News
U.S. Special Operations units are using faulty rifle sights –
U.S. Special Operations forces are using rifle sights that are supposed to help shooters accurately hit their targets but instead have a defect, acknowledged by the manufacturer, that potentially endangers the lives of service members in combat, according to court records and military officials.
Business
Foreign military sales reform unlikely this year –
Despite calls from Pentagon officials, foreign leaders and industry executives that the foreign military sales process must be changed, the Congress appears highly unlikely to take up any such efforts before the end of the Obama administration.
Harris wins Middle East, Africa radio contracts –
Harris Corp. has been awarded contracts to supply radios to Middle Eastern and African nations.
KC-46A boom testing reveals anomaly –
The U.S. Air Force discovered an anomaly in the fuel delivery system of the developmental Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker during boom testing, a U.S. Air Force spokesman said April 1.
Pentagon awards massive electronics upgrade contract –
The Pentagon has awarded eight companies a contract, with a maximum value of $7.2 billion, to upgrade old electronic hardware and software.
Australian algorithm extends life of ‘Classic’ Hornets –
A new fatigue monitoring algorithm for Australia’s Boeing F/A-18 A/B Hornet fighters will allow for greater operational flexibility.
Defense
Army wants mini-drones for its squads by 2018 –
The Army is moving forward with a plan to put pocket-sized drones in the hands of its dismounted soldiers by 2018.
DARPA awards Gremlin drone swarm contract –
DARPA has awarded Phase 1 contracts for its Gremlins swarming UAV project.
Air Force squandered millions of dollars on excess C-130J parts, IG says –
The Air Force mismanaged its inventory of spare C-130J Super Hercules parts, building up a stockpile worth tens of millions of dollars, according to a newly released report by the Pentagon’s top watchdog.
Veterans
Panel weighs closing all VA health care — vets’ groups raise conflict of interest –
A blue-ribbon panel created to evaluate the Veterans Affairs health system is weighing a radical proposal to eliminate all VA medical centers and outpatient facilities in the next 20 years and transition 9 million veterans to the private sector for health care.
Veterans group in need of younger members –
Leaders of the American GI Forum, the nation’s oldest group for Hispanic veterans, gathered in Colorado Springs this weekend to ponder problems including recruiting young veterans to their ranks.
Space
Blue Origin sees third successful rocket landing, says owner Jeff Bezos –
The private spaceflight company Blue Origin has successfully landed a rocket for the third time, owner Jeff Bezos announced April 2.
Star-crossed Cosmodrome: Russia’s path to space paved with missing rubles –
For the Russian government, when a Soyuz rocket lifts off from the Vostochny launch facility in the Far East sometime in April, it will mark the dawn of a new era in the country’s storied space program.