News
Pentagon confronts a new threat from ISIS: Exploding drones –
The Islamic State has used surveillance drones on the battlefield for some time, but three recent attacks — all targeting Iraqi troops — have highlighted its success in adapting readily accessible technology into a potentially effective new weapon.
Business
U.S. allows Qatar to buy F-15s — and seals a $19 billion sale of jetliners –
The White House’s recent decision to allow the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Qatar helped to seal the $18.6 billion purchase of 100 Boeing jetliners announced Oct. 7 by Qatar Airways, according to people with knowledge of the deal.
French aerospace industry struggling with recruitment –
At a time when orderbooks are filled for the next few years in a country dogged by unemployment, the French aerospace industry is struggling to fathom why it can’t hire enough young men and women for its production lines.
Brazil joins Italy’s support ship program as observer –
Brazil’s participation in the program is the first indication of interest from a potential new customer.
Airbus claims Poland ‘misled’ company during Caracal helicopter dealings –
Airbus Group had invested heavily in a Polish tender and now aims to take action after Warsaw broke off exclusive talks for a 50-strong order of the Caracal military transport helicopter, Airbus CEO Tom Enders said.
Rolls-Royce offers joint production in Turkey –
Engine-maker Rolls-Royce has offered joint production partnership to Turkey with a view to powering planned Turkish platforms and potential sales to third parties.
MEADS team looking toward contract with Germany in early 2017 –
The team of Lockheed Martin, MBDA Deutschland and Italy’s Leonardo submitted its complete proposal to the German government to develop the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) and hopes to be on contract in early 2017, according to Richard Edwards, Lockheed Martin’s executive vice president of Missiles and Fire Control business.
Defense industry intellectual property: The battle continues –
The Defense Department is challenging manufacturers of military equipment to loosen their grip on intellectual property so the military can take over routine maintenance and repair work currently done by contractors.
Army orders ‘kamikaze drones’ –
AeroVironment has been awarded a $22.8 million contract for loitering munitions, popularly — if inaccurately — known as “kamikaze drones.”
SAIC awarded Air Force C2 support contract –
SAIC has been awarded a contract, valued at up to $47 million, to support an Air Force command and control center.
Australian government splits naval shipbuilder ASC into three separate companies –
Australian naval shipbuilder ASC is to be split into three individual government-owned companies that will support the key capabilities of shipbuilding, submarine maintenance, and infrastructure.
Norway’s AF requests 12 F-35As in proposed block buy –
The proposal, if approved, would raise the total number of authorized F-35A purchases to 40 aircraft, or only 12 short of the Norwegian air force’s requirement.
Defense
The U.S. Air Force Wants to Build Killer ‘Swarms’ –
The Air Force is advancing plans to retire its Predator drone by transitioning more missions to the larger Reaper and rapidly increasing its fleet of small drones to blanket enemy areas with ISR assets, jam enemy air defenses and potentially use drones as small explosives designed to overwhelm enemy targets with fire power.
Innovation: Army looks to do more with what it has –
The U.S. Army must figure out ways to keep its aging aircraft flying, its vehicles driving and its networks streaming, all while addressing emerging capabilities fielded by creative, near-peer enemies who have invested heavily in defense.
Veterans
Computer fraud charge against woman involves ID theft of VA workers –
The VA employee, identified in court papers only as AW, has not yet been charged with a crime but is no longer working at the agency, according to the testimony in court Tuesday of Special Agent Lars Hansen of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Space
Obama announces U.S. will help send people to Mars by 2030s –
President Obama vowed Oct. 11 to help send people to Mars within the next 15 years, pledging to work with private companies to “Build new habitats that can sustain and transport astronauts.”