Slovakia picks CV90 in infantry fighting vehicle tender

The purchase is the latest move by Bratislava to weed out Soviet-era made equipment from its arsenal.

Marine Corps unveils information guidance as US rivals spew propaganda

“Information is key to gaining advantage in all domains, whether during kinetic actions on the battlefield or during day-to-day operations in competition,” said Gen. David Berger, the Marine Corps commandant.

Space Force mulls new acquisition approach for next phase of medium, heavy launches

The Space Force hasn’t finalized its plans for Phase 3 of its National Security Space Launch program, but its new acquisition executive said this week it is considering the possibility of including more launch vehicle classes as part of the contract.

US to boost military presence in Europe for Russia threat

Biden announced the permanent basing of a U.S. military garrison in Poland. He also said the U.S. is sending two additional F-35 fighter jet squadrons to the U.K. and more air defense and other capabilities to Germany and Italy.

General Dynamics unit wins contract to build new light tank for infantry

General Dynamics Land Systems beats out BAE Systems in a competition to build and field Mobile Protected Firepower systems for the Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

National Guardsmen may soon use personal electronics in deployments

“Bring Your Own Approved Device” initiative would allow guardsmen to use personal mobile equipment to perform the same functions in the field that they would otherwise carry out at a desktop in their offices.

Turkey lifting objections to Sweden, Finland joining NATO

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Sweden and Finland to abandon their long-held nonaligned status and apply to join NATO. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had blocked the move, insisting the Nordic pair change their stance on Kurdish rebel groups that Turkey considers terrorists.

Commentary

The NATO summit is chance to wean Europe off US military might

In Madrid, Biden ought to drive a hard bargain with America’s European allies.

Battlefield 360

US Army awards $72 million for new phase in next-gen ground system effort

The Army awarded Palantir Technologies and Raytheon Technologies $36 million each to turn their TITAN designs into prototypes, and the service plans to choose a single provider at the end of the 14-month phase.

Navy slows F-35 orders amid rising readiness grades of its fighter fleet

Though top U.S. Navy leadership told lawmakers that COVID-related problems alone, including supply-chain shortages, drove the decision to ask for fewer F-35C Joint Strike Fighters in next year’s budget, that is only half the story.

Lockheed’s Sikorsky wins $2.3 billion Army Black Hawk multi-year contract

The Army and Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky have finalized its tenth multi-year contract for the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter as the service prepares to keep it in the fleet for several more decades as it continues to develop the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft intended to replace the utility helicopter.

Industry teams move to accelerate work on MDA’s next-generation missile interceptor

As industry teams plant deeper roots in Huntsville, Alabama, hope for continuing to accelerate the next-generation interceptor program remains.

Air Force acquisition chief talks drone wingmen, supply chains, and the B-21

The Air Force is focusing on fielding a drone wingman in time for the Next Generation Air Dominance program reaching IOC by the end of this decade, said Andrew Hunter.

NATO to boost readiness numbers, approve new Ukraine aid at Madrid summit

The increase to more than 300,000 on-alert troops will be matched with more prepositioned equipment and supplies stockpiles, notably air defense capabilities, said Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Russia to provide nuclear-capable missiles and fighter jets to Belarus

The latest development comes as the two countries are tightening their military cooperation in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kennedy confirmed as Air Force cyber boss

Air Force Maj. Gen. Kevin Kennedy was approved by voice vote on June 23 to lead the 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) and receive his third star.

Commentary

How to set defense spending when inflation is volatile

During periods with volatile inflation, policymakers have different outlooks on the accuracy of the inflation forecast.

Vehicle makers court Europe’s militaries with hybrid, electric rides

While the civilian vehicle world has successfully deployed hybrid and electric cars onto city streets, the defense sector is just getting started.

Raytheon, Northrop advance in competition to develop hypersonic weapons interceptor

The Missile Defense Agency awarded contracts to Raytheon and Northrop Grumman to continue development of its Glide Phase Interceptor designed to take out hypersonic threats.

Head of US Army combat vehicle modernization moves to Army Futures Command

While the future leader of U.S. Army Futures Command has yet to be named, Maj. Gen. Ross Coffman will pin on his third star and take over as deputy commanding general of the service's modernization branch.

French navy eyeing US progress in unmanned, ‘data-centric’ operations

France believes U.S. advances in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence and networked operations could shape its naval tech investments and concept development work.

Having visited Pakistan and China, is Argentina ready to buy the JF-17 jet?

Here's what we know about Argentina's progress so far in acquiring the JF-17 fighter, and its related goals for supporting local industry.

South Korea develops robot for autonomous tunnel exploration

The robot can explore underground tunnels without topographic information, detecting risks and generating a 3D map of the exploration area, a government agency says.

The congressional fight to scrap littoral combat ships isn’t over

Congress appears poised to save five littoral combat ships from an early retirement, but the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is saying that the fight to ditch the ships is not yet over.

US Air Force mints program to hone command and control

“In order to fight as joint and coalition forces,” Lt. Col. Steve Wyatt said, “we need to understand each other’s capabilities and limitations, and how each entity operates and communicates.”

South Korea is trying to double the range of its K239 rocket launcher

The Agency for Defense Development announced its effort, a key part of which is the application of ducted rocket propulsion technology.

Spain finalizes $2.1 billion deal for 20 Eurofighters to replace old F-18s

Eurofighter had something of a lock on replacing the oldest of Spain's American-made planes, stationed on the popular tourist island of Gran Canaria. The government in Madrid had cleared the purchase in late 2021.

House defense bill calls for US-built ships to modernize strategic sealift fleet

After neglecting strategic sealift for too long, some in Congress are trying a new approach to get the Navy and the Maritime Administration to invest in new US-made ships.