The Weekly Break Out

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About the show

Latest episodes

• Unpacking Boeing's F/A-XX win, plus a report from wartime Ukraine

  October 6, 2026 · 8 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, Editor-in-chief Aaron Mehta and Navy reporter Diana Stancy explain what we know — and don't — about Boeing's win for the Navy's F/A-XX fighter, from its expected role alongside F-35s and F/A-18s to…

• Drone-hunting on the border, plus turmoil at an Air Force think tank

  September 29, 2026 · 7 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, Army reporter Carley Welch discusses what she saw at Falcon Peak in Yuma, Ariz., where the US military and industry partners spent weeks testing equipment designed to spot and counter drone…

• Air Force braces for new era of AI-powered hacking, plus unpacking the Mecca pact

  September 8, 2026 · 7 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, networks reporter Mark Pomerleau explains a new US Air Force effort to develop a defensive cyber "campaign plan" to ward off threats posed by artificial intelligence. Then Breaking Defense…

• An Army leadership shakeup, plus lasers on the border

  September 1, 2026 · 7 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, Army reporter Carly Welch explores the highlights from recent laser-powered counter-drone experiments by the US Army, particularly around the US-Mexico border. Then Carly and Breaking Defense…

• How a new Pentagon memo 'resets' industry requirements, plus highlights from TechNet

  August 25, 2026 · 6 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, a new Defense Department memo reorients data disclosure guidance for Pentagon contractors, but it also raises several key unanswered questions, as congressional reporter Valerie Insinna tells Deputy…

• Diving into Trump's unusual shipbuilding plans, plus an SMD expo floor tour

  August 18, 2026 · 8 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, Breaking Defense Deputy Editor Lee Ferran and Air Warfare Reporter Michael Marrow discuss a new, wide-ranging national security memo from President Donald Trump aiming to drastically change navy…

• Farnborough last looks, plus how the Iran war is affecting arms sales

  August 4, 2026 · 6 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, Breaking Defense's Multimedia Director Daniel Woolfolk tours the grounds around the Farnborough Airshow. Then we turn to Breaking Defense Middle East Contributing Editor Riad Kahwaji for a glimpse…

• AIA chief Eric Fanning on the budget and the health of America's defense industry

  July 31, 2026 · 12 min

  In this week's episode of The Break Out, Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta brings you an interview from the Farnborough Airshow, located outside of London. At the conference, he talked with Eric Fanning, the former Army…