The Weekly Break Out

Breaking Defense
  • 5.0 (7)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The weekly news show on defense politics, policy, procurement and technology from the the world's leading defense media, Breaking Defense. Available here in audio podcast form, or on our site in video. Follow and subscribe today!

  1. DEC 9

    New National Security Strategy drops as Congress floats $901B NDAA

    This week on The Weekly Break Out, Aaron Mehta and Lee Ferran break down the Trump administration's new National Security Strategy, what it signals for Europe, Russia and homeland defense — and how it aligns with what we heard at the Reagan National Defense Forum. Then after the break, the hosts dig into the compromise 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, including why lawmakers added $8 billion above the Pentagon's request and why this year's bill stayed clean. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS.

    7 min

  2. DEC 2

    Navy cancels Constellation-Class Frigate + Reagan Forum Preview

    The Navy's decision to cancel its Constellation-class frigate program has shifted from quiet speculation to front-page news. In this episode of The Weekly Break Out, Breaking Defense unpacks what might come next for Fincantieri and US sailors. Then the conversation moves west to Simi Valley, where the upcoming Reagan National Defense Forum is set to gather defense officials, lawmakers, generals and CEOs for one of the most influential policy events of the year. We lay out the themes and personalities expected to dominate the conference, including White House budget office boss Russ Vought. If you follow US defense policy, shipbuilding challenges, or the intersection of politics and the Pentagon, this episode is for you. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS.  Read more: Navy kills four ships in Constellation-class frigate program in 'strategic shift'

    5 min

  3. NOV 25

    What's new at the Dubai Airshow + touring the F-35

    At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, Breaking Defense breaks down the biggest trends in combat aviation in the Middle East — from a surge in autonomous systems to global competition between the US, Russia, China and more. Agnes Helou and Michael Marrow highlight what's driving demand in the region and what's new on the show floor. Then, we take you on a walkaround tour of an F-35 with a fighter pilot who explains the jet's sensors, weapons, engine, stealth features and how Block 4 upgrades enable manned-unmanned teaming with CCAs. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. Get our full Dubai Airshow coverage here. 0:00 — Autonomous systems dominate the 2025 Dubai Airshow 0:34 — Global players push drones and manned-unmanned teaming 1:57 — Russia's Su-75 model 2:34 — Space technology expands at the show 3:08 — F-35 walkaround tour begins 4:31 — F-35 sensors 5:31 — F-35 weapons 6:05 — F135 engine 7:00 — Block 4 CCA teaming 📰 Get more defense coverage at https://breakingdefense.com/

    8 min

  4. NOV 18

    New plans for US Cyber Command and Army helicopter training - The Weekly Break Out

    US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) is rethinking its anticipated "2.0" overhaul — but the final plan looks different from what many expected. On this episode of The Weekly Break Out, Breaking Defense's Deputy Editor Lee Ferran and Senior Networks and Information Warfare Reporter Mark Pomerleau walk through what actually changed, what didn't, and why CYBERCOM's update is now more about talent generation and training infrastructure than sweeping structural reforms. Then, Land Warfare Reporter Carley Welch breaks down the Army's Flight School Next initiative, a back-to-basics push to replace the UH-72 Lakota training helicopter with a simpler, IFR-certified single-engine aircraft. We cover the requirements, industry competitors, shutdown delays and what the future Army pilot pipeline could look like. Underwritten by Leonardo DRS. Stories: Pentagon releases 'revised' plan to boost cyber talent, 'domain mastery' Inside six helo companies gunning for the Army's Flight School Next program

    5 min

  5. NOV 4

    Hegseth to unveil major acquisition reforms in address to defense CEOs - The Weekly Break Out

    The defense industry is standing by with bated breath as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to give a high-profile speech about acquisition on Friday. While no one's sure what exactly he'll say, there's plenty to preview in this episode of The Weekly Break Out. Then, hear what one congressman says is "heartbreaking" about the current state of US Cyber Command. Stories: Draft memo reveals potentially sweeping Pentagon acquisition reforms How the 'heartbreaking' lack of a confirmed leader is impacting CYBERCOM and NSA   0:00 - Introduction 0:33 - Hegseth's speech to defense CEOs 1:07 - Defense Security Cooperation Agency moving to acquisition office 1:38 - Army, Navy and Air Force acquisition changes 2:01 - How the defense industry might react 3:11 - Underwritten by Leonardo DRS 3:26 - CYBERCOM leadership void 4:21 - Why an acting leader isn't enough 5:58 - Conclusion 📰 Full coverage at https://www.breakingdefense.com Subscribe to The Weekly Break Out to get new episodes delivered straight to your feed.​

    6 min

  6. OCT 28

    Zombie planes and other Pentagon ghost stories - The Weekly Break Out

    Something wicked this way comes to Breaking Defense... Our special Halloween episode of The Weekly Break Out brings you spooky tales of military technology programs that have died — and some that could return from beyond the grave.

    8 min

  7. OCT 7

    US Coast Guard Calls Out Chinese Ships - The Weekly Break Out

    This week on The Weekly Break Out, the US Coast Guard hopes publicly shaming Chinese ships for sailing too close to the US will avoid a future dispute. Then we look at the future of military command and control.

    6 min

  8. SEP 16

    Space-based interceptors: What to expect. The Weekly Breakout

    The Pentagon and industry are coming up with concepts of what space-based interceptors could be. Plus, we dig into the UK plan to avoid drone swarms.

    6 min
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5
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About

The weekly news show on defense politics, policy, procurement and technology from the the world's leading defense media, Breaking Defense. Available here in audio podcast form, or on our site in video. Follow and subscribe today!

Information

  • Creator
    Breaking Defense
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Breaking Media, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Weekly Break Out

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