[DEF] Desk

Defense

Defense technology, programs and contracts. Every ticker item and desk story tagged [DEF], newest first, each with its Why it matters.

• [DEF] The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agreed on a 10-year framework to build 850 F-35 fighters for the U.S.; Congress still has to approve it.
  Why it matters

  long contracts usually lower the price per jet, which is taxpayer money.

  Oct 25, 2026 · The Moon Plan Resets, AI Pays for Rockets, and a New Way to Stop Hepatitis B · source
• [DEF] The Pentagon's drone competition ended with orders for 60,000 small attack drones from nine companies, according to Defence Blog.
  Why it matters

  militaries are shifting from a few expensive weapons to many cheap ones.

  Oct 25, 2026 · The Moon Plan Resets, AI Pays for Rockets, and a New Way to Stop Hepatitis B · source

• [DEF] A decade of fighters and an order for 60,000 drones

  

  The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin reached a 10-year framework for 850 U.S. F-35s at about 156 a year; no price was announced and Congress must approve. The same day, results of the Drone Dominance competition showed orders for 60,000 small attack drones from nine companies, according to Defence Blog.

  Oct 25, 2026 · The Moon Plan Resets, AI Pays for Rockets, and a New Way to Stop Hepatitis B · source

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