News
Boeing, Lockheed to press on with bomber protest –
Boeing and Lockheed Martin Dec. 18 vowed to press ahead with their effort to overturn the Pentagon’s award of twin contracts to Northrop Grumman to develop and build a fleet of new long-range bombers costing around $80 billion, a process they described as “irreparably flawed.”
Air Force to have enlisted pilots for first time since World War II –
It’s happening: Enlisted airmen will be allowed to fly some remotely piloted aircraft.
Business
India clears purchase of S-400 AD system for $4.5 billion –
India has cleared the purchase of five units of Russian-made S-400 Triumf advanced Air Defence Systems [with Indian specifications] at a cost of about $4.5 billion.
Lockheed Martin files suit over Army’s $6.75 billion contract with Oshkosh Corp. –
Lockheed Martin said Dec. 17 it has filed a lawsuit over the U.S. Army’s decision to award a $6.75 billion contract to build a replacement for the Humvee combat vehicle to Oshkosh Corp.
U.S. awards contract to provide night vision sensors to India –
The U.S. has awarded a military sale contract of $107.8 million to an American global aerospace, defense and security firm to provide India with modernized night vision sensor systems which will help the Indian army destroy adversary threats from extended ranges.
MPs question value of canning Raytheon from e-borders –
British MPs have questioned the value of terminating the Home Office’s £500 million e-borders contract with its supplier Raytheon, with questions remaining as to whether the £303 million spent on its in-house successor program will deliver.
New game plan needed for Northrop Grumman plume –
The Bethpage Water District just held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate opening a new well. The festive occasion was actually a response to grim reality. The district needs to find sources of water outside the ever-spreading Northrop Grumman plume.
BAE Systems lands $16 million ship maintenance contract –
The work awarded by the U.S. Navy, which will take place at BAE Systems’ shipyard in San Francisco, Calif., is scheduled to begin next month.
BAE to build Pacific 24 Mark-4 rigid inflatable boats for Royal Navy –
BAE Systems has received a contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defence to build and deliver 60 new Pacific 24 rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for the Royal Navy.
India’s shipbuilding ambitions get a fresh lease of life –
In the end, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ‘Make in India’ initiative that tilted the scales for the cabinet to sign off on a long pending policy, much to the relief of India’s beleaguered shipbuilders.
Lockheed files JLTV complaint with court –
Lockheed Martin has filed a complaint with the Court of Federal Claims over the Army’s decision to award Oshkosh a contract to build its Humvee replacement.
AR1 engine clears design review –
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s AR1 rocket engine achieved a milestone by passing a design review this week, the company announced Dec. 17.
Russian Helicopters to overhaul Egyptian Air Force Mi-8T, Mi-17 fleet –
Russian defense and aerospace equipment manufacturer Russian Helicopters says that,over the next two years, it will undertake comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul works on 41 Mi-8 T and three Mi-17 helicopters of the Egyptian Air Force at the country’s main military industrial complex outside Cairo.
SeaRobotics to build Lockheed Martin AUV –
SeaRobotics has been selected by Lockheed Martin to build its commercial Marlin Mk3 autonomous underwater vehicle.
Defense
Congress boosts aircraft procurement in omnibus spending bill –
In a massive spending bill unveiled yesterday, Congress boosted funding for aircraft procurement, allowing the Pentagon to buy additional F-35 joint strike fighters and MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Army commission to unveil recommendations Jan. 28 –
The National Commission on the Future of the Army will publicly unveil its recommendations on a wide range of issues Jan. 28, just days before it’s Feb. 1 deadline, the commission’s leader, retired Army Gen. Carter Ham, said Dec. 17.
Carter orders Navy to build fewer ships, spend more on jets –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter has ordered U.S. Navy leaders to buy fewer ships so the service can spend more on jets such as the F-35 as well as munitions and upgraded systems for electronic warfare.
Air Force nuclear war game tests future bomber fleet –
It is the year 2030, and the U.S. Air Force is facing a nuclear war.
Laser-armed fighter jets by 2020, U.S. Air Force says –
(CNN) The invention of guns took warfare to a whole new level. Later, airplanes radically changed it again. Now, experts say another big shift is coming, led by energy weapons, including lasers.
Veterans
VA to change disability claims rules for Camp Lejeune veterans –
The Veterans Affairs Department has determined that eight medical conditions are linked to service at Camp Lejeune, N.C., from 1953 to 1987, and veterans with these diseases who were stationed at the sprawling Marine Corps base are eligible for disability compensation.
Department Of Veterans Affairs to pay for robotic legs –
Eligible veterans with spinal cord injuries may soon be able to walk again.
Space
Falcon 9 liftoff delayed again –
Following even more delays, Elon Musk is hoping to finally launch his Falcon 9 rocket at 8:33 p.m., EST, Dec. 21.
Tim Peake gets to work –
Tim Peake is to take on his first major challenge while on the International Space Station by assisting two NASA astronauts as they make an emergency spacewalk.
