Commentary

Biden must act now to better arm Ukraine. Here’s what that should look like.

A large-scale Russian offensive would spell disaster not only for Ukraine and Europe but for U.S. interests and credibility as well.

Defense industry frets as funding talks crawl

Despite repeated warnings from lawmakers and uniformed Pentagon leaders that a full-year continuing resolution will hurt national security, some in the defense industry are still worried that budgetary route is a possibility.

US hits Chinese defense companies with sanctions

The United States announced penalties on three companies it said were engaged in unspecified “missile technology proliferation activities.”

With blade issues resolved, Navy seeking four Ship to Shore Connectors a year

After technical challenges in 2020, the Navy says it can get the SSC production line moving and craft fielded to operational units this year, ahead of IOC next year.

Commentary

North Korean hypersonic threat is an alarming wake-up call for how we innovate

The linear development model of old just doesn’t work anymore.

New NATO policy positions the alliance as a broker, not an owner, in space race

The document, which mostly hails from 2019 but was only published now, stakes out a broad vision for space but hedges on the details.

AFRL partners with SpaceX to explore Rocket Cargo potential

Under the new contract, the Air Force Research Lab will leverage SpaceX's point-to-point launch capability to develop a case for future military use.

Contractors demonstrate single-user drone swarm at DARPA experiment

Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman recently demonstrated that a single user could control a swarm of over 100 unmanned systems in an urban environment.

Evolution of Aegis Weapon System could underpin joint all-domain operations

Steps Lockheed Martin is taking today to virtualize its Aegis Weapon System are helping to underpin the U.S. Navy’s integrated combat system and the Pentagon’s vision for joint all-domain warfare.

National Reconnaissance Office awards five contracts for commercial satellite radar capabilities

Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR, uses radar to produce images. Unlike traditional electro-optical imagery, SAR is unaffected by cloud cover, darkness or inclement weather, making it useful for a number of intelligence missions.

Israel inks $3.4 billion submarine deal with Germany

The Dakar-class diesel-electric submarines will be produced by German manufacturer ThyssenKrupp and are expected to be delivered within nine years.

Commentary

Three steps to help defense innovation break free from its shackles

The United States simply cannot meet the national security challenges it faces over the next decade if the resource allocation process is not brought into the 21st century.

At Project Convergence, Army’s new battle command system demonstrated expanded capability

Here's how the Army's Integrated Battle Command System performed at Project Convergence 2021.

New DARPA research could make night vision goggles smaller

DARPA selected 10 teams to advance night vision materials research and prototype designs for smaller glasses.

Germany holds its ground on denying weapons for Ukraine

Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, told German press agency DPA on Wednesday his country was seeking warships to help defend its Black Sea and the Sea of Asov coasts in the event of a Russian invasion.

Military may take months to gauge 5G safety risks to aircraft

The results of tests on whether the new 5G rollout could affect military aircraft systems are not expected until late summer.

New bill aims to cut the price of spare parts for DoD

Legislation proposed Wednesday would force government vendors to publicly disclose data about their costs, a move to help the government negotiate better deals for spare parts.

Greece boosts Air Force with advanced French jets

Six advanced Rafale jets, purchased from the French Air Force, flew in low formation over Athens before their official handover to the Greek armed forces at a nearby air base.

Commentary

NATO should shut the door, but not because Russia said so

Keeping the option of NATO enlargement on the table is a faulty policy on an ordinary day. In the case of Ukraine, it’s a disservice.

Get ready for ‘computer-assisted’ shooting with the Army’s new optic

The Army is slated to pick the actual weapon in the coming months.

Biden signs memorandum to secure sensitive national security systems

The memorandum builds upon a May 2021 executive order aimed at improving cybersecurity across the entirety of federal government systems.

US Space Force wants funding for a new mission — tracking ground targets

The ongoing, SWAC-led analysis is weighing options for a space-based GMTI program that could be funded as soon as fiscal 2024.

Head of US Air Force’s space research will help design the Space Force’s satellite constellations

Col. Eric Felt, currently the director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate, is taking on a new role as deputy executive director of the Space Force's Space Architecture, Science and Technology Directorate.

Amphib ship requirements study could spell bad news for Marines, industry

The Navy's amphibious ship requirements study isn't quite done yet. But all the signs are pointing to a smaller fleet for the Marine Corps.

US Cyber Command will use new academic engagement network to tackle cyber challenges

The new academic engagement network will also serve as a recruiting tool for Cyber Command, especially in filling out the civilian ranks.

Commentary

The problems at Red Hill in Hawaii are just the start of DoD’s infrastructure liabilities

The ensuing crisis is shedding light on the weaknesses in U.S. military infrastructure that could prove highly problematic in a potential conflict with China. The Pentagon should act decisively to protect Oahu’s aquifers and stop deferring investments in Indo-Pacific posture that are needed to deter Chinese aggression.

Air Force Research Lab pushes new Space Force tack on hybrid architecture

As the Space Force moves to make its systems more resilient, the Air Force Research Lab is prioritizing the science and technology that will enable that transition.

South Korea inks largest arms export deal with UAE for missile interceptor

Valued about $3.5 billion, the contract for the Cheongung II KM-SAM weapons was singed Jan. 16 during a meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Emirati Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai as they discussed economic cooperation.