News
15 Marines injured after amphibious assault vehicle bursts into flames –
Five of the 15 Marines injured Sept. 13 when their amphibious assault vehicle caught fire are in critical condition, Corps officials said.
Business
Boeing lands $600 million contract to design new Air Force Ones –
The U.S. Air Force on Sept. 12 awarded Boeing a contract worth just less than $600 million to begin the preliminary design of the next Air Force One planes.
Sweden nearing decision on air defense system –
Sweden is believed to be very close to making a decision on an air defense system, according to a Raytheon official at DSEI, a defense conference in London, England.
Nammo CEO Brandtzæg on R&D: Let’s stop doing the same thing over and over again –
The defense industry, as well as the largest governments, are too occupied with what’s been delivered before, stilting innovation, but also opening the door for smaller, more nimble countries to push game-changing technologies among its industrial base, said Nammo CEO Morten Brandtzæg.
Industry pitches munitions designed to defeat drones –
While the U.S. Army is in the throes of evaluating full-on, short-range air defense systems to fill a critical capability gap rapidly, industry at a defense conference in London are pitching what they believe is the most important aspect to defeating air threats: interceptors.
Elbit Systems, CAE team up for British MoD training opportunities –
Elbit Systems and CAE signed an agreement to jointly pursue British Ministry of Defence training opportunities under the Defence Operational Training Capability (Air) Program.
Future helos: Army calls for industry to push the envelope –
Dan Bailey, the program manager for the U.S. Army’s Joint-Multi Role/Future Vertical Lift effort, offers an update on one of the most anticipated programs for the Army, and what the service will watch for as industry preps for demonstrations.
Rheinmetall wants in on U.S. Army fleet protection effort –
As the U.S. Army prepares to make key decisions in the near future on interim active protection system solutions for its fleet, Rheinmetall wants in.
Saab unveils Gripen Aggressor with eyes toward UK or US –
Adapting the Gripen C fighter, Saab hopes the Gripen Aggressor might be a contender for Britain’s Air Support to Defence Operational Training requirement, and part of the U.S. Air Force’s Adversary Air opportunity. The company’s Gripen test pilot shares more with Defense News Executive Editor Jill Aitoro.
Oshkosh Defense fits remote weapon station, anti-RPG armor on JTLV –
With a sale of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to the British military seemingly in the bag, platform-builder Oshkosh Defense turned up at the DSEI show in London, England, this week sporting a few ideas of what the machine might look like when the British Army gets its hands on it.
Thales touts further Spy’Ranger prospects –
Thales is competing to secure additional sales of its Spy’Ranger small unmanned aircraft system, as it looks to add to the units it began delivering to France earlier this year.
U.S. clears record total for arms sales in FY17 –
The U.S. State Department has set a new one-year record for clearing weapon sales, with $75.9 billion cleared by the department and announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency in fiscal 2017.
Watchdog agency sees no wrongdoing in U.S.-Kenya aircraft sale –
A U.S. government watchdog agency has found no wrongdoing in the offer of 12 weaponized surveillance aircraft to Kenya that was flagged by U.S. lawmakers earlier this year.
Secret study explores anti-missile warship as Franco-Italian STX dispute lingers: source –
A detailed study is quietly being undertaken on the architecture of a concept Franco-Italian anti-missile frigate, and exploring the idea of a European combat management system, according to a French defense source.
Raytheon Tomahawk missile enhanced to engage targets at sea –
Raytheon has been awarded a $119 million Navy contract to integrate a new multi-mode seeker in the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile.
Boeing, Lockheed submit UH-1N replacement bids –
Eager to get out its message that the Boeing-Leonardo MH-139 helicopter would save the U.S. taxpayer $1 billion as the replacement of the UH-1N helicopter, Boeing flew several journalists this afternoon to demonstrate its capabilities.
Northrop Grumman wins BACN support contract –
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $265 million Air Force contract to provide aircraft maintenance and logistics support for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node system.
Defense
Mattis: U.S. to keep nuclear triad for deterrence –
The nation’s nuclear deterrent posture will remain triad-based, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Aug. 31 in his strongest support to date of the vast modernization spending underway to develop next-generation nuclear submarines, bombers and ground-based nuclear missiles.
Pentagon reportedly wasted $64 million on aircraft modification program –
An office within the Pentagon wasted at least $64.8 million on a program to modify a Drug Enforcement Agency to perform advanced surveillance operations in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense inspector general.
Army awards contract for improved 84 mm anti-tank rifle –
The Army has awarded a sole-source contract for up to 1,111 improved 84 mm recoilless anti-tank rifles from Saab Dynamics.
Holloman Air Force Base seeks expanded training space for flights –
Holloman Air Force Base officials say their array of flight training areas in southern New Mexico is outdated and that some need to be expanded, reshaped and relocated — changes that would have jet fighters flying over sparsely populated rural areas not now used for that purpose.