News
The Pentagon starts planning to base more troops in Europe –
The Pentagon is discussing plans to permanently move one or more Army brigade combat teams back to Europe, where the top American commander has signaled an urgent need to shore up allied defenses against the Russians, Military Times has learned.
Business
Honeywell ends bid for United Technologies –
After years of pursuing a possible deal, Honeywell has abandoned its hopes of acquiring United Technologies — at least for now.
Navy awards Capstone $25.8 million IT contract –
Capstone Corp. has been awarded a $25.8 million contract for Navy IT services.
SM-6 missile demonstrates anti-surface capability with Aegis Baseline 9 –
The U.S. Navy has completed a successful demonstration of the Standard Missile-6 Block I extended range area air defence missile in an offensive anti-surface warfare mode, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) disclosed March 3.
DARPA’s vertical takeoff ‘X-Plane’ contract goes to Aurora –
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected Aurora Flight Sciences to build the so-called “X-Plane,” an unmanned aircraft that will take off and land vertically.
Next up for Lockheed low-speed HWB airlifter: flight –
Scale wind-tunnel models are usually designed for one task, to collect data on the ground under strictly controlled conditions. But now that Lockheed Martin has completed low-speed testing of its Hybrid Wing Body airlifter, it plans something unusual-to fly the same model as an unmanned aircraft.
EU sharply reminds members of open markets policy –
The European Union has written to member states asking for details of recent defense procurements after waking up to the fact that a key 2009 European directive on opening markets to greater competition has been mostly ignored.
Singapore enhances army battlefield communications network with vehicle-based SDR technology –
The Singapore Armed Forces has operationalized its improved Army Battlefield Internet system, which has been enhanced by the introduction of its new vehicle-mounted software defined radios, at a ceremony in Stagmont Camp March 4.
Troya unveils Ninox night vision binoculars –
Israel manufacturer Troya Tech Defense has released its Ninox night vision binoculars for special forces troops.
Defense
F-35 mission software stability poses greatest risk to USAF IOC –
A software glitch that interferes with the ability of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter’s AN/APG-81 AESA radar working in flight poses the greatest threat to delaying U.S. Air Force plans to declare its jets operationally deployable, a top service official told IHS Jane’s March 4.
Pentagon, top lawmakers craft DOD reforms –
As the chairmen of the U.S. House and Senate Armed Services committees plan to legislate potentially sweeping reforms at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Ash Carter is leaning in with proposals due in “just a few weeks’ time,” he said March 4.
Warplanes top Navy, Marine Corps wish lists –
The Navy and Marine Corps are both asking for additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in unfunded priority lists sent to Congress, according to documents obtained by Military.com.
Air Force’s $7.2 billion wish list restores 5 F-35s, 8 C-130Js –
In a $7.2 billion wish list of items the Air Force will submit to Congress, the service is asking for funds to restore the five F-35 joint strike fighters and eight C-130J transport planes it was forced to cut in its latest budget request.
Air Force plan on rocket’s fate is under fire –
The Pentagon’s plan to end its reliance on Russian rocket engines through speedy development of a new, all-U.S. booster is too risky and likely will prove overly expensive, outside acquisition experts privately warned last year.
Veterans
VA eases method for paying Choice doctors; senators remain skeptical –
Veterans Affairs officials announced changes this week to the reimbursement requirements for the Veterans Choice program, modifications they say will help speed payments to physicians, but they also urged Congress to support legislation that would let VA have greater flexibility to fix the troubled health program.
Post-9/11 vet unemployment again nears historic low in February –
The unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans fell to a near-historic low in February, hitting 4.7 percent, government data show.
Space
After a series of delays, SpaceX launches upgraded Falcon 9 rocket –
After several delays due to technical problems, a wayward boat and gusty high-altitude winds, SpaceX finally launched a commercial satellite to space March 4 evening from Cape Canaveral. But an attempt to land the first stage of the unmanned and upgraded Falcon 9 rocket on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean was unsuccessful.
