Morning Coffee 8-22-11
MQ-8B Fire Scout photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman
A robust blend of news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, NAVAIR, the Pentagon and beyond:
- NAVMAR wins $87 million for laser sensor project and Boeing gets $135 million for F-18’s infrared tracking system development. DID reviews Boeing’s contract.
- Panetta forbids Pentagon officials from talking to Congressional Super Committee without approval while Congressional members seek information on “Doomsday Scenario.” Defense budget faces “decimation” over next decade. CNO Roughead says contractors must work together as budgets shrink.
- Industry struggles to limit costs for unmanned systems, but budget cuts will drive the Navy (subscription required) toward them.
- Propane fuel cell could drive remotely-stationed UAVs.
- Larger, high-endurance Fire Scout approved.
- JSF is top target in budget cut crosshairs. Meanwhile, planes return to flight, but the power system problem isn’t fixed.
- Drone collision renews debate over UAVs in domestic skies. Drone likely not to blame for the collision?
- Russian stealth jet scratches one air show takeoff. Video of another flight.
- Boeing testing drone swarming technology.
- Joint Air-to-Ground Missile candidates enter final stretch. (subscription required)
