News
Pentagon institutes civilian hiring freeze –
The Pentagon has put a civilian hiring freeze in place for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Agencies and Field Activities, Defense News has learned.
Business
JLTV program cost estimate drops by $6 billion –
The acquisition cost estimate of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program has dropped by nearly $6 billion, according to a Pentagon Selected Acquisition Report released March 24.
Army awards Raytheon $56.7 milion contract for infrared sensors –
The Army has awarded three contracts for third-generation forward-looking infrared sensors.
DISA awards AFRICOM ISR contract to TeraLogics –
DISA has awarded a $1.4 million contract for ISR video services for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Raytheon refurbishing electronic warfare missile payload –
Raytheon has received a U.S Air Force contract to update an electronic warfare payload for cruise missiles.
Saab unveils new 3-D AESA maritime radar –
Saab has unveiled a new maritime radar suitable for small patrol ships.
Missile counter-measure systems ordered by Dutch military –
Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security is supplying the Dutch military with missile launch detection systems to protect F-16 fighters and NH-90 helicopters.
Russia offering new missile system to international market –
Russia’s newest man-portable, shoulder-fired air defense missile system is to be promoted for the international market.
Defense
Air Force F-16s fly the most sorties against ISIS, B-1s drop most bombs –
The Air Force has flown more than half of the 87,000 coalition sorties over Iraq and Syria since the air campaign against the Islamic State militant group began, striking key locations and assets about 25 times a day, Lt. Gen. John Raymond told reporters March 24.
F-35 will fly until 2070 — Six years longer than planned –
The F-35 joint strike fighter will fly until 2070, reflecting a decision by the US armed services to extend the operational life of the fleet by six years.
Pentagon tries to rebrand the beleaguered $400 billion F-35 with a 14-stop tour –
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is embarking on a 14-stop tour this year, coming out like a debutante at the ball as Pentagon officials seek to bolster the beleaguered image of the most expensive weapons system in history.
Fuel leak led to Predator drone crash in Iraq last year –
A fuel leak led to the crash last year of an unmanned MQ-1B Predator drone — the day after its engine was replaced, the Air Force said in an accident report released March 24.
F-35s to get more pricey as Air Force seeks to extend plane life –
The Pentagon’s priciest new weapons program just got more expensive.
U.S. Army fires Stinger from multi-mission launcher in test –
The U.S. Army announced that it fired a Stinger missile from its self-built Multi-Mission Launcher March 23 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
The Navy keeps sidelining its best surface ships. Here’s why –
The Navy is forging ahead with its controversial plan to indefinitely dock its newest cruisers.
Petition demands Navy stop removing Indian artifacts from California’s ‘Island of the Blue Dolphins’ –
More than 390 people, many of them archaeologists and Native American leaders, have signed a petition demanding that the Navy suspend its plans to relocate artifacts from San Nicolas Island to a former icehouse at the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, Calif.
Space
Meet the rover that will hunt for life on Mars –
Assembling the complex array of mechanical parts and electronic circuits is due to begin at the U.K. headquarters of Airbus Defense & Space later this year.
Cassini reveals Titan’s tallest peaks in stunning detail –
Titan’s tallest peak is 10,948 feet high and is found within a trio of mountainous ranges called the Mithrim Montes.
Technology
The radical side-loading cannon that could change warfare –
Dubbed the “40mm Cased Telescoped Cannon,” it is the first system of its kind ot be produced for the U.K. Ministry of Defence in 50 years.
