Cyber Lab Ceremony Honors Barbara Ives
The Barbara Ives Cyber Lab at the College of Southern Maryland’s Leonardtown campus was recently dedicated. The lab is named in honor of Ives, a longtime Southern Maryland resident and retired US Navy Reserve captain, known for her service to the country, the region, and academia.
DoD Plans $10B in Cuts to Weapons Programs
The US Department of Defense plans cuts to some of its weapons programs — F-35 fighter jets, an attack submarine, Army helicopters and drones, and Air Force overhead — to stay under congressionally mandated spending caps. The department will make $10 billion in cuts to its 2025 budget.
F-35’s Armory Is About to Get Bigger
The US Navy is launching an effort to procure four integrated advanced munitions — JASSM, LRASM, JAGM, and Hellfire missiles — on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Short-Term Funding Measure Would Avert Govt. Shutdown
The White House has asked Congress to pass a short-term funding measure to keep the government operating after the current budget year ends September 30. Seven of 10 voters polled in a Peter G. Peterson Foundation’s survey said they were concerned there will be a shutdown because Congress will be unable to reach an agreement on a new budget. Voters are increasingly concerned about the economic damage created by political brinksmanship and the interruption of government services.
DoD Creates New UFO Task Force
The Defense Department will streamline the collection and analysis of UFO reports, following the government’s acknowledgment that these reports are worth studying and might pose a threat to national security.
Richard Spencer Out as Navy Secretary
NavSec Richard Spencer has been ousted from his post after his handling of the case of Navy SEAL Edward “Eddie” Gallagher, who was accused of war crimes. DefSec Mark Esper asked for Mr. Spencer’s resignation late Sunday.
Navy Wants $5B for 3 More Destroyers
The US Navy wants to build three more Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and is asking Congress for more than $5 billion in the next fiscal year. Building the warships would bring the number of guided-missile destroyers the Navy has procured to 85.
DefSec Warns US Allies: Be Wary of China
A warning from DefSec Mark Esper to US European allies: Be wary of China. It is beleived that Beijing seeks greater global influence by leveraging economic power and stealing technology.
Wage Gains in US Slowed in March
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released the March 2019 jobs report, which showed an increase of 196,000 jobs. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent.
F-35 Brings Billions to Md.’s Economy
The F-35 is expected to add $2 billion to Maryland’s economy over the next decade, and almost 6,000 civilian and military jobs to the region.
