DefenseNews

China simultaneously commissions three warships on Navy anniversary

MELBOURNE, Australia — China commissioned 60,000 tons worth of major vessels earlier this month, officially putting into service a new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, a guided-missile cruiser and an amphibious helicopter carrier on the 72nd anniversary of its Navy. The unprecedented triple commissioning was carried out in a ceremony held at the Yulin naval complex near the city…
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DefenseNews

US State Department clears Australia to buy MQ-9B drones

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Friday approved a $1.6 billion foreign military sale of MQ-9B drones for Australia. The package includes up to 12 MQ-9B aircraft made by General Atomics, as well as Honeywell engines, ground control stations, training…
DefenseNews

US Army picks 6 companies to tackle how to power electric combat vehicles in the field

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has picked six companies that will develop ways to power electric vehicles in austere, remote locations, according to an April 22 Army Futures Command statement. The effort will support the Army’s Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) modernization effort and the Ground Vehicles Systems Center — in collaboration with the Army Applications Laboratory and Alion…
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DefenseNews

US Army bracing for budget hit next year

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is bracing for a possible large budget cut in fiscal 2022, a defense official told Defense News. The service is preparing contingencies should it face a “huge cut,” which means the Army would potentially have to put modernization and readiness “at risk,” the official said. The Army would need to look at ways to more effectively maintain readiness and…
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DefenseNews

Army Wants Deadlier Land Mines that Attack Enemy Tanks from Above

Two divers with the 511th Engineer Dive Detachment set charges to blow notional mines, Feb. 10, 2017, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The Soldiers were tested on their troop leading procedures, as well as their knowledge of setting up explosives on land, during this training event. (U.S. Army/Sgt. Tom Wade) The U.S. Army wants a deadly new networked land mine system that’s more capable than…
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