This Week in Defense — Washington (#22, 2026)
White House issues new NSS cybersecurity directive; DoD designates additional Chinese military companies; Congressional review for defense supplier acquisitions advances; Major arms sales notifications for NATO and Indo-Pacific partners.
June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026
This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning national defense, cybersecurity, weapons systems, military commitments, and the Army, Navy and Air Force. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.
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📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Congressional Calendar
- Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland Hearing: Army Force Modernization: The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland will hold an open hearing on June 16, 2026, to examine Army force modernization in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Defense Program.
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Business Meeting: UAS Security and Allied Defense Measures: On June 17, 2026, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will convene in Room 116 of the Capitol for an open business meeting to consider multiple bills, including S.4259 on secure Unmanned Aerial Systems for national security and Taiwan defense, S.4709 modifications for AUKUS export controls, and S.4708 focused on Arctic security.
Federal Government News
White House Issues National Security Presidential Memorandum on Cybersecurity for National Security Systems
On June 12, 2026, President Donald J. Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum NSPM-12, setting comprehensive cybersecurity requirements for National Security Systems (NSS) that handle classified information and support military and intelligence operations. The Memorandum reestablishes the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS), sets responsibilities for NSS cyber governance, and designates the Director of the National Security Agency as the National Manager for NSS. The CNSS is authorized to issue binding directives, establish baseline requirements, and promote coordination across federal agencies. Incident reporting, secure cloud hosting, and harmonization of policies are mandated, and outdated directives are rescinded. The action underscores an enhanced federal approach to NSS cyber defense and national security posture, impacting agencies responsible for classified communications and defense missions.
Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

DoD Publishes Updated List of Chinese Military Companies Operating in the United States
The Department of Defense released a revised list of entities designated as 'Chinese military companies' under Section 1260H of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act. Notable companies added include Huawei, DJI, Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu, along with their subsidiaries and affiliates linked to Chinese government ministries and the People's Liberation Army. Entities are identified for their roles in China's military-civil fusion and activities in the U.S. commercial domain. Several companies were removed from the previous list, such as China National Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. Organizations listed may request reconsideration by submitting evidence through official channels. The full roster is published in the Federal Register and on regulations.gov.
Sources: www.federalregister.gov
Army Corps of Engineers Seeks Comments on Vessel Operation Data Collection
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced a proposed extension of an approved public information collection by the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center. The annual collection involves Vessel Operation Reports, vessel characteristic descriptions, company profiles, and dock/terminal logs, gathering data from 4,600 respondents across 11,200 responses, totaling a burden of 13,600 hours per year. Data supports federal navigation budgets, project planning, and compliance with harbor and inland waterway taxes. Stakeholders can submit comments until August 10, 2026, and further details are available through regulations.gov.
Sources: www.federalregister.gov
OMB Reviewing Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program Application Procedures
The Department of Defense submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget for clearance on revised Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP) application forms. The collection includes preliminary and final application steps needed for eligibility validation, creditworthiness assessment, and project risk review. The process involves 40 respondents, with a total annual burden of 2,750 hours. Eligible entities span corporations, partnerships, and government entities seeking federal credit assistance for water infrastructure projects. Public comments are open through July 10, 2026.
Sources: www.federalregister.gov
Maritime Administration Solicits Feedback on Capital Construction Fund Information Collection Renewal
The Maritime Administration is seeking public comments on its request to renew OMB approval for the Capital Construction Fund (CCF) information collection. The CCF program enables U.S.-flag vessel owners and operators to defer federal income taxes on deposits used for vessel construction, modernization, or acquisition. The notice highlights a reduction in respondents (160) and annual burden (2,160 hours). Submissions are required within 30 days via reginfo.gov, and the collection is authorized under 46 U.S.C. Chapter 535.
Sources: www.federalregister.gov
Legislative Updates
Bill 4707: Autonomous Weapon Systems Policy for DoD
A bill to amend title 10 of the United States Code was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services on June 8, 2026. The bill seeks to establish policy and review requirements for autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence capabilities within the Department of Defense.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Bill 4709: AUKUS Export Controls Amendment
This bill proposes modifications to the Arms Export Control Act regarding exports and transfers of defense articles and services within the AUKUS partnership. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations on June 8, 2026.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Bill 9232: Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Authorization for Private Critical Infrastructure Owners
Introduced June 9, 2026, this bill grants authority to private critical infrastructure facility owners to use counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies. Latest action: referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and other committees as appropriate.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Bill 9219: Assessment of Military Fuel Supply Infrastructure
The bill directs the Secretary of Defense to assess and address risks to fuel supply infrastructure supporting military installations in California and improve supply chain resilience. Referred to the Judiciary Committee and Armed Services Committee on June 9, 2026.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Bill 4766: Pilot Program for Printable Energetic Feedstocks
On June 11, 2026, this bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. It directs the Secretary of Defense to evaluate the safety, quality, and qualification pathways of printable energetic feedstocks in additive manufacturing applications relevant to defense.
Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week
- How SpaceX Became Embedded in America’s War Machine: WSJ details SpaceX’s integral role in U.S. military operations and procurement.
- US adds Chinese solar, battery firms to list of military-linked companies: Reuters covers new DoD designations for military-linked Chinese manufacturers.
- UK defence minister quits, says Starmer not spending enough to keep country safe: The UK’s defense minister resigned citing insufficient government military spending.
- U.K. Defense Secretary Quits Over Lack of Military Spending: WSJ reports on the UK defense secretary’s resignation related to budget shortfalls.
- White House to meet defense firms to talk about ramping up production, sources say: The White House plans meetings with defense companies about increasing production.
- Ukraine's defence AI chief predicts 'new paradigm' of warfare: Ukraine’s defense AI leader discusses the evolving nature of conflict driven by artificial intelligence.
- US to give Poland new $4 billion loan for arms purchases, PAP reports: Reuters reports on a new US loan for Poland to acquire arms.
- UK's defence plans are inadequate, deter investors, says former military chief: Former UK military chief criticizes national defense plans for discouraging investment.