First Operational Triton UAV Rolls onto Assembly Line

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.

Northrop Grumman marks the construction of the first operational MQ-4C Triton unmanned submarine hunter, The Mississippi Press reports.

Pax River’s test team completes its final mission in its CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter.

Engineers at Pax River prepare to test a new NATO-compliant aircraft interrogator in an F/A-18 Super Hornet.

The Pentagon debuts a new purchasing guide with the aim of improving ” the enormous extent of our poor performance,” AOL Defense reports. The 36-point plan is known as Better Buying Power 2.0, according to DoD Buzz. The document is designed to train military acquisitions staff to reduce time and expense for projects, Defense News reports. National Defense quotes acquisitions undersecretary Frank Kendell as saying, “There aren’t easy, simple solutions.”

According to The Hill, when asked about his future with the Pentagon, defense secretary Leon Panetta said, “Who the hell knows?”

Federal employee unions call for a $400,000 cap on contractor compensation, Government Executive reports.

Politico outlines five potential fiscal cliff scenarios for the coming months.

China proposes offering its latest stealth fighter for export, FlightGlobal reports.