News:
France launches fierce assault on ISIS targets in Syria in coordination with U.S. defense officials –
The French statement said the operation, launched from bases in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, was conducted in coordination with U.S. forces, which have compiled an extensive target list in Raqqa.
White House delays plan to close Guantanamo, again –
Obama administration officials once again have put an indefinite hold on submitting to Congress their plan to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Business:
Airbus Group receives order for 12 new UH-72A Lakota helicopters for U.S. Army –
The U.S. Army has exercised $65.8 million in contract options for 12 additional UH-72A Lakota helicopters and associated mission equipment packages from prime contractor Airbus Defense and Space, Inc.
U.S. Army’s integrated air, missile defense system defeats cruise-missile target –
The U.S. Army’s future Integrated Air and Missile Defense System took out its first cruise-missile target on Nov. 12 in a test that included a new command-and-control system and Patriot and Sentinel radars, according to the service.
Denel, Honeywell to pursue African aircraft upgrades –
U.S.-based aircraft systems manufacturer Honeywell Aerospace and South African company Denel Aviation have signed an agreement to pursue joint retrofit, modification and upgrade opportunities on fixed-wing military aircraft in sub-Saharan Africa.
DOD officials near decision on future of Patriot Missile System –
Key Pentagon officials met this week to make critical decisions on the future of the Army’s air and missile defense architecture, and while the service is not making recommendations in favor of any one radar for the system, the way forward must include an ability to target threats from 360 degrees — something the current Patriot system can’t do.
Lockheed, Boeing, Northrop headed for Air Force funding clash –
As it stands now, the future of U.S. air superiority will be in the hands of three companies.
Report: Oman may acquire German Leopard tanks –
The Sultanate of Oman is interested in acquiring tanks from German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, according to a press report.
Lockheed Pitches C-130 to UK as alternative to P-8 –
As the United Kingdom considers how to fill its maritime surveillance gap, Lockheed Martin is pitching a modified version of its C-130 multi-mission aircraft as a cheap alternative to Boeing’s costly P-8 Poseidon.
Raytheon’s next generation jammer completes preliminary design review –
Raytheon’s Next Generation Jammer program reached a key milestone as the program completed the U.S. Navy’s preliminary design review.
Turkey scraps $3.4 billion air defense contract –
Turkey’s government decided to scrap a multibillion dollar program for the construction of the country’s first long-range air and anti-missile defense system.
Northrop Grumman demonstrates gateway radio –
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated a gateway radio terminal that can relay communications between fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft.
Defense:
Space Command general making changes to prep for possibility of space war –
The boss of Air Force Space Command said he’s preparing to defend America’s assets in orbit if battle comes to the high ground.
Bogey F/A-18 Hornet squadron faces uncertain future –
Fighter Squadron Composite 12’s F/A-18 Hornets sport one of the Navy’s coolest paint jobs. The fuselage is camouflaged in white, gray and black splotches, with red stars on the fighters’ wings and twin tails. These aren’t your regular F/A-18s.
Veterans:
Homeless veterans number decreased only slightly last year –
Government-wide efforts to help homeless veterans pulled about 2,000 individuals off the streets from 2014 to 2015, according to new estimates released this week by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Report: GI Bill’s on-the-job training benefit not being used –
Very few veterans are using benefits added to the GI Bill in 2011 that offer living stipends to nonstudents who seek on-the-job training or apprenticeships, according to a new government report.