“The world is opening up again, and that means there will be a surge in post-pandemic demand for military systems, likely driven by the Persian Gulf region,” said defense consultant Loren Thompson.
By Valerie InsinnaWhat’s new in naval radars and missiles: Defending the Pacific
Defending U.S. naval forces in the Pacific, Red Sea, and elsewhere require a range of systems from close-in weapons to anti-ballistic missiles.
The upcoming sole source contract to Boeing for more data on the Wedgetail suggests that the service may seek to eschew a competition.
By Valerie Insinna
Acquiring the Wedgetail “gives us a path” while the service awaits a space-based capability, Air Force Chief of Staff CQ Brown said, as “an option to be able to get the capability much faster than if we were to start a new start from scratch.”
By Theresa Hitchens
“The TacAir study is coming to a close soon. I haven’t had a chance to review it yet. But I’m hoping it will be an input that informs this National Defense Strategy, and the ’23 POM and our plans going forward,” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
By Theresa Hitchens
So far, Boeing has lost $5 billion on the low risk system, is years behind schedule and doesn’t seem to have a very good handle on basic manufacturing principles such as ensuring tools, scrap metal and other debris (FOD) are not left behind in the aircraft.
By Colin Clark
How the Air Force embodies its ‘agile combat employment’ concept depends in part on the future fleet composition — with the F-22’s fate a central question.
By Theresa Hitchens
“I want to really put a mark on the wall to start driving ourselves in that direction,” CSAF Gen. CQ Brown told the annual McAleese conference today.
By Theresa Hitchens
Modernizing military simulation with open systems architecture
Best-of-breed common models and architecture enable virtual training and testing with the same data in a cyber-resilient posture.
HAC-D Chair Rep. Betty McCollum and the Ranking Member Rep. Ken Calvert used today’s hearing to decry DoD’s failure to fundamentally overhaul space acquisition.
By Theresa Hitchens
Former CSAF Gen. David Goldfein, who like many fighter pilots isn’t a big guy, was passed over as CJCS because he didn’t “look macho enough for Trump,” said one former Pentagon insider.
By Theresa Hitchens
“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
Each service has unique problems to solve and billions invested in legacy systems. “I just can’t throw away everything we own — nor can the Air Force — and start over,” Gen. Mike Murray, head of Army Futures Command, says. “How does the Air Force architecture integrate with the Army architecture, with the Navy architecture?”
By Theresa Hitchens
The head of INDOPACOM, Adm. Davidson, and the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Air Force Gen. Hyten, seem receptive to a new Army role in long-range strike.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
“I will tell you right now, the MQ-9 is still a very popular platform with the Combatant Commanders,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown admitted. “So, it’s not something we can just walk away from.”
By Theresa Hitchens
At the moment, there are no plans to reduce the Air Force’s plans to buy 1,763 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, says acting Air Force acquisition head Darlene Costello. But…
By Theresa Hitchens
