May 5, 2024

Two More Furlough Days, Readiness Still Suffers

The Deputy Secretary of Defense makes the news rounds to tout a DoD budget realignment that rolls back the unpopular civilian furloughs and also to warn of a loss of military readiness as a result of sequestration.

Joint Chiefs Chair & Vice-chair Face SASC

Gen. Martin Dempsey and Adm. James Winnefeld will field global questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee, but confirmation of second terms for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Joint Chiefs is expected.

Sidewinder Contract Readied and USAF Gets Back in the Air

Legislators wrangle over DoD spending bill amendments, Japan makes waves in the China Seas and a video aboard the first flight of a Hornet.

Americans Rank Military Top Contributor to Society’s Well-being

The Atlas robot reports in to Robotics Challenge, Pax team designed safer flight deck uniforms, international cyber discussions expand but legislatively US cybersecurity looks to weaken.

F-35 Budget Flies through Senate, Costs Predicted to Fall

Obama calls for nuclear reductions, Hagel says military will sustain nuclear weapons and delivery platforms. Nuclear Employment Strategy released.

First East Coast STUAS Fllight from Webster Field

Senator wants F-35 developments made public, Russian engineers are using fighter jet augmented reality in motorcycle helmets, sequestration item by item and Rosie the Riveters visit former B-42 plant.

Defense Contractors Pay & Clearances Questioned

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Contractor wages catch Senate budgeting attention again as security clearance questions fill both chambers. Next Fire Scout moves forward.

JSF’s Initial Operating Capability Report Due This Week

With only days before the services must report their IOC for the Joint Strike Fighter, the Navy’s date is still under wraps. Also, a primer on war-fighting bandwidth satellites and a NOAA satellite conks out, again.

Supply Chain, Software Hampers Weapons Systems

F-35C JSF night takeoff

F-35, other programs facing manufacturing issues.

Budget Win for Pax? Waiting Win for China? No Change in N. Korea.

A bevy of reports released late last week provide some hopeful budget news for Pax River, but military and cyber warnings from almost everywhere else.