Ditching ‘Exquisite’ Systems: Inside The Pentagon’s Mass-Munitions Blitz

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): President Donald Trump’s push, along with War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s efforts are putting the U.S. defense industry on war footing. Trump expected to urge top defense executives to accelerate weapons production and expand manufacturing capacity as wars in Ukraine and Middle East strain U.S. stockpiles and expose bottlenecks in nation’s industrial base.

Pentagon announced framework for new multiyear deals with three companies to mass-produce more affordable, less gold-plated air-to-ground missiles for Air Force, part of larger strategy to bring cheaper firepower to future fights.

Air Force recently conducted its first-ever live-fire test using the Anduril YFQ-44A unmanned, semiautonomous drone aircraft dubbed “loyal wingmen.”

DIU aims to reduce military’s ‘cost per kill.’ Elevated by its new status as an official Pentagon Field Activity, Defense Innovation Unit is under pressure to speedily deliver “measurable” weaponry and combat power to U.S. military.

Manufacturing woes hamper U.S. 155mm ammo production. New report says artillery shell producers are far short of goal to manufacture 100,000 Howitzer shells per month.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s the latest defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

HOMELAND DEFENSE

Military planners have examined options for possible action against Cuba, including Army-led air assault involving 101st Airborne Division.

HOMELAND SECURITY

More than 60 people have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shootings or while in custody since President Trump returned to office. These higher numbers reflect the higher number of detentions and Democrat local and state refusal to cooperate with ICE requiring more aggressive tactics.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Pentagon will begin annually screening service members for testosterone deficiency, War Secretary Pete Hegseth says, citing need to ensure troops maintain “biological foundation” to fight.

Transgender service members are on precipice of being allowed back into military after federal court ruled that Trump administration’s ban against them was unlawful.

Pentagon to convene panel to study mid-2021 decision to require COVID-19 vaccine for all service members and the dismissal of more than 8,400 troops who refused the shots.

GOP-led House shot down an amendment by turncoat GOP member Thomas Massie to State Department spending bill that would have blocked billions in U.S. military aid to Israel, but substantial number of Democrats voted to cut off Israel’s military.

VA asks for more public feedback on its proposals to reduce amount of paperwork that veterans and their survivors must complete to apply for benefits.

IRAN WAR

U.S. conducted new wave of strikes against Iran’s coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites after reimposing naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran threatened to shut off more regional energy exports.

Here are the Navy warships available to support blockade of Iran. Two commercial vessels were redirected, and one was kinetically disabled in first 24 hours of blockade.

U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker as it attempted to sail toward an Iranian port in Arabian Gulf amid resumption of naval blockade.

Some ships refusing U.S.-military guided Hormuz transits after attacks.

President Trump is leaning toward expanding military operations in Iran after days of briefings from top aides.

U.S. war against Iran enters a new phase. As Trump resumes war, focus is now on Strait of Hormuz. But it remains unclear how far U.S. military will go to exert control.

Controlling Hormuz would take more U.S. troops, months of effort —and more risk.

Trump says Iran released U.S. citizen ‘wrongfully detained’ since December 2024 and allowed her to leave the country, calling it “gesture of goodwill.” Others called it a typical Iranian tactic.

CHINA THREAT

China tests new, long-term ways to hold off rivals in Asia. China sent coast guard vessels to patrol Pacific Ocean east of Taiwan in June and weeks later test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile from South China Sea to Pacific.

U.S. has lost its long-standing lead over China in global favorability, according to new Pew Research poll, reflecting deteriorating ties between Trump administration and key allies.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed country’s minister of defense after just six months in office as part of major shake-up in Kyiv’s leadership.

Kyiv under fire from Russian missiles after EU-Ukraine sign drone deal.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

Five European defense firms plan to form industrial partnership to develop Europe’s first exo-atmospheric interceptor, aimed at defending against ballistic missiles.

SPACE THREATS

Space Force’s soon-to-be retired top officer urged support for service’s programs, same day as House lawmakers said they would approve only fraction of funds Trump administration requested for major space efforts.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Elbit Systems detailed a new maritime concept centered on its Hermes 650 Spark unmanned aircraft, envisioning conversion of commercial vessels into floating drone bases.

State Department approved possible $2 billion deal to sell up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser guidance kits to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Largest diamond mine in South Africa – owned by mining giant De Beers – to suspend production for two years.

US MILITARY

After decades of relying on standardized testing to vet recruits and assign them their duties, Marine Corps could begin using Army-created personality test to ID qualities that make best Marines, then recruit people who match the profile.

In half-century since Gates Commission established the all-volunteer force — and especially over last 25 years — the relationship between U.S. soldier and the state has changed profoundly. Military service has become more professional, more specialized, more admired, and more socially distant.

END of PDB

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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