US Foreign Military Sales Hit All-Time High in FY23
US foreign military sales and deliveries hit $80.9 billion last year. The fiscal 2023 total was 55% higher than the previous year. FY22 saw $51.9 billion in foreign arms sales.
Retrofit Ordered for F-35 Fleet Worldwide
The F-35 Joint Program Office has ordered that all F-35 jets should be retrofitted with a fix intended to solve a potential engine vibration problem. This includes a global retrofit, not just for US aircraft.
Hogan: Maryland Is Cyber Capital of US
Gov. Larry Hogan touts Maryland as the “cyber capital of America” at a recent bill signing in Annapolis. The state is home to 60 federal civilian agencies and 20 military installations. Three bills from this year’s legislative session aim to strengthen the state’s cybersecurity network.
US Ups Its Investment in Cyber Technology
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing the US to invest more in cybersecurity. Federal agencies have spent millions for new technology, seized hacking forums, charged foreign cyber criminals, and issued regular warnings on threat risks. Congress also has been quick to move on some cyber-related legislation.
F-35 Office Eyes More Pilot Simulator Training
US Navy CAPT Robert Betts of the F-35 training management office said the program is looking at reducing live training hours for the fighter jets’ pilots and moving to simulators as a way to cut sustainment costs.
Cyber Chief: Mission Force Needs to Grow
GEN Paul Nakasone, head of the US Cyber Command, hinted last week at a House subcommittee hearing that he believes his cyber force could soon see a growth in personnel.
V-22 Milestone: 600,000 Flight Hours
A milestone for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey as the tiltrotor aircraft logs more than 600,000 flight hours since the count began with the first flight in 1989. The V-22 family of aircraft are designed to fly for the next 30 years and remain the only tiltrotor in production.
Biden Transition Team Decries Lack of DoD Cooperation
President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team has criticized the Pentagon for the abrupt halt in meetings and information sharing. “A failure to work together can have consequences well beyond January,” a spokesman for the team said.
Task Force to Study Cancer-Causing Chemicals Used on Bases
DefSec Mark Esper signed a memo on his first full day at work establishing a task force to deal with cancer-causing chemicals found on military bases.
DoD Still at Risk of Cyber Intrusions
Fifty cybersecurity assessments of combatant commands and the military services by the Department of Defense reveal its missions and systems continue to be at risk of cyber intrusions, despite improvements in network defenses.
