Start Here
Hi, we’re Pete Modigliani and Matt MacGregor.
We publish Defense Tech and Acquisition a high-signal digest of the most consequential developments in defense technology, acquisition, budgets, NDAA and the defense industry. Paid subscribers receive the full expert analysis of the initiatives, authorities, and reforms that matter most to their work.
Join 16,000+ subscribers across all 50 states and 123 countries.
1 million+ views.
Substack Bestseller.
Readers include 4-star commanders, Assistant Secretaries, PAEs, SES executives, program managers, defense industry leaders, senior congressional staff, and investors tracking the defense industrial base.
Free vs. Paid
Free
A comprehensive Saturday digest of the big stories of the week with our expert analysis. We cover new direction from the Pentagon, White House, and Congress; emerging defense technology; major programs; key initiatives; and impacts to industry. We also curate notable videos, podcasts, and upcoming events.
Recurring thought pieces on novel approaches to defense acquisition, enterprise transformation, and meaningful reform.
Paid
Everything above plus:
Comprehensive analysis of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) from SASC and HASC bills through conference. We analyze the most impactful provisions for defense acquisition, organizations, and industry. Even Congressional members and staff value these insights.
In-depth defense budget analysis from the President’s budget request, House and Senate defense appropriation committee bills, through to conference. We track and analyze key marks, plus-ups, trends, and strategic pictures. We also deep dive reconciliation bills, supplementals, and CR impacts.
Strategic Initiative Deep Dives. When the Department moves out on major new initiatives (e.g., Acquisition Transformation Strategy, Golden Dome, Replicator), we’ll unpack all the key programs, budgets, direction, and opportunities.
The full list of events for the coming year to plan your travels, business development strategies, and product rollouts.
FY27 budget materials with links to all the department budget exhibits and appropriations bills.
and be a valued supporter of our work!
New here? Start here
A few strong places to begin:
The 20-Year Machine and the Reckoning
Practical resources
Reading List — curated books on defense tech, acquisition, and innovation
Publications — acquisition, requirements, and PPBE reform, rapid, portfolio, software, and commercial acquisition.
These pages turn the newsletter into a working resource rather than just a weekly email.
For teams and organizations
Many readers share relevant editions with colleagues or expense the subscription through professional development or learning budgets. The content is written for the people who shape decisions program managers, PAEs, acquisition executives, and industry leaders navigating the same system.
Our focus remains the same: Helping defense and industry professionals navigate the bureaucracy to deliver better solutions faster.
We also founded the Creative Defense Network to provide practical tools, training, and support for those executing acquisition transformation. The newsletter is the public intelligence layer; CDN is the applied side.