News
Marines to buy bulletproof panels for recruiting stations –
A year after a terror-motivated mass shooting in Chattanooga, Tenn., left four Marines and a sailor dead, the Marine Corps has begun the process of shoring up recruiting centers against the prospect of similar attacks in the future.
Business
Embraer hopes systems, KC-390 spurs defense growth –
Brazilian firm Embraer hopes to spur growth in its defense sector through a combination of ongoing sales of its A-29 Super Tucano, an increased focus on border surveillance, and the official launch of its KC-390 multirole aircraft.
Future ICBM: Industry predicts ‘low risk’ development –
The nation’s top defense contractors are drafting bids in anticipation of an Air Force request for proposals to develop the next generation of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Israel may contract out F-35 maintenance –
Israel is considering contracting out the heavy maintenance of its future Lockheed Martin F-35As, as it seeks domestic provision of overhaul activities on the type.
Defense
This is the Democrats’ plan for strengthening America’s military –
The Democratic platform approved by party leaders this week calls for strengthening the military through “predictable” funding, less dependence on defense contractors and better protections for minorities.
Pentagon wants brain-stimulating headset to improve combat skills –
The Pentagon’s new innovation unit will be testing a high-tech headset to see whether it can make special operators even better fighters, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said July 26.
Air Force secretary: Experience, growth will eventually offset maintainer shortage –
The Air Force’s fighter pilot shortage, recently addressed by Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, isn’t the only deficit the service is facing. It also needs a major influx of personnel to bolster the maintainer ranks, the service’s top civilian leader said July 26.
Air Force boss wary of proposal for new close-air support jets –
While some Air Force officials have begun thinking about replacing the A-10 Warthog, including a new proposal that would involve buying two aircraft types, the service’s top civilian leader July 26 questioned the affordability of such an endeavor.
Pentagon turning to private ‘bad guys’ to dogfight U.S. fighter pilots –
The strain on the military’s pilots and budget is fueling a booming market for companies of private pilots and fleets of fighter jets to play the bad guys in wargames.
Navy taking domain-agnostic approach to unmanned systems –
The Navy is taking a domain-agnostic approach on unmanned systems and is even creating an undersecretary position for unmanned systems and an unmanned warfare systems directorate within the Navy Headquarters staff. The chief of naval research expressed similar sentiments recently to the effect that naval forces could develop simultaneous cross-domain swarms.
Veterans
VA secretary: Same-day primary care, mental health appointments coming –
Veterans will have same-day access to primary care appointments and mental health services at Veterans Affairs facilities by December, VA Secretary Bob McDonald promised July 26.
Trump pledges to reform VA, not eliminate it –
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised a massive overhaul of the Department of Veterans Affairs during his appearance at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention July 26 but also pledged that the government-backed veteran’s health care system will not be dismantled.
International
China criticizes U.S., Japan, Australia for ‘fanning’ tensions –
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the United States, Japan and Australia for a joint statement on the South China Sea that he said was only “fanning the flames” of regional tensions just as countries have agreed to cool them down.
Vietnam says it prefers bilateral talks with China on SCS –
Vietnam aims to settle its territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea through bilateral negotiations even though it doesn’t rule out applying international laws, as the Philippines did in its recent arbitration victory, the deputy foreign minister said July 25.
Putin, Erdogan mend ties as post-coup Turkey turns toward Russia –
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will have talks with Vladimir Putin in Russia next month amid a rapid warming in relations following the failed military coup in Turkey.