This Week in Defense
The War Zone's recurring Bunker Talk feature returns with another wide-ranging roundup of defense and military developments that defined the week. From contested carrier deployments to emerging drone threats, the weekly discussion forum invites readers to weigh in on the stories that matter most to the defense community.
This week's edition arrives amid a particularly eventful stretch for the U.S. military. The USS Gerald R. Ford's extended deployment continues to generate debate about crew readiness and fleet maintenance, while new developments in counter-drone technology are reshaping how the Pentagon thinks about homeland defense. The Air Force's exploration of miniature self-defense missiles for its tanker fleet also drew significant attention.
Drone Defense Takes Center Stage
A major theme running through this week's defense news has been the growing urgency around counter-drone capabilities. The use of a laser weapon system in El Paso, Texas, which resulted in an FAA airspace closure, highlighted the policy challenges that arise when new technologies outpace existing regulations. Meanwhile, the Marine Corps announced plans to equip its aging F/A-18 Hornets with low-cost laser-guided rockets designed to swat hostile drones from the sky.
These parallel developments underscore a broader shift across the military services toward finding affordable, high-volume solutions to the drone threat, particularly after real-world engagements in the Middle East demonstrated how quickly traditional missile stocks can be depleted against swarms of low-cost adversary drones and cruise missiles.
Carrier Operations and Force Readiness
The Ford's ongoing deployment, now exceeding 200 days at sea, has become a flashpoint for discussions about sustainable operational tempo. With the Navy maintaining only 10 active carriers and three currently in maintenance, every extended deployment creates ripple effects across the entire fleet's readiness cycle. The conversation also touched on the broader geopolitical context driving these deployments, including tensions in the Middle East and operations in the Caribbean.
Community Perspectives
Bunker Talk continues to serve as a unique forum where defense professionals, veterans, analysts, and enthusiasts can debate the week's most consequential stories. The discussion format encourages deep dives into topics that may not receive full standalone coverage, creating space for nuanced analysis of everything from procurement decisions to strategic doctrine. Readers are encouraged to share their perspectives while following established community guidelines that prioritize respectful, substantive discourse over partisan debate.
This article is based on reporting by The War Zone. Read the original article.
