News
New catastrophe for U.S. Navy as 10 sailors go missing when destroyer collides with oil tanker –
Ten sailors are missing and five have been reported injured after the USS John S McCain (main) was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel east of Singapore Aug. 21, the Navy has said.
Predator crashes in Turkey; investigation underway –
An MQ-1 Predator crashed in a field shortly after taking off from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey Aug. 17, the Air Force said.
Fitzgerald’s CO, sailors standing watch face discipline in fatal collision –
The Navy plans to discipline up to a dozen Fitzgerald sailors, including the commanding officer, in connection to the destroyer’s fatal June collision with a commercial ship that led to the drownings of seven sailors in their berthing.
Business
Lockheed Martin wins M-Code satellite contract –
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $45.5 million contract modification for military code, or M-Code, early-use software.
L3 receives contract for Kuwaiti KC-130J work –
L3 Vertex Aerospace is being awarded an $8.9 million contract to provide Kuwait with maintenance and logistics on the KC-130J Hercules tanker aircraft, the Department of Defense announced Aug. 16.
Air Force awards advanced flight technology contracts –
The Air Force has awarded contracts to two companies for the Aerospace Systems Air Platform Technology Research program.
India mine-sweeper program hits another roadblock –
Goa Shipyard Limited’s quest to build 12 high-tech mine countermeasure vessels for $5 billion, which is already delayed, has hit a roadblock over the selection of propulsion engines.
General Atomics targets first big international Avenger drone sale –
Fewer than a dozen Avenger drones have been purchased since the product first flew in 2009, but General Atomics believes it may be able to sell about 90 aircraft in the next few years to a single international buyer, its president said Aug. 16.
Australia welcomes first six PC-21s to East Sale –
The Royal Australian Air Force has taken the latest step towards introducing its new fleet of Pilatus PC-21 basic trainers, with its first six of the Swiss-built turboprops having been fielded at its East Sale air base in Victoria.
Nammo signs first artillery deal with Finland –
Nammo A/S has reached a landmark agreement with the Finnish Defense Forces to supply the Norwegian company’s newly developed artillery shells.
State Dept. clears $1.25 billion HIMARS sale to Romania –
The State Department has cleared a $1.25 billion High Mobility Artillery Rocket System sale to Romania, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement Aug. 18.
General Atomics: Export restrictions help China grow its drone tech –
At the beginning of the century, U.S. drone makers were king, but export restrictions on UAVs have allowed China to begin closing the technology gap, the president and CEO of General Atomics said Aug. 16.
Raytheon marks milestone for its Tomahawk, looks to the future –
Raytheon and the U.S. Navy marked the 4,000 delivery of Tomahawk Block IV in a ceremony Tuesday, all amid a push to modernize the Navy’s venerable long-range strike missile for service into the 2050s.
Harris delivers GPS III navigation payload –
Harris Corp. has delivered the navigation payload for the third GPS III satellite.
Defense
Trump elevates Cyber Command; split with NSA still an option –
President Donald Trump on Aug. 18 announced plans to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to the status of a unified combatant command, underscoring the significance of the cyberspace-focused mission on national security.
OMB: Pentagon should emphasize dual-use R&D spending –
The White House wants the Pentagon to emphasize technology developments with both military and civil uses in its next budget, according to a new guidance from the Office of Management and Budget.
Marine KC-130J loses cabin pressure, lands safely –
Disaster was averted when a Marine Corps KC-130J with 46 passengers aboard safely landed after losing cabin pressure at 21,000 feet, Corps officials said Aug. 17.
Veterans
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall vandalized –
The Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington was vandalized Aug. 16, officials said.
Dog tags, possible remains of WWII soldier found on island –
A New York military aviation researcher got more than she bargained for on a dream trip to a battle-scarred South Pacific island — the chance to help solve the mystery of an American soldier listed as missing in action from World War II.
Trump signs bill to help World War II vets exposed to mustard gas –
World War II veterans exposed to mustard gas by the military will find it easier to receive help under legislation President Donald Trump has signed into law.