News
GAO: DOD’s recovery from war ops, budget cuts might take another 10 years –
The military’s ability to fully train and equip its forces is “at risk” and the military might struggle with readiness for another 10 years, the Government Accountability Office reported Sept. 7.
Russian jet flies within 10 feet of U.S. spy plane –
A Russian jet zoomed within just 10 feet of a U.S. Navy spy plane over the Black Sea Sept. 7, the latest in a string of daring maneuvers involving Russian aircraft and the U.S. military, a defense official with knowledge of the incident told Fox News.
Defense
U.S. Foreign Military Sales process changing slowly, but demand remains high –
A variety of efforts are under way to improve the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program and speed the often cumbersome process, and U.S. officials say the system is improving and demand remains high.
Variety evident in August defense contract awards –
Defense contracts awarded in August reflect the varied work ongoing at Newport News Shipbuilding and its sister shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
Northrop Grumman to demo mine-hunting sensor on British USV –
Northrop Grumman will demonstrate its mine-hunting sonar on a British unmanned surface vessel.
Boeing to progress GBU-56 LJDAM integration onto Hornet fighter –
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Boeing a $9.97 million contract related to testing and integration of the GBU-56(V)4/B 2,000-pound precision guided munition onto the F/A-18 Hornet combat aircraft.
DRS awarded $9.3 million datalink contract –
DRS Advanced ISR has been awarded a $9.3 million Navy contract for data terminals.
Is MEADS back in running for Poland’s missile defense competition? –
The team developing the Medium Extended Air Defense System signed a letter of intent to work with Poland’s leading state-run defense group PGZ Sept. 7 and expects the Polish government to send a letter requesting more information from the U.S. government on the system imminently.
Better buying power 4.0 would focus on sustainment –
Frank Kendall, the Pentagon’s top acquisition official, knows time is running out on the Obama administration, but he hopes to set the table for the next round of his Better Buying Initiative.
India-based Solar Industries eyes international ammunition market –
India’s major private sector ammunition manufacturer wants to increase its footprint in the African ammunition market and is considering setting up bulk explosives factories in Australia and Indonesia, according to Nilesh Panpaliya, the chief financial officer of Nagpur-based Solar Industries.
Companies eagerly await start of JSTARS bidding process –
Three companies are in a holding pattern as the Air Force gets ready to drop a request for proposals for new ground surveillance aircraft to replace the aging fleet reaching the end of its life.
Marte ER wins first sale as part of Qatari coastal defense system –
MBDA has secured a first sale for its Marte Extended Range anti-ship missile after concluding a contract for the supply of a coastal defense system to the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces.
Egypt, Russia sign Ka-52K training agreement –
Russia and Egypt have reached an agreement under which Egyptian pilots will be trained to fly the Kamov Ka-52K Katran (the naval version of the Ka-52 Alligator) attack helicopter, the Russian newspaper Izvestia reported Sept. 6, citing a source in military and diplomatic circles.
Airbus Helicopters edges closer to Polish H225M deal –
Airbus Helicopters believes it is close to finalizing an order with Poland for 50 H225M rotorcraft — some 18 months after the Caracal was provisionally selected for the tri-service deal.
Defense
Lawmakers react to Trump’s plan to boost military strength –
Hawkish Republican lawmakers long arguing on Capitol Hill for more defense spending, more troops, more ships and more jets — and an end to sequestration — saw Donald Trump take up their standard Sept. 7.
McCain to play pivotal role in defense fight –
Sen. John McCain is the pivotal figure in a fall fight between House and Senate Republicans over defense spending.
Facing pilot shortfall, Air Force challenged to train foreign aviators –
Already facing a shortfall of several hundred fighter pilots, the U.S. Air Force is challenged to train a rising number of foreign aviators, the service’s top civilian said.
Air Force challenges Pentagon cost estimate of next-gen nuclear missiles –
More work needs to be done before the Defense Department can accurately estimate the cost of modernizing the nation’s arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said Sept. 7.
U.S. Air Force top acquisition officer on making weapons cost what they should –
Faced with tightening budgets and a slew of major modernization programs on the horizon, the U.S. Air Force is looking for creative ways to save money and speed delivery of weapons to troops.
DOD authorizes more funds to cover stalled F-35 contract –
Almost two years after the Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin the latest F-35 contract, the company is still waiting on the funds needed to build the next batch of fighter jets.
Kendall spells out F-35 concerns for next U.S. administration –
After the November election, scores of political appointees in the Defense Department will likely lose their jobs as the next U.S. president picks new officials to drive his or her agenda forward.
LCS troubles may stem from double engine –
After two years of embarrassing breakdowns in both variants of the embattled Navy Littoral Combat Ship, there are worrying signs that a reliability problem is built into the design. At issue: the unhappy combination of an unusually small crew struggling with a uniquely complex propulsion system, one that yokes gas turbines and diesel engines together.
Veterans
Proposal to create board of directors to help run VA draws widespread opposition –
A proposal to establish a board of directors for the Department of Veterans Affairs drew opposition Sept. 7 from a House committee intent on changing the VA’s culture.
House panel receptive to VA reform proposals –
House Veterans Affairs Committee members voiced support Sept. 6 for recommendations by a congressional panel to reform VA health services, to include improvements to the current setup of government hospitals and private doctors that provide care to veterans.