The two vendors emerged successful from an original pool of five and are expected to carry their drone designs through a prototyping phase that will build and test aircraft.
By Michael Marrow and Valerie InsinnaModernizing our supply chain is a national security imperative
Closing supply chain gaps in innovating technology will reposition the industrial base to be a strategic source of value.
House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers tells Breaking Defense that Guard advocates should not “waste their time” lobbying against the move.
By Michael Marrow and Valerie Insinna
Production of an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft has also slipped by a year, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
By Michael Marrow
“It’s a unique situation. There’s absolutely no intention to make any other changes, moving things out of the Guard,” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
By Valerie Insinna
Among the unclassified programs listed, the Space Force could use an additional $160 million to establish a “working capital fund” to be used for purchasing commercial satellite communications.
By Lee Ferran and Valerie Insinna
The test’s results could determine the ultimate fate of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or at least help “further a range of hypersonic programs.”
By Michael Marrow
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall explained that the “small decrease in the number for the Space Force” isn’t itself quite reflective of reality, as there are mitigating circumstances that lessen the blow.
By Theresa Hitchens
How to ensure readiness of next-generation defense technology: Solving the issue of massive heat.
High-performance systems generate tremendous amounts of heat that can compromise missions and make high-tech systems less effective in tactical environments. But there is a solution to this modern-age challenge.
“We’re very, very fixated on being competitive with the pacing challenge [of China],” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. “I think the budget that we’ve submitted moves us forward — not quite as fast as we would like to, but it moves us forward in the right direction while maintaining current capabilities that are essential to the nation.”
By Michael Marrow
Despite disagreements with Boeing on pricing for the E-7A Wedgetail, Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said officials still see the radar plane “as a capability that makes sense and that we need to field in the near term.”
By Michael Marrow
“So there’s a sweet spot for where we can prime it and there’s a stretch area. … What I hope is you see the sweet spot increases and the stretch area is moving to higher” program sizes and complexities, Kratos’s Steve Fendley told Breaking Defense.
By Michael Marrow
Development of the Air Force’s first two rapid prototype radar planes proved more difficult than expected, according to acquisition chief Andrew Hunter.
By Michael Marrow
International partners could join in on drone development for a next round of CCA work planned for the FY25 budget, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
By Michael Marrow
Under the “reoptimizing” effort, changes are coming across the Department of the Air Force, from new training approaches to the establishment of high-level offices.
By Michael Marrow and Theresa Hitchens “This is just crazy,” agreed Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante.
By Michael Marrow
