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HASC Chair Pushes $450B in Defense Funding, Cites DIB Expansion in FY27 NDAA
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Rep. Mike Rogers. The HASC chairman said he is seeking $450 billion in defense funding through a reconciliation bill.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said he is seeking $450 billion in defense funding through an upcoming reconciliation bill and preparing to use the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act to expand the defense industrial base, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview with the publication, Rogers said he is coordinating with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., to secure the funding and has already informed congressional leadership of the plan.

Why Is the $450B in Reconciliation Funding Important to the FY27 Defense Plan?

According to Rogers, the $450 billion figure is required to close the gap between a projected White House defense budget request and President Donald Trump’s FY27 defense spending target of $1.5 trillion.

The HASC chair acknowledged that passing such a measure could be challenging amid narrow Republican margins and a limited legislative window, with Democrats projected to regain control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections.

Despite those challenges, he said the funding increase is necessary to support the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, the F-47 sixth-generation fighter aircraft and other major defense modernization programs.

How Is HASC Addressing the Defense Industrial Base Expansion in FY27 NDAA?

Rogers said HASC has begun work on the FY27 NDAA and is engaging commercial companies to identify barriers and incentives related to expanding the defense industrial base.

“That’s our question to these folks, and we’ve already started bringing them in and asking them, ‘What can we do to incentivize you to get into the defense production?’” the lawmaker told Breaking Defense. “Taking the traditionals and non-traditionals, what can we do to incentivize you to grow? [For] the primes, what can we do to incentivize you to expand?”

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Los Alamos National Lab Launches Center for Quantum Computing
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Quantum computing. LANL established the Center for Quantum Computing to consolidate quantum research capabilities.

The Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory has established a new center that aims to unify and expand its quantum research capabilities across national security, quantum computer science, quantum algorithms and workforce development. 

Los Alamos National Lab Launches Center for Quantum Computing

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What Initiatives Will the LANL Quantum Computing Center Support?

LANL said Tuesday the Center for Quantum Computing will support a range of state, federal and defense-focused initiatives and bring together up to three dozen quantum researchers from across the lab.

The center is expected to support LANL researchers who are engaged in several programs, such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, DOE’s Quantum Science Center and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Advanced Simulation and Computing program, including its Beyond Moore’s Law project.

Headquartered in downtown Los Alamos, New Mexico, the facility will also host a 10-week fellowship program, called the Quantum Computing Summer School, designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students with instruction in core quantum computing concepts and hands-on experience using commercial quantum computers. The program enrolls up to 25 students each year.

What Did the LANL Leadership Say About the New Center?

Mark Chadwick, associate laboratory director for simulation, computing and theory, said the center will combine LANL’s quantum computing capabilities in support of DOE, the Department of War and New Mexico state initiatives. 

“This development highlights our commitment to supporting the next generation of U.S. scientific and technological innovation in quantum computing, especially as the technology can support key Los Alamos missions,” Chadwick added.

Carleton Coffrin, the lab’s quantum science coordinator, emphasized the collaborative benefits of the new center.

“I am thrilled to see these quantum computing teams coming together under one roof,” said Coffrin. “Each team is arguably world-leading in their specific domain expertise. An environment that fosters further collaboration and united effort will no doubt help our quantum computing teams achieve amazing things.”

What Other Quantum Initiatives Is DOE Advancing?

LANL’s quantum efforts are part of a broader DOE push to advance quantum information science across the U.S. research ecosystem. In November, DOE announced $625 million in funding to renew its five National Quantum Information Science Research Centers.

In December, the department’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced a memorandum of understanding with Purdue University to expand their research partnership in areas such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and cyber-physical security of critical infrastructure and systems.

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GAO Report Identifies 95 Cyber, IT Open Recommendations for State Dept CIO
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Government Accountability Office logo. GAO issued a new report on Department of State recommendations

The Government Accountability Office has called on the Department of State’s chief information officer to address 95 open recommendations related to cybersecurity and IT acquisition and management.

In a report published Wednesday, the congressional watchdog said implementing the recommendations will enable the State Department to deter threats, improve programs, save taxpayer dollars and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

GAO Report Identifies 95 Cyber, IT Open Recommendations for State Dept CIO

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What Are GAO’s Key Recommendations for the State Department?

GAO identified two priority recommendations that require immediate action.

The first priority recommendation calls for a department-wide risk portfolio to eliminate gaps in its understanding of cyberthreats and ensure that it can protect its systems.

The second priority recommendation is about validating that all IT systems are authorized to operate within the department.

GAO also urged the State CIO to implement technical security controls such as comprehensive event logging, complete annual reviews of its IT portfolio, develop strategies to attract and retain IT talent and consistently track software license usage.

Which Agencies Have Received CIO Recommendations From GAO?

GAO previously called on other agency chief information officers to address cybersecurity and IT management deficiencies. In a 2025 report, the watchdog urged the Treasury Department’s CIO to resolve 21 open recommendations tied to multifactor authentication implementation, event logging requirements, mobile device inventory management and other issues. GAO also recommended that Treasury ensure its artificial intelligence applications comply with Executive Order 13960.

GAO issued a similar guidance to the Small Business Administration, calling on the agency’s CIO to address 20 open recommendations designated as high risk. The recommendations for SBA include actions to strengthen privacy workforce management, improve project risk mitigation and resolve cybersecurity and IT control deficiencies.

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Coast Guard’s 18th HC-130J Nears Delivery
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US Coast Guard logo. The Coast Guard is completing final delivery activities for its 18th HC-130J aircraft.

The U.S. Coast Guard is finalizing delivery activities for its 18th mission-ready HC-130J long-range surveillance aircraft, marking continued progress in expanding and modernizing its fixed-wing aviation fleet.

The aircraft, designated CGNR 2018, is undergoing final delivery steps at L3Harris’ integrated mission systems facility in Waco, Texas, the Coast Guard said Wednesday. 

Upon acceptance, the aircraft will support the Coast Guard’s planned transition of Air Station Sacramento, California, from C-27J aircraft to the HC-130J platform later this year—the first expansion of HC-130J operations beyond the service’s current hubs in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Kodiak, Alaska; and Barbers Point, Hawaii.

The Coast Guard plans to decommission all C-27J aircraft by the end of fiscal year 2028 following the cancellation of the HC-27J missionization program.

What Capabilities Are Integrated Into the HC-130J?

L3Harris is responsible for missionizing the baseline C-130J aircraft by integrating the Minotaur Mission System Suite along with Coast Guard-specific radar, sensors and communications systems.

The aircraft also incorporates enhancements delivered under Block Upgrade 8.1, including improved approach and landing systems, expanded diagnostics and civil GPS capability. The HC-130J can reportedly operate as an on-scene command and control platform or a surveillance asset, enabling crews to detect, classify and identify objects and share information.

How Is the Program Being Funded and Scaled?

The Coast Guard received $1.14 billion under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to support procurement and acquisition of fixed-wing aircraft, including HC-130Js. With those funds, the service has appropriations for a total of 25 HC-130J aircraft, a simulator, initial spare parts and site activation for two more air stations.

An additional C-130J aircraft unit is under production at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Marietta, Georgia, with six more expected to be procured under a future contract. All will undergo Minotaur integration following delivery.

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DOW Seeks Containerized Systems for Mass UAS Storage, Deployment
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DOW seal. The Department of War issued a solicitation for the Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System, or CADDS.

The Department of War has released an area of interest solicitation for the Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System, or CADDS, initiative, according to the Defense Innovation Unit.

What Capabilities Is DOW Seeking?

The department is seeking transportable, containerized systems capable of storing, launching, recovering and refitting multi-agent unmanned aerial systems with minimal human interaction. These systems should enable persistent coverage or massed effects, while reducing crew requirements, increasing operator-to-robot ratios, and enabling rapid setup and relocation.

Preferred designs would automate core UAS functions, support both homogeneous and heterogeneous fleets and operate from land or maritime platforms using flexible power sources. Proposals should align with Modular Open Systems Approach principles, including compatibility with government-directed command architectures and resilient command and control in contested environments, and be demonstrable within 90 days of award.

What Challenge Is the DOW Addressing?

Current UAS deployment methods rely heavily on human operators, limiting speed and scale and increasing risk. This one-to-one operator-to-aircraft approach restricts the military’s ability to deploy large numbers of systems quickly during both kinetic and non-kinetic operations.

Award & Contract Structure

The effort will be executed through the DIU’s Commercial Solutions Opening using prototype other transaction agreements and is open to both U.S. and international vendors. Successful prototypes may transition directly to follow-on production agreements or contracts without additional competition, potentially enabling larger-scale adoption across the DOW.

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White House, CISA Preview Cyber Strategy, CIRCIA Update & AI Security Initiatives
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White House. White House and CISA officials outlined forthcoming cybersecurity policy initiatives.

Trump administration officials outlined a series of forthcoming cybersecurity policy initiatives, including a new national cyber strategy, updates to federal incident reporting rules and the development of an artificial intelligence security collaboration framework, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

White House, CISA Preview Cyber Strategy, CIRCIA Update & AI Security Initiatives

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What Is Included In the New National Cyber Strategy?

During the Information Technology Industry Council’s Intersect Summit on Tuesday, White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said the administration plans to release a new national cybersecurity strategy structured around six pillars.

According to Cairncross, the six pillars of the forthcoming strategy are:

  • Shaping adversary behavior
  • Regulatory environment and industry collaboration
  • Securing and modernizing the federal government
  • Securing critical infrastructure
  • Maintaining dominance in emerging technologies
  • Mitigating the cyber skills and workforce gap

What Is Changing With Cyber Incident Reporting?

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is expected to release an update on the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act, or CIRCIA. Nick Andersen, executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA, said CIRCIA, passed in 2022, requires critical infrastructure entities to report cyber incidents within 72 hours, but final regulations have not yet taken effect. Industry groups have raised concerns about the scope of the CIRCIA rule proposed in 2024, which the administration delayed until May 2026.

What New AI Security Efforts Are Underway?

The Department of Homeland Security plans to establish an AI Information Sharing and Analysis Center, or AI-ISAC, to coordinate AI-related threat intelligence across critical infrastructure sectors. In parallel, the Office of the National Cyber Director is developing an AI security policy framework intended to embed security into AI systems without slowing innovation.

Will DHS Launch a New CIPAC Successor?

There are plans to establish a replacement for the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council, which DHS disbanded last year. The successor, tentatively called the Alliance of National Councils for Homeland Operational Resilience, or ANCHOR, is aimed at addressing gaps in the former council’s scope and structure.

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House Bill Directs DOW to Create Defense Technology Hub Network
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US Capitol. Bipartisan House lawmakers introduced legislation directing DOW to establish regional defense technology hubs.

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced legislation directing the Department of War to establish a nationwide network of regional defense technology hubs to accelerate emerging capabilities and strengthen the defense industrial base, the office of Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., said Tuesday.

Bell introduced the Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2026 along with Deborah Ross, D-N.C., Richard Hudson, R-N.C., and Mark Messmer, R-Ind. 

What Would the Defense Technology Hubs Act Require DOW to Do?

The bill would require the DOW to establish the Defense Technology Hubs Program to designate and support regional hubs focused on emerging defense technologies. These hubs are designed to bridge the gap between development and operational use by fostering collaboration among universities, industry, nonprofits and local governments, while simultaneously driving workforce development and technology transition.

“At a time when our global adversaries are investing heavily in next-generation technologies, America must not just compete, but lead, in research, development, and innovation. That means building innovation capacity in regions across the country,” said Bell, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Defense Modernization Caucus.

The Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2026 has been endorsed by Greater St. Louis, a regional economic development organization.

How Does the House Bill Relate to Earlier Senate Action?

The House legislation follows the 2025 Senate introduction of a separate Defense Technology Hubs Act, which authorizes funding over several fiscal years to construct tech hubs in 10 regions across the United States.

That earlier proposal emphasized avoiding duplication of existing programs, setting eligibility standards for designated hubs and preventing participation by foreign entities. The House bill reflects similar goals focused on accelerating technology development and reinforcing the domestic defense innovation base.

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Trump Signs FY26 Funding Package to End Partial Government Shutdown
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White House. President Trump signed into law a fiscal 2026 funding package into law to end a partial government shutdown.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a consolidated appropriations measure into law to end a partial government shutdown and fund the Department of War and other federal agencies through the end of September, according to a White House notice.

The signing came shortly after the House approved the measure. Breaking Defense reported that the lower chamber voted 217-214 on Tuesday to pass the funding package, which includes a short-term funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate had sent the package of five fiscal year appropriations bills to the House after approving the measure Friday by a 71-29 vote.

The partial shutdown began Saturday after a bipartisan funding measure signed by the president in November — which ended a 43-day government shutdown — expired Jan. 30.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., appeared on Fox News Sunday and Meet the Press over the weekend to address the shutdown and funding negotiations in Congress.

What’s Inside the FY 2026 Government Funding Package?

Beyond ending the partial shutdown, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 provides full-year funding for defense; financial services and general government; the State Department, national security and related programs; labor, health and human services and education; and transportation, housing and urban development.

To facilitate negotiations, the amended package that passed the Senate removed the DHS funding bill.

What Does the FY 2026 Defense Spending Bill Cover?

According to Breaking Defense, the defense funding bill includes $838.7 billion in appropriations—$8.4 billion above the Pentagon’s budget request.

The defense measure provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers; $2.9 billion for additional munitions and industrial capacity; $27 billion for shipbuilding programs; $1.92 billion for Virginia-class submarines; and $1.75 billion in additional funding for advance procurement of DDG-51 destroyers.

It also includes $3.2 billion in funding for the F-47 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs; supports the continued development of the U.S. Air Force’s B-21 Raider and Sentinel components of the nuclear triad; and rejects the proposed cancellation of the E-7 Wedgetail early warning aircraft program.

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Senate Confirms Luke Cropsey for Third Star, Pentagon Acquisition Post
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Luke Cropsey. The Senate confirmed Luke Cropsey for promotion to lieutenant general.

The Senate has confirmed Maj. Gen. Luke Cropsey for promotion to lieutenant general, elevating him to a three-star role as he becomes the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Senate Confirms Luke Cropsey for Third Star, Pentagon Acquisition Post

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Cropsey, who has led the Department of the Air Force’s Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management portfolio since 2022, will transition to the Pentagon role after more than three years helping align technical architecture and acquisition authorities to support delivery of the DAF Battle Network, an integrated system-of-systems connecting sensors, effectors and logistics platforms to provide resilient decision advantage for joint and coalition forces, the Air Force said Saturday.

He will succeed Lt. Gen. Dale White, who was confirmed by the Senate for promotion to the rank of general to serve as direct reporting portfolio manager for critical major weapons systems.

“This appointment is a direct reflection of the energy, talent, and ingenuity that are the wellspring of C3BM’s incredible people,” said Cropsey, a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient. “It has been the privilege of my career leading this incredible team over the past three years. We’ve literally reshaped the way the Department thinks about and executes system-of-systems integration in the pursuit of a more lethal and more agile joint and coalition force.”

The Air Force has yet to announce a successor to lead the C3BM organization.

How Has Cropsey Shaped the C3BM Portfolio?

Cropsey oversaw the establishment of the new C3BM enterprise, formed by combining the Advanced Battle Management System program office with the Chief Architect Office. Since his appointment as the first program executive officer of C3BM, the organization has expanded into multiple divisions, including command and control; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; Kessel Run; airspace mission planning; aerial networks; and joint fires.

What Experience Does Cropsey Bring to His New Role?

Before leading C3BM, Cropsey served as director of the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate and as director of international affairs within Air Force Materiel Command.

He previously held senior acquisition roles supporting conventional and nuclear weapon systems and National Reconnaissance Office space programs. He also served as deputy for systems engineering plans and policy within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Cropsey’s nomination for the Air Force deputy role was announced in December.

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Pentagon Selects 25 Vendors for Drone Dominance Program’s Phase I
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Pete Hegseth. The secretary of war commented on drone dominance.

The Department of War has selected 25 companies to compete in the initial phase of an acquisition reform initiative aimed at rapidly fielding low-cost, small unmanned aerial systems designed to perform one-way attack missions.

DOW said the selected vendors will participate in the Drone Dominance Program’s initial evaluation phase, known as the Gauntlet, which will kick off on Feb. 18 at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Pentagon Selects 25 Vendors for Drone Dominance Program’s Phase I

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What Is the Drone Dominance Program?

The Drone Dominance Program is an acquisition effort designed to accelerate the delivery of one-way attack drones to combat units. 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a 2026 Wash100 awardee, announced the program in December.

“The funding provided by the Big Beautiful Bill is ready to be used to mount an effective sprint to build combat power. We call it Drone Dominance,” Hegseth said on the social media platform X. “At the War Department, we are adopting new technologies with a ‘fight tonight’ philosophy – so our warfighters have the cutting-edge tools they need to prevail.”

According to a request for information issued in December, the Pentagon plans to issue $1 billion in fixed-price orders over four phases in the next two years and expects to purchase over 200,000 drones by 2027 through the program.

DOW said that across the program’s four phases, unit costs are expected to decrease as production volumes increase and operational capability improves. 

The Office of the Secretary of War sponsors the Drone Dominance Program, which is executed by the Defense Innovation Unit, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and the Test Resource Management Center.

In his July 2025 memorandum, Hegseth described drone dominance as “a process race as much as a technological race.”

“We are buying what works—fast, at scale, and without bureaucratic delay. Lethality will not be hindered by self imposed restrictions,” the DOW secretary added.

What Is the Drone Dominance Program’s Gauntlet Phase? 

Phase I, known as the Gauntlet, serves as the Drone Dominance Program’s initial operational evaluation stage. Under this phase, military operators will fly and assess participating vendor systems.

DOW expects the Gauntlet phase to conclude in early March, at which point approximately $150 million in prototype delivery orders will be awarded. Deliveries are scheduled to begin shortly thereafter and continue over a five-month period.

Who Are the Phase I Gauntlet Industry Participants?

The War Department invited the following 25 companies to participate in the Drone Dominance Program’s first phase.

  • Anno.Ai
  • Ascent Aerosystems
  • Auterion Government Solutions
  • Dzyne Technologies
  • Ewing Aerospace
  • Farage Precision
  • Firestorm Labs
  • General Cherry
  • Greensight
  • Griffon Aerospace
  • Halo Aeronautics
  • Kratos SRE
  • ModalAI
  • Napatree Technology
  • Neros
  • Oksi Ventures
  • Paladin Defense Services
  • Performance Drone Works
  • Responsibly
  • Swarm Defense Technologies
  • Teal Drones
  • Ukrainian Defense Drones Tech
  • Vector Defense
  • W.S. Darley & Co.
  • Xtend Reality
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