Navy Eliminates Office Overseeing Warfare UAVs
The Navy’s Office of Unmanned Warfare Systems has been eliminated, and its functions are being distributed to other offices. OPNAV N99 was set up less than two years ago to oversee the warfare development of UAVs by then-NavSec Ray Mabus.
Deal Reached on Next Batch of F-35s
Negotiations to bring down the cost of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter continued late last week. The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin said the deal for the next batch of 90 F-35s shaved $728 million off the cost of the program and brings the cost of each plane below $95 million.
Trump Says F-35 JSF Deal Cut by $600M
President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Lockheed Martin has cut $600 million from the latest deal for 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets.
DefSec Mattis Cleared to Begin Work
Newly sworn in DefSec James Mattis held what the Defense Department called a “Top 4″ meeting Saturday that included Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Deputy Defense Secretary Robert O. Work; and Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
A Look at Top Military Stories in 2016
A look back at some of the top military and maritime stories of 2016. The news was full of stories about research, development, and acquisition, as well as testing, fielding, and planning for ships, aircraft, and weapon systems.
Defense Stocks Tumble After Trump F-35 Tweet
Trump tweets F-35 costs “out of control,” Lockheed stocks tumble, shares of General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, BAE, and Raytheon fall as well.
Pentagon: Urgent Need for Underwater Drones
A Pentagon official told an audience of submarine officers and military contractors that the US Navy needs more underwater drones — and it needs them now.
Aerial Refueling Tests Go Well at Pax
Air-to-air refueling tests continue at NAS Patuxent River. Tests will authorize the Italian KC-767A to refuel the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, AV-8B Harrier, and EA-6B Prowlers.
New US Challenge: Dealing With N. Korea
North Korea’s latest nuclear test was the biggest recorded detonation since the country began underground testing in 2006. Analysts say this is a key step toward developing missile capable of reaching the US mainland.
New Ops Center for Atlantic Test Ranges
Construction has begun of a new operations center for the US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Atlantic Test Ranges has begun. slated for completion in 2017. The project will boost the ATR’s ability to support simultaneous test operations for future and current naval aviation programs, including unmanned systems and virtual, live, and constructive battlespace environments.
