News
California guardsmen and other troops won’t be required to repay bonuses –
House and Senate negotiators have agreed not to require thousands of California National Guard troops to repay enlistment bonuses a decade after they signed up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Business
BAE Systems, DRS Technologies to develop crew-served weapon sights –
The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems and DRS Technologies separate seven-year contracts for developing and providing new crew-served weapon sights.
Textron introduces new aircraft survivability equipment –
Textron Systems has introduced the newest member of its Aircraft Survivability Equipment product line.
India signs $737 million ultralight howitzer contract –
India has signed a much awaited $737 million contract for the procurement of 145 M777A2 LW155 ultralight howitzers.
Israel approves purchase of 17 more F-35s –
The Israeli cabinet Nov. 27 approved the purchase of 17 more Lockheed Martin F-35Is, bringing the total number for the Israeli air force to 50.
FLIR Systems buys Prox Dynamics for $134 million –
Sensor developer FLIR Systems announced it has acquired unmanned aerial systems maker Prox Dynamics for $134 million in cash.
Saab awarded U.S. Army training contracts –
OSAG 2.0 is a Saab-developed software code that simulates vehicle and anti-tank ammunition ballistic performance.
Poland requests to buy 70 JASSM-ER missiles –
Poland has requested to buy 70 Lockheed Martin AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range with related support, equipment, and training, the U.S. Defense Security Co-operation Agency) announced Nov. 28.
Raytheon taking advantage of re-investment of undersea systems –
In the undersea realm, U.S. officials have been worried about the capabilities of Russia, which has been too close for comfort around integral cables beneath the ocean’s surface that carry the bulk of global internet traffic.
Boeing T-X headed toward first flight –
The Boeing-Saab T-X trainer is on track to fly by the end of the year after completing afterburner engine runs last week, Boeing officials said.
THeMIS trialed in combat support role –
Milrem has undertaken a demonstration of its Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System unmanned ground vehicle alongside Estonian Land Forces personnel, conducting operationally representative maneuvers.
SEA to upgrade data highway on Chilean Type 23 frigates –
The work, beginning in December 2016, is intended to lay the foundations for the forthcoming upgrade of the ships’ combat management system, surveillance radar, and anti-air guided weapon system.
CACI awarded U.S. Navy training contract –
CACI has won a prime slot on a Navy training contract.
U.K. buys Virtual Battlespace 3 simulation training tool –
The British Ministry of Defence has bought an enterprise license for VBS3, which will become the British military’s Defense Virtual Simulation.
Australia issues request for tender for 12 offshore patrol vessels –
The Australian government has issued a request for tender to three shortlisted contenders for 12 steel-hulled offshore patrol vessels that are set to replace the Royal Australian Navy’s 13-strong fleet of Armidale-class aluminium-hulled patrol craft at a cost of about $2.28 billion.
NAVSEA to host industry day as it seeks ‘intimidating’ PB-X boat –
The U.S. Navy is pressing ahead with plans to acquire a “visually intimidating” and significantly larger patrol boat. The new boat will replace its fleet of 25 feet and 34 feet patrol craft operated by Naval Expeditionary Combat Command’s Coastal Riverine Force.
Honeywell to provide navigation system for U.K. AJAX vehicles –
Honeywell has been contracted to provide TALIN navigation equipment for the British Army’s new AJAX armored fighting vehicles.
Defense
NDAA installs major structural reforms to Pentagon –
If passed, the NDAA will codify the biggest changes to the Department of Defense since Goldwater Nichols.
F-35 Joint Program Office saved — for now –
The compromise version of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act protects the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) from elimination, but requires the Pentagon to report on alternatives for the management of the joint strike fighter by the end of March.
Joint force must close gaps in electromagnetic spectrum –
With an intense focus on technologically inferior adversaries in non-permissive environments for the last 15 years, the U.S. is coming to grips with the nature of advanced warfare and the capabilities of near-peer competitors.
Army converts 3rd Infantry Division brigade from infantry to armored unit –
The 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team will start converting into an armored brigade combat team next summer, the Army announced Nov. 30.
CNO: Navy to take steps to protect Ohio replacement program from CR –
The Navy is already taking steps to mitigate the effects of a longterm continuing resolution on its most strategically important program, the Ohio replacement submarine, its top uniformed official said Nov. 30.
Veterans
For vets, by vets: Holiday Gift Guide 2016 –
Trying to figure out what to do about the hard-to-shop-for veteran on your list? Looking for the perfect gift to ship to your far-flung family member still in uniform? Just need a break from holiday stress and want to curl up with your DD 214, or a blanket that looks like one?