Costly Faults & Debris Found in 5 New F-35Cs
Metal shavings in contaminated fuel, incorrectly assembled parts, and a plastic scraper protruding from a wing fold were among the faults discovered in five new F-35C Joint Strike Fighters delivered last year to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, CA.
Del Toro: Innovate Faster to Solve Navy’s Problems
NavSec Carlos Del Toro unveiled the new Naval Science and Technology strategy last week. It’s a “call to service” for scientists and engineers from across the country to help the military solve its problems. The Naval S&T strategy aims to strengthen collaboration with industry, academia, and partners and allies, to cultivate research and accelerate delivery of technological innovation. “S&T is a means, and maritime dominance is the ends,” Del Toro said.
More Troops Head to Southern Border
The Biden administration plans to send 1,500 more active-duty troops temporarily to the southern border to assist agents ahead of an expected influx of migrants seeking asylum.
DoD Wants the Force More Capable, Not Bigger
The Defense Department is looking to reduce 25,000 military positions. DoD Comptroller Michael McCord said the goal is not to make the force bigger, but to make it more capable. The new budget request would reduce the number of active-duty sailors by 1,184 and the Reserve by 951.
Marines Can’t Protect and Surge
The Marine Corps did not have enough amphibious warships to meet its mandate to protect the nation and answer the call from the head of US European Command for a Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Ready Group to deploy early to Europe as a hedge against the Russian-Ukraine conflict expanding.
Rocket Lab Breaks Ground at Wallops
Rocket Lab USA intends to build a 250,000-square-foot production complex and launch pad for its new Neutron rocket on a 28-acre site adjacent to the Wallops Flight Facility.
$39 Million Missile Sale to Ukraine Approved
The same request that helped initiate an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump has netted $39 million in a missile sale to Ukraine to help deter Russia.
Pax Buys Business Chase Jets
C-38A Couriers, from the Air National Guard will be used in testing at NAS Pax River to chase the P-8A, E-2D, MQ-4C, E-6B, and C-130 for testing.
US Unprepared for Major Cyber Attacks
DISA and the US Cyber Command are doing a good job of preventing defense network cyber attacks but the rest of government is not as well protected.
Lockheed Again “Top” Contractor
Lockheed leads the “Defense News Top 100” list of the largest global defense firms with Boeing, BAE, Northrop and Raytheon rounding out the top 5.
