News
Pentagon seeks string of overseas bases to contain ISIS –
As American intelligence agencies grapple with the expansion of the Islamic State beyond its headquarters in Syria, the Pentagon has proposed a new plan to the White House to build up a string of military bases in Africa, Southwest Asia and the Middle East.
U.S. troops, aircraft may enter battle for Ramadi, Carter says –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he is willing to send American helicopters and troops to Anbar province to help the Iraqi military forces close in on and seize Ramadi from Islamic State militants.
Business
Boeing delivers last AEW&C aircraft to Turkey –
Boeing delivered the fourth and last Peace Eagle airborne early warning and control aircraft to the Turkish armed forces, which the company says will further increase the country’s self-defense capabilities.
The Navy’s $864 million underwater drones still don’t work –
The U.S. Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship would be ineffective at hunting for mines because an underwater drone made by Lockheed Martin that’s supposed to find them often fails to work, the Pentagon’s weapons-testing office found.
Sen. McCain blasts Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture for dropping out of launch competition –
Sen. John McCain blasted the company that lifts national security satellites to space, saying it has made “troubling and specious claims” about its sudden inability to participate in a recent competition to launch an Air Force satellite.
Burtin to resign as Nexter chair when KANT created –
Philippe Burtin will step down as chairman of French land weapons company Nexter Systems when the cross-border KANT joint venture with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann is formally created in the next few days, holding company Giat Industries announced.
Northrop Grumman demonstrates Venom targeting system –
Northrop Grumman demonstrated its targeting system Venom and its ability to track small unmanned aerial systems.
Airbus Helicopters’ H145M debuts with Bundeswehr –
The Luftwaffe has taken delivery of its first two H145M Light Utility Helicopters Special Operation Forces at Airbus Helicopters’ Donauwörth plant. The Bundeswehr is the launch customer for the military version of the H145, which entered service in 2014.
France approves Mirage 2000D upgrade –
The French Air Force’s Mirage 2000D multirole fighter aircraft have been approved to receive a mid-life update, a move long awaited by the service.
Navy wants underwater sensors –
The Navy is looking for autonomous underwater sensors.
Airbus flies Ardiden engine for Chinese AC352 –
Airbus Helicopters is performing flight tests of Turbomeca’s Ardiden 3C turboshaft engine on its prototype H175/EC175 for its Chinese partner.
Defense
Federal appeals court considers: Is it discrimination for only men to register for the draft? –
Just days after the Defense Department decided to open all combat jobs to women, a federal appeals court Dec. 8 weighed a legal challenge that contends the male-only draft registration is discriminatory.
U.S. Army’s night vision is going wireless –
The goal is faster, more accurate shooting at night.
Veterans
VA: Accountability means more than just firing people –
Facing renewed accusations of corruption and incompetence, Veterans Affairs Department leaders charged lawmakers with substituting rhetoric for evidence and seeking vengeance rather than accountability in the department’s workforce.
New law allows retirees to transfer SBP when ex-spouse dies –
A new law will prevent military retirees from losing Survivor Benefit Plan benefits when their ex-spouse dies before they do, by allowing the benefit to be transferred to a current or future spouse.
Prisons experiment with programs to help incarcerated veterans –
Prisons are experimenting with ways to help veterans who have committed crimes and are serving time.
House committee blasts VA leadership for inaction in Phoenix –
Two Phoenix bosses suspected of wrongdoing have been paid a combined $380,000 while suspended amid investigations.
Marijuana refugees: Wounded vets willing to move for medicinal pot –
Last month, the U.S. Senate passed legislation with a provision that would allow Veterans Affairs Department doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients in states where the drug is legal.
