Cracks Found in F-35B Fan

Welcome to Morning Coffee, a robust blend of links to news around the Internet concerning Naval Air Station Patuxent River, NAVAIR, the Pentagon and beyond. The Leader provides this link feature as a survey of the news and announcements affecting the local military economy. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Leader’s owners or staff.

Dempsey: F-35 not in the budget cross hairs. Marine Commandant wants the F-35B off probation. F-35Bs developing cracks in lift fan. Sen. McCain backs Pentagon’s hard stance on a fixed price for JSF. Is the JSF a “waste of money?”

Pax River confirms Eastern Shore sonic booms were the result of testing.

Scientists at Pax River to review results of alternative fuel ship test.

Lexington Park area named richest in the nation.

TRICARE users receive notices of September data theft.

Super committee defense reductions in the national interest? Deeply partisan committee not so super. Rep. McKeon tells committee not to bet that automatic defense cuts can be voided. But what counts as “defense?” Four stocks that could get hammered by the Super Committee. Defense stocks take long view of budget battle.

Senate trudges through defense amendments. House bill would boost hiring of vets for construction jobs. Three percent tax on contractors killed.

Contracts: Raytheon gets $55.9 million to build missile launchers for the Super Hornet and Boeing gets $11.1 million for Hornet automated maintenance environment.

Service pays tribute to USS Tulip disaster.

The national security brains behind the GOP candidates.

The US is not very good at articulating grand defense strategies.

Sewage leak closes Naval Academy basin.