News
Pentagon grounds some F-35s after ejection on Texas runway
The F-35 Joint Program Office has grounded a small number of newer F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in response to the Dec. 15 incident in which a hovering fighter crashed on a Texas runway and its pilot ejected.
Ukraine must demilitarize, Russian foreign minister says
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine must remove any military threat to Russia — otherwise “the Russian army (will) solve the issue.”
Russia says it shot down Ukrainian drone near air base
The Russian military reported Dec. 26 that it shot down a Ukrainian drone approaching an air base deep inside Russia, the second time the facility has been targeted this month — again revealing weaknesses in Russia’s air defenses.
Business
Fincantieri CEO talks US frigates, vision for Europe’s naval sector
The building of new U.S. Navy frigates in Wisconsin is about to get more efficient thanks to the introduction of techniques used to make luxury cruise ships in Italy.
Army veteran tasked with getting Navy shipbuilder back in shape
Army veteran Charles F. Krugh, president of Bath Iron Works, took over the Maine shipyard seven months ago.
Navy contract with Sikorsky for Marine Corps helicopters will boost annual production levels
Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky Aircraft has received approval from the U.S. Navy to begin ramping up production of the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter for the Marine Corps, company officials said Dec. 27.
Defense
In major step, Space Force takes over all military satellite communications
The Space Force has taken over all of the Department of Defense’s military satellite communication functions, a major step in building the new service.
Close combat ‘mixed reality’ goggle fielding in 2023
After a few technical difficulties and delays, some soldiers in operational and training units will finally see the Army’s new “mixed reality” goggle in their hands in 2023.
Could the LCS fleet be getting a new mission?
The Navy’s littoral combat ship fleet could see a new permanent mission as part of the fiscal 2023 defense bill that President Biden signed into law Dec . 23.
What naming a ship after Fallujah means to those who fought there
The announcement of the name “Fallujah” for a forthcoming landing helicopter assault ship came on Dec. 13 from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who said it would honor the 100-plus Marines, sailors and other coalition forces who were killed during the two battles.
Congress tells Air Force to upgrade skiplanes as Arctic heats up
Congress is urging the Air Force to start sketching out what it needs in a future fleet of skiplanes to help protect the Arctic.
Air Force quietly speeds up plans to eliminate spy planes on the front line of America’s fentanyl war
The U.S. Air Force is moving up its timeline for scrapping a small fleet of surveillance planes used to help take fentanyl pills off the streets, telling National Guard pilots they must fly their aircraft to the boneyard by the end of the month so they can be stripped for parts, according to documents obtained by CNN.
US military plans to transform Indo-Pacific force posture in 2023
Amid rising tensions with China, the U.S. military has sought to bolster its presence in Asia.
Veterans
The complicated truth about the famous ‘Christmas Truce’ of World War I
The Christmas Truce has become one of the most storied parts of World War I. It’s also far more complex than the narrative lets on.
