Union urges ending Pentagon civilian hiring caps

America’s largest federal employee union is urging lawmakers to repeal statutory limits on the number of civilian workers at the Pentagon, some which date back more than 30 years.

Senate confirms Wallander to Pentagon international affairs role

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Russia expert Celeste Wallander to be the Pentagon’s assistant defense secretary for international security affairs.

NATO considering new battlegroups in Eastern Europe to deter Russia

“Our military commanders will now work on the details and report back within weeks,” alliance Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels.

Commentary

The problems with the defense industrial base aren’t about the contractors

Saying DoD needs “to spur increased competition” implies negative consequences from too little competition today, yet the report is based in part on a skewed view of limited data, including dollars awarded competitively.

US Army tests mobile communications gear for armored units

New network equipment will change the way the Army operates and fights.

New GPS simulator will support US Air Force swarming munitions testing

The new simulator will help the Air Force test Golden Horde's electronic warfare threat protection capabilities.

GM Defense joins General Dynamics team in bid to replace US Army’s Bradley vehicle

General Dynamics Land Systems brings General Motors Defense onto its team to pitch an optionally manned fighting vehicle as it competes to develop an initial design.

Hezbollah claims it’s making drones and missiles in Lebanon; chief offers export opportunity

“We have started manufacturing drones in Lebanon a long time ago. Those who want to buy can fill out an application.”

Lockheed to develop 5G testbed for Marine Corps

The testbed will help identify areas of compatibility between 5G networks and defense platforms, the company said Feb. 16.

Experts urge caution in assessing Ukraine cyberattacks

DDoS incidents in Ukraine could signal a larger event is coming, but experts are still cautious.

Israel plans ‘laser wall,’ but questions remain about effectiveness and cost

Where will Israel station the weapons? Will they be able to defend the country against rockets? Is the technology affordable, and what platforms will host the laser systems?

Carrier Carl Vinson was back in fighting condition within 45 minutes of F-35C crash, leaders say

After a dangerous F-35C ramp strike, flight deck crew began firefighting efforts within seconds, and the ship was ready to launch and land aircraft again within 45 minutes.

‘Lead wing’ plan for Air Force deployments takes shape at nine bases

The F-15E Strike Eagle, A-10C Thunderbolt II and surveillance aircraft take center stage among the lead wings.

Biden warns Russia that war on Ukraine would be ‘bloody and destructive’

The U.S. president's latest comments come amid conflicting reports of Russian intentions in the region.

Poland shortlists Babcock, Thyssenkrupp for $2 billion frigate program

The latest announcement indicates that Warsaw has discarded the bid submitted by Spanish Navantia which offered its F-100 frigate.

The US has spent billions on equipment and training in Europe to deter Russia. Is it enough?

Amid the prospect of Russia invading Ukraine, top experts say the unfolding crisis will test the U.S. military’s ability to seamlessly and rapidly move American troops and heavy armor across the borders of multiple countries and could also magnify potential gaps in both strategy and capability.

Oracle gets go-ahead to host top secret Air Force data

Oracle this week announced it can now handle some of the Department of Defense’s most sensitive data on one of its platforms, extending the cloud giant’s reach in the national security sphere.

Singapore Airshow

Russia sends warplanes to Syria for naval drills in Mediterranean

Russia also has expanded and modified a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus, the only such facility that Russia has outside the former Soviet Union.

New warplane sensor team boosts UK-Japan defense agenda

The envisioned radio frequency system antenna is designed to prove capabilities such as locating static or moving targets and denying external surveillance technology.

Singapore Airshow

Proteus reveals more details of Blue Spear missile

Video released by Proteus Advanced Systems states that Blue Spear’s flight profile and mission execution are programmable by its operators but could also be highly automated, depending on mission requirements.

Greek parliament considers major arms deals with France

Lawmakers are also debating whether to add six new Rafale fighter jets to an existing order for 18 planes ‒ six of them newly built and 12 that were previously in service in the French air force.

Pentagon worried about mergers, especially among hypersonic weapons suppliers

The report from DoD’s acquisition and sustainment office, which says broadly that consolidation poses a national security risk, marks the strongest U.S. government objection to merger and acquisition activity since the defense secretary in 2015 discouraged deals among the largest prime contractors.

Amentum closes $1.9 billion acquisition of PAE

This is at least the second acquisition by Amentum in recent years.

DoD needs to improve how it tests cyber weapons architecture, weapons tester says

Cyber Command's Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture lacks a test strategy, risking operational effectiveness of tools and systems, the Pentagon weapons tester has asserted.

Singapore Airshow

How do Singapore’s air capabilities compare to those of its neighbors?

A comparison of select Asian air forces and their capabilities, as detailed in a new report by IISS.

Singapore Airshow

See images from the first day of the Singapore Airshow

“The show might be smaller, and the pandemic may have mitigated the number of exhibitors, but it doesn’t mean that defense procurement has been slowing down.”

How autonomous wingmen will help fighter pilots in the next war

“There’s enough technology in existence from programs that we’ve already conducted, it convinces me that’s not a crazy idea,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.

Three takeaways from the US Navy’s first F-35C deployment

Aircraft carrier Carl Vinson returned home Feb. 14 after a six-and-a-half-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific, in the U.S. Navy’s first deployment of the “air wing of the future.”