WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of senators today introduced legislation to exempt numerous positions at the Navy’s four public shipyards from the workforce reductions that have proliferated across the federal government since January. The bill, dubbed “Protecting Public Naval Shipyards Act,” is co-sponsored by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Maggie Hassen, D-N.H.; and…
Category: Science and Technology
The Digital Wall Rising Over Italy’s Internet
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Italy has turned its experimental Piracy Shield program into a permanent fixture of online enforcement, arming it with expanded authority that now extends far beyond the sports streams it was originally built to target. The new rules, approved by…
Lockheed, Rheinmetall take first GMARS live fire shot
BELFAST — US giant Lockheed Martin and German manufacturer Rheinmetall have jointly conducted the first live fire of the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS) launcher during a test demonstration to prove reliability with Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rounds. The industry partners announced the firing demonstration, held at White Sands Missile Range in…
Lockheed, Raytheon throw hats in ring for Army’s new autonomous launcher
SMD 2025 — Both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon said separately they are competing for the US Army’s new autonomous launcher, though the two defense giants stopped short of disclosing just what their respective plans and teammates may be. In late June the service’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) released a “request for solutions…
Australia selects Japan’s Mogami frigate in $6.5B deal
MELBOURNE — Australia has selected Japan’s improved Mogami-class frigate design for its future fleet of general-purpose frigates, in a deal with further cements ties between the two US Indo-Pacific allies and gives Japan its first major defense export. “Following a rigorous and competitive tender process, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able…
Steam Says Mastercard Pressure Drove Game Bans, Undermining “All Lawful Purchases” Claim
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Steam has confirmed that the removal of adult-themed games from its platform was not a free decision, but the result of pressure from payment processors and banks after Mastercard flagged concerns through its Rule 5.12.7. This disclosure comes after…
Space Force to launch ‘actual’ GMTI sats ‘in the next year’: General
WASHINGTON — A joint project between the Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office expects to launch satellites that can track targets on the ground or at sea as soon as next year, according to a top Space Force official. Additionally, Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, the Space Force’s deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber…
Thousands of Boeing defense workers go on strike, impacting production of fighters and weapons
WASHINGTON — About 3,200 Boeing machinists working at its St. Louis-based defense unit went on strike early this morning, impacting production of flagship defense products such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15EX. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted on Sunday to reject the latest contract offer from Boeing, with…
Commission to study how the US could go about making a Cyber Force
WASHINGTON — Former military leaders, industry executives and other former civil leaders announced today the establishment of a commission dedicated to investigating how the US could implement its own Cyber Force, should the Trump administration decide to establish one. “This Commission serves a distinct and essential role: it is not litigating the decision to create…
When Locking Down Your Phone Unlocks Police Suspicion
If you were under the impression that buying a Pixel and installing a private version of Android, think again. According to law enforcement in Catalonia, you’re probably Pablo Escobar. Yes, this is real. The Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, are apparently haunted by the specter of privacy-focused smartphones. Become a Member and Keep Reading… Reclaim…
EU Revives Plan to Ban Private Messaging
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The European Union is still wrestling with a controversial plan that would turn private messaging services into surveillance tools. For over three years, talks have stalled over whether providers should be forced to scan every user’s messages for possible…
UK Online Safety Act Censorship Hits Lawmakers’ Political Posts
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The UK government’s flagship censorship law, the Online Safety Act, is drawing fierce condemnation after a wave of political posts, including those from sitting Members of Parliament, have been hidden from the public under the law’s sweeping age verification…
Four reasons to accelerate F-35 acquisition now
Over the past 14 years, China has rapidly modernized its air force, replacing its operational fleet with high-performance, technologically advanced aircraft. Meanwhile, the US Air Force is receding further into a decades-long slump of being the oldest, smallest and least ready in its history. To reverse this downward spiral and reestablish credible deterrence, the United…
UK Details Its Bank Account Surveillance Powers
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Plans to give the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) new authority to probe people’s bank accounts are moving closer to reality, with Parliament expected to pass the measures later this year. Civil liberties groups say the proposals…
Microsoft Recall Still Capturing Sensitive Data Despite Promised Safeguards
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Microsoft’s Recall, pitched as an AI-powered memory aid for your computer, is still logging information many people would never knowingly hand over, including credit card numbers, private medical searches, and even stored passwords. A recent test by The Register…
UK Government Warns Against VPNs, Caught Using Them Themselves
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The UK’s technology secretary urged citizens to think twice before using virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the country’s new oppressive online digital ID checks, framing it as a matter of child safety. His comments have landed awkwardly, given…
‘Effective immediately’: Navy CIO orders shift to containerization tech
WASHINGTON — As part of its broader information technology modernization plan, the Department of the Navy established a new policy that orders certain software development programs to utilize containerization technology “effective immediately.” The memo, titled Containerization Technology Usage, called for such containerization tech to be used “to the greatest extent possible” across all DON commands…
Air Force surges munitions buys with $4.3B for JASSM and LRASM, $3.5B for AMRAAM
WASHINGTON — The Air Force on Thursday issued a new round of contracts collectively worth roughly $7.8 billion to boost the Pentagon’s stockpile of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and ship-killing munitions. The largest award of nearly $4.3 billion went to Lockheed Martin for production of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile…
With $6.7 billion in new tanks and vehicles, it’s ‘Armor Week’ in Poland
WARSAW — In what Poland’s defense minister has dubbed “Armor Week,” Warsaw has signed almost $6.7 billion in ground vehicle contracts, as the Eastern European nation continues its armaments spree. Almost all of that money is tied up in $6.5 billion agreement with Hyundai Rotem Company (HRC) for a second deal on tanks and support…
Army consolidates dozens of Palantir software contracts into one deal worth up to $10 billion
WASHINGTON — The Army announced Palantir has been awarded up to $10 billion over 10 years for a new type of contract vehicle deemed an Enterprise Service Agreement – a move the Army says will help reduce cost and complexity when acquiring software. Through the agreement announced Thursday, the Army plans to consolidate 75 contracts…
Senate confirms trio of nominees for Navy, Space Force, SOCOM
The Senate has confirmed the Trump administration’s nominees for a trio key military positions: Adm. Daryl Caudle for the Chief of Naval Operations, Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton for Vice Chief of Space Operations and Vice Adm. Frank Bradley for head of US Special Operations Command. The three passed the upper legislative house in voice vote…
This Hollywood-Backed Bill Would Give Government Power To Block Websites
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Lawmakers in Washington are once again attempting to give the United States a legal pathway to block websites, a power the federal government has never officially held on a broad scale. The latest push comes in the form of…
How Senate appropriators helped out the Pentagon: The Congressional Roundup [Video]
Senate appropriators passed their $852.5 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2026 on Thursday, adding $21.7 billion to the Pentagon’s topline to boost munitions, shipbuilding accounts and to correct billions in accounting errors in the department’s budget. But members made it clear they were frustrated with the chaotic rollout of the defense budget request, especially…
Marvel Rivals Introduces Always‑On AI Voice Chat Monitoring Under “Operation: Shield the Players”
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Marvel Rivals has decided your speech needs a chaperone. In Season 3.5, under the cheery banner of Operation: Shield the Players, the game is flipping the switch on full-time surveillance of voice chat. Not “record if someone complains.” Not…
PACAF Chief: A more contested Indo-Pacific needs a new kind of exercise
I have been fortunate to serve in the United States Air Force for over 37 years, with a large portion of that time spent in multiple assignments across the Indo-Pacific theater. And while my experience is not necessarily unique, there is a bit of perspective that comes with longevity. Since my first assignment in the…
Facebook’s Copyright Filters Are Silencing Journalism Through Overzealous Automated Takedowns
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Facebook’s escalating efforts to combat copyright infringement are now veering into territory that threatens open discourse and journalism. Although the company claims to be shielding rights holders, its heavy dependence on automated enforcement systems is sweeping up legitimate reporting…
Epic’s Legal Victory Turns Google’s Gatekeeping Rules Into Scrap Paper
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Epic Games has scored a decisive legal win against Google, as a federal appeals court upheld an order forcing the tech giant to dismantle key parts of its app store monopoly. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals on…
ChatGPT Chats “Leaked” in Google Search After Discoverable Feature Misfires
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Private conversations with ChatGPT have been turning up in Google search results, raising alarm over how easily personal information can slip into the public domain when AI tools are used for sensitive discussions. The problem surfaced when OpenAI tested…
Joby, L3Harris team up to pitch new, hybrid VTOL aircraft to DoD
WASHINGTON — Joby Aviation, a startup known for all-electric air taxis, today announced that the company will partner with defense firm L3Harris to pitch a new, gas turbine hybrid vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for military customers. The currently-unnamed platform will consist of Joby’s existing all-electric S4 aircraft but modified to include a gas turbine…
Draft Trump EO would loosen commercial space regs, citing national security links
WASHINGTON — A draft White House executive order (EO) would lift licensing rules deemed by the commercial space industry to be onerous, as well as ease the advent of new types of space activities — many of which are of interest to the Pentagon. Noting the criticality of commercial space to national defense, the order,…
Senators question path ahead for culled Pentagon weapons testing office
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s pick to run the Pentagon’s revamped weapons testing office faced questions today from Senators concerned about downsizing and transparency. “For decades, DOT&E [the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation] has played a vital, legally mandated role in safeguarding the integrity of major defense programs and ensuring military systems are affected…
HIPAA Meets Big Tech in the Wild West of Health Privacy
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. It was a banner day in the East Room of the White House, where the nation’s health care problems were supposedly solved by…
UK Government Emails Reveal Push to Pressure Tech Platforms to Remove Lawful Speech on Immigration and Policing
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. A series of internal emails from the UK government has revealed an aggressive push to monitor and suppress online posts deemed “concerning,” sparking alarm over creeping censorship under the banner of combating misinformation and community unrest. The documents, shared…
Oklahoma City Approves Controversial Facial Recognition Deal Despite Privacy Concerns
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Oklahoma City has approved a controversial agreement to integrate facial recognition into its police force, pushing forward with the plan despite growing public unease over surveillance tools powered by artificial intelligence. The city council voted 7-2 in favor of…
Army seeks AI/ML tools to tame crowded airspace under NGC2 push
WASHINGTON — The Army is on the hunt for artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to help the service manage increasingly complex airspace as it prepares to execute its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative. In a request for information published Wednesday, the service announced that its Program Executive Office of Intelligence, Electronic Warfare…
Senate appropriators tack on $22 billion to defense spending bill for $853 billion topline
WASHINGTON — Senate appropriators passed their $852.5 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2026 today, adding $21.7 billion to the Pentagon’s topline to boost munitions, shipbuilding accounts and to correct billions in accounting errors in the department’s budget, lawmakers and congressional aides said. The bill, approved in a 26-3 vote, tees up a fight between…
US Navy F-35C crashes in California, pilot ejects safely
WASHINGTON — A US Navy pilot is “safe” after their F-35 crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore on Wednesday evening, according to a Navy spokesperson. “NAS Lemoore can confirm an aviation incident on the Operations side of the installation. At around 6:30pm, an F-35C attached to the VFA-125 ‘Rough Raiders’ went down not far from…
Irish High Court Rejects X’s Challenge to Online Censorship Law
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The Irish High Court has thrown out a legal challenge by X, dealing a blow to the company’s pushback against Ireland’s new censorship rules for online video-sharing services. X had taken aim at Coimisiún na Meán, the country’s media…
The White House Puts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Notice Over UK’s Dangerous Online Censorship Laws
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Tensions between the United States and the UK are intensifying over Britain’s new internet speech law, with the Trump administration warning Prime Minister Keir Starmer against punishing American tech firms through foreign censorship disguised as regulation. The Online Safety…
Leonardo purchases Italian ground vehicle maker Iveco Defense for almost $2B
WASHINGTON — Italian defense giant Leonardo has acquired land vehicle firm Iveco Defense in a €1.7 billion ($1.94 billion) deal, the company announced this week. The deal, which is expected to close by first quarter 2026, consolidates some of Italy’s defense sector at a time when European defense spending is on the rise. Iveco produces…
‘Mega deal’ or no, Ukraine’s wartime drone tech seems poised to get to NATO militaries
KYIV ― Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently teased a “mega deal” in progress to swap the latest Ukrainian drones for American air defense and ammunition. “The people of America need this technology,” the Ukrainian president told the New York Post, known to be a favorite paper of US President Donald Trump, on July 17. “We…
Here’s the role that space-based interceptors will play in Golden Dome
Space-based interceptors (SBIs) are poised to become reality through Golden Dome for America, a once-in-a-generation missile defense initiative announced via executive order earlier this year. An innovative concept first developed as part of President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), Golden Dome will field for the first time an integrated network of SBIs as part of…
Space Force makes 5 awards for jam-resistant SATCOM
WASHINGTON — In an effort to speed capability for assured satellite communications (SATCOM) in the face of adversary jamming, the Space Force tapped five companies to demonstrate designs for a new encrypted constellation in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), the service announced Tuesday. Under the Protected Tactical Satellite Communications – Global (PTS-G) program, Space Systems Command…
Navy plans to find second shipbuilder for its landing craft program — again
WASHINGTON — The US Navy intends to find a second shipbuilder to join Austal USA in producing Landing Craft Utility vessels, a year after the termination of the program’s original prime contractor Swiftships. Landing Craft Utility vessels, or LCUs, provide the service with a heavy lift capability to transport Marines, weapons, equipment and cargo from…
YouTube to Get Australia Digital ID Age Checks by Year’s End, Plus New AI Profiling For US Users
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Australia is preparing to prohibit children under 16 from holding social media accounts by the end of the year, and YouTube will now be included among the platforms required to comply. This will require the roll out of digital…
US Sanctions Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes for Radical Censorship Demands
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, a radical justice of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court, for exploiting his judicial authority to target dissent, stifle political opposition, and censor speech. The announcement, made by the Office of…
It’s more than fuel: Why the Space Force needs in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing
It is in the best interest of the Space Force to embrace and actively pursue a future objective architecture founded in on-orbit logistics — the replacement of expendable commodities like fuel and the upgrade of hardware and software components. The ability to sustain, upgrade, and modify on-orbit capabilities through in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM)…
Spotify Threatens to Delete Accounts That Fail Digital ID Checks
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Spotify has begun warning users that their accounts could be permanently removed unless they complete a new age verification process, part of a broader shift toward stricter content access and censorship controls on digital platforms. The company has introduced…
Congress Probes Spotify Over Global Censorship Pressure
If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are now investigating whether Spotify has bowed to pressure from the Biden administration and European regulators to suppress speech on its platform. The House Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), has turned its…
EU to spend ‘hundreds of billions’ on US arms? Maybe not but demand is real, analysts say
BELFAST – After US President Donald Trump suggested the European Union would be buying “hundreds of billions” of dollars-worth of US weapon systems, analysts differed over how much of that claim was bluster – but all agreed it reflects Europe’s genuine need and interest in American defense products. Sitting alongside European Union President Ursula von…
Northrop Grumman unveils first phase of tech partners for Beacon autonomy program
WASHINGTON — In an effort to get new autonomous flight software in the air faster, Northrop Grumman announced today it’s partnering with six defense tech companies for its new Beacon program. Beacon, which was unveiled last month, is an “open-access testbed ecosystem” that uses Northrop’s flight hardware and software capabilities to help develop autonomous solutions created…
