News:
U.S. reports first KIA in fight against Islamic State –
A U.S. service member died during a commando raid in Iraq Oct. 22, the first American killed in action by enemy fire while fighting Islamic State militants.
Obama vetoes annual defense authorization bill –
President Obama vetoed the annual defense authorization bill Oct. 22 as part of an ongoing fight with congressional Republicans over the federal budget that has left a host of military policy changes caught in the crossfire.
Marines identify Maj. Taj Sareen as pilot killed in England Hornet crash –
The U.S. Marines have identified the pilot who died following an Oct. 21 fighter crash in England.
Business:
Fallon: Keep successor costs, schedule under control –
Britain’s nuclear submarine industry has been warned by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon not to repeat the delays and cost overruns of the Astute hunter-killer program when it builds the Royal Navy’s new Trident missile submarines.
Bogdan: Canada pullout would drive up F-35 cost –
If Canada pulls out of the Pentagon’s F-35 joint strike fighter program, the remaining international partners will be forced to pay a higher price for each plane, according to the head of the Joint Program Office.
Bogdan denies excessive risk to most F-35 pilots –
Despite concerns over the safety of lightweight pilots flying the F-35, the vast majority of pilots do not face excessive risk of neck damage during an ejection, the chief of the Pentagon’s Joint Program Office argued in front of Congress this week.
Audit says U.K.’s 10-year equipment plan on target for now –
Indications are that Britain’s 10-year defense-equipment procurement plan will remain affordable for at least the remainder of the decade, but risks could emerge from some high-value programs still in their early stages and from underestimated support costs, the National Audit Office said in a report released Oct. 22.
Lockheed wins $784 million long-range radar contract –
Lockheed Martin has beaten out Raytheon and Northrop Grumman to build a new long-range discrimination radar for the Missile Defense Agency, a vital component to intercepting possible intercontinental ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran.
Lockheed Martin delivers first Danish MH-60R helicopter to U.S. Navy –
Representatives from the U.S. Navy, Danish Royal Air Force and Sikorsky gathered at Lockheed Martin in Owego Oct. 22 to unveil the first MH-60R helicopter to be delivered to the Danish Royal Air Force.
Undersea warfare directorate looking to increase dominance through key investments –
The new director of undersea warfare is looking to extend the Navy’s asymmetrical advantage by investing in longer-range targeting, electromagnetic warfare tools and other capabilities to help submarine forces operate effectively into the future.
Lockheed Martin to cut overhead costs amid tepid budget –
In recent times, defense contractors are resorting to reducing headcount to cut overhead costs owing to the weak defense budget environment in the U.S. Recently, Lockheed Martin announced that it has launched a review to cut corporate overhead costs by as much as 30 percent.
Raytheon boosts forecast with Patriot missile gain –
Raytheon boosted its 2015 sales forecast as the maker of Patriot missile-defense systems heads toward its first annual increase in five years amid a squeeze on U.S. military spending.
Bell Helicopter appoints new executive VP of military business –
Bell Helicopter announced that Lisa Atherton has been named executive vice president of military business.
Lockheed Martin’s asteroid-sampling spacecraft in final testing ahead of 2016 launch –
NASA is mere months away from the launch of the first mission to collect samples from an asteroid and return them to Earth. Before the OSIRIS-REx mission can get off the ground.
Lockheed Martin’s F-16V with advanced AESA radar tech successfully embarked on first flight –
Lockheed Martin’s has successfully completed the maiden flight of the F-16V, a next generation configuration that leverages a common worldwide sustainment infrastructure and provides capability improvements to one of the most affordable, combat-proven multi-role fighters.
Defense:
Meet the secretive team shaping Air Force’s new bomber –
The 80-person group operates outside of the typical chain of command, which senior officials say will keep the stealth aircraft program on track.
Revamped Army spy plane program to save more than $200 million –
The revamping of an Army spy plane program is expected to save the service about $216 million across the fleet compared to the cost of the original plan, according to the product manager for the Army’s Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems.
Air Force to activate five squadrons for nuclear monitoring –
The Air Force is activating five squadrons to bolster its nuclear monitoring capabilities, the first time since 1980 that five squadrons will undertake the task.
U.S. Air Force ‘really, really close’ to bomber contract award –
The U.S. Air Force is “really, really close” to announcing which industry team will build its next-generation bomber, according to top service officials.
A $550 million Air Force bomber so good it will never be used –
The Air Force wants a new bomber so that it never actually has to use it.
Space:
NASA gives go ahead to world’s biggest rocket –
It is set to be a launch that brings the science fiction of The Martian closer to reality.