News
A key Iraqi offensive sputters, and the Pentagon pushes hard for more U.S. troops –
The Pentagon is finalizing plans to deploy more American ground forces to support the Iraqi army’s offensive to seal off and retake the Islamic State stronghold in Mosul, top defense officials said.
Business
U.S. Army takes next step to develop sensor to see through fog of war –
The Army has taken a critical step in developing a next generation sensor to help US ground forces see through the fog of war.
Marines ‘looking into’ F-35 vertical landing during U.K. air show –
The U.S. Marine Corps is looking into the possibility of demonstrating an F-35B vertical landing during a major international air show in the United Kingdom this summer.
United Technologies’ F-35 engines found to have recurring flaws –
United Technologies Corp.’s performance building engines for the F-35 fighter has been beset by “recurring manufacturing quality issues,” according to the Defense Department’s annual report on its costliest weapons program.
Reports: Boeing Commercial to cut up to 8,000 jobs –
Boeing plans to cut up to 8,000 jobs this year at its commercial aircraft unit, according to multiple reports this week.
MBDA, Qatar sign MOU for coastal defense system –
Europe’s MBDA has signed a memorandum of understanding to provide the Qatar Emiri Naval Force with a coastal defense system.
Sweden plans to sell laser-guided bombs to France –
Sweden is evaluating a broad new format to provide military support to France’s fight against the Islamic State group across the Middle East.
Competition nears for new U.S. Army landing craft –
A competition is nearing for a new fleet of U.S. Army watercraft to replace the service’s Vietnam-era “Mike Boat,” the Army’s program executive officer for combat support and combat service support said.
Philippines order British helos for anti-sub capabilities –
Finmeccanica has added a third country to its list of AW159 customers with a deal to equip the Philippines Navy with an anti-submarine version of the helicopter.
Kangnam selected by India to build minesweepers –
South Korea’s Kangnam Corporation has emerged as a sole bidder to respond to a global expression of interest floated by India’s state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited last year to jointly build 12 mine countermeasure vessels.
Qatar signs deals worth $9 billion at DIMDEX –
The Qatari Armed forces signed deals worth almost $9 billion at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2016 this week.
Foreign firms forge domestic tie-ups for BMP-2 upgrade –
The Indian Ministry of Defence has decided not to give an exclusive order to state-owned Ordnance Factory Board to upgrade the Indian Army’s Russian-made BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles and instead has floated a global request for information to seek participation by domestic and global defense companies in the upgrade program.
BAE wins $75.3 million combat ID Navy contract –
BAE has been awarded a $75.3 million Navy contract for combat ID.
Defense
Hackers will try to legally infiltrate Pentagon in DOD competition –
Specially vetted hackers will be able to legally test one of the Pentagon’s secure computer networks next month as part of the “Hack the Pentagon” initiative designed to test the security of Defense Department computers. Qualified participants will compete for a portion of $150,000 in the first “bug bounty” ever sanctioned by the federal government.
F-16s will deploy to South Korea in April –
A dozen F-16s will arrive on the the flightlines of Osan Air Base, South Korea, in April as North Korea continues to threaten its adversaries and defy sanctions with new ballistic missile tests.
Boeing tanker issue may delay U.S. production decision-Air Force –
A problem that has prevented Boeing’s KC-46A tanker aircraft from transferring fuel to a C-17 transport plane may delay a Pentagon decision approving low-rate production of the new tanker in May, the U.S. Air Force said March 31.
Boeing wins $326 million Air Force contract for smart bomb kits –
Boeing has won a contract valued at $326 million to build 15,000 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAM, smart bomb kits for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Defense Department said March 31.
Navy set to buy AWESUM miniature sub-launched UAVs –
U.S. attack and guided missile submarine are set to field miniature unmanned aerial vehicles that will act as the eyes and ears not only for the boats below water but also help special operations forces and strike aircraft target weapons, the Navy’s Director of Undersea Warfare told USNI News last week.
Marines receive fixed-wing rocket system variant –
The first fixed-wing variant of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System has been delivered to a Marine Attack Squadron of AV-8B Harriers by the U.S. Navy.
Veterans
More than 125,000 U.S. Veterans of the Middle East Were Denied VA Benefits –
There seems to be a huge disconnect between the nation’s mounting concerns about suicides among U.S. veterans of the Middle East wars and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ shabby treatment of tens of thousands of veterans who left the military under less than ideal terms.
Despite low unemployment, veterans struggle to find meaningful jobs –
Unemployment for recent veterans has hit a historic low, but it’s not clear how many veterans are able to use their military experience to get meaningful employment.
