News
Two U.S. troops injured during ISIS attacks in Iraq, Syria –
Two American troops were injured over the weekend in separate attacks by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, a defense official said, marking the first time the U.S. military has publicly disclosed a casualty among troops deployed to Syria.
Business
Leonardo-Finmeccanica shrugs off India blacklisting –
Italian defense group Leonardo-Finmeccanica has put a brave face on news that it will be blacklisted in India, calling its business in the country “very marginal” and claiming it has no Indian orders included in its budget forecast.
India allows private companies to build rockets –
For the first time India has broken the monopoly of state enterprise Ordnance Factory Board and will permit private defense companies to manufacture rockets for helicopters.
Pakistan seeks greater indigenization for next Air Force fighter –
The top Pakistan Air Force chief has outlined plans for greater indigenous design and technical/industrial input with its next fighter, which it hopes to realize under the Vision 2030 program.
DRS pairs with Roboteam –
DRS Technologies has joined forces with Israeli firm Roboteam to develop a system for the Army’s Common Robotic System-Individual (CRS-I) program.
Lockheed Martin ramping up for new guidance, control production for Navy’s Mk 48 torpedoes –
A facility that currently produces upgrade kits for the U.S. Navy’s Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo is ramping up to build a new guidance and control section for the weapon, a Lockheed Martin official told IHS Jane’s May 31.
Pentagon adds $1.457 billion to Boeing JDAM deal –
The Pentagon has modified a contract with Boeing to add $1.457 billion for additional Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits as munitions have been expended at higher-than-expected rates during the campaign in Iraq and Syria.
ILA: Typhoon SOM study nears completion –
Roketsan and Airbus Defence & Space’s feasibility study into the potential integration of the former’s Stand-Off Missile (SOM) onboard the Eurofighter Typhoon is some six months from completion, the manufacturer says.
Indonesia (still) mulling purchase of stealth subs from Russia –
Indonesia is also considering buying Russian amphibious aircraft, according to Indonesia’s ambassador to Moscow.
NASSCO wins two big Navy contracts –
The Navy has awarded General Dynamics-NASSCO $189 million to gear up for the construction of a huge logistics vessel and to continue repairing and upgrading littoral combat ships. Most of the work will be performed at the NASSCO shipyard in Barrio Logan, helping the company to maintain its workforce, which currently numbers around 3,600. The yard has been operating at near-capacity building commercial and Navy ships, and repairing an assortment of military vessels.
Raytheon teams with UVision for U.S. Army LMAMS competition –
Raytheon is teaming with UVision of Israel to offer the lightweight Hero 30 for the U.S. Army’s lethal miniature aerial missile system.
Defense
GOP senators move to keep women out of military draft –
A group of Senate Republicans wants to remove a controversial provision from the Senate’s annual defense policy bill that would require women to register for the draft.
USSOCOM continues to advance TALOS development –
U.S. Special Operations Command officials have revealed a list of requirements for its secretive Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit program at the 2016 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference.
U.S. Air Force air superiority ‘flight plan’ warns of deficiencies –
The U.S. Air Force has warned that it faces growing air combat threats that it may be unable to counter by 2030, according to the service’s new 15-year plan for air combat capabilities.
Air Force boosts Boeing contract for ‘smart bomb’ kits –
The Air Force has boosted to $3.2 billion a contract with Boeing for “smart bomb” kits, a move designed in part to replenish a stockpile depleted from U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
F-35, F-16 noise difference small, Netherlands study shows –
Analysis of the first noise trials in the Netherlands with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has found that the difference in noise levels between the F-35 and F-16 is perceived to be small.
The U.S. Navy’s new lethal torpedo is almost ready for war –
The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin are restarting production of the latest version of the Mk-48 heavyweight torpedo. The new Mod 7 version — which is being upgraded under the Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) program-will help the Navy’s attack boats take on the threat from advanced Russian and Chinese-built ships and submarines.
Marine Corps C2 platform unleashes mission-critical data –
When it comes to sharing intelligence data in the field, the Marine Corps faces a profound digital difficulty. Commanders may have access to critical information on terrain, fires, logistics and troop strength but that information typically does not reside in one place. The information lives in stovepipes and is not readily accessible in a single view to a single user.
Veterans
Senate probe finds systemic failure at Wisconsin VA facility –
A U.S. Senate committee probe of a painkiller-abuse scandal at a VA facility in western Wisconsin that veterans referred to as “Candy Land” because of the free flow of prescription drugs has turned up “systemic failures” in an inspector general’s review of the facility.
Missouri senator pushes to help vets exposed to mustard gas –
Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill rolled out legislation May 31 aimed at helping World War II veterans she said were exposed to mustard gas by the military, a practice a daughter of one Missouri veteran said led to chronic health issues for her father.
Combative Trump details millions in aid for veterans, attacks media –
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sharply criticized the news media May 29 for asking questions about what happened to contributions he raised for U.S. military veterans groups.
Here are the vets groups Trump says got $5.6 million –
Presumed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump May 31 named 41 military-themed organizations receiving donations from his veterans fundraiser in January, hinting that even more could receive money in the months to come.
Veterans groups split over Trump’s fundraising –
The donations have stirred unease among some of the charities, and split the veterans’ community.
Trump foundation contacted vet group about donation last week –
The Donald J. Trump Foundation first contacted the Bob Woodruff Foundation May 24, and a day later a $75,000 check showed up at the office, according to Sam Kille, the Woodruff Foundation’s communications manager.
One group Trump donated to benefits fundraisers, not veterans –
One of the charities that Donald Trump selected to receive a donation from his veterans’ fundraiser is a group with a rating of “F” from CharityWatch, and has been criticized in the past for spending less than half of its incoming donations on programs that help veterans.
Space
Send your stuff to Mars! –
In just two years, people will be able to send packages to Mars.
International
Tested by Russia, NATO struggles to stay credible –
Six weeks before a critical summit meeting aimed at bolstering NATO’s deterrence against a resurgent Russia, the alliance is facing a long list of challenges. The first is to find a country to lead the last of four military units to be deployed in Poland and the three Baltic nations. But that, analysts say, could be the least of its problems.