Ops Brief 088: Daily Drop - 13 Aug 2025 - DARPA’s Giant War Sim & Panama’s $3M Bargain

Peaches unloads on a wild week in defense news—DARPA drops the mic with the world’s biggest real-time electronic warfare range, the U.S. throws pocket change at Panama’s border, and NATO still cries poor while leaning on U.S. muscle. From AI-driven target tracking and new Air Force dorm “suites” that’ll make Marines jealous, to Space Force finally cutting ties with Russian rocket engines, this episode swings between jaw-dropping tech and head-shaking policy moves. Oh, and we’re apparently giving China our AI chips—because what could possibly go wrong? Strap in for sharp takes, a few laughs, and the kind of blunt commentary you won’t hear from the Pentagon press office.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Attributes-based selection and the “crawl-walk-run” mindset
02:06 – DARPA’s massive RF warfare simulator
02:55 – U.S. drops $3M in Panama for border security
03:25 – Pentagon backs rare earth producer with $150M loan
03:50 – Jungle survival exchange with Panama
04:50 – Air Force’s $99M AI target tracking project
05:15 – Little Rock AFB’s new dorm “suites”
05:40 – Airman dies during PT test—investigation underway
06:47 – Joint CBRNE training with Spain
07:15 – McConnell AFB’s “Stripes Refueled” mentorship program
08:20 – Dover AFB’s “Little Defenders” kids camp
09:14 – Space Force takes over ANG space missions
09:45 – First Vulcan launch for Space Force
10:20 – Navigation Tech Satellite 3 in orbit
10:50 – Golden Dome missile defense update
11:29 – Pentagon’s domestic quick reaction force plan
12:10 – Space Force “Always Above” documentary
12:55 – Trump-era AI chip deal with China sparks backlash
13:48 – NATO’s defense spending drama

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