Despite a heavy-handed military presence at earlier protests, there were no troops in evidence at the Capitol when it was overrun yesterday by pro-Trump rioters. Currently, 834 Guard troops are operational across DC, 741 of them guarding the Capitol and 93 manning traffic checkpoints.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.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.
While Combat Training Center wargames will still work out full brigades, training at home base will emphasize small-unit teambuilding over big events.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
As the Army braces for a post-COVID budget crunch, Gen. John Murray told Breaking Defense, his Army Futures Command is studying conflict scenarios to decide which new weapons could be kept or cut.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
“We came right up to the edge of bringing active troops here, and we didn’t,” Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said. Both active duty and Guard troops are being sent home.
By Paul McLeary
Cadets must return to campus anyway for medical evaluations before they can become officers, the Army Secretary said, and all will be tested for the coronavirus.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
While some prototype deliveries and field tests are being delayed, Army leaders said, there’s enough slack in the schedule that combat units will still get the new tech on time.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
Medical staff aboard aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and cruiser USS Bunker Hill are monitoring sailors who went ashore in Da Nang, Vietnam this month, while the ships are currently undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine all Navy vessels across the Indo-Pacom command are required to observe.
By Paul McLeary
Military 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.
Israeli manufacturer Rafael says its anti-rocket system can now shoot down cruise missiles. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and acquisition chief Bruce Jette are saying, show us the data.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
An elite team of researchers from Fort Detrick and Walter Reed briefed the Army Secretary and Chief of Staff last night. But are funding shortfalls, reorganization, and Pentagon politics getting in the way?
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
After decades of R&D, the race to replace the UH-60 helicopter is entering its last few years.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
“The Army has learned its lesson” from past acquisition disasters, said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who’s “very pleased” with FVL. This program is truly different, agreed one of the fathers of the cancelled Comanche, retired Maj. Gen. Rudy Ostovich.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The SB>1 Defiant compound helicopter has only 11 hours of flight testing, versus over 160 for Bell’s V-280 Valor. But Sikorsky and Boeing say they have thousands of hours of other testing data to help the Army choose.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is currently built by Oshkosh but the Army is seeking alternative manufacturers, who will get the government-owned Technical Data Package required to build it. The Army’s also reviewing how many JLTVs it really needs, Secretary Ryan McCarthy says.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The Navy’s top admiral says he needs a larger share of the Pentagon budget. The Army Secretary retorts his service already gets less than either the Navy or the Air Force.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
