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Defense

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Navigate the future of Defense tech. From military innovations to global security, stay informed with our latest Defense news coverage.

The Air Force is interested in buying a budget-conscious, clean sheet fighter to replace the F-16

February 19, 2021

WASHINGTON — The Air Force could be in the market for a brand-new, advanced fourth generation fighter as it looks to replace its oldest F-16s, the service’s top general said Wednesday. The Air Force has started a study that will describe its preferred mix of fighters and other tactical aircraft that will be used to help build the fiscal year 2023 budget. That result could include a brand…

Raytheon to challenge Lockheed’s takeover of Aerojet, CEO says

February 18, 2021

WASHINGTON ― Raytheon Technologies plans to challenge Lockheed Martin’s proposed $4.4 billion takeover of Aerojet Rocketdyne with the U.S. government, CEO Greg Hayes said Wednesday. “They [Aerojet Rocketdyne] are a huge supplier to us, and if that merger actually…

US Air Force’s top acquisitions exec joins Pallas Advisors

February 18, 2021

WASHINGTON ― Former U.S. Air Force acquisitions chief Will Roper has joined strategic advisory firm Pallas Advisors, the company announced Tuesday. A champion of emerging technologies, Roper led efforts to bring commercial technologies into the military through the…

The Army Is Seeking Firms to Build Highly Mobile Light Tanks for Infantry Brigades

February 17, 2021

BAE Systems displays an early prototype of its Mobile Protected Firepower at AUSA’s 2016 meeting and exposition in Washington, DC. (Photo courtesy of BAE Systems) U.S. Army modernization officials are looking for defense firms capable of producing lightweight tanks to arm infantry brigades with more firepower for the future battlefield. Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems…

Lockheed set to integrate base kit for US Army’s combat vehicle protection system

February 17, 2021

WASHINGTON — Under a recent contract award with a $30 million ceiling, Lockheed Martin will begin integrating and formally testing its open-architecture processor designed to control the U.S. Army’s future combat vehicle protection system, the company announced Feb.

Iron Dome plans being finalized as US Army begins training on systems

February 15, 2021

WASHINGTON — Plans for where, how and when the U.S. Army’s two new Iron Dome air defense batteries could deploy are being finalized, according to Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson, the lead on the service’s air and missile defense modernization effort. Lawmakers have demanded…

An engine shortage is the newest problem to hit the F-35 enterprise

February 13, 2021

WASHINGTON — The F-35 joint strike fighter program is grappling with a shortage of the jet’s Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, and it could be months before the situation starts to improve, a defense official said Friday. The problem, according to the F-35 joint program office, is twofold. First, the F135 Heavy Maintenance Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., has not been able to process…

The US Navy’s postgraduate school is taking a stab at metal 3D printing

February 13, 2021

WASHINGTON – The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., took delivery late last year of a new Xerox 3D metal printer that the school hopes will advance what’s possible to manufacture at sea, easing the burden on the Navy’s supply chain. The school was the…

US Army begins equipping first unit with hypersonic capability

February 10, 2021

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Army expects to deliver — in a little more than 200 days from start to finish — the first hypersonic weapon capability to a unit, a service official said. The Army has already started to send that unit the equipment it needs to prepare for a…

Skydio poised to supply first tranche of short-range recon drones to US Army

February 10, 2021

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has chosen California-based drone manufacturer Skydio to continue in a final prototyping phase, which should lead to the company supplying the service’s first tranche of short-range reconnaissance unmanned aircraft systems. The Short-Range Reconnaissance system is a platoon-level, small quadcopter unmanned aircraft that will provide enhanced situational awareness…