May 30, 2023

Commerce Launches Tech Hub Grant Program

Tech Hub

The US Commerce Department on Friday launched a program where cities can apply for grant funding to become technology hubs. The agency will accept proposals from regions across the country. The grants are part of last year’s CHIPS and Science Act to stimulate investments in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotech.

Pentagon: No Evidence of Aliens in UFO Cases

UFO

The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities was told last week that none of the more than 650 unexplained anomalous phenomena, or UAP, incidents under investigation since the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office’s July 2022 inception were of an alien nature.

Medicine Readiness Pax River Gets New Commander

CAPT Jeremy J. Hawker took command of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Patuxent River with a staff of 302 active duty service members, civilians and contractors who provides medical care to 12,000 beneficiaries across 279 tenant commands at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Naval Support Activity South Potomac and Joint Base Andrews.

RIMPAC Tests 3D Technology at Sea

3D

The US Navy has installed a liquid-metal 3D printer on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship Essex to help test the new printing technology at sea.

New Helicopters Headed to Andrews

Andrews

Joint Base Andrews, MD, will be the next location to receive the new MH-139 helicopter. The Grey Wolf will replace the aging UH-1N Huey and expand the base’s fleet size.

No Budget Bill? Here’s How It Could Affect the Navy

Budget

RADM John Gumbleton this week explained in greater detail the scope of the cuts the US Navy is prepared to make should the service be forced to live without a budget.

DoD: Inside or Out, All Must Wear Masks

Masks

The Defense Department is now requiring that everyone on military installations wear masks, whether they are inside or outside, and even if they are social distancing.

New Navy Goal Is a 530-Ship Fleet

530 ship fleet

Forget a 355-ship goal for the US Navy. The Pentagon is now recommending a fleet as large as 530 ships and moving the service toward a lighter force with many more ships but fewer aircraft carriers and large surface combatants.

Report: Where Federal Defense Dollars Are Spent

Federal Defense Dollars

A Pew Charitable Trusts report on where federal defense dollars are spent shows Pentagon contract spending puts Connecticut at No. 1 by one measure: defense contracts as a percentage of spending. Maryland was 21st on the list. In FY2018, the federal government spent a total of $579 billion on defense in the states and DC, or $1,772 per capita. In Maryland, the per capita spending was $2,955.

In Indo-Pacific Region, a Massive Show of US Naval Force

Indo-Pacific

While China builds up its military outposts in the South China Sea, putting missile and electronic warfare systems on them, the US and other allies have beefed up operations. For the first time in nearly three years, three American aircraft carriers are patrolling the Indo-Pacific waters, a massive show of naval force.