News
Moscow shifts sales focus eastward –
In the wake of Russia’s falling out with the West over the crisis in Ukraine last year, Moscow’s arms export agency, Rosoboronexport, has been targeting new arms export markets as part of a larger Kremlin policy to economically pivot away from the West and toward the East.
Lockheed promotes F-35 lead Lorraine Martin, names her deputy as successor –
In a major leadership change for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program, the company has promoted Lorraine Martin while naming her deputy to succeed her as F-35 lead.
Combat test of Lockheed mine-hunting drone postponed, Navy says –
The now-delayed combat testing of the underwater drone for Littoral Combat Ship was to start in November.
Boeing Wins U.S. Air Force Contract To Upgrade F-15 Jet Radar –
Boeing has won a $281.7 million contract from U.S. air force to upgrade (V)3 radar systems for some of its F-15 Eagle fighters.
A400M helicopter serial refueling now a research project –
The head of Airbus Defense and Space’s military aircraft division says that the aerial refueling of helicopters by the company’s A400M airlifter is now the subject of a research project after admitting it will be impossible to achieve in the aircraft’s current configuration.
As U.S.-Egypt tensions thaw, M1A1 Abrams tank co-production to resume –
The United States and Egyptian governments will soon resume the co-production of M1A1 Abrams tanks, weapon systems and accessories after signing a deal that formalized the collaboration between the Egyptian Tank Plant and U.S. defense equipment manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems.
Air Force awards DCGS trainer contract –
Aptima has been awarded a $12.4 million contract to develop a weapons trainer for the Air Force’s Distributed Common Ground System.
U.S. delivers F-16s to Egypt –
The Egyptian Air Force has received four F-16 Block 52 fighters from the United States.
Oto Melara barred from Indian Navy’s gun tender –
Italian company Oto Melara will not be permitted to participate in a $400 million global tender issued recently by the Indian Navy for 110 30mm naval guns because of an ongoing probe into charges of corruption against its parent company, Finmeccanica, a source in the Ministry of Defence said.
Cubic demonstrates flight of encrypted P5 combat training system –
Cubic Global Defense has demonstrated Live Flight of Encrypted P5 Combat Training System on tactical fighter aircraft.
U.S. approves sale of ‘smart bomb’ kits to Turkey –
The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of precision bomb kits valued at $70 million to Turkey, a member of NATO and a key part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants in Syria.
What Finmeccanica stands to gain, lose, with new name –
Finmeccanica will start 2016 by dropping its name and adopting an all-new “short and memorable” title, said its CEO said as the Italian firm follows the example of other European defense companies that have rebranded as they restructure.
BAE Systems invests in reaction engines –
BAE takes 20 percent stake in novel engine technology company.
CBO: Navy 30-Year shipbuilding plan funding inadequate by one-third –
The Navy will have to fund its shipbuilding account by an average of about $20 billion per year (in 2015 dollars) to accomplish its 30-year shipbuilding plan, an amount one-third more than the Congress has appropriated in recent fiscal years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Lockheed Martin to update Air Force ATOMS –
Lockheed Martin has been awarded an Air Force contract to upgrade air tasking systems.
Hunter renews call for UAV sales to Jordan –
As a top Jordanian official leaves after a visit to Washington, Rep. Duncan Hunter is renewing his call for the Obama administration to allow sales of unmanned systems to the Middle Eastern ally.
Small business contracts way up at Wright-Patterson AFB –
Air Force Materiel Command had a surge in spending on small business contracts, rising nearly 30 percent in the Dayton area and 33 percent in Ohio since 2013, figures released to the Dayton Daily News show.
After bomber award, experts raise red flags –
In the context of major U.S. military acquisitions, the Air Force long-range strike bomber may eventually emerge as a poster child for how to buy complex big-ticket weapons. Since the program got under way in 2011, it was deliberately set up to avoid the pitfalls that have tripped up the F-35 joint strike fighter and other troubled acquisitions.
U.S. Air Force finalizes AGM-88F HCSM flight trials –
The U.S. Air Force, in co-operation with Raytheon Missile Systems, has completed the final round of flight-testing for the HARM Control Section Modification upgrade to the AGM-88C High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile.
Defense
The ultimate maritime fighting machine –
The USS Milwaukee is the Navy’s newest combat ship and designed to dominate the coast.
Halt Army handgun program, choose the bullet first –
Sen. John McCain is recommending at the U.S. Army throw out its current plan to replace the M9 service pistol until it can decide upon a specific caliber and type of ammunition soldiers need.
U.S. budget deal provides industry, military stability –
On the eve of Halloween, the U.S. Congress delivered a treat for the Pentagon and defense industry when it approved a crucial bipartisan budget deal with the White House that lands just $5 billion shy of the president’s 2016 defense budget request.
Oversight leaders want answers on runaway blimp –
The chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform want proof the Army blimp that broke free from its mooring this week is worth the money spent on it.
Bomber award kicks off interservice fight for funding –
The Pentagon’s decade-long search for a next-generation bomber ended last week, but now a fight is brewing over how the new bomber fits into the Pentagon’s long-term spending blueprint.
Budget deal is a big win for Pentagon –
Even though it’s only a two-year agreement, the budget deal passed by Congress and the White House will get the Pentagon past the worst of the spending caps.
Veterans
Expansion of vets’ online shopping privileges gets support –
The idea of expanding online exchange-shopping benefits to all honorably discharged veterans is moving closer to reality, with all three military-exchange services supporting the idea.
Veterans group pans Trump’s ‘unserious’ VA plan –
A veterans advocacy group is criticizing the plan to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs released by Donald Trump.
Generous GI Bill isn’t keeping veterans out of student loan debt –
Despite the generous benefits of the latest GI Bill, military veterans attending college are taking out substantial student loans, raising concerns among veterans’ organizations that they are unnecessarily diving into debt.
Technology
Could we soon fly London to Sydney in four hours? –
BAE Systems has invested in a British firm developing an engine capable of flying passengers from London to Sydney in four hours.
