DefenseNews

SECAF nominee walks a tightrope on F-35 procurement plans

WASHINGTON — The F-35 joint strike fighter loomed like a ghost over the May 25 confirmation hearing of President Joe Biden’s pick for Air Force secretary, who famously called the program a case of “acquisition malpractice.” If confirmed, Frank Kendall — who oversaw the program during the Obama administration as the Defense Department’s acquisition executive — will become the Air…
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DefenseNews

Italian Air Force eyes microwaves and lasers to defeat drones

ROME — Directed-energy beams could be the next step in bringing down hostile drones, officials from the Italian Air Force are predicting. “This technology is moving really fast and we are evaluating both microwave and lasers as solutions for stopping drones,” said…
DefenseNews

US Air Force set to award $490M contract to counter small drones

WASHINGTON — By the end of this fiscal year, one company could rake in a contract worth up to $490 million to provide the U.S. Air Force with technologies to counter the threat of small, commercially made drones. On April 13, the Air Force released a request for proposals for the “rapid research, development, prototyping, demonstration, evaluation, and transition” of technologies that can…
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DefenseNews

Pakistan delivers JF-17 fighters to Nigerian Air Force

ISLAMABAD — Nigeria’s Air Force officially took delivery of three JF-17 fighter aircraft Friday during a ceremony at a base in Makudri amid celebrations marking the 57th anniversary of the service. The fighters were handed over by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, which constructed the aircraft and was responsible for their delivery. This marks the latest development in the Pakistan Air…
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DefenseNews

US Army tackles enduring system to counter both drone and cruise missile threats

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is on a path to choose an enduring system that will counter both drone and cruise missile threats by releasing a solicitation to industry for a prototyping effort and by hosting a shoot-off for two teams at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The service released a solicitation for prototypes for its Indirect Fires Protection Capability, or IFPC, in April. …
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