March 29, 2024

It’s Official: Furloughs to Begin April 26

Pentagon Capitol

Morning Coffee logoMorning 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.

Pentagon comptroller Robert F. Hale says furloughs brought on by sequestration can begin April 26. Sen. John McCain blames sequestration and budget cuts on House “neo-isolationists,” AOL Defense reports and sees CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert emphasizing the Navy’s bright future, not budget cuts. McCain and other GOP Senators are delaying a vote on the latest spending bill, Defense News reports. The House’s budget resolution (paywall) seeks a boost for defense spending, Defense Daily reports. Government Executive says the House bill targets federal benefits.

Pentagon CapitolAn EA-6B Prowler from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) crashes at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, killing three.

Reuters reports that the Pentagon will need $12.6 billion a year through 2037 to support the Joint Strike Fighter. Aviation Week quotes program head Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan saying he believes the jets can be bought for $80 million to $90 million apiece, and has Pentagon procurement chief Frank Kendall saying that the decision to ramp up production will be a difficult one.

The General Accounting Office calls the MQ-4C Triton program a $3 billion “redundancy,” according to Inside Tuscon Business.

The Fire Scout unmanned helicopter crosses the 8,000 flight hour threshold. Northrop Grumman recently won a contract to produce more of them, Defence Talk reports.

NAWCAD engineer David Kayser patents a dimmable LED lamp that has applications for the automotive and aircraft industries.

The Marine Corps Aviation Association John Glenn Squadron honors three Pax River Marines for excellence in acquisition.

Capt. Henry J. Hendrix argues that aircraft carriers (PDF) are becoming like the battleships of yore – too big and irrelevant. Information Dissemination takes the counterpoint.

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