Michael Marrow

Michael Marrow covers air warfare for Breaking Defense. He holds a BA in history from the University of Virginia and started out as a freelance reporter covering local news in Fairfax County, Virginia and policing in Charlottesville, Virginia. Michael previously reported on the Air Force and Space Force for Inside Defense, where he tracked major acquisitions, policy changes and modernization efforts.

Stories by Michael Marrow

Backlog of upgraded F-35s could take a year to clear: GAO

Backlog of upgraded F-35s could take a year to clear: GAO
Backlog of upgraded F-35s could take a year to clear: GAO

“I’m not looking in any way, shape, or form to re-litigate how we got here, where to place blame. I don’t care. At this point, I don’t care,” said Rep. Rob Wittman.

Air Force eyes 6 locations to test out new deployment model

Air Force eyes 6 locations to test out new deployment model
Air Force eyes 6 locations to test out new deployment model

“So this is kind of walking us back towards this model that we had during the Cold War, where we know each other, we train together, we’re building the team in peacetime and in preparation for deployment,” a senior Air Force official said.

Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes

Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes
Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes

According to a SOCOM official, the Army included feedback from the command that led to design changes like hardware for a refueling probe and features that will enable special operators to make unique modifications.

The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]

The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]
The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]

A look at some of what this year’s SOF Week conference in Tampa had to offer.

Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions

Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions
Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions

“We already expanded production ahead of Replicator, and irrespective of Replicator, because we know where this is going,” AeroVironment CEO Wahid Nawabi told Breaking Defense.

SOCOM tables amphibious MC-130J ambitions: Official

SOCOM tables amphibious MC-130J ambitions: Official
SOCOM tables amphibious MC-130J ambitions: Official

The command carried out steps like hydrostatic and wind tunnel tests, but is now “kind of hitting a pause” on implementing a water landing capability due to budget concerns.

FARA fallout: A ‘resurrection’ of Boeing’s A/MH-6 Little Bird for special forces

FARA fallout: A ‘resurrection’ of Boeing’s A/MH-6 Little Bird for special forces
FARA fallout: A ‘resurrection’ of Boeing’s A/MH-6 Little Bird for special forces

Special operators had planned for FARA to take the role of the AH-6, but the program’s cancellation “changed our equation,” a SOCOM official said.

SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare

SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare
SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare

“We haven’t seen … the arrival of that many different, I would call ecosystems or capabilities, going that fast together in quite some time,” SOCOM Commander Gen. Bryan Fenton said of new technologies changing the nature of warfare.

Anduril debuts Pulsar AI-powered electronic warfare system

Anduril debuts Pulsar AI-powered electronic warfare system
Anduril debuts Pulsar AI-powered electronic warfare system

Company executives claimed the Pulsar system can use AI tools to quickly identify new threats and devise defenses against them, compressing the timeline for responding to rapidly-evolving electronic warfare.

Lockheed, Howmet settle lawsuit over F-35 titanium (EXCLUSIVE)

Lockheed, Howmet settle lawsuit over F-35 titanium (EXCLUSIVE)
Lockheed, Howmet settle lawsuit over F-35 titanium (EXCLUSIVE)

Lockheed Martin alleged in court filings that Howmet cut off the supply of titanium after the aerospace giant refused to agree to higher prices, threatening production of the F-35.

Top of Marines’ wish list: More capable drones, and ways to kill them

Top of Marines’ wish list: More capable drones, and ways to kill them
Top of Marines’ wish list: More capable drones, and ways to kill them

“What’s the future in your space?” Gregg Skinner, program manager for Navy and Marine Corps small tactical uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), asked a mixed audience of military and industry. “Group 5 capability, in a Group 2 [drone], at a Group 1 price.”

Northrop wins $7 billion Air Force contract for more B-2 sustainment, upgrades

Northrop wins $7 billion Air Force contract for more B-2 sustainment, upgrades
Northrop wins $7 billion Air Force contract for more B-2 sustainment, upgrades

With only 20 bombers in the service’s fleet, that could translate to roughly $350 million in work per plane.

Air Force stands up two new EW squadrons, but still short on personnel

Air Force stands up two new EW squadrons, but still short on personnel
Air Force stands up two new EW squadrons, but still short on personnel

“We have recognized in our threat analysis that we need these capabilities in our wing in order to make our three wing missions executable,” Col. Joshua Koslov said of activating two EW squadrons. “And so that’s exactly what’s driving it.”

Air Force declares ‘critical’ Nunn-McCurdy cost breach for MH-139A Grey Wolf helo

Air Force declares ‘critical’ Nunn-McCurdy cost breach for MH-139A Grey Wolf helo
Air Force declares ‘critical’ Nunn-McCurdy cost breach for MH-139A Grey Wolf helo

The cost breach is driven by the service’s plan to cut the buy of the helicopter in half, not by any cost overrun in the program itself.

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