Congress Considers Slashing F-35 Orders
A proposed House policy bill would slash the number of F-35s the Pentagon would buy in fiscal 2025 as lawmakers’ patience with the program and Lockheed Martin wears thin.
Global Military Spending Reaches Record Levels
A Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report says military spending across the globe in 2023 reached the highest levels ever recorded by a major global think tank.
TSA’s Facial ID Plans Worry Senators
More than a dozen bipartisan senators support legislation that would restrict the Transportation Security Administration’s use of facial recognition technology as part of the security screening process. TSA is using the technology at more than 80 airports with plans for facial biometrics in use at more than 400 airports in the coming years.
Foreign Hackers Targeting US Computer Systems
The top US intelligence official warns of an alarming rise in cyberattacks. The number of ransomware attacks worldwide grew as much as 74% in the past year, and US entities were the most heavily targeted in 2023. The Biden administration has updated the policy for how agencies oversee and manage critical infrastructure sectors.
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.
NASA Wants to Fight Fire With … Drones
Two House lawmakers have introduced a bill that would help NASA improve its Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response to Operations program so firefighters can more effectively use drones to improve aerial responses to wildfires.
Baltimore Sues Ship for Key Bridge Collapse
Baltimore filed a legal claim this week against the owner and manager of the ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month, causing it to collapse. The 213-million-pound ship carrying cargo containers, is owned by Grace Ocean Private Limited and managed by Synergy Marine PTE LTD.
Navy Wants One New Sub, Lawmakers Say the Service Needs Two
Congressional lawmakers are pushing for two submarines despite the US Navy wanting just one. A House Armed Services subcommittee has made clear it wants the service to buy two attack submarines in fiscal 2025 in order to keep the submarine-industrial base on a path of recovery.
Navy Recruiting Down; Army, Air Force OK
Reversing previous years’ shortfalls, the Army and Air Force are on track to meet recruiting goals this year, but not the Navy. While improving, the Navy hit less than 70% of its recruiting goals for the first half of fiscal 2024.
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.
