How Much Is War with Iran Costing the US?
When pressed last week, White House budget director Russell Vought declined to tell members of the Senate Budget Committee how much the war with Iran has cost American taxpayers so far. The cost changes from day to day, he said.
DOGE Can Now Review Unclassified Contracts at DoD
The DoD Department of Government Efficiency team will now get a chance to assess unclassified contracts before they’re awarded. DOGE may now review solicitations, requirements, and cost estimates for new contracts and modifications,
Trump Proposes New Fighter Jet, the F-55
President Donald Trump wants the US military to have a new twin-engine F-35. He wants to call it the F-55. It will have two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35. Some analysts say it will be a highly challenging engineering endeavor.
Pentagon to Expand Defense Innovation Unit
The Pentagon said it will expand the Defense Innovation Unit across the US to help it connect with a broader swath of technology companies. Three new DIU hubs will be located in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Montana.
Report Outlines State Defense Spending
In the Pentagon’s defense spending by state report for fiscal 2023, Maryland ranked among the top 10 on the list with total, statewide defense contractor spending at $18.3 billion.
Final Presidential Helicopter Delivered
Sikorsky has delivered the final VH-92A Patriot presidential helicopter. The air frame is most famously known as Marine One when carrying America’s commander-in-chief. President Joe Biden made the first presidential flight last week aboard one of the new generation of Marine One helicopters.
House Defense Spending Bill Includes More F-35s, One Attack Sub
The US House on Friday narrowly passed its version of the $833 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2025. The legislation would buy eight more F-35s beyond the Pentagon’s budget request of 68, while only procuring one Virginia-class attack submarine instead of the usual two vessels the bill usually provides.
CNO: Navy 7,000 Short on New Recruits
The US Navy is likely to miss its recruiting goals this year, acting Chief of Naval Operations ADM Lisa Franchetti told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week. “We’re going to be about 7,000 short,” she said.
Global Aviation on Display This Week
The 2023 Paris Air Show opens today. Among the US military aircraft on display will be the F-25, F-15E, and F-16. Here, an Air Force F-15 and two F-35s in a training exercise May 17. (US Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy) Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff. The Paris Air Show opens this week after a four-year hiatus. At this event, all things global aviation take…
Inaugural Spark! Career Fair a Success
By all accounts, the inaugural Spark! Student Career Awareness Fair was a success. More than 440 students from the tri-county area participated in The Patuxent Partnership event March 30, 2023.
