House Republicans have introduced a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown, extending federal funding until Nov. 21. The bill maintains previous funding levels but excludes the White House's request for $3.9 billion for Columbia-class submarines. The bill allows increased operations for the E-7 Wedgetail and Virginia-class submarine programs, and extends the Defense Production Act. House Speaker Mike Johnson aims for a quick passage, but the bill faces opposition from Democrats and fiscal conservatives.

Pentagon chief technology officer Emil Michael has announced a plan to install AI tools on 3 million desktops within nine months, focusing on applications for efficiency, intelligence and warfighting. The initiative follows the restructuring of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, which now reports to Michael, and aims to support research in AI without reducing deployment efforts.

Northrop Grumman has secured a $972 million contract to provide modeling and simulation support for the US Air Force, with additional availability to other Defense Department entities and partner agencies. The award follows a competitive bidding process involving four companies.

RTX has secured a $670.2 million contract modification from the US Navy to cover F135 propulsion system spares. The contract supports the Joint Strike Fighter program, including the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers.

GE Aerospace has reached an extension of its service agreement with Silk Way West Airlines for support of the carrier's growing Boeing widebody fleet. The agreement covers five 747-8 Freighters with GEnx-2B engines, six 777 Freighters with GE90-115Bs, and up to four 777-8 Freighters powered by GE9X engines.

Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation are among the first companies to join the White House's Electric Vertical and Landing Integration Pilot Program to introduce air taxi services across US cities. The program, stemming from a June executive order, will oversee five pilot projects to test advanced air mobility operations. Archer plans to use its Midnight aircraft, while Joby will demonstrate its extensive flight testing and manufacturing capabilities.

NATO countries are shifting their perception of space from a domain of potential conflict to an active war-fighting domain, as officials discussed at the Space Defense and Security Summit in Paris. "We have to accept that space is a tested domain, is a war-fighting domain, is becoming a war-fighting domain," says German Brig. Gen. Jürgen Schrödl. Officials highlighted the rapid development of anti-satellite weapons and the need for rapid response capabilities.

More than 100 cybersecurity experts have urged the Senate Armed Services Committee to promptly confirm Kirsten Davies as Defense Department chief information officer. In a letter, the experts highlight Davies' extensive experience in cybersecurity and IT roles at companies including Unilever and Barclays Africa, as well as her leadership in public-private initiatives.