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 U.S.-made planes, stationed on the popular tourist island of Gran Canaria, and 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.

US Army lacks plan to modernize Apache helicopter, lawmakers say

The Apache attack helicopter is expected to fly all the way into 2050, but the Army has not articulated its plans to modernize the aircraft. The House Armed Services Committee wants to see a more concrete plan from the service on the helicopter's way forward.

US Air Force seeks tech sweet spot for Advanced Battle Management System

“Those who have followed this ABMS journey, they’ve probably seen that it’s evolved over time as we learn more,” said Gen. CQ Brown, U.S. Air Force chief of staff.

US to send Ukraine rocket systems, other aid in new package

The aid is part of the $40 billion in security and economic assistance passed last month by Congress.

Parsons’ chief executive talks acquisitions, Ukraine and the defense budget

Carey Smith took over as chief executive of Parsons in April 2021. Since then, the contractor has kept up a busy pace of acquisitions, most recently picking up Xator, which specializes in cybersecurity, counter-drone technology, biometrics and more.

More money to buy weaponry and fight inflation in House defense bill

Despite hours of sometimes intense debate, the measure advanced out of committee on a bipartisan 57-1 vote.

Battlefield robots getting ‘common sense’ training before deployment

Although legged robots have existed for several years, in order to be deployed, they would need to adapt in real-time to unseen scenarios such as changing terrains, changing payloads and wear and tear.

Mobile howitzers take center stage at Eurosatory as artillery battles intensify in Ukraine

On the Eurosatory defense exposition floor, artillery was king as the Russian invasion of Ukraine evolves from missile attacks and close combat to daily artillery barrages.

No consensus yet on military spending for next year, except for more of it

House lawmakers on Wednesday offered new and conflicting plans for defense spending next year, setting up intense congressional debate in coming months over what the right level of military funding for fiscal 2023 should be.

Defense agencies among worst for disclosing contracting needs

General Services Administration received the highest score. Marine Corps Systems Command and Naval Information Warfare Systems Command won honorable mentions.

Viasat to test 5G networking for Marine Corps operations

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations in the near future, both for offensive and defensive reasons. But command and control remains a big barrier.

Ukraine lessons helped drive acquisition of RADA, Leonardo DRS chief says

The merged companies hope to become a market leader in force protection and integrated multi-domain systems.

Commentary

Marine Corps artillery ― it isn’t too late to salvage it

Armor, engineering and other required assets may be forever lost, but it is not too late for an artillery course correction, this retired Marine lieutenant general writes.

France requests Switchblade loitering munition to fill ‘urgent’ capability gap

The French Army has started the process of quickly procuring American-made loitering munitions as part of a longer-term effort to field remotely operated weapon systems, according to officials.

Hanwha, Kongsberg partner on combat vehicle, long-range fires system

The Norwegian Defence Material Agency is expected later this year to issue a request for information on new infantry fighting vehicles, and another RFI for a long-range precision fires system, namely multiple launch rocket systems.

Norcross to bring back tougher ‘Buy American’ legislation that rankled allies

A group of U.S. allies is again urging key House lawmakers to oppose any proposals to tighten federal “Buy American” requirements through the annual defense authorization bill.

Rep. Rob Wittman on US Navy ship retirements and a sea-launched nuclear weapon

Two key issues have emerged this year as the most contentious for the Navy: a proposal to decommission 24 ships, and a decision to cut funding for a sea-launched tactical nuclear weapon. Congressional committees are thus far split on these issues, and the House Armed Services Committee will weigh in on Wednesday.

Why is Lithuania risking Russia’s wrath over Kaliningrad?

Lithuania imposed a ground transit ban of EU sanctioned Russian goods through its territory that will block half of all goods coming into the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast.