DefenseNews

US Army must plan how to manage electric battlefield, lawmakers say

WASHINGTON — A House draft of the fiscal 2024 defense policy bill would require the Army secretary conduct an analysis for determining which systems could store and distribute electric power on the battlefield. The service’s reliance on battery-powered capabilities to manage daily operations is increasing. Soldiers need batteries to, for example, operate the Samsung-based Nett Warrior…
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DefenseNews

Italy’s Army aviation chief talks helicopter advancements

ROME — As the commander of Italy’s Army aviation fleet, Maj. Gen. Andrea Di Stasio oversees a helicopter portfolio on the cusp of old and new. Decision-makers in the country have been closely watching moves in Washington about remaking the U.S. Army’s fleet, itching to jump on the bandwagon with what some thought would be the next major accomplishment in propulsion technology. Di Stasio…
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DefenseNews

Lawmakers want US to provide Army tactical missiles to Ukraine

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are seeking to compel a resistant U.S. administration to provide Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine as it fends off Russia. In the House Armed Services Committee chairman’s mark of the fiscal 2024 defense policy bill, the committee calls for…
DefenseNews

Defense secretary taps Pacific Fleet’s Paparo to be top Navy officer

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has recommended to the president that Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, become the Navy’s 33rd chief of naval operations. NBC News first reported Monday that Paparo’s name was sent to the White House last week. Two defense officials with direct knowledge of the process, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter, confirmed the accuracy…
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DefenseNews

US Army extends contract with BigBear.ai for automated info

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army extended its contract with artificial intelligence and analytics company BigBear.ai as it constructs the Global Force Information Management system, which will provide service leaders an automated and holistic view of manpower, equipment…
DefenseNews

US Air Force would get A-10, F-15 retirements in draft NDAA

WASHINGTON — The Air Force would be allowed to retire 42 A-10 Warthog attack planes in 2024 as part of a proposed version of the House’s fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. But if the bill, HR 2670, becomes law, the Air Force wouldn’t be able to cut any…
DefenseNews

Pentagon to halt upgraded F-35 deliveries in July amid software woes

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department will stop accepting some newly built F-35 Joint Strike Fighters beginning next month as delays in upgrading the fighter drag on. The planned delivery halt of new fighters loaded with Technology Refresh 3 hardware means manufacturer Lockheed Martin may have to store dozens of the planes at its main factory in Fort Worth, Texas, for much of the rest of the year…
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