A ‘Solarium’ For Hacking: Sen. King  Launches Cyber Strategy Panel

A ‘Solarium’ For Hacking: Sen. King  Launches Cyber Strategy Panel
A ‘Solarium’ For Hacking: Sen. King Launches Cyber Strategy Panel

With members from Congress, the executive branch, and the private sector, the commission plans to issue a final report by year’s end.

Russian Intercept Underscores Tensions in Black Sea

Russian Intercept Underscores Tensions in Black Sea
Russian Intercept Underscores Tensions in Black Sea

A Russian fighter plane gave a US surveillance plane an unexpectedly rough ride on Monday, part of an increase in tensions in the Black Sea.

Why We Need A Space Force: CSIS’s Todd Harrison

Why We Need A Space Force: CSIS’s Todd Harrison
Why We Need A Space Force: CSIS’s Todd Harrison

Space Corps? Space Force? Space Command? Ever since Rep. Mike Rogers put the Space Corps cat amongst the Air Force pigeons in April last year, debate has raged within the Air Force, the wider space enterprise, Congress and across the four services about just what must be done. President Trump glommed onto the idea and…

HASC, SASC Chiefs Side With Contractors & Reject DoD Proposal

HASC, SASC Chiefs Side With Contractors & Reject DoD Proposal
HASC, SASC Chiefs Side With Contractors & Reject DoD Proposal

The heads of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees oppose proposed new rules changing how the Pentagon compensates contractors.

Rep. Mac Thornberry and Sen. Jim Inhofe sent a letter to Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Sept. 24.

Will The Army’s 1,000-Mile Missiles Kill Reagan’s INF Treaty?

Will The Army’s 1,000-Mile Missiles Kill Reagan’s INF Treaty?
Will The Army’s 1,000-Mile Missiles Kill Reagan’s INF Treaty?

“Look, the Obama administration indicated that Russia was in violation of the INF Treaty four years ago,” said a staffer from the House Armed Services Committee. “If the treaty’s being violated, we have to take steps to ensure that stability some other way.”

Mattis & Dunford On The Long, Uncertain Road To Space Force

Mattis & Dunford On The Long, Uncertain Road To Space Force
Mattis & Dunford On The Long, Uncertain Road To Space Force

There’s no timeline, no cost estimate, and no certainty Trump’s proposed Space Force will even happen. Even the interim step of creating a Space Command is being dialed down, a significant policy shift.

Defense Bill Closer, But Risks Remain

Defense Bill Closer, But Risks Remain
Defense Bill Closer, But Risks Remain

Thursday’s overwhelming Senate vote to pass the bill clears a major hurdle in getting the budget passed on time. But Not only do the House and Senate have little time to knock out final appropriations language and vote on it, but President Trump has signaled he wouldn’t be opposed to a government shutdown this fall, which would bring everything to a grinding halt.

Despite Trump’s Signature, NDAA Fights Still Brewing

Despite Trump’s Signature, NDAA Fights Still Brewing
Despite Trump’s Signature, NDAA Fights Still Brewing

The White House only has a few objections to this year’s NDAA, and lets Congress know what they are as the Senate gears up for debate.

Trump Takes NDAA Victory Lap, But 2020 Looms

Trump Takes NDAA Victory Lap, But 2020 Looms
Trump Takes NDAA Victory Lap, But 2020 Looms

With the two-year budget relief ending in 2020, and a new Space Force to fund, the good times might not last long.

What Really Matters In The Defense Authorization Act & What Didn’t Get Done

What Really Matters In The Defense Authorization Act & What Didn’t Get Done
What Really Matters In The Defense Authorization Act & What Didn’t Get Done

Most coverage of the annual defense policy bill has focused on program changes: more ships (including six icebreakers!), no change to F-35’s, more RDT&E, no JSTARS recap, a growl (but no more) on ZTE, and many more (the bill and report run 2,500 pages). Less discussed, but of more import in the long run, are the…

Hyten: Space Force Report In ‘Next Few Weeks’ After Shanahan Cancels Meet

Hyten: Space Force Report In ‘Next Few Weeks’ After Shanahan Cancels Meet
Hyten: Space Force Report In ‘Next Few Weeks’ After Shanahan Cancels Meet

Of DoD’s proposed reforms, the biggest thing not included in the NDAA is the Space Development Agency, which would appear to strike a blow at the heart of DoD space acquisition: the Air Force-run Space and Missile Systems Center. SMC has long been criticized for its slow pace, bureaucratic stovepipes, and opacity, but praised for its technical brilliance.

SASC NDAA Tasks Top Scientists To Suss Out Electronic Warfare Fixes

SASC NDAA Tasks Top Scientists To Suss Out Electronic Warfare Fixes
SASC NDAA Tasks Top Scientists To Suss Out Electronic Warfare Fixes

WASHINGTON: A little known group of top America scientists known as JASON will, if the Senate Armed Services Committee has its way, perform a major analysis of US and allied Electronic Warfare capabilities and recommend how the US can improve this crucial element of warfare. Why is the SASC doing this: “The committee recognizes that…

SASC NDAA Would Add $500M For Cruise Missile Defense

SASC NDAA Would Add $500M For Cruise Missile Defense
SASC NDAA Would Add $500M For Cruise Missile Defense

WASHINGTON: The Senate Armed Services Committee has lost patience with the Army program to develop cruise missile defenses, IFPC, and reallocated $500 million to buy an off-the-shelf alternative by 2020. The system would defend US bases abroad from Russian, Chinese, Iranian, or North Korean strikes. While the bill language and SASC staff are careful not…

SASC Seeks Sweeping ‘Roles & Missions’ Report: Wither The Marines?

SASC Seeks Sweeping ‘Roles & Missions’ Report: Wither The Marines?
SASC Seeks Sweeping ‘Roles & Missions’ Report: Wither The Marines?

WASHINGTON: The Senate Armed Services Committee has proposed the most sweeping reevaluation of the military in 30 years, with tough questions for all four armed services but especially the Marine Corps. While its provisions cover topics ranging from swarming robots to “construction and maintenance of public works in Cis-Lunar Space,” its overwhelming focus is reorienting…