Rep. Ken Calvert: A hedge strategy for US military superiority

Rep. Ken Calvert: A hedge strategy for US military superiority
Rep. Ken Calvert: A hedge strategy for US military superiority

In an exclusive op-ed, Rep. Ken Calvert, the Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, lays out how he hopes to improve the military’s technological capabilities.

Government shutdown: How it could impact the military, civilians and defense industry

Government shutdown: How it could impact the military, civilians and defense industry
Government shutdown: How it could impact the military, civilians and defense industry

Bill LaPlante, the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer, noted that China doesn’t have to deal with this kind of budget chaos. “We can teach them how to do that. That would be helpful,” he said.

Congress can’t get sidetracked: Keep the government open to ensure national security

Congress can’t get sidetracked: Keep the government open to ensure national security
Congress can’t get sidetracked: Keep the government open to ensure national security

In this op-ed, AEI’s Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari, two former Pentagon budget officials, warn about the national security repercussions of a potential government shutdown.

Budget endgame scenarios: From acceptable to apocalypse

Budget endgame scenarios: From acceptable to apocalypse
Budget endgame scenarios: From acceptable to apocalypse

In this new analysis, budget experts Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari lay out a trio of likely scenarios for the upcoming budget negotiations – including one they deem the “doomsday” scenario for DoD.

‘Wake up call’: Panel identifies 5 ‘key’ ways Pentagon can reform budget process now

‘Wake up call’: Panel identifies 5 ‘key’ ways Pentagon can reform budget process now
‘Wake up call’: Panel identifies 5 ‘key’ ways Pentagon can reform budget process now

“I think that there’s a demand signal for change given what we’ve seen in Ukraine… and then obviously, everyone has eyes on China,” said commission vice chair Ellen Lord.

With ‘robust’ waiver, Kaine says ‘Buy America’ requirements won’t hamstring Navy shipbuilding

With ‘robust’ waiver, Kaine says ‘Buy America’ requirements won’t hamstring Navy shipbuilding
With ‘robust’ waiver, Kaine says ‘Buy America’ requirements won’t hamstring Navy shipbuilding

Designed to boost domestic production, “Buy America” provisions have sometimes generated heartburn for industry and Navy, and, according to an analyst, can damage US relationships abroad.

Ducking the culture wars, Senate passes NDAA 86-11

Ducking the culture wars, Senate passes NDAA 86-11
Ducking the culture wars, Senate passes NDAA 86-11

With both versions of the NDAA complete, congressional leadership must now pick conferees for each chamber to sort out two vastly different defense policy bills.

Senate appropriators back funds for Taiwan, unfunded requirements, industrial base in $831B bill

Senate appropriators back funds for Taiwan, unfunded requirements, industrial base in $831B bill
Senate appropriators back funds for Taiwan, unfunded requirements, industrial base in $831B bill

A draft version of the bill provides funds for an amphibious ship, but not for a new F-35 engine, both contentious debates in the military and on the Hill.

Air Force’s Kendall says servicemembers held ‘hostage’ by Tuberville confirmation blockade

Air Force’s Kendall says servicemembers held ‘hostage’ by Tuberville confirmation blockade
Air Force’s Kendall says servicemembers held ‘hostage’ by Tuberville confirmation blockade

Beyond politics, the Air Force Secretary weighed in on key items in the defense budget, citing concerns about potential cuts to NGAD funding and unnecessary bumps to an alternate F-35 engine.

In race with China, Pentagon must prioritize speed in acquisition

In race with China, Pentagon must prioritize speed in acquisition
In race with China, Pentagon must prioritize speed in acquisition

Smallsat Alliance Chairman Charles Beames argues it’s time to look past price alone to achieve dominance in space.

House narrowly passes defense policy bill 219-210, setting up clashes with Senate Dems

House narrowly passes defense policy bill 219-210, setting up clashes with Senate Dems
House narrowly passes defense policy bill 219-210, setting up clashes with Senate Dems

Conservative lawmakers successfully added numerous riders into the final legislation on Thursday and Friday, sinking most Democratic support.

HAC-D chair throws cold water on new F-35 engine, won’t talk DoD supplemental until budget set

HAC-D chair throws cold water on new F-35 engine, won’t talk DoD supplemental until budget set
HAC-D chair throws cold water on new F-35 engine, won’t talk DoD supplemental until budget set

House appropriators do give money to the AETP program in their draft of fiscal 2024’s defense appropriations bill, but another lawmaker says that it’s just a “backup” and for research purposes.

Kendall: More rapid acquisition is within reach, if Congress acts

Kendall: More rapid acquisition is within reach, if Congress acts
Kendall: More rapid acquisition is within reach, if Congress acts

In his first op-ed since becoming secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall calls on Congress to support a DoD measure to speed new tech programs.

Venture capitalists, tech firms beg defense secretary to speed up innovation

Venture capitalists, tech firms beg defense secretary to speed up innovation
Venture capitalists, tech firms beg defense secretary to speed up innovation

Executives controlling almost $100 billion in assets co-signed a letter to Sec. Lloyd Austin, urging him to adopt acquisition reforms put forward by an independent Atlantic Council commission.