News
Bodies of 2 paratroopers killed in Afghanistan return to U.S. –
The bodies of two soldiers killed by a car bomb in Afghanistan have been returned. Supporters raised tens of thousands of dollars for their families.
Russia, not the U.S., is now calling the shots in the Middle East –
Russia’s deputy foreign minister met Aug. 2 with leading diplomats from Iran and Iraq to discuss combating Islamist extremist groups and the future of Syria.
Business
DIUx awards AI contract to help Air Force decision-making –
The Pentagon’s Silicon Valley branch has awarded Austin, Texas-based artificial intelligence startup SparkCognition the first phase of a contract to provide analysis for U.S. Air Force budgeting procedures.
Lockheed gets $3.7 billion advance payment for F-35 program –
The Pentagon made a $3.7 billion advance payment to Lockheed Martin late Aug. 4 for the 11th batch of F-35 aircraft.
Shanahan: Search for new technology chief in closing stretch –
The search for the Pentagon’s new technology head is getting close to the “end game,” according to Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan.
Navy awards C4ISR contract –
CACI-ISS has been awarded a $10 million Navy contract for C4ISR support.
Defense
Staffing questions permeate AT&L restructure –
The Pentagon’s acquisition restructuring report, delivered to Congress Aug. 1 and released to the public the next day, shows a focus on innovation and a reliance on the military services to handle day-to-day sustainment, but the restructure needs to work through personnel issues to be successful, analysts say.
Air Force buys Boeing 747s for next Air Force One, but cost savings unknown –
The commander in chief is one step closer to stomping in his Air Force Ones after the Air Force on Aug. 4 awarded Boeing a contract for the two 747s that will be converted into presidential airlifters.
Dover C-5s take to the skies again after repairs –
Five C-5s at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware returned to flight Aug. 3 after undergoing repairs to their nose landing gear, Air Mobility Command announced.
Air Force’s surprise JLTV buy in FY18 could be start of larger procurement effort –
The U.S. Air Force has quietly inserted itself into the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program with a request of 140 units in fiscal 2018, but the service is poised to buy hundreds — and perhaps even thousands — more vehicles if it can find the funding in future years.