Valerie Insinna

Overall, the Army, Navy and Air Force included about $3 billion in unfunded requests, all for military construction projects. US Southern Command included $229.9 million in its wishlist.

Northrop argues that a 2018 consent order is hampering its ability to ramp up solid rocket motor production needed for critical munitions.

Congress has teed up a second reconciliation bill with immigration enforcement money, but future reconciliation funds for defense remain nebulous.

"We're not making an estimate for MILCON [military construction] at this time. We don't know what our future posture is going to be," said Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst. By Valerie Insinna on May 12, 2026 2:56 pm Share Options Share a link to this article

The committee tanked one bill, which would have allowed any country to use Foreign Military Financing to purchase weapons through the commercial sales process. By Valerie Insinna on May 13, 2026 4:25 pm Share Options Share a link to this article

The North Carolina lawmaker has sponsored a trio of bills aimed at boosting fighter jet inventory and retaining pilots.

Sen. Budd hopeful airpower bills added to NDAA

"These aren't just ideas or papers going back and forth,” Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said of the Pentagon's munitions ramp. “We know it's going to be good, and we know it's going to happen.” By Valerie Insinna on May 22, 2026 11:15 am Share Options Share a link to this article

The bill authorizes multiyear procurement of critical munitions, the F-35 and the Arleigh Burke destroyer. By Valerie Insinna on May 26, 2026 4:52 pm Share Options Share a link to this article

“The fact is, no one spends $1.85 billion studying something. That money is there for procurement of assets,” an OMB official told Breaking Defense in an interview. By Valerie Insinna and Diana Stancy on May 29, 2026 8:46 am Share Options Share a link to this article