News
China finally unveils its J-20 war plane –
The war plane will be showcased at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai this week as Beijing flexes its long-range military muscles.
Business
Raytheon to upgrade missile defense radars –
Raytheon has been awarded a Missile Defense Agency contract modification to upgrade missile defense radars.
GATR unveils new SATCOM antenna –
GATR Technologies has introduced a new inflatable satellite communications antenna.
Is Lockheed Martin getting ready to build a Super Patriot missile? –
The Army is advancing efforts to upgrade the radar, fire control technology and flight software for its Patriot missile in order to sharpen its target tracking ability against approaching enemy attacks.
Defense
Pentagon downplays near-collision between U.S., Russian warplanes over Syria –
A Russian fighter flew within a half-mile of a U.S. warplane over eastern Syria on Oct. 17, officials confirmed Oct. 28.
Pentagon won’t use robots that decide on their own when to kill –
The Pentagon is devising some whiz-bang autonomous weaponry, but Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Oct. 28 that the U.S. military would never use robotic systems that decided on their own when to kill.
U.S. Air Force may expand J-Stars fleet safety inspections –
After temporarily grounding four of its E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-Stars) battle management aircraft last month over possible safety issues, the U.S. Air Force still has concerns about the quality of Northrop Grumman’s maintenance work and may need to inspect the rest of the fleet.
Air Force B-2 to get new digital nuclear weapons, air-ground missiles –
The stealthy B-2 is slated to fly alongside the Air Force’s new Long Range Strike — Bomber into the 2050s.
Soldiers test, provide feedback on technology in new Army exercise –
More than 5,000 troops tried out dozens of warfighting capabilities in a desert exercise designed to give the Army feedback on new technologies before they are fielded across the force.
Anti-naval ATACMS, ‘big’ swarming breakthroughs from strategic capabilities office –
The Strategic Capabilities Office believes it can upgrade the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) weapon to allow it to strike moving targets on both land and water, Pentagon officials announced Oct. 28.
Army receives first Stryker upgraded with 30mm cannon –
The Army on Oct. 27 took delivery of the first prototype of its new Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle upgraded with a more lethal 30mm cannon, ahead of target to begin fielding to the Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment in May 2018.
Congress isn’t finished with the California Guard bonuses scandal –
The Pentagon has its fix for the California National Guard bonuses controversy, but that won’t stop members of Congress from weighing in with their own solutions when they return to Capitol Hill next month.
Veterans
The number of veterans in Congress will likely drop again next year –
An analysis from the nonpartisan Veterans Campaign shows that for the first time in 70 years, Congress could boast fewer than 100 veterans in the House and Senate in 2017.
PBS to debut Battle of Chosin doc Nov. 1 — watch an exclusive clip –
A new documentary on a legendary Korean War battle will feature the personal perspectives of more than 20 veterans of the deadly, frigid, two-week ordeal.
Space
Honey, I’m home! –
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins calls her family moments after landing back on earth.