DefenseNews

Anduril to hone Ghost drone autonomy under contract with US Air Force

September 29, 2023
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force awarded defense technology firm Anduril Industries contracts totaling $8 million to refine the autonomous capabilities on two drone aircraft. Anduril will work to hone the autonomy on its helicopter-like Ghost reconnaissance, security and force protection uncrewed aircraft and the recently unveiled enhanced version dubbed Ghost-X under these contracts, the company…
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DefenseNews

Romania, Czech Republic advance F-35 acquisition plans

September 28, 2023
WARSAW, Poland — Romania’s Ministry of National Defence has announced it aims to sign a letter of acceptance in 2024 to buy 32 F-35 Lightning II fighters in the program’s first phase, and subsequently secure a further 16 aircraft. Bucharest intends to purchase “the…
DefenseNews

Del Toro says Disruptive Capabilities Office to solve Navy challenges

September 28, 2023
WASHINGTON — Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced initiatives aimed at making the service more responsive to warfighter challenges: the creation of the Disruptive Capabilities Office to quickly apply new technologies to operational problems, and a pilot program that would help programs of record be more agile. Del Toro said he signed off on the creation of the DCO to carry on the mission of…
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DefenseNews

Palantir wins $250 million US Army AI research contract

September 27, 2023
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army awarded Palantir Technologies a contract worth as much as $250 million to research and experiment with artificial intelligence and machine learning. The arrangement, announced by the Department of Defense on Sept. 26, runs through 2026. Exactly…
DefenseNews

Defense Secretary Austin’s salary cut to $1 under GOP budget plan

September 27, 2023
House Republicans on Wednesday approved a measure to slash Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s salary from more than $221,000 annually to less than $1, based on their dissatisfaction with his work so far. The move has little chance of becoming law, but underscores the growing animosity between conservatives and military leaders reporting to President Joe Biden. House Democrats dismissed the move as…
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DefenseNews

Northrop wins $705 million contract for F-35 air-to-ground weapon

September 26, 2023
WASHINGTON — The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $705 million contract to develop and test a high-speed air-to-ground weapon known as a stand-in attack weapon that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter could wield to destroy enemy targets. Northrop said Monday that its work on the second phase of the weapon, which is also referred to as SiAW, will take place over the next 36 months in Northridge…
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