February 2026: Inflation, the Marines' New Force Design, and U.S. Space Launch Infrastructure

In this episode, National Defense discusses a new Marine Corps craft, takeaways from the Venezuelan capture mission, and two new Navy ship programs. 

In this episode, National Defense discusses rising inflation in defense, the Marines' new Force Design plan, and the U.S.'s space launch infrastucture.

In this episode, National Defense discusses the Air Force's beleaguered Sentinel ICBM program, how mining companies are challenging China's dominance of the Tungsten market, and the European Union's drone wall.

In this episode, National Defense discusses the Coast Guard's icebreaker ambitions, how Army special operators are embracing robots, and the Army's search for a mixed reality headset. 

In this episode, National Defense discusses Air Force Special Operations Command's new aircraft, the hesitant adoption of autonomous maritime systems, and how government and industry are scaling to meet a spike in munitions production needs. 

In this episode, National Defense discusses how Army units in Europe are building their own drones, an increasingly popular airborne communications system and why a U.S. Navy task force is teaming up with a NATO task force.

In this episode, National Defense discusses the proliferation of ground robots in Ukraine, the status of the Army's goal to increase the production of one-fifty-five millimeter artillery rounds and the potential impact of recent drone-related Executive Orders. 

In this episode, National Defense discusses the U.S.-China biotechnology race, the status of hypersonic weapons programs in the United States and a recent NATO amphibious exercise. 

In this episode, National Defense discusses aircraft modernization in Special Operations Command, the Marine Corps' drone fleet and axed Army vehicle programs.

In this episode, National Defense discusses the future of Australia's sovereign uncrewed aircraft, the status of AUKUS Pillar Two and Project Convergence.