What Will Navy’s New Force Structure Plan Look Like?
Teams led by the US Navy’s chief of naval operations and the US Marine Corps’ commandant have been studying the services’ fleet size. The force structure plan, originally slated to be released in February, remains on track for the fall.
More Contractors Than Troops Fight and Die in the Middle East
Since 2001, an estimated 8,000 military contractors for US companies have died on duty in the Middle East. That figure is 1,000 more than US troops who have been killed. About 53,000 US contractors were in the Middle East last year, compared with 35,000.
Protestors Press Hogan on COVID-19 Restrictions
ReOpen Maryland, a group organized to lobby Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to reopen businesses, educational, and religious institutions immediately, protested in Annapolis on Saturday. Some state lawmakers are also urging the governor to consider a regional approach to relaxing restrictions during the coronavirus threat.
Could Roosevelt CO Be Reinstated?
DefSec Mark Esper left the door open for reinstating Capt. Brett Crozier, commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, who was relieved of duty after he urged the Navy to step up its response to a coronavirus outbreak on the aircraft carrier.
Face Coverings Now Required on All DoD Property
DefSec Mark Esper: All people on DoD property, installations, and facilities must wear cloth face coverings.
DoD Adjusts Cash Flow to Contractors in Response to Coronavirus
DoD will raise progress payments to improve cash flow to contractors as the coronavirus continues to impact the economy. Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics have already cautioned investors; Boeing has closed its Puget Sound plants; and CAE, GE, and Airbus, government contractors with large commercial exposure, are taking various aggressive actions to rein in costs and staunch losses.
Hackers Reach DoD Contractors’ Data
Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Boeing, and SpaceX are among dozens of companies named as victims of compromised data. Visser Precision, a Colorado-based aerospace, automotive, and industrial parts manufacturer, was hacked by the ransomware group DoppelPaymer.
US Losing the Huawei Battle in Europe
Europe is embracing Huawei as its supplier of 5G, the next generation telecommunications network. While the US warns the Chinese multinational telecommunications company threatens global security, there are no alternatives today in the marketplace.
Parallels to ’09 Crash of 737Max Predecessor Found
A review of the recent crashes to a 2009 crash of the predecessor to Boeing’s 737 Max finds parallels are striking, and also finds design issues and safety assessments noted in a review of the 2009 crash were downplayed or eliminated from the final report.
Boeing Says 737 Ban to Lift By End of Year
Boeing tells shareholders the ban on its 737 Max planes will be lifted before the end of the year. Grounded since March after two fatal crashes, 737 Max production costs rose in the quarter by almost $1 billion. The company is sticking to its plan to increase production of the planes to 57 a month by the end of 2020, up from 42 currently.
