News
In rare Pentagon visit, Obama says ISIS is ‘inevitably going to be defeated’ –
President Obama made a rare visit to the Pentagon Aug. 4 and said the two-year-old fight against the Islamic State will inexorably lead to victory.
Business
Back to the future: Company looks to sell hoverboards to military –
A U.S. company currently in the explosives-trace-detection business is in the process of acquiring a French hoverboard company that it hopes will excite the defense, security and commercial markets.
CSRA explores human-machine interaction for Air Force –
CSRA has been awarded a $7.5 million U.S. Air Force contract to conduct research and development on mission-critical processes and tools used by airmen, the company announced Aug. 4.
British laser gun development held up by industry protest –
Announcement of a contract award to MBDA to build a laser-directed energy weapon demonstrator for the British Ministry of Defence has been held up by a protest filed by one of the losing bidders.
State Dept. approves $300 million aircraft sale to Argentina –
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $300 million foreign military sale to Argentina for T-6C Texan aircraft, the department announced Aug. 3.
U.S. Navy, Australia order distributed targeting systems –
Boeing has been awarded a $10.2 million delivery order for distributed targeting systems for the U.S. Navy and Australia.
Italian coast guard orders two Leonardo AW139 helicopters –
The Italian coast guard has ordered two more Leonardo-Finmeccanica AW139 helicopters, the company announced Aug. 4.
Northrop begins work on second Japanese E-2D Hawkeye –
Northrop Grumman has received a U.S. Navy contract to produce a second E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for Japan, the company announced Aug. 3.
Northrop Grumman says awarded Department of Veterans Affairs contract –
Northrop Grumman awarded Department of Veterans Affairs contract for health information technology.
If IAF picks F-16, Lockheed Martin to make it in India, for India and the world –
American defense major Lockheed Martin Aug. 4 said it has offered to move its lone production line of the latest version of fighter aircraft F 16-Block 70 to India from Texas to meet Indian and global requirement.
Lockheed Martin successfully tests Miniature Hit to Kill interceptor –
Lockheed Martin’s Miniature Hit-to-Kill interceptor was successfully tested last July 29 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
£2.1 billionn aerospace deal will safeguard hundreds of BAE Systems’ jobs –
Fylde MP Mark Menzies today welcomed the Typhoon maintenance contract which will maintain hundreds of jobs at BAE Systems’ Warton site for years to come.
Defense
Air Force secretary: ‘Absolutely certain’ Air Force must grow to 325,000 airmen –
As she enters what will likely be her final six months in office, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James is aiming to put the service on a path toward growing to as many as 325,000 airmen.
Air Force to make A-10 replacement recommendations as early as fall –
The U.S. Air Force is deliberating if and how to replace its close-air support workhorse, the A-10, and may have a better picture of their path forward later this year, the service’s top civilian said Aug. 3.
U.S. Air Force FMS changes coming soon –
In the next few weeks, the U.S. Air Force plans to roll out changes to its foreign military sales processes in the hopes of speeding up international purchases.
U.S. Air Force pilots add electronic warfare mission capability to UAV training –
As the U.S. Air Force faces both pilot shortages and increased demand for its unmanned air vehicle operations in contested environments, the service is offering operators new training to allow them to continue carrying out their missions while under electronic attack.
Army suspends SRB for the first time in 10 years –
For the first time since 2006, the Army has suspended its Selective Retention Bonus program until the end of the fiscal year.
Army to meet with firms interested in developing new light tank –
The U.S. Army plans to meet next week with firms to discuss the idea of developing a new light armored vehicle with mobile protected firepower.
Veterans
How a gold star became a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice –
The gold star denoting a family member who died in combat dates back to World War I, but before last week, the phrase “Gold Star family” wasn’t as widely known as it was during World War II.
Progress on Reserve, Guard vet status, vet preference initiatives –
Two no-cost initiatives to honor the service of Reserve and National Guard members are edging forward in Congress, though final passage this year is still far from certain.
Veterans omnibus hits ‘stumbling block’ in Senate –
Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald has described 2016 as a “make or break year” for the department.