News
Pentagon looking into reports of Russian missile strike in Poland
Defense Department leadership is aware of press reports that Russian missiles targeting Ukrainian energy facilities crossed into Poland on Nov. 15, killing two, but is not ready to confirm any details, according to a spokesman.
White House requests $38 billion more in Ukraine aid
The White House on Nov. 15 asked Congress for another $38 billion in Ukraine aid. If lawmakers fund the supplemental request, it would bring the total amount Congress has appropriated for Ukraine to more than $100 billion in less than a year.
G20 leaders declaration denounces ‘Russian aggression’ in Ukraine
International law must be upheld, the communique says, adding the threat of the use of nuclear weapons was inadmissible.
Business
Israel accelerating Arrow-4, sensor development due to Iranian hypersonic threat
While Israeli intelligence is trying to confirm Iran’s recent declaration that it has successfully developed a hypersonic ballistic missile, the Israeli Defense Forces have already been anticipating such an announcement — and in the last two months have begun accelerating efforts to develop measures to counter the potential new threat, sources say.
UK orders five more counter-submarine frigates for $5 billion
The Royal Navy is to receive five anti-submarine warfare frigates in a £4.2 billion ($5 billion) deal between the Ministry of Defence and warship builder BAE Systems announced on Nov. 15.
General Dynamics, Amazon, Cisco form coalition to spur 5G adoption
General Dymanics said it’s teaming up with Amazon and four other information technology, software and telecommunications companies to develop 5G technologies and accelerate their adoption across sectors including the U.S. military.
Next-gen destroyer’s price tag could be $1B more than Navy’s estimates: CBO
In its annual report on Navy shipbuilding, the Congressional Budget Office’s warned that “uncertainty about the ultimate size and capabilities of the next-generation destroyer suggests that its final cost could differ substantially from both the Navy’s and CBO’s estimates.”
Czech drone maker Primoco wins order for UAVs as military demand soars
Primoco UAV said it won a contract for the delivery of eight of the Czech company’s One 150 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to an undisclosed customer outside Europe.
Army awards Lockheed $500M deal to replenish rockets stockpile
The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a deal worth $521 million to replenish U.S. stocks of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, which were supplied to Ukraine to beat back Russia’s invasion.
Defense
Official Army app had Russian code, might have harvested user data
The Army has confirmed that an officially approved app was built using code from a tech company with Russian roots that provides popular tools for app developers to send customized notifications to their users.
Can the Air Force train new pilots without planes?
Simulators set to replace jets as officials prepare to retire the T-1A Jayhawk.
F-35 jet funding is running $1.4 billion short, Pentagon tells Congress
The Pentagon has found that it’s $1.4 billion short of funds for the next major contract to buy F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp., according to a new list of so-called unfunded priorities sent to Congress.
U.S. Space Command creates new task force to coordinate space operations
U.S. Space Command announced Nov. 15 it is adding a new component to its organization to help coordinate operations and speed up the delivery of satellite-based services to military forces in the field.
Veterans
VA secretary makes promise: “We will be vets’ best advocates”
In early 2021, when Denis McDonough was sworn in as the Veterans Affairs secretary, he promised to make the department more inclusive, more welcoming and more user-friendly for veterans.