Disaster Relief Puts Military AI to the Test
Hurricane relief efforts are offering the US military an opportunity to put its artificial intelligence to work. The Maven Smart System provides responders with the data analytics and picture tools needed to make quick, on-the-ground decisions.
House Defense Spending Bill Includes More F-35s, One Attack Sub
The US House on Friday narrowly passed its version of the $833 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2025. The legislation would buy eight more F-35s beyond the Pentagon’s budget request of 68, while only procuring one Virginia-class attack submarine instead of the usual two vessels the bill usually provides.
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.
Sky Watchers Await Rare Celestial Event
A total solar eclipse will sweep across North America today, April 8, blocking out the sun momentarily for millions of viewers along a path stretching from northern Mexico to Maine. 2017 was the last time the US experienced a total solar eclipse, and there will not be another until 2044.
It’s Show Time for the Navy’s Elite Pilots
The US Navy’s Blue Angels in a flyover across the Navy-Marine Stadium in Annapolis, MD, in 2020. (DoD photo) Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff. The US Navy’s elite pilots are headed for the big screen again. “The Blue Angels,” a new documentary, will make its way to Amazon Prime and IMAX theaters, reports NBC News. The film follows the service’s flight demonstration squadron as it enters its 78th year….
Navy Settles Lawsuit Over Potomac Testing
A lawsuit against the US Navy regarding weapons testing on the Potomac River has been settled. The Navy will be required to obtain a Clean Water Act permit to minimize the pollution impacts from its weapons testing at Dahlgren, VA.
Uptick in Attacks on US Troops in Middle East
As the US continues to move its assets around the Middle East to support Israel in its war against Hamas, the number of attacks on US troops nearby has increased.
DoD Funds 8 New Microelectronics Commons Hubs
The US Defense Department will award $238 million to eight regional “innovation hubs” around the country which will be a part of the new Microelectronics Commons. The hubs are expected to spur development of a domestic microelectronics manufacturing industry. Three of the hubs are located on the East Coast in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and New York.
Teams of Hackers Take On a US Satellite
International teams of hackers were competing over the weekend to remotely seize control of SpaceX satellite Moonlighter. The Hack-a-Sat contest was part of a cybersecurity convention taking place in Las Vegas, NV.
MD Won’t Send Guard to Southern Border
A growing list of Republican leaders are sending their state National Guard soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the US border with Mexico. Gov. Wes Moore (D) said last week that “Maryland’s not doing that. Right now, what Maryland is doing — Maryland is focusing on public safety here. Maryland is focusing on our schools here. Maryland is focusing on the myriad of challenges and the myriad of opportunities that we have here in the state of Maryland … .”
