News
Navy SEALs secret medals reveal heroism during past 15 years –
Citations for two Navy Crosses and more than 100 Silver Star medals awarded secretly to Navy SEALs and a Marine for “extraordinary heroism” in the last 15 years reflect the fierce battles that have been fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to records obtained by USA TODAY.
Defense
Interview: Mike Petters, president, CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries –
Mike Petters, a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former submariner, oversees the activities of more than 37,000 employees, but the shipbuilding business has its up and down periods, and more than 1,000 employees were laid off recently as carrier overhaul work slowed at Newport News.
Unmanned surface vessel market to reach $861 million –
The global unmanned surface vehicle market will reach $861.4 million by 2021, according to a forecast by market research firm ASDReports. This reflects a compound annual growth rate of 14.51 percent from $437.6 million in 2016.
Tactical rocket motor business takes fight to Congress –
A U.S. tactical rocket motor producer is again attempting to get in on business it lost several years ago through proposed legislation submitted as an amendment to the House fiscal 2017 draft defense policy bill.
Airbus wants to replace A400M parts after cracks found, Germany says –
Airbus Group SE wants to swap out airframe components in Germany’s A400M transport planes after cracks were discovered in a French A400M aircraft, the German defence ministry told lawmakers May 13.
Sweden denies discussing sale of fighter jets to Thai junta –
A top official with the Swedish Embassy denied knowledge of a proposed deal to sell four fighter jets to Thailand’s military government.
Boeing backs extended-range Harpoon to stave off Kongsberg threat –
The U.S. Navy will wrap up developmental free flight testing of the datalink-equipped Boeing Harpoon Block II+ sea-skimming, anti-ship missile next week.
Defense
Inside the Pentagon personnel feud that’s roiled the military’s most senior leaders –
Internal Pentagon drama is strangling Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s signature initiative to make the military’s promotion system function more like a Fortune 500 company, leaving the controversial reform effort unlikely to succeed during the Obama administration’s final months.
This week in Congress: More military spending fights ahead –
Both congressional chambers have a light hearing schedule this week but there are plenty of defense issues to keep lawmakers busy.
Senate aims to transform DOD acquisition –
In seeking to wipe out the office of the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer and divide its duties between two positions, Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain is going back to the future.
McCain looks to kill F-35 Joint Program Office –
In a surprise move, Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman John McCain is looking to eliminate the F-35 joint program office, currently the hub of the gargantuan operation that spans three US services and 12 nations.
Throughout the Air Force, painted planes make a quiet comeback –
Painted aircraft are popping up all over, flying combat missions against the Islamic State group, deterring a resurgent Russia and keeping a wily North Korea at bay. What’s driving this trend? In a word, nostalgia.
Secretary Carter opposes restarting F-22 production –
Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter weighed in on the recently revived debate about the F-22, telling reporters May 12 that he is against resuming production of the stealthy fighter jet.
Inside the Air Force’s shadowy B-21 stealth bomber –
The Air Force’s stealthy long-range bomber will have the endurance and next-generation stealth capability to elude the most advanced existing air defenses and attack anywhere in the world, if needed, senior service officials said.
Here’s how the Army’s Pacific mission is expanding now –
The Army is set to expand its Pacific Pathways missions in a number of ways that could include more exotic locations and new roles for National Guardsmen and Reservists.
Army looks at laser weapons for 2025 battlefield use –
Aiming specifically to determine how the High Energy Laser Mobile Test Truck might help troops in the Army of 2025, the service’s weapon system participated in an exercise at Fort Sill, Okla., conducted through the Fires Center of Excellence Battle Lab.
Exosuits, robot arms and mini subs: This is the military’s future –
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency filled the courtyard at the Pentagon May 11 with a variety of exhibitions at its annual DARPA Demo Day, giving the defense community and media a chance to see the next steps to maintain supremacy on the battlefield.
The U.S. Navy’s lethal new precision-guided artillery –
The Navy is seeking longer-range precision weapons for its deck-mounted “5-inch” guns to better destroy enemy targets, defend maritime forces on the move in combat and support amphibious operations.
Veterans
VA wants to scan dark web for stolen data –
Navigating the Internet has become a routine thing since the invention of strong search engines like Google but not everything on the web is indexed and searchable. Websites that aren’t meant to be found — from criminal sites to backend systems not meant for public consumption — are part of what’s known as the “dark web.”
Space
Astronauts could travel in ‘cryosleep’ –
A space company in Atlanta is working on a space habitat for putting humans into a state of deep sleep.
International
Denmark’s fighter jet selection to likely cause political furor –
The Danish government’s decision to recommend the F-35A Lightning II as the country’s preferred multi-role next-generation fighter option is likely to stir a heated, political debate focused on the affordability of the fighter procurement program.
Can allies counter Russian Black Sea fleet? NATO mulls a plan –
If the regional allies can agree, NATO will likely decide whether to have the force serve under the NATO flag and command structure at the July summit.
U.K. contract watchdog orders cuts for Hawk engine deal –
Rolls-Royce has had more than £1 million cut from the cost of a deal to support Hawk jet trainers. The decision came in a landmark ruling by the new British regulator tasked with policing single-source procurement awards at the Ministry of Defence.
Poland’s defense minister accused of undermining military –
Several former Polish defense ministers are calling for the dismissal of the current minister, arguing that he is undermining the image of Poland’s military within NATO and Polish society itself.
Only U.S. to join annual Jordan war games –
Only Jordan and the United States are to take part in this year’s Eager Lion military exercise, commanders said May 15, compared with the 18 nations which participated last year.
UAE military plane crashes during training –
The military of the United Arab Emirates says a military aircraft has crashed during a training flight in the Gulf country, killing two onboard.
South Korea, U.S., Japan plan joint drills on North Korean threat –
South Korea, the United States and Japan will hold their first joint military training next month focused on cooperating to detect signs of missile launches from North Korea and trace missile trajectories, a Seoul defense official said May 16.
Philippine base upgrades for U.S. troops in limbo –
Supporters of a deal allowing the U.S. access to military bases in the Philippines are hoping the new president-elect will embrace the agreement despite his outspoken opposition to U.S. influence and his promise to shake up foreign policy when he takes office next month.
