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Trump Administration Boosts Domestic Battery Production Amid China Dominance Concerns

Trump Administration Boosts Domestic Battery Production Amid China Dominance Concerns

The Trump administration is significantly increasing investment in domestic battery component production and critical mineral processing. This initiative is driven by a growing recognition of batteries' importance for national security, powering artificial intelligence data centers, and military applications like drones, lasers, and night vision goggles. Despite President Trump's previous skepticism towards electric vehicles and clean energy, his administration views batteries as crucial for various strategic priorities. The Energy Department recently awarded $500 million to seven U.S. companies involved in battery components and critical minerals, while the Pentagon provided a $1.4 billion loan to an advanced battery startup in Washington state. Federal agencies are also funding efforts to produce graphite and lithium domestically. This push aims to reduce the U.S.'s reliance on China, which currently dominates the global supply chain for lithium-ion batteries and associated raw materials.

U.S. Air Force Fighter Fleet Faces Age and Size Challenges, Congressional Report Reveals

U.S. Air Force Fighter Fleet Faces Age and Size Challenges, Congressional Report Reveals

A recent report from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service indicates that the U.S. Air Force's fighter jet fleet is both too small and too old. The report, released on Friday, highlights that the Air Force has not met its mandated minimum number of fighter planes, with an inventory of 1,098 fighters against a statutory requirement of 1,145 aircraft. The average age of the Air Force fleet is 27.4 years, a significant increase from 17.2 years in 1994, leading to a drop in fighter availability rates from 72.9% in 1995 to 53.9% in 2024. Industrial bottlenecks in production supply chains and spare-parts availability are contributing to delays in new aircraft deliveries. Furthermore, Congress has mandated that the Air Force retain certain aircraft, such as the F-22 Raptor and F-15E Eagle, even when the service seeks to retire them, further complicating modernization efforts. The report also notes a shortage of approximately 1,900 pilots needed for global requirements.

Lockheed Martin Warned 75,000 Jobs Were Tied to the F-22 Program

Lockheed Martin Warned 75,000 Jobs Were Tied to the F-22 Program

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, a cornerstone of U.S. air power, has had a complex operational history marked by both strategic importance and sig...

Huawei heads to trial in US over its business dealings in Iran

Huawei heads to trial in US over its business dealings in Iran

By Karen Freifeld NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Eight years after U.S. prosecutors secretly charged China's Huawei Technologies with defrauding HSBC and other banks over its business with Iran, the case is finally heading for trial.

Iran says it captured US submarine drone in Strait of Hormuz

Iran says it captured US submarine drone in Strait of Hormuz

By Idrees Ali and Joe Brock WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday it had captured a U.S. uncrewed submarine at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, offering a rare glimpse into how underwater drones are being used in military operations.

Exclusive-UK deepens reliance on Musk's SpaceX, spending nearly $40 million on satellite services

Exclusive-UK deepens reliance on Musk's SpaceX, spending nearly $40 million on satellite services

By Cassell Bryan-Low LONDON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Britain has spent nearly $40 million on SpaceX satellite services, deepening its reliance on Elon Musk's company for military communications despite growing European concerns about dependence on U.S. security infrastructure.

Trump says activity seen at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, urges Tehran 'not to get cute'

Trump says activity seen at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, urges Tehran 'not to get cute'

By Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh DALLAS/WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States may hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, urging Tehran to be cautious. "We notice there's a little activity at Pickaxe.

Northrop Grumman Opens New B-21 Raider Manufacturing Facility in Layton, Utah

Northrop Grumman Opens New B-21 Raider Manufacturing Facility in Layton, Utah

Northrop Grumman, in collaboration with the state of Utah and Layton City, has officially opened the East Gate 3 facility in Layton. This new 845,000-square-foot campus is dedicated to supporting the manufacturing of the United States Air Force’s B-21 Raider, the next-generation stealth bomber. The decision to accelerate B-21 production, announced earlier this year by the Air Force, necessitates expanded infrastructure, making facilities like East Gate 3 critical for program growth. Chris Adams, vice president and general manager of the B-21 Program at Northrop Grumman, emphasized that this facility is one of several being developed nationwide to support the program. The company highlighted Utah's skilled workforce as a key asset in delivering this advanced capability efficiently. This opening follows another significant milestone for Northrop Grumman in the region, with a groundbreaking in July for the Legacy Building at the Roy Innovation Center, which supports the Sentinel ICBM program.

US accuses Chinese AI firms of 'malicious' copying of AI technology

US accuses Chinese AI firms of 'malicious' copying of AI technology

By Courtney Rozen WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S. cyber and law enforcement officials accused Chinese AI companies on Tuesday of maliciously copying technology from sophisticated American-made AI models through a technique known as distillation, according to a statement from three U.S. security

U.S. Navy Submarine Fleet Faces Extensive Maintenance Delays, Impacting Operational Readiness

U.S. Navy Submarine Fleet Faces Extensive Maintenance Delays, Impacting Operational Readiness

The U.S. Navy's submarine fleet has experienced over 15,000 lost operational days in the last decade due to maintenance delays and downtime, according to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study. These delays have resulted in an estimated $3.4 billion in crew and ship costs. The GAO report highlights that government-operated shipyards, responsible for nearly all submarine maintenance, completed only 11% of the work on time over the same period. A significant contributor to this issue is 'inactive idle time,' where submarines awaiting decommissioning spend thousands of days waiting for dry dock space, with crews still required to remain aboard. U.S. Representative Joe Courtney, a ranking member of the House Armed Services committee’s Seapower Subcommittee, acknowledged the delays but stated that the Navy had initiated corrective measures prior to the report's release, and the GAO report does not fully reflect ongoing improvements.

North Korea adds second destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan hold military exercise

North Korea adds second destroyer as US, South Korea and Japan hold military exercise

North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un has put his second naval destroyer into service and called for building a more reliable nuclear deterrent

China's exports expand faster in August, underpin economic growth

China's exports expand faster in August, underpin economic growth

BEIJING, Sept 8 (Reuters) - China's export growth picked up pace last month, remaining a key driver for an economy that is still grappling with tepid domestic demand and external uncertainties.