WASHINGTON — The European theater “absolutely” needs a multidomain task force, according to Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who is in charge of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. But while the intent to deploy such a unit has existed for several years, little progress has been made.
The Army is a few years out from converting its Multi-Domain Operations war-fighting concept into doctrine. The concept…
Boeing’s F-15EX jet makes its first flight
February 3, 2021
WASHINGTON — Boeing’s first F-15EX took to the skies for its inaugural flight on Feb. 2, a milestone that will allow the company to deliver the first two planes to the U.S. Air Force by the end of March.
After a couple of hours of delays due to weather — which also…
US Air Force bomber unit sets up shop in Norway
February 3, 2021
COLOGNE, Germany — The U.S. Air Force is temporarily deploying 200 personnel with an expeditionary B-1 Lancer squadron to Norway to help manage bomber training flights in the region, U.S. European Command announced Tuesday.
The service members, hailing from Dyess Air…
WASHINGTON — The Air Force could begin to lay out its vision for a future aerial refueling tanker, previously known as KC-Z, as early as next year, the head of Air Mobility Command said Monday.
The service intends to conduct an analysis of alternatives for an advanced aerial refueling aircraft in fiscal year 2022, AMC commander Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost said during a Defense Writers Group…
Every Soldier a Drone Fighter: Plan Would Make Counter-UAS Training an Army Requirement
February 3, 2021
A senior Observer Coach/Trainer fires a Dronebuster Electronic Warfare System at the Counter Unmanned Aircraft System Training at Fort Irwin on January 30, 2020. (U.S. Army/PFC Gower Liu, 11th ACR Public Affairs)
The head of the Pentagon’s counter-drone effort wants…
Sailors aboard littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) prepare an MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft, left, and an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter for flight operations at sea, March 19, 2017. (Amy M. Ressler/U.S. Navy)
The Navy is on the hunt for a helicopter to replace its…
US Air Force has a fix for two major KC-46 problems
February 2, 2021
WASHINGTON — Two of the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker’s major technical problems may be in the rearview mirror.
The U.S. Air Force on Feb. 1 announced it closed one of the Boeing-made aircraft’s six category 1 deficiencies — which indicate problems that impact operations or pose a safety risk — and downgraded another to the lesser category 2 status.
The two issues both revolve…
Submarine maker to add jobs amid $39 billion backlog in work
February 2, 2021
GROTON, Conn. — General Dynamics Electric Boat plans to add 2,200 jobs this year in Connecticut and Rhode Island as it tackles a $39 billion backlog of work, the submarine maker’s top executive said Monday.
Kevin Graney, Electric Boat’s president, made the…
US Army looks at Israeli precision munition for infantry squads
January 30, 2021
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is evaluating Israeli defense company Rafael’s shoulder-launched, short-range version of its Spike missile and demonstrated the capability at the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment 2021 earlier this month, according to a company…
Lockheed’s F-35 program head to lead aeronautics biz
January 30, 2021
WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin announced Jan. 29 the appointment of Greg Ulmer as the company’s executive vice president of aeronautics, making him the top executive overseeing flagship aviation programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as well as the secretive Skunk Works development shop.
Ulmer, 56, has spent the past three years leading the F-35 program, Lockheed’s largest effort…
