News
More Marines headed to Iraq to fight ISIS after rocket attack –
The U.S. is sending a detachment of Marines to Iraq following a deadly attack on a coalition base in northern Iraq that left one Marine dead and eight more injured.
Business
DCNS targets Australian frigate tender –
Rand Corp., a think tank, is due to conclude a short list of competitors this month for Australia’s tender for nine frigates to replace the Anzac warship, Hervé Boy, DCNS business development manager, said March 16.
Fate of India-France Rafale fighter deal uncertain –
Negotiations between India and France over a Dassault Rafale fighter deal appear to be stonewalled.
Finmeccanica reshapes its name, business –
Finmeccanica’s new motto may be “genius at your service,” CEO Mauro Moretti said on March 17 as he explained why the Italian defense group is changing its name to Leonardo, inspired by 15th century Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci.
KKR buys Defence Electronics from Airbus –
Airbus Group has agreed to sell its Defence Electronics unit to KKR, a New York-based investment firm, for $1.24 billion, the aerospace giant announced March 18.
Carter asks IG to look into ‘disturbing’ ULA exec comments on McCain –
Defense Secretary Ash Carter has asked the Pentagon Inspector General to look into controversial statements by a top United Launch Alliance executive accusing Sen. John McCain of working with their competition to ban the use of a Russian rocket engine for military space launch.
U.K. backs MBDA on mini-cruise missile requirement –
Britain’s Defence Ministry is expected to extend MBDA’s assessment phase contract on the SPEAR Capability 3 missile program, leaving no room for the moment for Raytheon Systems to secure a foothold in the requirement for its Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), according to a source familiar with the program.
PEO-C3T’s Gary Martin talks radios, testing and network simplification –
As Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, Communications-Tactical, Gary Martin has a lot on his plate: namely, several high-profile communications programs that are in various stages of testing, development, evaluation and fielding.
Spain’s Indra wins military satellite terminal contract –
Spanish defense firm Indra has been awarded a Spanish military contract for satellite terminals.
Make in India’ initiative lacks roadmap –
While India’s Narendra Modi government claims to have cleared new defense programs worth $30 billion aimed at boosting domestic industry, it could still take more than 10 years to reach the contract stage because of lengthy procurement cycles and slow decision-making.
Retractable floats proposed for Lockheed C-130 amphibian –
An Australian company is proposing retractable floats for the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules to create a U.S. equivalent of the TA600 amphibious aircraft under development by China’s Avic.
Manufacturing tech key to driving down F-35 costs –
When conceived, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter incorporated the latest manufacturing technology available to meet its performance and stealth targets.
Defense
Air Force, Army need separate drones, generals tell Congress –
Missions for the Army and Air Force are unique enough that the services will likely need to fly their own separate unmanned platforms for the foreseeable future, service leaders said March 17.
New Army weapon tech could make cleaning obsolete –
What if you never had to clean and lubricate your rifle again?
Army electronic warfare investment lags Russian threat –
While Army leaders now acknowledge the importance of EW, and units are training harder on how to operate when the enemy is jamming them, the service is investing very little in fighting back.
Stealthy destroyer Zumwalt embarking for builder trials –
The largest destroyer ever built for the U.S. Navy is heading out to sea again in Maine.
Veterans
New project for Wounded Warrior charity: regain trust –
Wounded Warrior Project said last week’s dismissal of two top executives has brought order to the popular veterans charity, but recipients of services are worried, donors are jittery and experts contend it’s not going to be that simple to regain the public’s trust.
Review probes impacts of Agent Orange on Vietnam veterans –
By August, many more thousands of Vietnam War veterans, those suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s-like symptoms and even high blood pressure, could learn they will be eligible for VA health benefits and disability compensation. Or perhaps not.
