News
Carter unveils budget details; Pentagon requests $582.7 billion –
President Obama’s fiscal year 2017 budget will request $582.7 billion in funding for the Pentagon, including $71.4 billion for research and development, $7.5 billion to fight the Islamic State group, $8.1 billion for submarines, and $1.8 billion on munitions, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Feb/ 2.
Business
These are new weapons Pentagon chief wants for tomorrow’s wars –
Smarter smart bombs, mini railguns, and swarming robot boats to watch man-made islands are a few of the key technology areas that Defense Secretary Ashton Carter sees as vital to U.S. military superiority in the next decade.
DOD weapons tester report sheds light on JLTV competition –
The Pentagon’s chief weapons tester released a report this week that sheds light on how three separate offerings for the Army and Marine Corps’ Humvee replacement fared in tests with Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh vehicles meeting force protection requirements while AM General’s fell short.
The F-35s terrifying bug list –
The Pentagon’s top testing official has weighed and measured the F-35 and found it wanting.
UK signs major deal for military aircraft, training –
A key part of a contractor-managed program to train future British military aircrew has finally fallen into place with the signing of a deal for a KBR-Elbit Systems joint venture to provide and support three new fixed-wing aircraft fleets as part of the UK Military Flying Training System.
Lockheed Martin opens first overseas Sniper pod center in Saudi Arabia –
Lockheed Martin and Advanced Electronics Company have opened the first Sniper advanced targeting pod support center outside the United States.
Lawmakers back $46 million to Newport News shipbuilding –
The Daily Press reports legislative leaders support a bill that would give the shipbuilder $46 million if it created at least 1,000 new full-time jobs that pay above the average wage in Newport News.
IAI confirms joint venture with South Korea’s Hankuk Carbon –
Israel Aerospace Industries and South Korean firm Hankuk Carbon have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture to build vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles, IAI announced Feb. 1.
Defense
Budget shortfalls forcing DoD to make ‘false choices’, lawmaker says –
Continued spending limitations are forcing Pentagon officials to unnecessarily pick and choose among national defence priorities, a key lawmaker told reporters Feb. 2.
More U.S. troops deploying to Europe in 2017 –
The Pentagon plans to send several thousand additional troops to Europe next year to boost the region’s defense against Russia, a new recognition that the former Cold War foe is once again a major global rival, defense officials said.
U.S. ready to counter China’s military buildup: Carter –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter offered up some blunt talk on Beijing Feb. 2, saying the Pentagon needed to spend more money on hi-tech weapons to keep China in check — especially amid spiking tensions in the South China Sea.
Boeing says Harpoon missile light enough for Littoral Combat Ship –
Boeing is recommending that new Littoral Combat Ships be mounted with Harpoon missile launchers this year before routine trials near Mayport, Fla., a company official said.
U.S. Navy plans SLEP for Super Hornet fleet –
The U.S. Navy intends to launch a service life extension program (SLEP) for its fleet of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft, a notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website reveals.
Defense Secretary Carter: A-10 will stay until 2022 –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced Feb. 2 what has been anticipated for month: the A-10 will not be retired.
U.S. Air Force considers defensive lasers for future fighters –
The dawn of the combat laser era might begin in 2021 when the U.S. air force hopes to begin demonstrations of a podded electric laser system for fifth and sixth-generation fighter jets that can destroy incoming missiles, not just steer them off course.
Veterans
VA promises new punishment for embattled execs –
Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson is promising new disciplinary action against a pair of senior executives accused of gaming the department’s internal promotion system, after appeals panels have rejected plans to demote the pair.
Architect agrees to prison time in VA Medical Center corruption case –
A Virginia architect convicted of conspiring with the former head of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center admitted Tuesday to using inside information to gain contracts from the VA.
Space
Meltdown America, abandoned –
It is an enormous 2,850-acre site, 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles, that was once a top-secret NASA lab.
NASA will send a tiny torch to Moon –
When the world’s most powerful rocket, the Space Launch System, launches in 2018, it will carry with it 13 small satellites. Feb. 2, NASA revealed new details of seven of these Cubesats.
Airbus glider set to fly to edge of space –
Making a return trip to the edge of space typically requires enough jet power to thrust the craft through the stratosphere.
Russia could have a deep space monopoly –
When America’s Hubble telescope falls to Earth, Russia could be the only country with a set of ultraviolet space eyes-that’s if its Spektr UF ever makes it into orbit.
