News:
Blackwater guards sentenced -
A federal judge has sentenced former Blackwater security guard Nicholas Slatten to life in prison for his role in the 2007 shooting that killed 14 Iraqi civilians and wounded 17 others.
SpaceX launches cargo capsule, fails to nail rocket landing -
SpaceX launched a shipment of groceries to the International Space Station April 14, including the first espresso maker bound for orbit. But the company’s third attempt to land the leftover booster on an ocean platform failed.
Business:
BAE will sit out Paris Air Show -
BAE Systems is joining Northrop Grumman as another major defense company planning to skip the Paris Air Show in June.
Northrop Grumman opens cyber center in United Kingdom -
U.S. headquartered contractor Northrop Grumman has opened a new cybersecurity centre in Gloucestershire, the United Kingdom, the company announced April 14.
India’s plans unclear after Rafale decision -
Following India’s sudden decision to buy 36 Rafales from France straight off the production line last week, the next steps in New Delhi’s plan to eventually outfit its Air Force with 126 of the Dassault jets remain unclear.
SOCOM orders Harris radios -
Harris Corp. has received a $27 million order from the U.S. Special Operations Command for Falcon III manpack and handheld radios.
Lockheed eyes May 2017 GPS 3 launch -
Lockheed Martin is targeting a May 2017 launch date for the first satellite in the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation global positioning system constellation.
AC-130J Ghostrider program hits developmental snags -
Air Force Special Operations Command has a history of taking existing aircraft and boosting lethality with new sensors and powerful weapons.
Orbital, GenCorp spar over cause of October rocket crash -
Orbital ATK Inc and engine maker GenCorp Inc. April 14 offered competing explanations for what caused the Oct. 28 explosion of Orbital’s Antares rocket, bound for the International Space Station.
Australian Anzac-class ASMD upgrade on track, BAE Systems says -
The anti-ship missile defense upgrade of the Royal Australian Navy’s eight Anzac-class frigates has reached the halfway point, with the fourth ship now completing harbor and sea trials, contractor BAE Systems Australia said.
GCHQ steadily sparks U.K. cyber industry rush -
The cyber industry hub supporting Britain’s GCHQ is continuing to grow with Northrop Grumman becoming the latest company to set up development and innovation facilities close by the headquarters of the intelligence center.
NATEL, OnCore complete merger -
NATEL and OnCore, two U.S. based electronics manufacturing companies with experience in the defense market, have completed their merger, the companies announced.
Boeing banks on cost effectiveness of C-40 to deliver foreign sales -
Boeing has begun pitching its C-40 transport aircraft currently in use by the Navy and Air Force to international customers.
Defense:
Pentagon: We can’t afford to replace aging ICBMs, bombers, subs -
Even if sequestration goes away, the Defense Department will need at least $10 billion more per year to modernize its nuclear arsenal, Frank Kendall, undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said April 14.
Defense bill’s lesser provisions may have big impact -
Each year, the legislation also contains hundreds of provisions on lower-profile issues such as transferring unused base land to local communities, awarding overdue medals to battlefield heroes and protecting pet projects at hometown bases.
House panel unveils $77 billion bill to fund military bases, vets’ benefits -
The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday released a $76.6 billion bill to fund military and veteran housing, benefits, training and maintenance – $1.2 billion below President Obama’s budget request.
Pentagon officials see business opportunities in space sector -
Top U.S. military officials on Tuesday said a new push to defend U.S. government satellites against potential attacks by China or other countries created promising new business opportunities for arms makers, non-traditional suppliers and international firms.
The hidden battle to build the Air Force’s new stealth bomber -
Both sides are also honing their strategies for what to do if they lose, according to several insiders who were not authorized to speak publicly, including ways to try to overturn the Pentagon’s decision.
The military’s quest for bombs that won’t accidentally explode -
For decades they have been an effective and lethal pair, the explosives behind so many of the military’s grenades, mortars and bombs. But TNT and Composition B can also be sensitive devils that detonate when they are not supposed to.
NGA: ‘Seismic shift’ in geospatial intel -
The world of geospatial intelligence is undergoing a “seismic shift,” the head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency said April 14 – one that will require a growing reliance on unclassified sources of intelligence.
The Pentagon’s cartographers won’t be robots anytime soon -
Machines are increasingly taking on routine scanning tasks, but are still no match for human analysts.
Aerial refueling will end X-47B test program, Salty Dogs bound for museums or boneyard -
There are no plans to extend the testing for its Unmanned Carrier Air Vehicle demonstrator program after this month’s planned autonomous aerial refueling tests, Naval Air Systems Command officials said April 14.
Veterans:
Veteran says he was repeatedly put on hold by veterans’ suicide hotline -
Ted Koran was thinking about committing suicide Saturday night. He reached out to the VA and the Veterans Suicide Hotline for help, but said he couldn’t get any until after he was repeatedly put on hold for up to 10 minutes at a time.
VA researching LED treatments to battle Gulf War Illness -
Veterans in the study will wear a helmet lined with LEDs that apply red and near-infrared light to the scalp, as well as diodes placed in the nostrils, which deliver light deeper into the brain.
Space:
Move over SpaceX -
United Launch Alliance has unveiled radical plans to launch a reusable rocket named “Vulcan” in 2019.