WASHINGTON — The new U.S. Air Force secretary says he’s skeptical about current plans to build the service’s Advanced Battle Management System, signaling the program could be heading for an overhaul.
“I want to focus it more on specific operational return on investment,” Frank Kendall told Defense News in a Aug. 13 interview. “Where do we get the most improvement in performance…
U.S. and German soldiers carry a wreath from a Chinook transport helicopter during a commemoration of a helicopter crash in Pegnitz, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Daniel Karmann/dpa via AP)
BERLIN — American and German officials held a ceremony on Wednesday to…
The new US Air Force secretary wants to ‘scare China’
August 18, 2021
WASHINGTON — After being sworn in as the U.S. Air Force’s top civilian, Frank Kendall went straight to the budget books.
Kendall, a former Pentagon acquisition chief who is well-acquainted with the world of military technology, immediately immersed himself in the Air…
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — While the Missile Defense Agency hit the pause button on its effort to bring a defensive hypersonic weapon online, it’s now ready to move forward and is engaging industry in the first phase of the effort.
“We’ve got some great feedback coming from industry, it is something that can be done, and we shouldn’t be afraid to go do it,” Vice Adm. Jon Hill, MDA director…
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Navy is “well on its way” to delivering a replacement small unmanned underwater vehicle for mine countermeasures and is in source selection for a replacement medium UUV that will support both the submarine and the explosive ordnance disposal…
Protesters block entrances to Raytheon plant
August 13, 2021
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — A group of activists blocked the entrance to a Raytheon Technologies plant in Rhode Island on Thursday morning to protest what they allege is the company’s role in the “killing of civilians” and “other human rights abuses.”
Some members of…
WASHINGTON — As the Defense Department starts to put money toward advancements that will keep the F-35 relevant against Chinese threats, incumbent engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney is making the argument that F135 propulsion system upgrades should be part of the equation.
Over the next decade, the Pentagon is set to upgrade the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 with a suite of new weapons…
Army Lieutenant General Gets Fourth Star and Becomes Second Female Combatant Commander in History
August 13, 2021
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson. (U.S. Army photo by Monica King)
Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson was confirmed by the Senate in a unanimous voice vote on Wednesday to become the next commander of U.S. Southern Command, which will make her just the second woman in…
Afghan president replaces Army chief
August 12, 2021
KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has ordered Gen. Hibatullah Alizai to replace Gen. Wali Ahmadzai as the Afghan Army chief of staff, according to local media reports and an Afghan defense official who spoke to The Associated Press.
The Defense Ministry…
A note to Rep. Luria: Our US Navy is doing fine
August 11, 2021
As someone who spent 24 years in the Navy, I completely understand where Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., who spent 20 years in the Navy, is coming from when she argues that the service is constrained by budgetary and bureaucratic limitations from developing a proper maritime strategy that defines and funds the Navy’s proper role.
But as someone who has been involved in defense budgetary and…
