News
Pentagon moves forward — unilaterally — on $6.1 billion contract for ninth F-35 lot –
The Pentagon Nov. 2 announced a $6.1 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for the ninth lot of joint strike fighter aircraft, but the F-35 manufacturer is not happy with the terms of the arrangement, which was not mutually agreed upon, according to a company spokesman.
Business
Russian helicopters to sell three helicopters to Chinese company –
The Rostec subsidiary will deliver Mi-171A, Ansat and a Ka-32 helicopters to the company in a deal revealed during the Airshow China 2016, Russian Helicopters said in a statement.
Two operational F-35s flying again after undergoing insulation fix –
Two of the F-35s that had been sidelined in September because of faulty insulation have been repaired and are now flying, and the remaining 13 planes are currently going through the modification process, Air Force and Lockheed Martin officials have confirmed.
Canada widens aperture in search of new warships –
Canada has opened up its competition for new warships to designs still yet to be proven, despite its previous commitment to purchase only off-the-shelf vessels.
Field narrows for UK battle tank modernization –
Teams led by UK and German prime contractors have been shortlisted to fight it out over a program to update the British Army’s Challenger 2 main battle tank fleet.
U.S. Army officially opens bids for new landing ship –
The U.S. Army’s program to replace its aging fleet of 74-foot landing craft with a new model is officially underway.
Robot warship tests hang-gliding sensor –
A robot warship of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has tested another interesting device: a sort of hang-gliding sensor.
Defense
Pentagon chief draws fire over ‘dangerous’ plan to relax military recruiting standards –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s new proposal to relax the military’s recruiting standards for fitness and body composition is fraught with potential problems both politically and practically, observers say.
U.S. Air Force begins returning grounded F-35As to service –
The U.S. Air Force has begun returning to service Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs) that were grounded in September following the discovery of faulty insulation on coolant lines, the service announced Nov. 1.
Army debuts strategy to counter drone threats –
There is no magic, silver bullet when it comes to solving the ever-growing unmanned aircraft systems threat, the Army has acknowledged, and therefore its newly released strategy to counter enemy drones looks to address the problem jointly, at every angle, using a variety of solutions.
Navy’s MQ-4C Triton community gets its very first squadron –
The Navy’s first unmanned aviation unit formally became the Navy’s first UAV squadron during an Oct. 28 “assumption of command” ceremony at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fla.
F-35s practice vertical landings on a Marine Corps assault ship –
Marine jets test and develop new techniques ahead of the jet’s first overseas deployment.
Veterans
Civilian hiring managers love veterans, but don’t always understand them –
Hiring managers see veterans as valuable recruits for civilian companies but still struggle with how to handle their concerns and professional development, according to a new survey released by the Hiring Our Heroes initiative.