F-35 Crashed in Alaska, Pilot Safe
A USAF pilot crashed an F-35 on Tuesday during the landing phase of a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, 25 miles south of Fairbanks, AK. The pilot was able to eject from the aircraft and was in stable condition at a medical facility. The crash caused significant damage to the aircraft.
Bill to Fund Key Bridge Founders
Maryland lawmakers were able to insert the Baltimore BUILD Bridge Relief Act, calling for 100% federal funding to replace the Key Bridge, into the 1,500-page stopgap funding bill. Republicans are threatening to derail the funding bill because of add-ons such as more than $100 billion in emergency aid for disaster relief, which includes the Key Bridge replacement.
Defense Industry Wary of Buy American
Defense advocates note that foreign military sales fuel a $40.6 billion trade surplus for the sector and help Washington gain interoperability with allied militaries, and they warn those benefits could decline under Biden’s Buy American plans.
DHS Downplays Russian Threat, Says Whistleblower
Top Trump appointees at the Department of Homeland Security repeatedly sought to censor or stop reports on Russian influence activities in the United States, according to a whistleblower report released by the House Intelligence Committee,
Century-Old Briggs & Stratton Files Bankruptcy
Small engine manufacturer Briggs & Stratton Corp., founded in Milwaukee in 1908, has filed for bankruptcy protection. Briggs was the world’s largest manufacturer of small gasoline engines; it has sold more than 125 million.
$126M Aircraft Parts Found in 1st DoD Audit
With its next audit due out in two weeks, the Navy hopes its tracking system has improved. Last year’s audit found $126M in aircraft parts the Navy didn’t even know it had. It also didn’t know it had the warehouse where they’d been stored.
SpaceX Gears Up for 1st Crewed Flight
SpaceX is gearing up to launch NASA astronauts to space with its Falcon 9 rockets. The agency has been debating whether to allow the company to fuel its spacecraft after the astronauts have boarded.
Social Media Shares With FBI & DHS
Social media giants called on the FBI and Homeland Security to help the companies prepare for the upcoming midterm elections, but were told they would receive no information from the government on security threats.
DoD Support Cuts: Not Big Savings
Eliminating DoD support agencies, such as Congress is considering, may not yield the big cost-savings legislators seek, says former DoD management officer, but consolidating IT services might, says Peter Levine.
Video Shows Successful F-35 Ski-jump Launch
Successful F-35 ski jump launches are showing up on videos and pleasing the British and Italians.
