News
Navy’s nuclear fleet shipyards in bad shape, report finds –
Despite the Navy’s plans to improve its public shipyards, the four facilities and their equipment remain in “poor condition,” featuring drydocks that are more than 100 years old and other shortcomings that will take decades to fix, according to a government watchdog report released Sept. 12.
Business
Lockheed debuts multi-domain tube-launched drone –
Lockheed Martin debuted a lightweight, tube-launched, micro unmanned aircraft system designed and built entirely in the U.K. that can be launched from platforms across domains and the services.
How industry can tap the European Union’s $6 billion-plus defense fund –
Jorge Domecq, chief executive of the European Defence Agency, digs into investment of the European Defence Fund, whether companies based in the U.K. will get a shot at those investments post-Brexit and what the EU’s growing focus on defense means for NATO.
Aviation leasing giant enters fray of remotely piloted air systems –
It’s believed to be the first time a major leasing company has moved to offer remotely piloted vehicles to military or civil users.
Turkey reportedly committed to buying Russian missile defense system –
A Turkish newspaper is quoting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying that both Ankara and Moscow are committed to Turkey’s purchase of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia.
Draper Lab wins MDA missile guidance contract –
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory has been awarded a $36.9 million Missile Defense Agency contract for missile guidance.
Industry consortium support NATO federated networking –
The Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium will work with NATO’s Allied Command Transformation on an initiative to enhance interoperability for NATO’s Federated Mission Networking (FMN) project, which aims to boost information sharing and thus improve command and control.
DARPA wants to MacGyver internet using only what’s in troops’ pockets –
The research agency wants to tap the computer power of the devices war fighters already have to network anywhere.
Defense
Mattis outlines impacts of continuing resolution; Army worst hit –
Operating under a continuing resolution for even three months will impact dozens of procurement and construction projects vital to keeping the military operational, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned top congressional leaders.
Army making good on plans to streamline networks –
More than just a computer upgrade, the effort to update mission command network software and hardware across the Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard is intended to simplify soldiers’ daily tasks.
Marines, sailors hit sea and land in Alligator Dagger exercise –
Amphibious units roared across sea and land in Djibouti for two weeks to train in the type of austere desert setting they’d encounter in Mideast hot spots.
Air Force approves use of Magpul’s signature polymer magazine –
The U.S. Air Force has approved the use of Magpul Industries’ signature polymer magazine known as the PMag GenM3, according to Vicki Stein, a spokeswoman for the Air Force.
Future of JSTARS recap program in question as Air Force explores other options –
The future of the JSTARS recap program appears to be in limbo as the U.S. Air Force reevaluates the path forward for replacing its aging battle-management surveillance system.
Air Force’s monthly bombing campaign in Afghanistan hits 5-year high –
The U.S. Air Force in August released more than 500 weapons in Afghanistan against terrorist organizations such as the Taliban, al-Qaida and the Islamic State, marking the most in a single month since 2012, according to newly released figures.
In stealth era, ‘Red Air’ struggles to fight back –
“Fight’s on!” U.S Air Force Lt. “Poncho” scans the air from the cockpit of his jet black Northrop T-38 Talon. He has the advantage for now—his adversaries have their backs turned—but it is only a matter of time before they maneuver their formation to point at him.
Veterans
VA secretary defends department’s medical experiments on dogs –
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin defended his department’s medical testing on dogs in an op-ed Sept 12, arguing that proposed limits would significantly damage ongoing research designed to help ailing veterans.