DefenseNews

Anduril to supply robotic combat vehicle software to US Army

The U.S. Army and Defense Innovation Unit selected Anduril Industries to develop a software framework thought foundational to testing and deploying future robotic combat vehicle payloads. The company announced the deal April 3 without providing details about contract length. A spokesperson declined to say how much the agreement is worth. Robotic combat vehicles are unmanned systems envisioned to…
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DefenseNews

UK expects ‘short-term’ delays in F-35 deliveries

LONDON — Britain’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that software-update problems in the F-35 program will hit aircraft deliveries, though a key official said the delay is unlikely to affect the timing for proclaiming the fleet fully operationally capable next…
DefenseNews

US Navy ship programs face years-long delays amid labor, supply woes

Several of the U.S. Navy’s top shipbuilding programs are running one year to three years behind schedule, as the service and the industrial base grapple with workforce and management challenges. Navy leaders conducted a 45-day review of its shipbuilding portfolio, following news in January that a first-of-class guided-missile frigate was behind schedule due in part to a workforce shortage at…
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DefenseNews

To reinvent itself, the US Air Force must go big on small drones

“The changing character of war is coming upon us,” said Gen. David W. Allvin, the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, warning, “The theater of war is going to require us to fight different. This will be part of the reinvention of our Air Force and airpower into the future.” That reinvention should include thinking smaller and embracing small drones. Other services employ airpower in…
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DefenseNews

US Army refreshes competition for short-range laser

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army is evaluating additional 50-kilowatt platforms as it seeks to buy short-range air defense laser weapons, even as its initial four prototypes deploy in U.S. Central Command’s area of operations, a service official told Defense News. Three…
DefenseNews

Northrop says Air Force design changes drove higher Sentinel ICBM cost

A Northrop Grumman official on Monday attributed the explosive projected cost growth of the U.S. Air Force’s next intercontinental ballistic missile to the service’s design changes, including to the nuclear missile’s silo and connecting cables. The Air Force’s original plan for modernizing its ICBM enterprise included keeping nearly all its existing copper cabling in place to be reused for…
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