Justin Katz

2 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Valerie Insinna |Theresa Hitchens |Justin Katz |Michael Marrow

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon intends to request about $205 billion in procurement funding for fiscal 2026, roughly 18 percent more than was enacted in FY25, with big winners that include the F-15EX and Army munitions and a big loser in the F-35, according to budget documents obtained by Breaking Defense.

2 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Justin Katz

WASHINGTON — A top Republican senator today called the White House’s fiscal year 2026 Navy shipbuilding budget “deeply” disappointing, revealing this year’s request “plummeted” to $20.8 billion compared to the Biden administration’s FY25 request of $37 billion. “This shortfall reflects efforts to game the budget in anticipation of Congressional reconciliation funds, which were intended as supplemental, not a substitute,” Sen.

3 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Justin Katz

WASHINGTON — A senior Navy official this week sought to re-assure lawmakers that billions of taxpayer dollars invested into the submarine industrial base are reaping positive effects, even if it doesn’t seem reflected in the service’s annual production cadence yet. “Those efforts have been about workforce, hiring and retention.

3 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Justin Katz

WASHINGTON — A block buy of the fifth and sixth Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers stands to save the US Navy approximately $5 billion compared to purchasing the ships individually, the service’s acting acquisition executive told lawmakers on Wednesday. Brett Seidle told House lawmakers about the expected savings while testifying about the Navy’s budget request alongside the Navy and Marine Corps’ top requirements officers, Vice Adm. James Pitts and Lt. Gen. Eric Austin.

3 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Justin Katz

WASHINGTON — Raytheon today announced the Navy awarded it a $1.1 billion contract to produce AIM-9X Block II missiles, the largest award in the program’s history, and one expected to boost overall production to 2,500 missiles per year. “This award represents a historic milestone for the AIM-9X program, further emphasizing its importance to the U.S. and partnered nations,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon.