Canada Is Reconsidering F-35A Contract
Canada is reconsidering its F-35A contract with the US and looking elsewhere for its military hardware as trade tensions escalate.
New Navy CNO Caudle Outlines Priorities
ADM Daryl Caudle, new US Navy chief of naval operations, was sworn in early last week and then held his first all-hands call Thursday aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. He outlined his priorities for the service, among them calling for an updated fleet design and discussing the importance of delivering a combat-credible fleet, taking care of sailors, and advancing readiness.
Navy Orders New Rapid Capabilities Office, Shuts Down Others
The Navy will establish a Naval Rapid Capabilities Office to accelerate the development and fielding of new systems. NavSec John Phelan wants to consolidate development efforts under a single entity. As part of the new NRCO, the Maritime Accelerated Response Capability Cell, the Disruptive Capabilities Office, and NavalX will shut down.
New Names for DoD and Veterans Day?
DefSec Pete Hegseth wants a new name for the Defense Department. He wants to call it the War Department. And President Donald Trump wants to rename the federal holiday Veterans Day “Victory Day for World War I Day” and create another holiday to commemorate World War II on May 8.
Pentagon to Expand Defense Innovation Unit
The Pentagon said it will expand the Defense Innovation Unit across the US to help it connect with a broader swath of technology companies. Three new DIU hubs will be located in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Montana.
Fort Liberty Name Out. Fort Bragg Is Back
The Pentagon will change the name of Fort Liberty in North Carolina back to Fort Bragg. The Army base was originally named for Confederate GEN Braxton Bragg; the order lists another Bragg as its new namesake – PVT Roland L. Bragg of Maine, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
Navy Recruiting Rebounds, FY24 Goals Surpassed
The US Navy says it has surpassed its recruiting goals for fiscal 2024, which ended Oct. 1. This comes after the service had failed to meet its accession targets for the first time ever last year. At one point, officials had projected missing recruiting targets by roughly 6,700 for FY24.
Defense Budget Boosts Funds for New Tech, Innovation
US House lawmakers want to allocate more than $1.3 billion for the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, part of a continued push by Congress to develop commercial technology at a faster pace.
F-35 Production Flight Operations Resume
Lockheed Martin resumed accepting flights of newly built F-35 Joint Strike Fighters early this week, nearly three months after an engine problem grounded new jets and halted deliveries.
Big Boost Proposed for DIU Budget
House lawmakers eye 70% funding boost for Pentagon’s commercial innovation hub, charged with transitioning commercial technology for military use. The unit’s leader, Mike Brown, unexpectedly announced in April he would retire from the position in September, reportedly over concerns about a lack of support for the DIU’s mission.
