News
Iranian drone flies too close to U.S. forces for second time in a week –
The latest incident took place in the early evening on Aug. 13, when a QOM-1 drone came within 1,000 feet of U.S. jets operating from the carrier Nimitz, Naval Forces Central Command officials said.
Air Force captain lands A-10 with no canopy, no gear –
Capt. Brett DeVries was 150 feet off the ground on a strafing run when the 30 mm gun of his A-10 misfired at the same moment the entire canopy of his aircraft blew off.
Business
Shipyard repays $9.2 million to U.S. government to settle overbilling –
One of the nation’s largest military shipyards is paying $9.2 million back to the federal government after a former employee alleged the Mississippi shipbuilder falsified records to maximize contracting bonuses.
Japan’s Defense Ministry looks to smaller firms for new SDF equipment –
The Defense Ministry is actively searching for technologies developed by small and medium-size domestic firms to use in equipment for the Self-Defense Forces, according to ministry documents obtained by Kyodo News.
Ukraine rocket maker denies leaking know-how to North Korea –
The head of Ukraine’s top rocket-making company on Aug. 15 rejected claims that its technologies might have been shipped to North Korea, helping the pariah nation achieve a quantum leap in its missile program.
Defense contractors begin early shutdown preparations –
Contractors should immediately begin communicating with their contracting officers about the impacts of a potential government shutdown this fall, former executive branch officials and industry experts warned Aug. 14.
Trade groups warn companies to prep for government shutdown –
Two prominent industry trade organizations are encouraging their members to start preparing for a government shutdown that could occur at the end of the fiscal year.
Data Link Solutions, ViaSat win more JTRS work –
Data Link Solutions and ViaSat have been awarded increased ceilings for their contracts for Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS) terminals.
Finland buys tactical network –
Finnish firm Bittium Wireless has been awarded a Finnish military contract to provide tactical network equipment.
Defense
Marines want 50,000 more Infantry Automatic Rifles to replace M4 –
Marines are requesting 50,000 more M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles from Heckler & Koch.
Army is testing a new combat fitness test –
The jury is most definitely in: The Army Physical Fitness Test, for all its simplicity and efficiency, does not measure how well a soldier will perform under fire.
Meet Navy ships named in honor of the Confederacy –
As debate rages and turns bloody in Charlottesville and elsewhere regarding the place that monuments to the slave-holding Confederacy should have in 21st century America, the guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville steams along as part of Pacific Fleet.
Veterans
WWII Marine vet returns dead Japanese soldier’s flag –
Tatsuya Yasue buried his face into the flag and smelled it. Then he held the 93-year-old hands that brought this treasure home, and kissed them.
Two months in, questions still surround Trump’s promised hotline for vets’ complaints –
Veterans Affairs officials announced late last week that a full roll out of the White House VA Hotline won’t happen for another two months, as officials continue to work through staffing and operations issues.