WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army could tap several companies to supply tank-busting drones under the fledgling LASSO program, according to one acquisition leader.
The Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance initiative was unveiled last month with the goal of quickly providing soldiers a portable loitering munition, similar to gear used in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for…
Navy extends service lives of four more destroyers
August 10, 2023
The Navy plans to extend the service life of four guided-missile destroyers that were slated to be retired in the coming years, adding four or five years to each of the warships’ standard 35 years of service.
Under a plan announced last week, the destroyers Ramage and…
US Army splits testing phase of future missile defense radar
August 10, 2023
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army has begun developmental testing of its future missile defense radar in a new, two-phased approach, according to Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, the service’s program executive officer for missiles and space.
The Lower Tier Air and Missile…
FORT LIBERTY, N.C. — Nearly a year into leading Army Futures Command, Gen. James Rainey says he’s no longer focused on modernizing the service; he wants to transform it.
The four-star command, based in Austin, Texas, opened five years ago to help the service modernize at an ambitious pace. It was originally meant to develop requirements and to work with the acquisition branch to produce nearly…
US Army plans to grow Patriot missile defense force
August 10, 2023
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army will grow its Patriot air and missile defense force structure, the head of Space and Missile Defense Command told reporters in an Aug. 8 briefing.
“The Army senior leaders — from the secretary [to] the chief — they recognize the…
ROME — As Italy gets down to work with Japan on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the aim of building a new sixth-generation fighter by 2035, it has boosted defense ties with Tokyo by dispatching F-35s for a first-ever training exercise in Japan.
Four Italian Air…
WASHINGTON — Maj. Gen. Heath Collins spent the last year managing some of the United States’ largest homeland and regional defense programs. Now, he’s poised to lead the Missile Defense Agency, where he would oversee key modernization programs, some of which will overlap with his lengthy background focused on space and satellites.
President Joe Biden in May tapped Collins to be the next MDA…
As one would expect, Russia’s war in Ukraine has fueled international growth for defense products as nations seek to protect their borders and those of NATO, as well as support allies. Security is now front and center of political discussions around the world, and…
WASHINGTON —U.S. Marine Corps officials have met with defense industry representatives in Arkansas to discuss a potential facility to build air defense missiles pivotal to the service’s modernization plans.
The Corps’ Program Executive Office Land Systems has worked…
DAYTON, Ohio — With pressure on the U.S. Air Force to field its upcoming fleet of E-7A battlefield management aircraft as quickly as possible, the service is leaning heavily on advance procurement.
The Air Force wants to have a fleet of up to 26 of the Boeing-made command-and-control aircraft by 2032 to replace the aging E-3 Sentry. The latter’s airborne warning and control capabilities are…
