DefenseNews

Defense Innovation Unit should expand across US, lawmakers say

Senate lawmakers want the Defense Innovation Unit to expand its presence across the U.S. and are calling on the Pentagon’s commercial technology hub to develop a plan to partner with universities and tech companies around the country. The Senate Armed Services Committee’s fiscal 2025 defense policy bill, released July 8, includes a provision that would require DIU to craft a roadmap for how it…
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DefenseNews

Marines, Air Force on track for 2024 recruiting; Navy projected to miss

With three full months left in the fiscal year for military recruiting, the services already are developing a sense of whether they’ll make their target recruiting mission or end up short. The Marine Corps has brought in more than 101% of its recruiting target for the year to date, up from 100% this time in 2023, and officials anticipate meeting annual recruiting goals once again. The Navy, on…
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DefenseNews

Drone crew conducts first all-Marine satellite comms launch, recovery

A Hawaii-based aviation unit recently conducted the first all-Marine satellite communications launch and recovery as the force aims to grow its drone force and capabilities for future operations. The Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3 “Phantoms,” hit the operational milestone June 20 out of Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, according to a press release. The event is…
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DefenseNews

Can four big commands prepare the Air Force to win wars?

The Air Force is mulling a bureaucratic shuffle that would refocus the service on four key areas it believes can improve how it organizes, trains and equips airmen for war. Those core missions — combat readiness, careerlong training, acquisition and future force planning…
DefenseNews

Dronemaker Skydio hiring team in Ukraine amid strategy shift

U.S. dronemaker Skydio said it has started hiring employees in Ukraine, a first step in an effort to expand its business there. CEO Adam Bry described the work in an interview with Defense News Wednesday, hours before he testified before Congress. “I’ve never met drone…
DefenseNews

Denmark to bring home F-35 jets from Arizona amid upgrade delays

PARIS — Denmark plans to bring home its six F-35 Joint Strike Fighters currently being used to train pilots in the U.S. as the delivery schedule for an upgraded version of the aircraft continues to slip. The six Danish F-35 jets in TR-2 configuration stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona will be repatriated to the Royal Danish Air Force’s Skrydstrup air base, the Defence Ministry said in…
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