DefenseNews

These soldiers to assess the Army’s new do-it-all device for infantry

Soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York will begin assessing the newest version of the Army’s do-it-all heads-up display device on Aug. 18. For a week, the soldiers will take the Integrated Visual Augmentation System version 1.2 through a series of fit and comfort tests, weapons compatibility checks and evaluate its lowlight sensor and run mission…
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DefenseNews

US Army working through challenges with laser weapons

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army is working through a variety of challenges with directed-energy weapons for air defense, including how to affordably manufacture the high-tech capability and sustain it on the battlefield, according to service officials with knowledge of…
DefenseNews

Inside the Air Force’s massive mobility war game in the Pacific

OVER THE MARIANA ISLANDS — The airmen have five seconds. Poised next to nearly three tons of cargo — plastic barrels of water — these loadmasters aboard a C-17 airlifter know the stakes. If they airdrop the precious supplies too early, the cargo ends up in the Pacific Ocean. Too late? Same result. When the countdown hits zero, the barrels zip down the open ramp and dip off the edge. White…
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DefenseNews

Romania eyes 32 F-35s under $6.5 billion deal

WARSAW, Poland — The Romanian Ministry of National Defence has requested the parliament’s approval for the purchase of 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, according to Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr. The planned procurement is estimated to be worth about $6.5 billion. In…
DefenseNews

US Army mulls multiple versions of tank-killing drone for infantry

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army could tap several companies to supply tank-busting drones under the fledgling LASSO program, according to one acquisition leader. The Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance initiative was unveiled last month with the goal of quickly providing soldiers a portable loitering munition, similar to gear used in the Russia-Ukraine war. Assistant Secretary of the Army for…
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DefenseNews

Navy extends service lives of four more destroyers

The Navy plans to extend the service life of four guided-missile destroyers that were slated to be retired in the coming years, adding four or five years to each of the warships’ standard 35 years of service. Under a plan announced last week, the destroyers Ramage and…
DefenseNews

US Army splits testing phase of future missile defense radar

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army has begun developmental testing of its future missile defense radar in a new, two-phased approach, according to Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, the service’s program executive officer for missiles and space. The Lower Tier Air and Missile…
DefenseNews

Seven questions with Gen. Rainey, head of US Army Futures Command

FORT LIBERTY, N.C. — Nearly a year into leading Army Futures Command, Gen. James Rainey says he’s no longer focused on modernizing the service; he wants to transform it. The four-star command, based in Austin, Texas, opened five years ago to help the service modernize at an ambitious pace. It was originally meant to develop requirements and to work with the acquisition branch to produce nearly…
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