News
US to fast-track Abrams for Ukraine by going with older version
The Pentagon is speeding up its delivery of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, opting to send a refurbished older model that can be ready faster and reach Ukrainian troops in eight to 10 months, U.S. officials confirmed.
US F-22s land in Philippines for first time, furthering partnership
Two U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors landed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines last week in a move signaling increased defense efforts between the two countries.
Russian cruise missiles destroyed in strike in Crimea, Ukraine Defense Ministry says
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense said late Monday that a strike destroyed Russian “Kalibr” cruise missiles that were being transported by train in the town of Dzhankoi, in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Business
US Air Force to test hardware at hypersonic speeds on Varda’s space capsules
The U.S. Air Force plans to use startup Varda Space Industries’ reentry capsules as hypersonic flight test platforms, the company’s cofounder Delian Asparouhov told SpaceNews.
U.S. Air Force to test hardware at hypersonic speeds on Varda’s space capsules
Paramount to make blades for Africa’s Mi-type helicopters in UAE
South Africa’s Paramount Group is gearing up production of composite blades for Mi-type helicopters with the establishment of a production facility in the UAE, looking to collect orders from African operators of the aircraft in need of maintenance and configuration upgrades.
Defense
Marines ask for amphibious warship in unfunded priorities list
The Marine Corps’ fiscal 2024 unfunded priorities list, a copy of which was obtained by Defense News, asks for $1.71 billion to finish buying LPD-33, the next San Antonio ship in the class.
Go big: Air Force should double B-21 Raider buy, think tank says
A new report by the Mitchell Institute argues that the Air Force should procure 225 or more of the next-gen stealth bombers to effectively deter adversaries and shore up more cost-effective long-range strike capabilities.
Veterans
Dept. of Veterans Affairs, union spar over staffing
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leaders say their new employee hiring and staff retention efforts are more successful than ever. Federal union leaders say that’s still not enough to keep up with what the system needs.
Remains of soldier held captive in Korean War identified
The remains of an American soldier who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War have been identified, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Survivors of vets who died from PACT Act illnesses can soon reapply for benefits
Dependent family members of veterans who died from illnesses covered by the PACT Act will soon be able to reapply for survivor’s benefits if they’ve had a claim denied in the past, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced March 20.