News
Carter launches review of law that has defined military careers for decades –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter has launched a review of the landmark 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act that has defined military careers and organizational structure for decades, a Pentagon spokesman said Dec. 8.
Business
CACI announces purchase of NSS from L-3 –
CACI has finalized its agreement to purchase National Security Solutions from L-3, CACI announced during a conference call Dec. 8.
Northrop Grumman wins contract to support E-2D Hawkeye radios –
Northrop Grumman has won a $65 million contract modification to support the radars on 11 E-2D advanced Hawkeye aircraft.
Exelis wins DCGS contract –
Exelis has been awarded a $13.1 million Air Force contract for the Distributed Common Ground System.
Doubts persist as U.S. Air Force reiterates plans for heavy rocket engine –
The U.S. Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Center plans to award contracts for rocket propulsion system development soon, according to the command’s chief.
Lockheed Martin developing open controller for Army’s TARDEC –
Lockheed Martin recently won two contracts from the Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center to continue developing an open-architecture controller, marking the first time the company has successfully marketed its new processor as a stand-alone product.
Shipbuilder, union reach tentative agreement –
Bath Iron Works and its largest union have reached a tentative agreement on a four-year contract proposal that’ll be presented to members this weekend.
CACI wins slot on Air Force ISR contract –
CACI has been awarded one of two prime slots on a $49.5 million Air Force ISR contract.
United Kingdom receives final Chinook helicopter –
The United Kingdom’s fleet of Boeing Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopters was brought up to full strength with the arrival of the final HC6 aircraft from the Philadelphia production plant Dec. 7.
UTC acquires N2 Imaging Systems –
UTC Aerospace Systems has acquired defense imagery firm N2 Imaging Systems.
Australia signs training contract with Lockheed-led consortium –
A consortium led by Lockheed Martin has been formally awarded a $870 million contract to train Australian Defence Force pilots using Pilatus PC-21 aircraft.
Netherlands preparing for F-35 introduction –
With plans to purchase just 37 aircraft, the Netherlands fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters is likely to be one of the world’s smallest.
Lockheed’s Sikorsky wins contract for 29 MH-60 helicopters: Pentagon –
Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of Lockheed Martin, was awarded a contract worth more than $354 million for 29 MH-60R helicopters, the Pentagon said Dec. 7.
IAI to offer surplus Hercules to France –
Israel Aerospace Industries’ Bedek group will make an unsolicited proposal for the supply of four upgraded Lockheed Martin C-130Es to the French air force. Sources in France confirm that they expect to receive a proposal from IAI.
Defense
Watch the U.S. Navy’s largest ever ‘stealth’ destroyer –
The U.S. Navy has revealed the first footage of its new futuristic stealth destroyer at sea.
Court reviews all-male draft in wake of Pentagon women-in-combat decision –
A panel of federal judges in California heard arguments Tuesday on whether the courts should weigh in on the male-only military draft now that the Pentagon opened all combat roles to women.
Panel suggests Pentagon Quadrennial Defense Review changes to Senate –
“We tend to get a lovely coffee-table book” when Defense Department produces its congressionally-mandated unclassified QDR, Michelle Flournoy told the Senate Armed Services Committee Dec. 8.
Can DOD regain the technological edge? –
Today’s Defense Department is engaged in conflicts that range in domain, location, type and intensity, whether it’s boots on the ground in the Middle East or countering cyber adversaries. As leaders look to future missions, many — including the military’s chief — hope to exploit leading technological innovation that has slipped away from the U.S. military.
U.S. Army wants permanent missile defense system on Guam –
The Army is pushing to have a permanent missile defense presence on Guam to guard against regional threats, primarily from North Korea, the Army’s commander in the Pacific said Dec. 8.
U.S. Army helicopters to continue training with U.S. Navy ships –
Plans are in place to continue training U.S. Army helicopter pilots to operate with U.S. Navy ships at sea, the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific told reporters Dec. 8.
The Navy’s new, futuristic destroyer Zumwalt is finally at sea. A lot is on the line –
The ship’s unusual ‘tumblehome’ design makes it look like a pyramid at sea — and raises questions about its stability.
Veterans
VA’s accountability problems to be focus of hearing –
When the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General accused two senior department executives of gaming internal systems to gain promotions and relocation bonuses, agency leaders responded by demoting, rather than firing, them.
Space
NASA wants to ‘move out’ of International Space Station –
The International Space Station may have its days numbered.
Take a look inside a star –
Beneath their seemingly calm surface, stars harbor intense regions of turbulence.