Trump Pushing for US Military AI Dominance, Lags China and Russia

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) — President Trump eyes new DOD-led ‘AI and Autonomous Systems Virtual Proving Ground’ in much-anticipated AI action plan to advance the military’s adoption of the technology. 

U.S. troops need more AI support to catch up and challenge Russia and China on the information/psyops battlefield, where those two adversaries have U.S. forces outgunned, says DOD report.

Army on cusp of human-machine fusion in warfighting. Soon, the Army will field blended human-machine squads that mimic the stuff of science fiction, says Army Secretary.

Army is pushing industry to develop capabilities that support “decision dominance” on the battlefield, utilizing AI tools to better make sense of data. 

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories ending the week from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Signal messages came from email classified ‘SECRET,’ watchdog told.

It could take 3 to 8 years for the U.S. to replenish its stockpile of THAAD high-altitude missile interceptors after the military used nearly 14% of its arsenal during last month’s conflict with Iran.

A high-security container vault concealed inside a standard 20-foot shipping container is in development to give U.S. military commanders a new way to safely store nuclear weapons and other extremely sensitive assets, even at far-flung locations. 

Readiness and the’ logistics deterrent effect.’ In the crucible of global conflict, victory often hinges not on the mightiest weapons, but on the sinews of logistics. 

HOMELAND SECURITY

Close call between a B-52 bomber and a commercial jet over North Dakota puts focus on small airport airport towers often run by private companies without their own radars. 

More than a half year after an Army helicopter and a jetliner collided over the Potomac River in the deadliest aviation accident in nearly 25 years, the Armed Services committees are seeking to improve the safety of U.S. military flights near commercial airports. 

Marine veteran whose father was forcibly detained by federal agents told Congress that his father is “deeply devoted to this country” and is traumatized by what happened. 

Recent seizure of former Afghan military translator for U.S. by ICE in East Hartford threatens not only his life but also those of future generations of U.S. soldiers, say veterans fighting for his release.

Among a group of others unjustly held, American convicted of murder is freed by Trump from Venezuela prison. Army veteran Dahud Hanid Ortiz reportedly killed three people. 

DEFENSE POLITICS

DOD needs major reform. Now is our chance; it’s time to seize it.

West Point emails reveal how the prestigious military academy messed up Pete Hegseth’s admissions status.

Bill aimed at giving veterans easier access to private doctors using VA funding has advanced out of a key House panel after stark partisan debate. 

IRAN THREAT/MIDDLE EAST

Iranian navy helicopter confronted a U.S. warship attempting to approach Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, Iranian state TV reported. 

Iranian officials suspect sabotage in string of mysterious fires. For weeks, fires and explosions have been reported almost daily in Iran. Officials think it is a coordinated campaign. 

Following the latest clashes in Syria, the Syrian regime has officially requested support from Turkey. 

CHINA THREAT

Hegseth calls on DOD CIO to protect tech supply chain from influence of China. This, after an eye-opening investigation revealed Microsoft had been relying on China-based engineers to support DOD cloud computing systems. 

DHS was affected by a broad Chinese cyber intrusion into “on-premises” versions of Microsoft SharePoint, according to sources. 

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

Russian warplanes conducted a flight off the coast of Alaska on July 22, prompting an intercept from aircraft assigned to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). 

State Department approves $322 million in proposed weapons sales to Ukraine to enhance its air defense capabilities and provide armored combat vehicles.

Ukrainian Air Force has received a fleet of new vehicles to help it operate and maintain its Western-supplied F-16 Viper fighters operating constantly on the move at dispersed locations around the country.

Ukraine sees first major anti-government protests since start of war, as Zelensky moves to weaken anti-corruption agencies.

Russia is spending record amounts on defense. But it’s falling behind in building the advanced, modern military it needs for future wars. 

NORTH KOREA THREAT

Construction of mysterious annex at a North Korean missile factory could portend an upgrade to the country’s rocketry capabilities.

SPACE THREAT

Space traffic management’s future: Lots of smaller satellites, and more threats. The traditional space traffic monitoring system for tracking satellites and debris circling the Earth, currently run by the Space Force, is under increasing strain.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Berlin launches less stringent laws in bid to hasten defense acquisitions, as officials face the task of translating vast military budget increases of coming years into new capabilities. 

Turkey and UK signed a memorandum of understanding on the export of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, bringing the government in Ankara a step closer to buying the multi-role fighter aircraft built by a consortium of four European countries. 

Denmark has purchased four U.S.-made long-range Sky Guardian maritime drones from General Atomics, a step meant to boost the country’s surveillance capabilities in the Arctic.

A former Norwegian civilian security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Norway has been indicted by prosecutors there on suspicion of espionage for Russia and Iran.

Estonian Defense Forces fire a barrage of HIMARS — High Mobility Artillery Rocket System — rockets during recent training exercise.

US MILITARY

Smaller, more nutrient-dense, individual field ration is now available for order for all troops. 

Zapping enemy drones swarms into submission.

Navy is moving closer to rearming warships in the open ocean following the successful reloading of missile canisters into a vertical launch system while off the coast of Virginia last week. 

CAV-X ‘supercavitating’ rounds are capable of traveling 60 meters to penetrate steel under water.

Marine Corps is developing new footwear after it found that a significant percentage of boots Marines were buying had quality issues, resulting in Marine Corps Exchange stores having to return large numbers. 

END of PDB