News
F-16 crashes near Bagram Airfield, pilot safe –
A U.S. F-16 crashed during an evening takeoff near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
U.S. to beef up military presence in Eastern Europe –
U.S. officials say the Pentagon will be deploying an armored brigade combat team to Eastern Europe next February as part of the ongoing effort to rotate troops in and out of the region to reassure allies worried about threats from an increasingly aggressive Russia.
Business
SecDef, industry CEOs exchange views on innovation, acquisition reforms –
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter participated in a closed-door meeting with a group of industry executives March 29 to discuss wide-ranging concerns such as Pentagon technology initiatives, procurement regulations and foreign military sales.
Saab to partner with Tata Power to manufacture LEDS in India –
Saab of Sweden has joined with India’s domestic Tata Power SED to manufacture the Land Electronic Defence System for the first time in India.
Boeing to cut more than 4,500 jobs –
Boeing March 29 said it planned to cut more than 4,500 jobs by June, as the company accelerates cost-cutting efforts in an effort to keep pace with customers demanding less expensive jetliners.
Qatar, France complete Dassault Rafale fighter jet deal –
France and Qatar completed the deal for 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets at the opening day of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference.
RAF Tornado successfully trials BriteCloud protection system –
Finmeccanica is hopeful that the Royal Air Force will be the launch customer for its BriteCloud active decoy, following the completion of a series of tests of the system onboard the service’s Panavia Tornado GR4 combat aircraft.
Indo-French surface-to-air missile unveiled at Defexpo –
India and France are showcasing a static mock-up of a vertical-launch short-range surface-to-air missile for naval applications at the MBDA stand at Defexpo.
Pentagon backs Raytheon’s troubled GPS ground-segment –
Top U.S. Air Force officials have called it “a disaster” and “the No. 1 troubled program within the Department of Defense.” But for now, the service is continuing with the $4.1 billion GPS III ground-system network in development at Raytheon, despite its being almost six years late and more than $1 billion over budget.
Saudi Arabia, Oman set up arms factories –
Saudi Arabia and Oman have both announced that they are setting up munitions production facilities.
Croatia probes fighter jet deal with Ukraine amid corruption claims –
The Croatian military police have launched a probe into the Defence Ministry’s acquisition of 12 modernized Mikoyan MiG-21 fighter jets from Ukraine.
CACI tapped for geospatial services contract –
U.S. Special Operations Command recently picked CACI International to provide joint geospatial analytic support services. The contract is worth up to $180 million and could span five years if its four one-year options are all exercised.
Navy orders ISIS imaging systems –
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $9.5 million Navy contract modification for additional submarine imaging systems.
Defense
Dunford: Changes needed to prepare for ‘dynamic and complex’ future wars –
The United States must adjust its approach to preparing for wars that in the future will likely be fought across multiple regions and in a variety of domains, the nation’s top military officer said March 29.
Dunford: Next U.S. military strategy document will be classified –
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the next military strategy document will be kept classified, a recommendation often called for in House and Senate armed services committee hearings that began in the fall on “defense reform.”
U.S. intensifies air campaign against al Qaeda in Yemen –
The U.S. military revved up aerial assaults against al Qaeda’s official branch in Yemen during the month of March. The U.S. launched at least six airstrikes against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in areas in southern Yemen this month, equalling the total from the five preceding months, according to data compiled by The Long War Journal.
Air Force deployment tempo brings new kinds of strains –
As the fight against the Islamic State has ramped up, the shape of the Air Force’s deployed forces has changed, giving some airmen a break, but taxing others to a concerning degree.
U.S. Navy picks Electric Boat as prime contractor for new sub –
The U.S. Navy has chosen General Dynamics Electric Boat to be the prime contractor for a new class of ballistic-missile submarines.
Ohio replacement plan is good news For Electric Boat –
The Navy’s plan for building new nuclear missile submarines — the $80 billion Ohio Replacement Program — tips the balance between the nations’ sub-builders in favor of New England-based Electric Boat.
Veterans
VA offers special pension benefit to disabled vets, spouses –
The VA’s “Aid & Attendance” pension benefit offsets financial burdens felt by disabled veterans or surviving spouses.
Space
The giant fuel tank that could take us to Mars –
Over the past week, NASA has taken great strides toward deep-space exploration, marking completion of welding on hardware for massive liquid oxygen tanks for the Space Launch System.