RADM Winters Describes New UCLASS RFP Details

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RADM Mathias Winter, executive officer for unmanned aviation and strike weapons, detailed requirements for its UCLASS development effort, reports Flightglobal. He did not discuss  stealth or aerial refueling requirements but said the aircraft must conduct surveillance and strike missions at a “tactically significant” distance in a “permissive to graduated contested environment.” RADM Winter indicated  the Navy specified an aircraft with the ability to conduct “24/7, two-orbit” operations and controlled by line-of-sight and by beyond-line-of-sight communications. The Navy issued the draft RFP in April to four contractors, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics and Northrop Grumman, but it has not been publicly released.

Climate change poses a significant risk to national security and generates global political conflict, according to a report by the CNA Corporation Military Advisory Board, reports The New York Times. The government-funded military research organization determined climate change-induced drought and rising sea levels are increasing conflicts over food and water and escalating regional and ethnic tensions into violent clashes. The report predicted an increase in catastrophic weather events around the world will create more demand for American troops, even as flooding and extreme weather events at home could damage naval ports and military bases.

The F-35B may fly at the christening of the United Kingdom’s newest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, on the Fourth of July, reports Breaking Defense. The final details are still being worked out but an official announcement is expected soon. The stealth fighter will be in the UK to fly at the Royal International Air Tattoo and the Farnborough Air Show, possibly the world’s biggest air show.

A growing consensus in Congress to help industry share data with government about computer network attacks may lead to cybersecurity legislation this summer, according to Reuters. Lawmakers’ consideration of cyber security legislation regarding how private companies should be required to disclose security breaches and cyber threats are impeded by liability and privacy protection issues.

DefSec Chuck Hagel is the scheduled graduation speaker for the US Naval Academy, according to the Navy Times. About 1,000 students will graduate from the academy on May 23.

Rep. Jeff Miller, (R-Fla.) on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, asked the Obama administration to launch a bipartisan investigation into allegations of health care delays at VA hospitals which may have contributed to dozens of preventable deaths, reports the Military Times. Mr. Miller believes an independent commission is necessary “to thoroughly investigate veteran access issues, patient harm and preventable deaths as a result of delays in care across the VA health care system.”

The Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUSVI) is holding its its annual unmanned systems conference and trade show this week in Orlando, FL, according to National Defense. The move away from a Washington, DC, venue reflects an industry focus change as US military procurement drops off. The industry is turning to global and civil sector sales to generate new business. John Lademan, AUVSI’s chairman of the board, said “New markets are opening up in agriculture, automated vehicles, and oil and gas.”

A proposed $60 million settlement was announced this week in response to a lawsuit alleging that thousands of military service members were charged excessive interest rates for student loans, reports the Military Times. The legal action was filed against student loan owners and processors for bilking about 60,000 service members  charged rates in excess of the maximum 6 percent.

Steve O’Bryan, a top Lockheed F-35 executive, attended a dinner two years ago in China and was seated next to the chief of China’s air force who said to him, “You know, Steve, I really love the F-35. I’d really love to have the F-35 in my air force,” according to Breaking Defense. Mr. O’Bryan responded by asking how many jets he might want and the Chinese air chief replied, “You know Steve, I need just one.” Audience members within earshot of this exchange broke into knowing laughter and applauded.