March 28, 2024

Lockheed Announces Layoffs at Pax

Lockheed Martin has announced the layoff of 176 workers at its Sikorsky division supporting the heavy lift helicopter program at NAS Patuxent River. The layoffs are effective April 27.

Navy Christens 3rd Robot Ship

The latest robot ship to join the fleet is already outfitted with a government-furnished command-and-control system, a virtualized Aegis Combat System, an autonomous navigation system, and more. After a few more upgrades and testing, the USV Mariner heads to California to begin operations in FY23.

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.

2nd DefSec Waiver Faces Struggle

Waiver DefSec

The principle of civilian control of the military is at stake, say an increasing number of Democrats opposed to a waiver that would allow President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Secretary of Defense to move forward. The US DefSec must be separated seven years from the military. GEN Lloyd Austin retired four years ago. The same waiver was sought by President Trump and received for former DefSec James Mattis.

Gilday Gets First-Hand Look at Ship’s Fire Damage

Gilday

Chief of Naval Operations ADM Michael Gilday was in San Diego over the weekend to inspect the USS Bonhomme Richard and push for answers in the wake of the fire that gutted the ship. “The damage is extensive,” the admiral said at a news briefing after walking through the ship.

DoD End-of-Year Contracts Awarded

End-of-Year Contracts

These are the end-of-year Department of Defense contracts awarded in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, region from December 23 through December 31, 2019.

Peters to Keynote Mission Readiness Event

Mission Readiness

The Patuxent Partnership asks: What are the greatest challenges to mission readiness? Join the group for a full day of speakers and panel discussions on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, to explore readiness, sustainment, and moving forward together.

Missile Defense Higher Priority

Missile defense develop is rising as a result of more aggressive posturing by North Korea, China and Russia.

‘Hail Mary’ Sequestration Bill Hits the House

football field

Rep. Randy Forbes offers a “Hail Mary play” to end sequestration.