Can US Secure Its Telecom Hardware?
Deliberations within the federal government are ongoing on how to secure small communications providers from an ongoing Chinese espionage intrusion by a hacking unit tied to Beijing that likely had unfettered access to key elements of America’s telecommunications backbone for around two years.
FTC: Make It as Easy to Cancel as Sign-up
The US Federal Trade Commission adopted a final rule on Wednesday requiring businesses to make it as easy to cancel subscriptions and memberships as it was to sign up. It is the agency’s last major ruling before the Nov. 5 election.
Academies Teach Loyalty to Constitution
At a time when trust in traditional institutions is eroding, the academies are teaching the next generation of military officers that their loyalty must be focused on the nation’s democratic underpinnings rather than on any individual.
US Seizes Iranian Trawler, 50T Ammo
Iran is accused of “unlawful transfer of lethal aid” after the US 5th Fleet says it seized more than 50 tons of ammunition rounds, fuses and propellants for rockets from a fishing trawler in the Gulf of Oman. The Navy says sailors found more than 1 million rounds of 7.62mm ammunition; 25,000 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition; nearly 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets; and over 2,100 kilograms of propellant used to launch rocket propelled grenades.
Senate Committee Ups DoD Budget
Lawmakers look to provide the Pentagon with its annual budget — the Department of Defense Appropriation Act — before the current continuing resolution funding the government expires Dec. 3. But it’s not necessarily the budget the Pentagon requested.
Bay Filled With ‘Forever Chemicals’
The potential threat to Chesapeake Bay shellfish and seafood from PFAS contamination at DOD sites is a local example of a US-wide problem, according to an environmental research organization review of DoD’s documentation of the use of toxic PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” at its installations.
2011 PFAS Risk Alert Triggered No Action
An inspector general report from 2020 found DoD issued a “risk alert” regarding PFAS in 2011 without accompanying action instructions. The first risk management actions regarding the toxic chemicals used throughout the military for firefighting came in 2016. The IG report comes two years after dozens of lawmakers requested a review.
Attitudes Shifting Re: F-35
It used to be funds holding back the F-35 program, but increasingly the Pentagon and Congress have begun questioning the costs of operating and sustaining the platform.
‘Largest Ever’ R&D, T&E Budget Hike Sought
The Administration’s FY22 military budget requests contains the “largest ever” budget hike in research, development, testing, and evaluation, says DefSec Lloyd Austin. The White House has proposed $112 billion in that area, a 5 percent increase.
Navy Training Jets Collide: NAS Kingsville
Two T-45 Goshawks collided in mid-air over over Ricardo, TX. One landed safely at NAS Kingsville, the instructor and student ejected from the second aircraft, the instructor reported only minor injuries.
