House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are pushing back against the Pentagon’s proposal to fund the procurement of just one Virginia-class attack submarine in fiscal 2025 instead of two. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., Rob Wittman, R-Va., and 118 other lawmakers made the case in a May 1 letter to the chamber’s top defense…
Category: Military
House lawmakers push back against Pentagon submarine build rate
House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are pushing back against the Pentagon’s proposal to fund the procurement of just one Virginia-class attack submarine in fiscal 2025 instead of two. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., Rob Wittman, R-Va., and 118 other lawmakers made the case in a May 1 letter to the chamber’s top defense…
Biden’s FY25 budget cuts missile defense when we need it more than ever
Despite the incredible performance of missile defenses in Ukraine, Israel and the Red Sea over the past 12 months, the Biden administration’s fiscal 2025 defense budget cuts missile defenses. This is a mistake. Given the rising threat from missiles and drones — coupled with the effectiveness of missile defenses — the United States should be…
After Army canceled helo program, industry had to pivot
DENVER — Since the Army canceled plans to develop a Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft earlier this year, the two anticipated competitors have both moved to make use of their work on the program. The service is closing out its FARA effort at the end of fiscal 2024. Two teams — Textron’s Bell and Lockheed Martin’s…
Grey Wolf helicopter cuts lead to cost overrun breach
The Air Force’s decision to cut the total number of MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters it plans to buy has incurred a cost overrun known as a critical Nunn-McCurdy breach. The service originally inteded to buy 80 of the Boeing-made helicopters, which are slated to replace some of its Vietnam War-era UH-1N Huey helicopters and will…
House lawmakers press Austin on Rafah, Israel aid and Gaza pier plans
House lawmakers on Tuesday pushed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on civilian protection plans for an imminent Israeli attack on Rafah, an upcoming assessment of Israel’s compliance with U.S. human rights and arms transfers laws, as well as the Gaza pier the military is building to deliver aid to the besieged enclave. Austin told Rep….
China launches Pakistan’s Hangor submarine, despite engine row with Germany
ISLAMABAD — The first of eight Hangor II submarines for Pakistan was recently launched at the Wuchang Shipbuilding yard in Wuhan, China, though it’s uncertain what could be powering the boat given Germany’s block on an engine export. The initial Hangor II delivery timetable would have seen the four Chinese-built submarines delivered by 2023. But…
US Marine Corps opens new center to more rapidly get tech to operators
The U.S. Marine Corps has established a new office that brings together science, technology, requirements and acquisition professionals to help streamline how the service fields new technology. The Fusion Center, located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, allows for discussions about what technology is becoming mature enough to use versus what is useful to the…
Volt Typhoon hacks likely to inspire copycats, CNMF’s Mahlock says
The Volt Typhoon hacks that targeted U.S. critical infrastructure won’t be the last of their kind, according to a Marine Corps cyber leader. The Chinese intrusion affected organizations spanning the communications, utilities, education and government sectors including in Guam, a key foothold for American forces in the Indo-Pacific. The incident was disclosed in May 2023,…
Millennium wins ‘FOO Fighter’ contract for SDA missile tracking
The Space Development Agency selected Millennium Space Systems to build eight satellites carrying advanced missile tracking sensors, part of an experiment aimed at improving SDA’s ability to target threats from space. The company, a Boeing subsidiary, received a $414 million contract for the Fire Control On-Orbit Support to the Warfighter, or FOO Fighter, program. SDA…
Italy, France target land warfare in new industry partnership deal
ROME — Italy and France have committed to more closely integrating their land warfare firms as the former seeks to join long-awaited Franco-German tank program. A letter of intent, signed Monday in Corsica by the defense ministers of France and Italy, called for the creation of a “European industrial land hub” that would partner businesses…
Marines to merge air control jobs as new air defense tech comes online
WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps will soon merge two air control jobs as it updates its approach to aviation operations and fields a new suite of air defense systems in 2025 in the face of future dangerous, long-distance operations. Starting as early as 2026, the Marines plan to combine the work of air controllers in…
Marines to merge air control jobs as new air defense tech comes online
WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps will soon merge two air control jobs as it updates its approach to aviation operations and fields a new suite of air defense systems in 2025 in the face of future dangerous, long-distance operations. Starting as early as 2026, the Marines plan to combine the work of air controllers in…
Here’s when the US Army will pick its next long-range spy plane
DENVER — The U.S. Army will choose who is to integrate its long-range, high-speed spy plane this summer, a major step in its effort to overhaul existing fixed-wing aircraft that perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, according to service officials in charge of the program. The service plans to retire roughly 70 aircraft — its…
How the US can reclaim leadership in advanced energetic materials
The past 18 months have seen unprecedented interest among senior defense officials and Congress in the state of the nation’s defense energetics enterprise. Energetic materials — substances or mixtures that release energy rapidly — are used in military applications for explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics to generate the high-energy effects essential for weapon systems. The legislators’…
Wittman warns of ‘wasting a year’ with Pentagon’s industrial strategy
A top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee said that the Pentagon’s plan to implement a new strategy for the defense industry may not make it into Congress’ defense bill this year due to months of delay. The Pentagon rolled out the strategy in January, saying the document would help sync its work with…
Lithuania eases red tape for defense firms looking to set up shop
MILAN — The Lithuanian government has approved new procedures designed to lower administrative hurdles for foreign defense looking to open production facilities in the Baltic state. The moves ride on a wave of demand in Europe for anything from artillery shells to drones that shows no sign of ebbing amid support for Ukraine and nations’…
Soaring US munitions demand strains support for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan
The U.S. has transferred tens of thousands of its bombs and shells to Israel since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. But it hasn’t given Israel everything it wants. That’s because the U.S. military lacks the capacity to provide some of the weapons Israel requested, according to Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff….
How the Pentagon can more rapidly buy and field the latest tech
The United States cannot afford to fall behind in advancing technologies — like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonics, biotechnology or autonomous systems — against a near-peer adversary like China. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the recent Iranian strike of Israel demonstrate that military applications of advanced technologies are accessible and proliferating. When the Department…
Raytheon picks Spain’s Sener to make Patriot interceptor parts
COLOGNE, Germany — RTX’s Raytheon selected Spanish engineering and technology group Sener to make a key component of the Patriot air-defense system’s interceptor missile at its Madrid site. The contract, announced by the companies on April 29, covers the electro-mechanical control section of the GEM-T missile, one of the interceptor options for the system’s global…
Marine unit found metal shavings in F-35 fuel, plastic tool in wing
Metal shavings in contaminated fuel, incorrectly assembled parts, and a plastic scraper protruding from a wing fold were among the faults discovered in five new F-35C Joint Strike Fighters delivered to a U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron in California last year, according to a memo obtained by Defense News. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311, or…
Italy has given Ukraine long-range missiles, says UK defense minister
ROME — Britain’s defense minister has stated that Italy has sent Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, lifting the lid on months of secrecy surrounding Italy’s supply of weaponry to Kyiv. Grant Shapps made the announcement while touring the factory in the UK where missile maker MBDA manufactures the Storm Shadow, which has been used by…
France offers to buy strategic assets from struggling IT firm Atos
PARIS — The French government offered to buy the defense-strategic assets from struggling information-technology company Atos to keep them from falling under foreign control. Atos received a non-binding letter of intent from the French state on April 27 to buy all of its business in advanced computing, mission-critical systems and cybersecurity, representing about €1 billion…
Sierra Nevada wins $13B contract to build Air Force ‘doomsday plane’
The Department of the Air Force on Friday said it awarded Sierra Nevada Corp. a $13 billion contract to replace the service’s aging E-4B Nightwatch “doomsday planes” that would fly during a nuclear war. The company will develop and produce the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, the name for the aircraft that will succeed the E-4B,…
Austin calls European allies, seeking more Patriots for Kyiv
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he has been speaking with allies in Europe about how to send Ukraine more air defense systems. He discussed the conversations in a Pentagon press conference Friday, referencing a series of one-on-one calls held this week. Pentagon readouts say Austin spoke with defense officials in Romania, the United…
Senators push to update nuclear military might in defense bill
A key group of senators is pushing to include their bill on nuclear modernization when the Armed Services Committee drafts its annual defense policy legislation in June. The Restoring American Deterrence Act, introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., would create a new Pentagon position to oversee deterrence policy, deploy up to 50 extra intercontinental ballistic…
Defense Innovation Unit moves to ease commercial drone certifications
SAN DIEGO — The Defense Innovation Unit wants to improve its process for vetting commercial drones, with the goal of making it easier for companies to sell their systems to the U.S. military. Director Doug Beck said April 23 the organization will host a competitive effort this fall aimed at onboarding more commercial drones through…
Army officials question plan for future attack reconnaissance
DENVER — After canceling the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program earlier this year, the U.S. Army has yet to earnestly invest in its manned attack helicopter or other capability to fill the armed recon role, and service leaders warn that without a clear plan, its ability to fight as effectively in future wars could be…
France and Germany sign off on future battle tank system
PARIS — France and Germany have formalized an agreement to develop a future battle-tank system, with the countries’ defense ministers signing off on an industrial work-share pact here on Friday. The countries’ defense firms – KNDS, Rheinmetall and Thales, among others – can now get to work on proposals, which are expected in the coming…
Why China axed the Strategic Support Force and reshuffled the military
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Chinese President Xi Jinping instigated a significant restructuring of the People’s Liberation Army on April 19 by axing the Strategic Support Force and replacing it with a new Information Support Force. While it’s unclear exactly why Xi enacted this major reshuffle, analysts suspect both military capability and political control contributed to…
US to provide $6B to fund long-term weapons for Ukraine, officials say
(AP) — The U.S. is expected to announce Friday that it will provide about $6 billion in long-term military aid to Ukraine, U.S. officials said, adding that it will include much sought after munitions for Patriot air defense systems. The officials said the aid package will be funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which…
Army heads into competitive flight demos for future tactical drone
DENVER — The U.S. Army is moving its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System competition into a flight demonstration phase with two teams, Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems. In the fall, the Army tapped the two companies from a group of five; now it has formally awarded contracts to both to move into the final two…
Sullivan urges Israeli restraint on Rafah, stresses Ukraine munitions
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday urged Israel against a pending invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza and stressed the need for defense contractors to increase munitions production as the Biden administration readies an influx of new aid for Ukraine. His remarks came after Congress passed a multi-billion-dollar aid package for both countries…
US Army to field long-range combat aircraft to first unit in FY31
DENVER — The U.S. Army’s plan to field its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft with an initial unit is delayed by one year, due to Lockheed Martin’s protest over the service’s choice of Textron Bell’s advanced tiltrotor design, according to the director of Army aviation in the service’s G-3/5/7 branch. The FLRAA competition pitted Bell’s V-280…
Here are 4 ways to defend against unmanned ground vehicles
Global militaries are increasingly building, deploying, and operating unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs. Mykhalio Fedorov, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister for Innovations, wrote on Twitter that, “I believe ground robotic systems will become the next game changer in this war, the same as drones.” Meanwhile, the U.S. has used the QinetiQ explosive ordnance disposal robot for…
Drone-killing costs must come down, says Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer
The price tag for weapons and munitions used to destroy drones must come down, as the costs are “getting too expensive” and uncrewed systems are expected to saturate battlefields, according to the Pentagon’s acquisition boss. U.S. troops have for years batted down attack and reconnaissance drones, often by using pricey ordnance. Ongoing intercepts of drones…
US Army’s next-gen helicopter engine could fly in Black Hawk next year
DENVER — The U.S. Army’s next-generation helicopter engine is projected to hit the skies early next year, powering a UH-60M Black Hawk, according to the service and industry representatives involved in the program. The Improved Turbine Engine Program engine, developed by General Electric’s aerospace division, has experienced a slew of delays related to technology development…
French missile double punch adds new naval capability for Europe
PARIS — France’s synchronized test firing of naval cruise missiles from a surface ship and a submarine 400 kilometers apart adds a land-attack capability for European navies that may be more difficult for air defenses to counter, analysts told Defense News. The French frigate Aquitaine and a Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, sailing near Quimper and…
Saab unveils technology incubator using Enforcer 3 as test bed
SAN DIEGO — When Saab’s Combat Boat 90 first entered service with the Swedish Navy in 1991, it was as a fully manual vessel — a crewed, amphibious landing craft designed for high-speed operations. Today, the platform is playing a central role in the company’s vision of rapid testing and deployment of autonomous and digital-first…
Poland to spend $2.9 billion on missile equipment from South Korea, US
WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s Ministry of National Defence has signed a contract to buy 72 K239 Chunmoo multi-barreled missile launchers from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace for roughly $1.6 billion, the company said in a statement. The deal was inked on April 25 during an official visit of a Polish delegation to South Korea led by…
Lidar: Another emerging technology brought to you by China
The exponential growth in connected and automated systems has increased the demand for the sensor technology necessary to make them operate safely. Light detection and ranging, or lidar, is just such a remote sensing technology that uses pulsed light to measure and map the surrounding environment. Lidar’s ability to quickly and precisely map complex environments…
US Army to shift aviation force structure back to tailored brigades
DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. Army’s aviation force structure will move away from modular Combat Aviation Brigade designs needed during heel-to-toe rotations in Iraq and Afghanistan and return to a model that tailors those units for specific divisions, according to the service’s branch chief. “Today we have modular CABs, so every CAB looks the same…
Raytheon to develop two Standard Missile types with better targeting
The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon a $344 million contract for the development of two Standard Missile variants with a common guidance section that will bring additional targeting capability to the American and foreign fleets. The new SM-2 Block IIICU and SM-6 Block IU missiles will include increased targeting capabilities, helping the defensive Standard Missiles see…
Here are the two companies creating drone wingmen for the US Air Force
The U.S. Air Force on Wednesday announced it selected Anduril and General Atomics to keep designing, building and testing its first batch of drone wingmen known as collaborative combat aircraft. The decision marks the service’s most significant step yet as it aims to create a series of drones using autonomous software to fly alongside piloted…
Boeing’s defense unit shows profit, despite $222M loss on KC-46, T-7
Boeing’s defense unit recorded $222 million in losses in the first quarter of 2024 on two of its main fixed-price development programs, the KC-46A Pegasus refueling tanker and the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the company announced Wednesday. The KC-46 suffered a loss of $128 million, Chief Financial Officer Brian West told investors in an earnings…
‘We need to move fast’: Pentagon sends Ukraine $1 billion in new aid
Just after President Joe Biden signed his long-sought national security supplemental, the Pentagon announced a new batch of security aid for Ukraine. Valued at $1 billion, this package is the largest sent to Kyiv in almost half a year. It features a host of equipment, including air defense interceptors, armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons and artillery…
Polish leaders plan to talk things out on nuclear weapons
WARSAW, Poland — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk plans to discuss Poland’s potential involvement in NATO’s nuclear sharing program with President Andrzej Duda, Tusk said this week. The announcement came in response to Duda’s declaration that Poland was ready to host U.S. nuclear weapons, and that talks with Washington to that end had been ongoing….
EU should buy ammo outside of the bloc to quickly resupply Ukraine
While the world watches Israel and Iran, Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine is at a crossroads. More than two years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the situation on the eastern front now looks dire, with Ukrainian defenders running out of ammunition fast and Western unity in question. The Czech Republic has a…
Lockheed to supply Australia with air battle management system
The Australian arm of defense company Lockheed Martin said it inked a contract to build the country’s Joint Air Battle Management System, considered foundational to the intercept of hostile missiles and aircraft. The deal for JABMS, which will supply the command-and-control architecture for the country’s future air defense, is valued at AUD $500 million, or…
Congress sends Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid package to president’s desk
The Senate overwhelmingly passed 79-18 President Joe Biden’s $95 billion foreign aid request on Tuesday night to arm Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending it to the White House after six months of delays in Congress. Biden submitted the request in October but Republican leaders in the Senate and House struggled to pass the package for…
Defense Innovation Unit prepares to execute $800 million funding boost
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Defense Innovation Unit is working quickly to determine how and where to spend the nearly $1 billion Congress provided in March through the fiscal 2024 appropriations act. The $983 million allocation, nearly $800 more than what DIU received last year, will support the growing organization’s mission to help the Defense…