Furloughs May Not Be a Done Deal

Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the Internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Leader’s owners or staff.

Government Executive reports that sequestration furloughs are not a done deal, according to a Pentagon official. Time revives its sequestration countdown with a month to go. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants new revenues passed to stop sequestration cuts, according to The Hill. Business Insider says Congress does not appear too concerned. Contractors tell The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal that they believe Congress will stop the cuts. But the Pentagon is preparing for them, FCW says.

Inside Defense reports that the FAA’s effort to establish unamanned aircraft test sites (paywall) will proceed after the State of the Union address.

The Pentagon expands its “material audit” of the troublesome F-35B fuel line, Reuters reports. Joint Strike Fighter program manager for Lockheed Martin, Tom Burbage, retires, according to Aviation Week.

AOL Defense says Chuck Hagel is likely to win confirmation as defense secretary. Time calls the hearing “profoundly depressing” and asks if the Senate cares more about Israel or U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Information Dissemination doesn’t believe Hagel knows what he is talking about.

Defense Daily predicts the Pentagon budget will be ready by March (paywall).

Sailor Ryan Kirk of  HX-21 at NAWCAD is named NAVAIR Sailor of the Year.

Washington Technology notes that the Navy’s award of the NGEN computer system contract has been pushed back again, to May.

Iran unveils a new “stealth fighter,” FlightGlobal reports.