NGI kicked off in 2019 after the cancellation of an earlier $5.8 billion plan to replace the existing Exo-Atmospheric Kill Vehicle, which defends the US mainland against long-range ballistic missile attacks.
By Paul McLearyMilitary innovation and savings: Go commercial
DoD uses FAR Part 12 acquisitions to save hundreds of millions of dollars in “of a type” systems like civil landing systems with applicability to military aircraft.
The S-97 Raider is Sikorsky’s proto-prototype for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. It’s competing with the Bell 360 Invictus — but unlike the S-97, the 360 isn’t flying yet.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
Despite tightening budgets, the Army’s pushing ahead with its plan to replace the Reagan-era UH-60 Black Hawk with a high-speed Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). It’ll pick between Bell’s V-280 and the Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant-X next year, with the winner entering service in 2030.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The Air Force wants software “that can be fielded in the next two years and incrementally improved upon and integrated into EW systems currently in development for the F-15.”
By Theresa Hitchens
“The F-15 C and D fleets, in their current state, places us at great risk,” said Lt. Gen. Duke Richardson, “with 75% of the fleet flying beyond its certified service life, and 10% grounded due to structural integrity issues.
By Theresa Hitchens
UPDATED: To explain that LCASD program is done with flight tests. WASHINGTON: The Air Force’s low-cost XQ-58A Valkyrie drone has tested a new capability — launching its own drone — designed to boost its abilities to counter enemy air defense missiles and protect higher-value aircraft such as fighters and tankers. The Air Force Research Laboratory…
By Theresa Hitchens
“We have hardpoints on the C-17; We have hardpoints on the KC-46. It’s not a hard stretch to think that we could put one or two missiles on there for self defense,” says AMC head Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost.
By Theresa Hitchens
How to unlock innovation and savings for DoD: “commercial,” not COTS
Overmatch is fleeting and while traditional acquisitions can’t always keep up with new threats, a different and approved practice can.
“This is a new effort, as the expanded mission now goes beyond a strict MQ-9 replacement,” an AFLCMC spokesperson said. “This endeavor serves to explore concepts that address capability gaps of legacy platforms against increasingly sophisticated threats in denied, contested, and highly contested environments.”
By Theresa Hitchens “The real differentiator here is the acquisition strategy, with a lot of competition — a lot of ‘fly before you buy’ — built in,” CSIS’ Tom Karako says. “The relatively longer NGI development timeline for homeland ballistic missile defense can be mitigated by near-term improvements” in ground missile defense.
By Paul McLeary
An official with knowledge of the program said there have been “no decisions” made on the Next Generation Interceptor program, which is awaiting the approval and award of two development contracts.
By Paul McLeary
The new simulation environment will use ‘digital twins’ to rapidly test and iterate “collaborative autonomous networked technologies,” AFRL explains.
By Theresa Hitchens
The Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) will let pilots to monitor, jam and deceive threats in contested airspace.
By Theresa Hitchens
CSIS’s Todd Harrison said he believes that the “many challenges” to the SHiELD concept can be overcome “with time and money” — and could well be worth expending because of the potential benefits.
By Theresa Hitchens
“I am confident that accepting the KC-46 with known deficiencies offers the fastest route to fielding a fully operationally capable weapon system,” she said. “That said, serious deficiencies and restrictions remain,” Air Mobility Command head Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost told reporters.
By Theresa Hitchens
