I'm going to have to watch what I say online now, this AI stuff in the Defense Department is kicking off HARD!

Alright, enough of the BS - Let's smoke straight to the butt of these headlines.

Golden Dome's Crucial Oversight Under Fire: Pentagon's Staffing Cuts Raise Alarms Over Missile Defense Scrutiny - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to cut the Pentagon's Operational Test and Evaluation office staff from 94 to 46, raising concerns about oversight for the $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense project. Critics argue the reduction jeopardizes independent testing and operational readiness, while Hegseth claims it aligns with cost-saving strategies.

Rising Tensions: Hegseth Warns of Imminent Chinese Threat in Pivotal Asia Address - In a significant speech at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged allies to increase defense spending, warning of an imminent threat from China. He emphasized the need for countries to strengthen military ties with the U.S. while navigating the complex relationship with China.

Building Bridges: Singapore's Defense Minister Calls for Enhanced US-China Engagement to Foster Trust and Confidence - At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore's Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing urged China to engage constructively with the US and regional nations to foster understanding and build trust. He emphasized the importance of true dialogue, respect for international laws, and the need for small states like Singapore to have agency in global affairs.

Zelenskyy’s Masterstroke: Operation Spiderweb and the New Era of Drone Warfare Against Russia - Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister emphasized the technological aspect of warfare at the Shangri-La Dialogue, noting the need for rapid solutions. Following this, Ukraine's "Operation Spiderweb" successfully deployed kamikaze drones, striking Russian bomber bases and reportedly damaging a significant portion of Russia's long-range aviation, marking a strategic win for Ukraine.

Cybersecurity Command: Insights from the Frontlines of Defense at AFCEA TechNet - Every May, Baltimore hosts the AFCEA TechNet conference, focusing on defense cybersecurity. This year featured strong attendance and a notable interview between Carley Welch and DoD CIO Katie Arrington, discussing software acquisition reforms and cyber protections for the F-47 fighter jet. An eBook with additional insights is available.

Regulating the Future of Warfare: The Urgent Call to Control AI-Driven 'Killer Robots' - AI-driven drones are transforming warfare, influencing the outcomes for soldiers and civilians. This reality prompts significant ethical concerns about combat autonomy. As international policymakers rush to establish regulations, there is an urgent need to manage this swiftly advancing technology.

Army Achieves Bold Recruiting Milestone: 61,000 New Soldiers Signed Four Months Ahead of Schedule! - The Army accomplished its fiscal 2025 recruiting goal early, signing 61,000 new contracts, 10% more than last year. This marks a turnaround in youth patriotism, with daily contracts up 56%. Army officials credit dedicated recruiters and drill sergeants for this success, alongside continued retention achievements.

Ukraine Strikes Back: Weaponized Russian Jet Drone Neutralized Over Black Sea - Ukraine's Defense Intelligence claims it shot down a Russian Dan-M jet drone, converted into a missile, targeting Odesa. The interception was achieved using a mobile missile system equipped with R-73 missiles. Russian forces are modifying target drones for combat roles, potentially to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses.

First-Ever Head-On Reveal: China's J-36 Very Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Unveiled in Stunning Detail - New images of China's J-36 6th generation tactical jet reveal a broad design featuring a large bubble canopy and three engines. The photos highlight its size and unique features, including trapezoidal air inlets and a large electro-optical window. The authenticity of the images is noted, with similar military leaks expected.

Laser Warfare: China's Advanced Laser Technology Now Deployed by Russian Forces Against Ukrainian Drones - Russia is reportedly using a Chinese laser system, similar to one provided to Iran, to shoot down Ukrainian drones. Footage on Telegram shows the system in operation, demonstrating its capability to target and disable drones. This marks a notable development in laser weapon technology amidst ongoing military conflicts involving Russia, China, and Iran.

Skyfall: Ukraine's Daring Drone Assault Wipes Out Russian Strategic Bombers in Historic Strike - Ukraine executed a significant drone strike on Russian airbases, reportedly damaging over 40 aircraft, including key bombers, and targeting Russia's Northern Fleet headquarters. The attack, part of a special operation, aims to degrade Russia's strategic aerial capabilities, raising concerns about potential Kremlin retaliation and escalating tensions.

India Confirms Pakistani Shootdowns: The May Air Clash That Redefined Aerial Warfare - India's Chief of Defence Staff confirmed that Pakistan shot down Indian Air Force jets during May clashes, but refuted claims of six aircraft lost. Gen. Anil Chauhan noted lessons learned from the first day led to more effective strikes on Pakistan's targets in subsequent days during Operation Sindoor.

Unveiling the Impact: Assessing Russian Aircraft Losses from Ukraine's Covert Drone Assaults - U.S. ICEYE satellite imagery suggests multiple Russian Tu-95 bombers were damaged at Belaya Air Base during Ukrainian drone attacks on June 1. Ukrainian officials claim 41 aircraft were hit across several bases. While specifics are unclear, the attacks have disrupted Russian military operations and prompted increased security measures domestically.

Resurrected from the Depths: North Korean Frigate Stands Upright in Latest Satellite Imagery - North Korea has made progress in recovering a Choi Hyun class frigate that capsized during its launch ceremony. Recent satellite imagery shows the vessel upright, although its completion timeline for repairs is uncertain. There are concerns about damage, with officials facing scrutiny after the incident, which has been publicly acknowledged by Kim Jong Un.

Controversial Decision: Hegseth Orders Renaming of Navy Ship Honoring Gay Rights Pioneer Harvey Milk - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the renaming of the replenishment oiler Harvey Milk, originally named after a gay rights activist. This decision aligns with the Trump administration's push to embrace a "warrior culture." A new name is expected soon as part of internal reviews, with the change occurring during Pride Month.

SpaceX Propels U.S. Military into the Future with Launch of GPS III SV-08 Satellite - Lockheed Martin's GPS III SV-08 is the eighth satellite in the GPS III series, part of a total of 10 spacecraft. The satellite was recently launched by SpaceX for the U.S. military.

Shadow Games: Russia's Cosmos 2588 Sparks ASAT Alarm as It Trails U.S. Spy Satellite - Russia's Cosmos 2588 satellite, launched on May 23, 2025, is positioned near a US government satellite, raising concerns that it may serve as a co-orbital anti-satellite weapon. U.S. Space Command continues to monitor this potential threat, consistent with previous incidents involving Russian satellites shadowing US military optical reconnaissance satellites.

Space Force Secures $1.2B Deal with BAE for Next-Gen Missile Warning Satellites in Medium Earth Orbit - The Space Force has awarded BAE Systems $1.2 billion to develop 10 satellites for its missile warning constellation, targeting hypersonic and ballistic missiles. These second-generation satellites will enhance the USSF's capabilities, complementing the first generation in a growing constellation expected to reach about 30 satellites by FY29.

Pentagon Pivots: Cutting PCS Moves to Boost Stability and Save Billions - In a strategic move aimed at enhancing stability for military families while saving taxpayer dollars, the Pentagon has directed significant cuts to the frequency of permanent change-of-station (PCS) moves. Defense officials announced plans to reduce PCS spending by 50% by fiscal 2030, targeting discretionary moves that often disrupt lives and livelihoods. This initiative, prompted by concerns over the impact of frequent relocations on service members and their families, seeks to foster a more sustainable military lifestyle while addressing quality-of-life issues. Pentagon officials are reducing military permanent change-of-station moves to enhance stability and save costs, targeting a 50% budget cut by 2030. Focused on discretionary moves, the plan aims to improve quality of life for service members and families while maintaining operational needs and professional development opportunities.

House Lawmakers Set to Reveal Draft Budget for Veterans Programs Amid Fiscal Showdown - Congressional appropriators will reveal the fiscal 2026 federal budget draft this week, focusing on Veterans Affairs and military construction. While VA funding is generally less controversial, potential conflicts between parties may arise. Lawmakers must finalize a budget by October 1 to prevent a government shutdown. Key testimonies are scheduled for various committees.

The baseline for these mortgage updates are set to 30 Year Fixed Rate VA Mortgages. Interest rates can further change depending on consumer's credit report, discount points, down payments, entitlements, and more.

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