Super Comm. Eyes Defense

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 affecting the local military economy. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Leader’s owners or staff.

Super committee turns to defense spending. Boehner signals stand against further defense cuts after House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon weeps during hearing. Supercommittee chairman seeks to bend the doomsday rule in favor of defense spending. Dem says that  without new taxes, defense spending will get clobbered.

Navy unveils first new airship in 50 years.

Lockheed balks at risk-sharing agreement (subscription required) for JSF, gripes about shouldering risk. Pentagon’s terms would radically change decade-old contract. Lockheed and Northrop predict flat revenue for next year. First F-35B production model flies (PDF).

Video: X-47B flies with landing gear retracted, complete with epic soundtrack.

Contracts: L-3 gets $26.3 million to maintain opposition squadrons for training, and Sikorsky gets $19.4 million to support presidential helicopter fleet.

Video: Russian television special on the PAK FA’s engine.

The UAV nesting doll of death.

NAWCAD enters partnership with St. Mary’s College.