News
Massive U.S. airstrike hits suspected ISIS chemical weapons factory –
Twelve U.S. warplanes, including a B-52 Stratofortress bomber and A-10 Thunderbolts, carried out a massive airstrike Sept. 12 on a suspected chemical weapons production complex in the ISIS-held stronghold of Mosul, Iraq, the commander of U.S. Central Command air forces said Sept. 13.
Business
Boeing unveils T-X advanced trainer aircraft –
Boeing Sept. 13 revealed its candidate for the Air Force’s next trainer: a single-engine, twin-tailed aircraft made in a partnership with Swedish firm Saab.
Boeing needed international help to build new training jet –
A decade of layoffs forced the U.S. giant to seek engineering and manufacturing talent from partner Saab.
Boeing asked to bid for Air Force One replacement –
The U.S. Air Force has invited Boeing to submit a detailed proposal to supply and modify two passenger-carrying Boeing 747-8s to replace the 747-200-derived VC-25A fleet in the 2024 timeframe.
Pakistan looks to reduce defense industry subsidies –
The Pakistani government has said it has no plans to privatize its state-run defense industry, but is looking to promote greater self-sufficiency within the sector to reduce its dependency on subsidies.
Boeing sees promising defense outlook for 737 airliner –
The Air Force hasn’t yet announced its modernization plans for a slew of aging commercial derivative aircraft, but Boeing plans to use its 737 airliner as the basis for replacements to the E-3 AWACS, EC-130H Compass Call and all variations of the RC-135, a company official said Sept. 12.
Army 2016: TsNIITochMash unveils SR-1MP pistol for special forces –
Russia’s Precision Machine-building Design Bureau (TsNIITochMash) unveiled a new heavy pistol for the country’s special forces at the Army 2016 defense show outside Moscow.
AAD 2016: Saab, Denel partner on air defense system –
Sweden’s Saab and South Africa’s Denel Dynamics have partnered to match the Saab Giraffe AMB radar with the Denel Dynamics Umkhonto infrared-guided surface-to-air missile system.
Israeli military defining quadcopter UAV design –
The Israel Defense Forces’ land command and the nation’s defense ministry are developing an unmanned quadcopter to support ground units.
Rockwell Collins awarded New Zealand satcom contract –
Rockwell Collins has been awarded a contract for New Zealand military satellite communications.
Tactical Robotics steps up Cormorant UAV test program –
Tactical Robotics is expanding the testing of its Cormorant unmanned air vehicle, including the introduction of advanced flight controls and multiple sensors.
BlueBird UAVs integrated with new payloads –
BlueBird Aero Systems has integrated a high-definition surveillance sensor and a communications payload into two of its unmanned air vehicles — the SpyLite Mini and ThunderB small tactical system.
South Korea mulling purchase of 20 more F-35 stealth fighter jets –
South Korea is considering procuring 20 more F-35s to enhance its air combat power vis-à-vis the North.
Russia’s military to receive 100 new T-14 Armata battle tanks –
The first batch of T-14 main battle tanks has already been delivered to the Russian Ground Forces for trials.
JLTV deliveries to begin in September –
The Pentagon’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program is rolling ahead with the first production vehicles to be delivered before October.
First delivery nears for Polish M-346 trainers –
Poland is edging closer to receiving its first Leonardo Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainer, following the successful conclusion of electromagnetic testing in an anechoic chamber.
Defense
Chelsea Manning to undergo sex reassignment surgery –
Army Pvt. Chelsea Manning has been assured she will receive gender reassignment surgery while in prison, her lawyer said late Sept. 13.
U.S. Air Force looks for UH-1N replacement deliveries in 2019 –
The Air Force is looking to buy up to 84 new helicopters to replace the UH-1N fleet that protects ICBM fields, according to a recent announcement.
Navy’s LCS, DDG-1000 experience will shape future surface combatant design –
Lessons learned on the Littoral Combat Ship’s modularity and the Zumwalt-class destroyer’s power management will help guide discussions on a future family of surface combatants, the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command said Sept. 13.
Veterans
Lawmakers urge defense bill to help less-than-honorable discharges –
A bipartisan group of nine lawmakers joined with leading veterans groups Sept. 13 to call for the final version of a defense policy bill to include language aimed at making it easier for veterans who were discharged for behavior related to mental health issues to upgrade their discharges.
Space
SpaceX to resume launches in November –
It was a major blow to Elon Musk’s plans to eventually transport humans to Mars.