March 19, 2024

New Roles on Horizon for F-35

F35A

The US Air Force might deploy the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to the Baltics for an air-policing role once the new stealth aircraft becomes operational later this year. The new fighter is to enter service with the Air Force with an interim software capability that offers limited combat capability.

Navy P-8A Aircrew Rescues Stranded Mariners

A Navy P-8A crew rescued three marooned mariners from a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean. The castaways used palm fronds to spell the word “help” in the sand.

Russians Keep $490M US Space Shuttle Contract

ISS as seen in 2008 from the departing space shuttle

Lack of funding ended domestic spacecraft transport to the International Space Station. Since 2011 US crews use Russian spacecraft for transport.

China Russia Cyber-Pact Concerns US

China flag map

China Russia Cyber-Pact increases tensions between China and the US.

Navy is the Best Situated Service for FY14

Part of the Navy’s strong budget position is forward thinking cyber capabilities, cyberwarfare is seen as the nation’s most serious threat by national security leaders.

Tougher Tests for X-47B; Repriced JSF Could Win S. Korea

UCAS X-47B Cat Launch

Increasingly complicated testing aboard carriers defines 2014 for the X-47B and increasing foreign sales of the JSF could reduce the jets’ costs.

Large Contractors: Profits Up, Sales & Lobbying Down

Large defense firms fared better than small firms in the first round of sequestration and small companies are urged to raise their visibility as analysts predict budget contractions will continue.

Bet on the Shutdown, Be the Only Budget Winner

Most DoD civilians return to work this week and all furloughed federal workers look to receive back pay, but industry layoffs threaten and military recovery time grows. An emerging futures market based upon government outcomes may prove the best bet in town.

Remembrances and a Bull Market on Military Strikes

As the victims of 9/11 were remembered, Kerry prepared to meet with Russia about removing Syria’s chemical weapons without a military strike while Wall Street surges on Tomahawk missile stock.

Bio-fuel Lifts Osprey, But DoD Audit Still a Sinker

Yeast converts waste to fuel and gives lift-off from Pax River, but a failure to reach audit-readiness brings a rebuke from the Government Accounting Office