DoD Rescinds COVID Vaccine Mandate
The Pentagon has dropped the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops.
F-35 Costs Skyrocket With Upgrades
The F-35 “Block 4” upgrades will add billions more to the cost of the fighter jet: research and procurement increased by $22 billion, operation and support across six decades grew by $73 billion to $1.196 trillion.
Japan’s 1st F-35 Crashes in Pacific
The jet was less than a year old with a total of 280 hours in the air; it had been aloft 28 minutes before contact was lost. This is the second F-35 to crash since the jet’s first flight in 2006 and could reignite concern about the F-35 having only one engine.
The F-35 Adds International Sales, Supply-lines & Specs
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter advances into its international, operational life: Japan orders 20 more; Canada opens bids for operational maintenance contracts; Norway verifies its unique deceleration system for icy runways and windy conditions.
White House Threatens Veto of Senate Defense Bill
Despite a bipartisan agreement, the White House objects to what it regards as too much tinkering in the Senate defense policy bill.
Senate Readied to Take Up Defense Policy Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell positions Senate to take up defense policy bill, procedural votes could come today, June 2, 2015
US Slow to Fit Weaponry to Stealth Fighters
Europe leads the US in developing weaponry to fit stealth fighters. Current weapons are too large.
Morning Coffee: 100,000 Jobs Promised Vets
First Lady Michelle Obama and Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez announce a commitment from 100 firms in the construction industry for 100,000 jobs for vets in the next five years.
US, European Defense Sales Slide, Russia’s Up
Focus is on budgets, as U.S. defense sales slip yet again and Pentagon struggles to rein in spending.
Retiree Benefit Cuts Snag Budget Bill in Senate
Senate passage of the Defense Bill is predicted this week, but reductions in military retiree benefits and partisanship remain obstacles to passage of budget bill approved by the House last week.
