News
Flight data recorders found after deadly Black Hawk crash
The helicopters crashed near Fort Campbell during a nighttime training exercise on March 29.
US to send Ukraine another $2.6 billion in military aid
The latest U.S. package brings the total amount of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to more than $35.1 billion since Russia invaded in February 2022.
Zelenskyy visits Warsaw, against backdrop of angry Polish farmers
Ukraine’s leader will discuss issues including grain export tensions and sending more weapons to Kyiv.
Business
US shipyards can’t build destroyers fast enough, Navy says
Defense Department officials want to scale back purchases of Navy destroyers, it appears, saying the two shipyards that build destroyers — including Bath Iron Works — can’t produce the warships fast enough.
Lockheed eyes performance-based logistics deal for F-35 by end of 2023
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program could have its first, limited, five-year performance-based logistics contract by the end of the year.
Defense
Air Force again looks to cut bonus pay for some airmen in tough jobs
The Air Force is set to cut bonus pay for thousands of airmen in the service’s most demanding jobs by nearly $10 million in fiscal 2024, according to the service’s latest budget request.
Landing Ship Medium requirements in final approvals with Navy, Marines
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are nearing agreement on the requirements and cost of the Landing Ship Medium program, formerly called the Light Amphibious Warship, after the services previously diverged in their visions for this program, officials said.
US Army moves to tweak its formations for future conflicts
The U.S Army plans to spend roughly the next two years finalizing key decisions on what its future formational design will look like in the 2040s, the service’s four-star general in charge of modernization and requirements said at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Global Force Symposium last week.
Keeping the F-22 credible through 2030 will cost at least $9 billion, USAF leaders say
Preserving the F-22 Raptor’s ability to prevail in air combat through the end of the decade will cost more than $9 billion, and that figure depends on lawmakers allowing the Air Force to divest 32 of the oldest fighters, according to budget documents, service spokespersons and USAF leadership’s Congressional testimony.
Veterans
Lawmakers move to block VA’s plans to resume health records rollout
Plans from Veterans Affairs leadership to restart their embattled electronic health records program this summer could be upended by lawmakers concerned over the long-term safety and reliability of the program.
State, Tribal veterans cemeteries help VA close in on burial site goals
To meet its goal to ensure that nearly all former service members can be buried in a veterans cemetery close to home, the Department of Veterans Affairs is relying on states, U.S. territories and tribal nations to contribute space, funding and oversight, with a little help from the VA.