News
Coalition jets scrambled to defend U.S. forces from Syrian bombing –
A U.S.-led coalition sent aircraft into northeastern Syria Aug. 18 in a “very unusual” move to protect American special operation ground forces from attacks by Syrian government jets, a Pentagon official said Aug. 19.
Business
Raytheon wins GPS modernization contract –
Raytheon was awarded a $52.6 million task order to modernize the MAGR-2K.
Raytheon to develop EASR radar for future USN carriers, amphibious ships –
Raytheon is to develop the next-generation Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar to meet the ship self-defense, situational awareness, and air traffic control needs of the U.S. Navy’s future Ford-class carriers and major amphibious vessels.
Defense
DOD unveils new IT ‘way forward’ –
Defense Department officials in a document released Aug. 18 outlined a new plan for getting ahead in information technology, focusing heavily on commercial capabilities, cybersecurity and updates to how the Pentagon manages IT.
F-35 follow-on plan takes shape –
The seven Lockheed Martin F-35s onboard set a dizzying pace, catapulting off the ship, circling around and coming back in for landings every few minutes.
Veterans
VA employees pitch ideas for improving health services in ‘Shark Tank’ style scrum –
The first Innovation Demonstration Day highlights employees’ solutions for some of the department’s biggest problems.
Japanese first lady pays tribute to Pearl Harbor –
Japan’s first lady has visited Pearl Harbor to pay tribute to the victims of the Japanese attack 75 years ago.
Space
NASA rover captures incredible 360 vista of Mars –
The buttes and mesas captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars look of similar shape and condition to the buttes and mesas on Earth.
Six scientists living in an isolated Mars simulation near end of mission –
Confined to a dome 36 feet wide on Mauna Loa, Hawaii, the team was only allowed to venture outside when near NASA spacesuits, just like future astronauts on Mars will have to do.