March 28, 2024

House OKs Its Version of Defense Budget

Shutdown

The US House has approved its version of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, and also gave the OK to open an independent investigation of US failures in Afghanistan, require women to register for the draft, and change how the military prosecutes sex assault.

STEM Education Deficit Threatens US

CSM STEM

The Pentagon’s highly respected annual report on the US defense and manufacturing industrial base targets a STEM education deficit threatening to weaken the nation’s competitive advantage in everything cutting edge.

COVID Vaccines Arriving at Hundreds of Locations

Vaccines

GEN Gustave Perna, Operation Warp Speed COO, says the first round of COVID-19 vaccines should start arriving at sites across the nation as early as today, Dec. 13.

A Look Inside Pax’s Anechoic Chamber

Anechoic

The Naval Air Systems Command at NAS Pax River is continuing its work on the Next Generation Jammer-Low Band pod for the EA-18G Growler. Get a quick peek inside the anechoic chamber, where testing for the prototype system was conducted.

Chincoteague Pony Swim Canceled by Coronavirus

Chincoteague Pony

Along with so much else, the coronavirus had forced the cancelling of the 95th Chincoteague Pony Swim, for the first time since World War II.

MD Opens Elective Medical Procedures, Beaches & More

MD Gov. Larry Hogan cited some good trends in lifting restriction on elective medical procedures and expanding outdoor activities under stay-at-home orders. But MD schools will remain closed through the school year.

DoD Paring Down F-35’s Technical Issues

F-35

The Defense Department is slowly whittling down the number of F-35 technical problems with the fighter jet program’s most serious issues decreasing from 13 to seven during the past year.

Pandemic Puts New Focus on Telework

Telework

Federal agencies and many companies are facing operational changes during the coronavirus pandemic. Employees are working at home in great numbers. Will these teleworking options be embraced when the health threat is over?

MD Needs Funds for COVID-19 Hotspots

COVIC-19 hotspots

The Trump administration last week designated the Baltimore-Washington corridor and 12 Maryland’s counties as emerging COVID-19 hotspots. Maryland lawmakers ask Health and Human Services secretary for additional CARES funds for hotspots and rural areas.

Call to Replenish Paycheck Protection Program Expected

An anticipated deal between Mnuchin and Schumer plus a call from the SBA to immediate replenish the Paycheck Protection Program, suggests Congress will get an interim COVID-19 interim relief funding bill passed this week addressing small business, hospitals, and state governments.