News
Russia burning through ammunition in Ukraine at ‘extraordinary’ rate
Russia is burning through its munitions stockpiles at an “extraordinary” rate as its invasion of Ukraine grinds on into its tenth month, the nation’s top intelligence official said Dec. 3.
‘Reduced tempo’ of war to continue in coming months, US intelligence chief says
Both Russia and Ukraine will likely “try to refit, resupply, in a sense, reconstitute” in the spring, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said.
Business
Global arms sales rise for 7th year despite supply chain issues
Annual report on weapons trade shows sales up 1.9 percent, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine adding to supply chain problems.
Pentagon officials tout new office aimed at linking defense startups with private funds
“We’re working with all the folks who have capital — could be private capital, could be whoever — to provide the investment,” said Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering.
SpaceX rolls out new business line focused on military satellite services
Starshield will leverage the Starlink internet constellation to develop new products for the military market.
Lockheed gets HIMARS contract to replenish stock sent to Ukraine
Lockheed Martin has won a $431 million contract from the U.S. Army to produce M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers at full rate with the aim of rapidly replenishing the stocks of the U.S. and its allies and partners who sent arms to Ukraine.
Defense startup Anduril secures $1.5 billion investment
Anduril Industries said Dec. 2 it received a $1.48 billion funding boost, raising the value of the defense technology company to $8.48 billion.
Sarcos Defense to test robotic arm for US Army artillery
Sarcos Defense has received a $1 million contract from U.S. Army Applications Laboratory to test a robotic arm meant for integration onto the service’s self-propelled howitzers, the American company announced Dec. 1.
Defense
Keep COVID-19 military vaccine mandate, defense secretary says
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making clear he wants to keep the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place to protect the health of the troops.
Pentagon chief: US faces pivotal years in countering China
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum capped a week where the Pentagon was squarely focused on China’s rise.
Army to use old slogan for new recruits
The Army is planning to launch a new marketing campaign next year using an old slogan — “Be all you can be” — to attract potential recruits.
Navy faces mental health crisis after suicides
The Navy is investigating the suspected suicide deaths of four sailors all assigned to the same ship maintenance center in Virginia in the span of less than a month — a development that comes on the heels of an earlier spate of sailor suicides in April in the same state.
Defense & National Security — Navy faces mental health crisis after suicides
Appeals court weighs order to force Corps to accommodate Sikhs
Three men want allowance for long hair, beards and other religious symbols in boot camp.
Veterans
Veterans groups press for long-shot expansion of GI Bill eligibility for Guard and Reserves
At issue is the fact that many National Guard deployments don’t allow troops to accrue GI Bill benefits.
100-year-old flying ace is promoted to honorary brigadier general by Air Force chief
A 100-year-old World War II flying ace was promoted to the honorary rank of brigadier general by Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the Air Force chief of staff, on Friday during a ceremony in California.
102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor makes the long trek to Hawaii to remember fallen friends
Pearl Harbor attack survivor Ira “Ike” Schab got a hero’s welcome at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Dec. 2.
Veterans unemployment rose slightly last month
The veterans’ unemployment rate rose slightly in November but still remained under 3 percent for the ninth consecutive month, continuing the best employment streak for the group in at least 20 years.