Nimitz Returns to Mideast as Tensions Rise
The USS Nimitz is back in the Persian Gulf. The Pentagon cites the drawdown of US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq as the reason. Others believe the killing of an Iranian scientist in Tehran is further raising tensions across the Mideast.
More Top Pentagon Officials Resign
Mike Griffin, who became the DoD’s first undersecretary of research and engineering in early 2018, and his deputy Lisa Porter have resigned. Of 60 Pentagon positions requiring Senate confirmation, only 43 are currently occupied.
Border Wall Gets $3.6B MILCON from DoD
DoD will move $3.6 billion out of 127 projects next year to build 175 miles of border wall. Pentagon officials began identifying potential projects to cut earlier this year.
GAO: F-35 Supply Chain Challenges Remain
DoD has been trying for several years to improve the way it and F-35 contractor Lockheed Martin order, stockpile, and repair spare parts. But findings from a recent GAO report imply that the situation may have gotten worse.
Dems Open Session With Plan to End Shutdown
With a special caveat to discuss border security later, House Democrats open the new session of Congress today with the goal of ending the government shutdown and reinstating a 1.9 percent federal pay raise Trump rescinded late last year.
F-35A Tests Triple Its Expected Lifetime
The F-35A airframe tests are expected to double the life expectancy of 8,000h, but tests are showing 24,000h of service life for the stealth fighters.
JSF Helmet Bug Limits Night Carrier Landings to Experts
The Navy is getting closer to fixing the technical bug in the F-35 JSF helmet, which allows LED light to spill out and obliterate a pilot’s ability to see landing lights on carriers at night. But for now, only expert pilots can perform night landings.
Can FY19 Budget Staunch R&D Spending Decline?
Congressional and Pentagon leaders are concerned that the steadily declining portion of the military budget spent on research and development is exacerbating the threat that the US is losing its technological edge against its competitors and enemies. The Senate Appropriation Committee looks to boost R&D spending in the FY19 budget.
Social Media Shares With FBI & DHS
Social media giants called on the FBI and Homeland Security to help the companies prepare for the upcoming midterm elections, but were told they would receive no information from the government on security threats.
Former DefSec Slams Obama’s & Trump’s Russian Response
Former DefSec Ash Carter criticizes the failure of the previous and current administrations to put into action Pentagon plans to counter what Carter sees as an ongoing war with Russian interference.
