Top 5     Navy doctor fired after Hegseth, Libs of TikTok criticize her on X (Military Times) A longtime U.S. Navy doctor was removed from her leadership position after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly reposted a social media link chastising her for a position it appears she never held.       Retired 4-star Navy admiral sentenced to 6 years for bribery plot (The Associated Press) A retired four-star U.S. Navy admiral was sentenced on Tuesday to six years in prison for his conviction on corruption charges that he agreed to exchange a military contract for a lucrative postretirement job.       Senate Dems raise concerns over Pentagon plan for immigration judges (The Associated Press) Some Democratic senators say they are deeply concerned that a Pentagon plan to allow military lawyers to work as temporary immigration judges will violate a ban on using service members for law enforcement and affect the military justice system.       Man pleads guilty after landing plane twice on island naval base (The Associated Press) A California man who illegally landed his small aircraft on a naval base twice and stole a Navy truck has pled guilty to federal charges, officials said.       House lawmakers propose the stand-up of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel (DefenseScoop ) Tucked into the annual defense policy bill for fiscal 2026 passed by House lawmakers last week is a proposal that would require the Pentagon to set up a new Defense Innovation Unit office on the ground in Israel.   TechCrunch Disrupt 2025     Save $600+ to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 until Sept 26 (TechCrunch) Save up to $668 on your Disrupt ticket now. Join 10k leaders for tech and startup insights, plus unmatched networking.   Pentagon     Republicans tee up short-term CR extending Pentagon funding until November (Breaking Defense) Congressional Republican leaders today put forward a stopgap funding bill to keep money flowing to the federal government through Nov. 21, but notably left out the White House’s request for an extra $3.9 billion for Columbia-class submarines.       Pentagon moves to replace weapons it used in Operation Midnight Hammer that struck Iran’s nuclear facilities (The War Zone) U.S. military aircraft employed GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) and laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets around the operation to strike Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this year, according to Pentagon budget documents.       The Pentagon’s new startup focus is pushing established companies to try new strategies (Defense One) Decades-old defense contractors are leaning into the Pentagon’s new focus on startups, entwining themselves with emerging companies that have the technologies or even the contracts they seek.       More than 100 cybersecurity experts urge senators to confirm Kirsten Davies as Pentagon CIO (DefenseScoop ) A slew of cybersecurity experts from industry and other organizations sent a letter to lawmakers Monday urging them to move swiftly to confirm Kirsten Davies as Department of Defense chief information officer.       Pentagon CTO wants AI on every desktop in 6 to 9 months (Defense One) The Pentagon aims to get AI tools to its entire workforce next year, the department's chief technical officer said one month after being given control of its main AI office.       ‘Not the first instance,’ Pentagon says about DOD duo’s surprising presence at Belarus drill (Stars & Stripes) U.S. military officers were in Belarus this week to observe a portion of the country’s joint war games with Russia, an invitation that the top Pentagon spokesman said resulted from a thaw in relations with the Kremlin ally.   Congress & Politics     Trump says another drug running boat has been destroyed (The War Zone) U.S. President Donald Trump issued a message to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday, which included an announcement that a third drug boat had been destroyed. These latest statements came as Trump, who has ordered a large amount of U.S. military assets to the Caribbean, continues to threaten the regime in Caracas.       Senators call for election-security briefing from intel chief (Defense One) A pair of senators are concerned that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard may have instructed spy agencies to stop disclosing intelligence on foreign adversaries’ attempts to undermine the integrity of U.S. elections and sway election outcomes through influence operations.   Your Military     Ex-midshipman charged in threat that caused US Naval Academy lockdown (The Associated Press) A former U.S. Naval Academy midshipman has been charged in federal court with making a threat across state lines related to a lockdown and shooting at the military college in Maryland last week, the U.S. attorney’s office in Indiana said Tuesday.       Huey retirement ends helicopter medevacs for US personnel in and around Tokyo (Stars & Stripes) Ground ambulances will replace medical evacuation flights previously handled by recently retired UH-1N Huey helicopters out of this airlift hub in western Tokyo, military spokesmen said.       Tylenol or Paracetamol? How to aeromedical evac with allies. (Air & Space Forces Magazine) The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw is often credited for the saying “England and America are two countries separated by the same language,” and few places is that saying more true than the world of aeromedical evacuation, where differences in terminology, technology, training, and authority make integrating medics from two countries a challenge even when they speak the same language.       Military did not keep watch over housing landlord and overpaid bonuses, watchdog says (Stars & Stripes) The military failed to keep watch of a family housing landlord, resulting in an overpayment of performance bonuses and possibly putting families at risk of living in homes with life, health and safety hazards, a Pentagon watchdog report found.   Army     Charge dismissed against former soldier accused in shooting death of Fort Hood sergeant (Stars & Stripes) A former soldier expecting to face the start of a jury trial Monday for his possible role in the shooting death of a Fort Hood sergeant instead saw the murder charge dismissed because a key witness was unavailable.   Navy     DIU asks industry for ‘non-kinetic’ tech to help Coast Guard, Navy disable small boats (Breaking Defense) A Pentagon research agency known for its connections to Silicon Valley is asking industry for non-kinetic technologies capable of helping federal authorities disable small, high-speed watercraft encroaching into American waters.       US Navy admiral honored by Norway for leadership in High North defense (Stars & Stripes) The Navy’s highest-ranking officer in Europe and Africa recently received an accolade from Norway for his efforts in strengthening defense in the High North and Arctic, where Russia and China are keen on exerting influence.       Navy seeks to expand Guam housing to support troop buildup (Military Times) The U.S. Navy unveiled new plans to grow the number of housing units for service members and their families who are stationed in the Western Pacific.   Marine Corps     US MV-22B Ospreys will stay in Australia, Navy’s Carrier Air Wing 5 preps for upcoming patrol (USNI News) U.S. Marine Corps tiltrotor Osprey aircraft will remain in Australia for maintenance and storage following completion of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin’s deployment to the region.The Australian government approved U.S. MV-22B Ospreys to be stored in the country after the unit’s deployment ends later this month, the Australian Defense Department said in a recent news release.   Air Force     F-22 Raptor scores ‘longest known’ AIM-120 AMRAAM shot (The War Zone) A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor has achieved what is, according to missile manufacturer Raytheon, the longest known AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) shot.       Convicted US airman seeks last-chance appeal over sexual assault of Japanese teen (Stars & Stripes) A U.S. airman convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl on Okinawa has lodged his final appeal with Japan’s highest court.   Education & Transition     ‘Sesame Street’ launches new resources to encourage healthy habits for military kids (Stars & Stripes) The “Sesame Street” characters are tying their aprons and lacing up their sneakers to support military children and families from the inside out through a new digital program.   Cyber, Space & Unmanned     Impulse Space and Anduril to demonstrate autonomous spacecraft maneuvers in GEO (SpaceNews) Defense technology company Anduril and space transportation startup Impulse Space are preparing to demonstrate one of the most complex operations in space: autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations in geosynchronous Earth orbit.       House Intel Committee props up FY26 funding for NRO commercial imagery buys (Breaking Defense) The House version of the fiscal 2026 Intelligence Act would restore funds cut by the White House for commercial imagery buys by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), according to industry and congressional sources.       Laser communications supplier Mynaric signals recovery after production setbacks (SpaceNews) German optical communications company Mynaric has delivered 84 laser terminals to York Space Systems and Northrop Grumman, marking a turnaround after a year of supply chain troubles and restructuring. The deliveries support the U.S. Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), the U.S. military’s satellite constellation designed to provide global, low-latency communications.       New US policy clears way for expanded drone sales abroad (Stars & Stripes) Sales of American-made drones to foreign militaries will be handled going forward in the same way as exports of manned fighter aircraft, part of a broader U.S. push to accelerate a shift to the transformative battlefield technology.   Defense Industry     South Korean manufacturers outline plans to bolster US shipbuilding (Military Times) South Korea’s three leading shipbuilders announced more detailed plans this month to cooperate with the Pentagon and revitalize American shipbuilding.       Lockheed Martin expects F-35 tech upgrades to last through 2032 (Defense News) After encountering delays in the F-35 upgrade known as Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3, the jet’s producer Lockheed Martin expects to complete its Block 4 modernizations by 2032 at the latest, according to senior company representatives.       Anduril, Impulse to demo maneuvering satellite, with sights set on Space Force missions (Breaking Defense) Defense tech company Anduril Industries and propulsion startup Impulse Space revealed today they are teaming up to build and fly a jointly funded demonstration satellite for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) — in response to what company officials see as increasing Space Force demand for such capabilities.       Denmark eyes Boeing P-8 aircraft for Arctic surveillance (Defense News) Denmark is exploring the possibility of buying the U.S.-made Poseidon-8 maritime patrol aircraft to bolster its surveillance over the Arctic region, the Danish defense minister has said.       Spain pulls the plug on $823M Israeli-backed rocket launcher deal (Breaking Defense) Spain appears to have cancelled a €697 million ($823 million) contract for the acquisition of the High Mobility Rocket Launcher System (SILAM), developed from Israeli firm Elbit Systems’ Precise and Universal Rocket Launcher (PLUS) design.       European-Ukrainian cooperation sparks next-gen combat robot (Defense News) European defense company ARX Robotics has introduced its new combat robot, designed in cooperation with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and based on their specific recommendations to solve key operational challenges in battle.       F-16 cleared to be Peru’s next fighter (The War Zone) Peru has received approval to buy 12 F-16C/D Block 70 jets, which would make it the fourth South American operator of the Lockheed Martin fighter. If the acquisition goes ahead, it will also confirm the Peruvian Air Force’s move away from Russian-made combat aircraft, which currently make up a significant proportion of its fleet.   Israel-Gaza-Iran     Israel says it has opened ‘temporary’ route for residents to flee Gaza City after launching ground offensive (The Guardian) Israel announced on Wednesday a “temporary” new route for residents to flee Gaza City, as it launched an intense ground offensive after massive bombardment of the Palestinian territory’s main city.       'The bombing has been insane': Palestinians scramble to flee Israeli assault on Gaza City (BBC) Thousands of families are attempting to flee Gaza City as the Israeli military confirms it has begun ground operations that are part of its large-scale assault aimed at occupying the city.       Iran executes man it says spied for Israel, activists say false confession (Al Jazeera) Iran has executed a man it alleges spied for Israel as the country continues its push to root out those it says collaborated with Israel during Iran’s recent 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States, according to a report from state media.   Ukraine     Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,301 (Al Jazeera) Here are the key events on day 1,301 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.       Beaten and held in Russia for three years - but never charged with a crime (BBC) Since his release from a Russian prison, Dmytro Khyliuk has barely been off the phone.   International     Turkey moves ahead with T-70 deliveries despite program challenges (Defense News) Turkey has formally inducted its fourth T-70 utility helicopter into the Air Force Command during a ceremony at the 3rd Main Jet Base.       ‘Already at war’: Palau’s president brings China-US competition for Pacific Islands to forefront (Breaking Defense) The president of Palau, the tiny Pacific Islands state that is a key section of the Second Island Chain, raised eyebrows last week with the comment that his island is “already at war with China“ and under “constant threat” from Beijing — with analysts saying Washington would be wise to seize on his comments and offer aid.       US, UK warships transit Taiwan Strait, Pentagon confirms (USNI News) A U.S. and U.K. warship transited the Taiwan Strait last week drawing protests from Beijing, USNI News has learned.       NATO scrambles fighter in newest response to Russian drones (Air & Space Forces Magazine) NATO scrambled a French Rafale Sept. 13 in resonse to a potential Russian drone incursion into Poland—the first time it has done so since implementing a new plan to bolster defenses against Russian air incursions last week, the officials from the alliance’s military command said.       Russia launches cruise missiles in Zapad 2025 military drills with Belarus (Al Jazeera) Russia has practised launching cruise missiles over the Barents Sea during joint military exercises with Belarus codenamed Zapad (West), according to Russia’s Ministry of Defence.       New Chinese flying wing drone design emerges (The War Zone) A new twin-jet engine flying-wing drone design has emerged in China. While details are currently limited, the Chinese aviation industry has been developing an expanding array of flying-wing uncrewed aircraft, including as uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and high-altitude intelligence-gathering platforms, often in cooperation with state-run research institutions.       Kim Jong Un’s sister slams allied military exercises as ‘reckless show of strength’ (Stars & Stripes) The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has condemned ongoing military drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan, warning they “will inevitably bring bad results,” according to state media.       Japan deploys fighter jets to NATO bases (Defense News) Japan is deploying eight aircraft, including four F-15 fighter jets, to bases in the United States, Canada and Europe in an unprecedented mission to support NATO.       France proposes ceiling on value of UK components in €150bn EU defence fund (The Guardian) France has proposed limiting the use of British-produced military components in the EU’s €150bn defence fund, in a move that could complicate negotiations over the UK’s entry into the scheme.       US approves $113M sale of GBU-39B bombs to Norway (UK Defence Journal) The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Norway of GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Increment I munitions and associated equipment, with an estimated value of $113 million, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 September.       India joins Belarus-Russia war games amid trade tensions with US (Al Jazeera) Indian troops have participated in the Russian-led Zapad-2025 military drills, Russian state agency TASS said on Tuesday, highlighting Moscow’s close ties with New Delhi, whose growing ties with the United States have been strained by the imposition of hefty tariffs by President Donald Trump.   Video     See an interceptor missile get fired from an M903 Patriot Launching Station (Military Times) See an interceptor missile get fired from an M903 Patriot Launching Station.       White House posts video of alleged drug trafficking vessel being destroyed (Military Times) Alleged drug trafficking vessel being destroyed by US.   Commentary & Analysis     How Washington’s drone policy is catching up to reality (Defense News) Drones are swiftly changing the nature of warfare, but for years, the United States has tied its hands behind its back when it comes to selling cutting-edge drone technology.       So far, Trump’s ‘War Department’ name change is all talk (The Hill) “So we won the First World War,” said President Trump. “We won the Second World War. We won everything before that and in between. And then we decided to go woke, and we changed the name to Department of Defense.”       Amphibious capabilities extend NATO’s range in the High North (Defense News) After three ruinous years of war in Ukraine, NATO has new reasons to worry about further Russian incursion into Europe. Last week, in Poland, marked the first time that Russian drones have been downed over the territory of a NATO member state.       The Earth Observation industry’s biggest threat isn’t China, it’s Washington (Breaking Defense) American companies build some of the most advanced Earth Observation satellites in the world. We have the engineering talent, the investment ecosystem, and decades of innovation. Yet government policies and politics are causing US Earth Observation companies to lose ground to foreign competitors.       The value of integrated Air and Space Operations: Multidomain solutions (Air & Space Forces Magazine) America faces the most severe security environment seen since World War II, and U.S. military leaders are working aggressively to develop new strategies, operational concepts, and technologies in response. As these efforts advance, it is imperative that new ideas and concepts be validated, designed with ample resilience and be flexible enough to adjust to dynamic operations.       Netanyahu’s ‘super-Sparta’ vision braces Israel for isolated economic future (The Guardian) Hours before unleashing a ground offensive against Gaza City on Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu braced his country for a future of mounting economic isolation, urging it to become a “super Sparta” of the Middle East.