are Cracks Developing in the ICE Pact? The Weekly Break Out Ep. 25

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.

07-15
05:52

Various approaches emerge about Golden Dome. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 24

In this week's episode of the Break Out, Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran discuss how companies, big and small, are exploring Golden Dome. Plus, the latest on the defense budget.

07-08
06:05

NATO leaders discuss increased spending. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 23

In this week's episode, Air Warfare reporter Michael Marrow reports about NATO's new 5 percent spending requirement. Hear reaction from NATO and European leaders.

07-01
06:36

US bombs Iran and China refuels a satellite. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 22

In this episode of the Weekly Break Out. Reporter Ashley Roque shows us how the U.S. bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear sites unfolded. And reporter Theresa Hitchens explains the significance of a first-ever satellite refueling in space.

06-24
06:29

Hegseth faces lawmakers and an F-35 exclusive. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 21

This week on The Break Out, editors Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran discuss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's series of Congressional hearings and what to expect from them. Then, Aaron is joined by Michael Marrow to discuss a recent story about the status of the F-35's radar.    

06-10
05:47

Pacific policy in Singapore and the UK's new defense plan. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 20

This week on The Break Out, editors Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran go global. First, the pair discuss the top stories out of the Shangri-La Dialogues, the annual gathering in Singapore of defense leaders from around the Pacific. Then, they turn to the United Kingdom, and its roll out of the much-anticipated Strategic Defence Review.

06-03
05:41

Army Aviation shifts on aircraft and unmanned systems. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 19

This week, Senior Reporter Ashley Roque speaks to Managing Editor Lee Farran about news from the recent Army Aviation Association of America conference. Plus, we dig into the future of the F-35.

05-27
06:21

Air Force chief emphasizes agility in hopes of budget boost. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 18

In this episode of the Weekly Break Out, Air Warfare Reporter Michael Marrow talks about his exclusive story with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. Hear what Allvin feels the Air Force has over other services ahead of the budget.

05-20
07:03

Shifting orbits in space authorities. The Weekly Break Out Ep. 17

In this episode of the Weekly Break Out, we discuss how rules of engagement in space may be shifting. Plus, we preview President Trump's upcoming trip to the Middle East and Qatar's gift of an Air Force One plays into Boeing's delivery of the presidential plane.

05-13
06:07

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