SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — AeroVironment Inc. has been awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract on March 31, 2021, by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for $26 million with $7 million funded upon receipt. The contract includes delivery and integration of…
GAO Report: Massive Sustainment Costs Creating F-35 Affordability Issues
ARLINGTON, Va. — Sustaining the troubled Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II strike fighter over its expected 66-year service life will cost more than the total purchase price of thousands of the aircraft, the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons platform, a government watchdog…
Indonesian Navy Finds Broken Hull on Bottom, Declares Submarine KRI Nanggala Lost
The Indonesian navy has changed that status of its submarine, KRI Nanggala (402), and her crew of 53, from “sub miss” to “sub sunk.” Indonesian authorities said the damaged submarine has been located. “The KRI Nanggala is divided into three…
Logos Technologies Successfully Tests WAMI Sensor on RQ-21A Blackjack
FAIRFAX, Va. — Logos Technologies LLC successfully flew its wide-area motion imagery (WAMI) sensor aboard an RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft at a test range in Boardman, Oregon, the company said in an April 22 release. The two-week-long test — which included preparatory groundwork in…
Pentagon IT Challenge: Introducing New Technology, While Still Using Legacy Systems
ARLINGTON, Va. — As the U.S. Defense Department races to develop a 21st century systems of systems linking all services, commanders, platforms and personnel, two top Pentagon officials say the challenge won’t be just acquiring new technology, but getting rid of…
Philippines Looks to Bolster Fleet with Retired Patrol Coastal Boats
As the U.S. Navy divests itself of its Cyclone-class of Patrol Coastal (PC) boats, the Philippine navy (PN) has said the PCs would be welcome in its fleet. In a statement, PN chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said, “The…
Italian Aircraft Carrier ITS Cavour Departs Norfolk, Completing F-35B Certification
NORFOLK, Va. — The Italian navy flagship, the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), departed Naval Station Norfolk April 16 after Joint Force operations with U.S. military forces in the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs said in an…
Bollinger Shipyards Acquires Gulf Island Fabrication’s Shipyard Facilities
LOCKPORT, La. — Bollinger Shipyards, a privately-held designer and builder of steel military and commercial vessels for the past three quarters of a century, has acquired Gulf Island Fabrication Inc.’s shipyard facilities, expanding Bollinger’s new construction and repair capacity and capabilities to better…
HII Announces Commercial Release of REMUS 300 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Huntington Ingalls Industries announced on April 19 the commercial release of its REMUS 300 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). This new, open architecture, small-class UUV can dive to depths of 305 meters (1,000 feet) and has endurance…
China and International Crime Cartels Threaten U.S. Influence in the Americas, Commanders Say
ARLINGTON, Va. — The chaos created by transnational organized crime groups in Central and South America is creating opportunities for China and Russia to undermine United States influence in the Western Hemisphere, top U.S. military commanders say. “Two of the most…
