News
Troops discharged after refusing COVID vaccine can now rejoin
Service members who were forced out of the military because they refused the COVID-19 vaccination now have a path for rejoining, according to the senior enlisted advisers who testified before Congress Feb. 28.
Why 20 years wasn’t enough to train the Afghan army to win
The U.S. military spent two decades trying to build an Afghan army that could stand on its own, all the while keeping an eye on the clock, with successive U.S. presidents signaling they wanted out.
Taliban has learned to use some US helicopters, planes left in Afghanistan, watchdog says
An independent watchdog who investigated U.S. military operations in Afghanistan said Tuesday that American forces left behind billions of dollars in weapons, vehicles and equipment and the Taliban has learned how to use some of it, including aircraft.
F-16s not timely or affordable for Ukraine, DOD policy chief says
A senior Department of Defense official provided the clearest explanation yet for why the U.S. has declined Ukraine’s requests to restock their air force with American-made fighters: It would take too long and cost too much.
Blinken in Central Asia to boost ties amid Russia-Ukraine war
U.S. secretary of state to meet with counterparts of five Central Asian countries on visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Business
Northrop, 4 rivals to compete on Army’s future tactical UAS
The U.S. Army said it selected five companies to build prototypes in a competition to ultimately provide the service with a Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System.
Mitsubishi investment to fuel Astroscale’s planned expansion
A sizable investment of $25 million by Japanese mega-corporation Mitsubishi Electric — plus a planned partnership to support Japanese national security satellite development — will help firm Astroscale scale up its space junk cleanup and on-orbit servicing operations.
BAE unwraps Strix VTOL strike drone with 800km range at Avalon
Strix is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft that can be stuffed in a standard shipping container and can carry a range of weapons, including the AGM-114 Hellfire, Brimstone, APKWS II 70mm laser-guided rockets and the AGM-179 JAGM-MR.
Maxar wins more work on Army’s One World Terrain virtual training tool
Geospatial intelligence specialist Maxar Technologies will keep developing immersive training and simulation software under terms of a newly announced U.S. Army contract.
Defense
The time is now to prepare for China conflict, Army leaders say
Top civilian and uniformed Army leaders said 2023 will be a pivotal year to train new capabilities and equip U.S. forces to deter China from attacking Taiwan.
Army greenlights Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle prototype buy in 2024
Both fully electric vehicles and hybrid-electric contenders will be considered for program.
US Navy reviews cost-saving design changes before resuming amphib buys
The U.S. Navy is taking a “strategic pause” from buying amphibious ships, and using that time to study not just how many ships it wants but also the capabilities they should have when the service resumes buying them.
Marines remove scout sniper platoons from infantry battalions
Instead of scout sniper platoons, infantry battalions will have scout platoons.
USAF selects Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail as successor to AWACS
The Air Force selected Boeing to develop its E-7A future airborne battle management aircraft, with an initial contract not-to-exceed $1.2 billion to start work on a prototype.
Space Force wants launch ranges to be more resilient
As the U.S. Space Force takes steps to make its satellites more resilient against an enemy attack or a mishap in space, the service’s launch enterprise is making similar moves on the ground.
Veterans
Lawmakers eye caps on attorney fees for Camp Lejeune suits
Congress will likely pass legislation this year to limit attorney’s fees for certain veterans benefits work to protect vets from being bilked by unscrupulous attorneys, according to Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Holder dies in Arizona at age 101
Jack Holder, a Pearl Harbor survivor who went on become a decorated World War II flyer, has died in Arizona.
Correcting benefits for medically retired vets a ‘top priority’ for Senate VA Committee, Tester vows
This will be the year that the law is changed to allow all medically retired veterans to receive full retirement and disability checks — not just veterans with more than 20 years of service, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., vowed Feb. 28.