Outgoing Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on Thursday downplayed Elon Musk’s recent pronouncements that crewed fighters are obsolete in the era of drones, and suggested the billionaire industrialist learn more about the military.
“I have a lot of respect for Elon Musk as an engineer,” Kendall said during a webcast with the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. “He’s not a…
Army, Navy conduct key hypersonic missile test
December 18, 2024
The Army and Navy on Thursday completed a successful all-up round test of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body, potentially paving the way for the services to begin fielding the long-awaited system.
The glide body was developed jointly between the two services. The Army plans to…
WARSAW, Poland — Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has signed a deal to purchase an undisclosed number of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones for the Polish Armed Forces. The new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be part of the military’s new component to be…
Defense firms follow Lithuania’s allure of making ammo sans red tape
December 18, 2024
MILAN — Lithuania’s offer to lower administrative hurdles for foreign defense companies seeking to set up shop in the Baltic state has found several takers in major Western defense manufacturers.
The response comes after the Lithuanian government approved new legal amendments aimed at simplifying and shortening the procedures required for international companies to build local plants for…
Nearly half of the amphibious warfare ships Marines need to deploy often are unavailable due to maintenance, according to a government watchdog. How the Navy currently manages those repairs means jarheads will continue to deploy late to the fight.
The Dec. 3 Government…
Military pauses Osprey flights again after near crash
December 11, 2024
The Pentagon is temporarily pausing flights again of its fleet of V-22 Ospreys after weakened metal components possibly played a role in another near crash, the latest setback for an embattled aircraft whose safety problems have grown.
The pause was recommended last week…
Defense tech firms establish AI-focused consortium
December 11, 2024
Palantir and Anduril, two leading defense technology firms, announced today they’re creating an industry consortium to address what they see as hurtles impeding the Defense Department’s adoption of AI.
“Our goal is to deliver the technological infrastructure, from the edge to the enterprise, that can enable our government and industry partners to transform America’s world-leading AI…
Drones spotted near 3 bases used by US Air Force in England
November 26, 2024
LONDON — The U.S. Air Force says a number of small drones were detected last week around three bases in eastern England that are used by American forces.
The drones were spotted between Wednesday and Friday near RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell. They were…
Air Force awards Boeing $2.4 billion contract for KC-46 tankers
November 26, 2024
The Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.4 billion contract Thursday to buy 15 more KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers.
The KC-46 award, which covers the tankers’ 11th lot, will bring the number Boeing has on contract to 168 worldwide, the company said in a release.
Boeing has…
Pentagon, Lockheed reach handshake deal for next F-35s
November 26, 2024
The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have reached a handshake agreement for two more lots of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
The initial agreement will cover production of lots 18 and 19 of the stealth fighter’s air vehicle, Lockheed and the F-35 Joint Program Office said in a joint statement. The handshake deal was first reported by Air and Space Forces Magazine.
The JPO and Lockheed said they are…
