News
Iraq, Afghan vets may have their own Agent Orange –
While it took nearly three decades for the U.S. government to eventually link Agent Orange, the defoliant used in Vietnam, to cancer, President Obama has pledged quick action to make determinations about the effect of the burn pits on perhaps as many as 60,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Business
Fix for A400M’s cracked propeller gearbox awaits approval –
The European authorities are due to certify a modified Avio propeller gearbox in September, an interim solution required after a crack was found on the present equipment on the Airbus A400M airlifter, French defense-procurement chief Laurent Collet-Billon said.
U.S. Navy chief warns of costlier Boeing jets if no foreign sales –
The U.S. could see the cost of new Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets rise unless the government approves foreign sales of the jets soon, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said June 19.
Lockheed might offer miniature hit-to-kill missile internationally –
The U.S. Army has delayed its plans to move forward with a capability it was developing to launch a variety of missiles against rocket, artillery and mortar threats, so Lockheed Martin is turning to the international market to sell its Miniature Hit-to-Kill missile designed to combat the worldwide threat.
Lockheed Martin harnesses Australian R&D for next-gen radar –
Lockheed Martin, in partnership with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group, is developing enhancements for the next generation of Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) to detect and track small, fast-moving targets at extremely long ranges and at night.
Lockheed revives rocket launcher production –
Lockheed Martin has restarted production lines for its highly mobile artillery rocket launcher and one of the tactical missiles used in the system at a time when the U.S. Army in Europe has no dedicated rocket launchers.
Armed S-70i breaks cover in Poland –
Sikorsky company PZL Mielec used NATO’s multi-national exercise Anakonda to debut an armed version of the S-70i Black Hawk in mid-June. On display in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, the rotorcraft attracted visitors including Polish defence minister Antoni Macierewicz.
Rockwell Collins unveils perimeter surveillance radar –
Rockwell Collins has unveiled a new perimeter surveillance radar. The PRS-500 is a compact, high-resolution radar that can detect intrusions.
Northrop Grumman teams up for anti-sub warfare drones –
Northrop Grumman is teaming up with maritime sensor firm Ultra Electronics to develop persistent surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities for Northrop Grumman’s unmanned vehicles.
Iran aviation official says Boeing sale involves 100 planes –
Boeing is negotiating a deal to sell 100 airplanes to Iran, state-run media reported Sunday, a sale potentially worth billions that would mark the first major entry of an American company into the Islamic Republic after last year’s nuclear deal.
Danish F-35 promises leave local companies wary –
While the Danish government has vowed to work closely with the country’s defense industry to gain the maximum spin-off contract value from the F-35A Lightning II buy, there is concern within industry circles that the long-term dividend will not amount to a “stimulus package” but instead may benefit only a select few across Denmark’s defense sector.
Defense
Pay, housing, healthcare, retirement: Congress faces thorny military decisions –
Washington lawmakers will spend the next few months merging the separate House and Senate drafts of the annual defense authorization bill, including a host of thorny issues that could impact military personnel and their families for years to come.
Congress urges faster replacement of Hueys at nuke bases –
Congress is pushing the Air Force to speed up the replacement of the Vietnam-era UH-1N Hueys that are used to support security at nuclear missile bases: Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and Minot Air Force Base, N.D.
Degraded radio signals, nosewheel issues, caused two drone crashes –
Degraded radio signals and a malfunctioning nosewheel caused the crash of two remotely piloted aircraft in separate events last year, Air Force investigations boards found.
Welsh clarifies remarks on the need for more 40,000 to 60,000 more airmen –
The Air Force’s manning levels have been on a rollercoaster over the past few years. The number of active-duty airmen plunged from 333,370 in 2011 to roughly 311,000 today — partly due to a massive, budget-driven drawdown that cut more than 19,000 airmen in 2014. The Air Force is now as small as it’s been since 1948, the year after it was created.
Goldfein: Air Force is short 4,000 maintainers –
The Air Force now has about 4,000 fewer maintainers than it needs, the nominee to become the next chief of staff said June 16.
Navy warship to trade some speed for firepower, armor –
The Navy spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to fulfill its need for speed with a new class of fast and agile warships capable of zipping along at highway speeds.
Veterans
How to build a better VA –
Dr. Richard Stone knows a thing or two about massive reorganizations of government health care systems.
Free dental care for veterans June 25 at nearly 400 locations –
Veterans who need dental work can make an appointment at one of nearly 400 offices across the country to receive free care June 25.
Research provides clues to effective treatments for Gulf War illness –
A single cause for Gulf War illnesses may never be found, but research is finding evidence of physical disease that could lead to better treatments, medical experts said during a forum in Washington on Operation Desert Storm exposures June 16.
VA won’t use its fast-track firing powers anymore –
Veterans Affairs officials will stop using streamlined disciplinary powers to punish senior department executives after another legal challenge to the congressionally backed process, Capitol Hill officials said June 17.