Rapid Fire 2012-02-15: Basic Research for Defense

Feb 15, 2012 08:30 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
  • Faced with a really tough fiscal environment, Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola announced that Italy intends to reduce its F-35 order by about 40 units. Bloomberg | Reuters [in Italian].
  • The US Defense Science Board task force published its final report [PDF] on DOD’s basic research efforts after it was asked to assess them in August 2010. It finds them pretty good but urges the Department to pay more attention to the globalization of science, and calls its acquisition system an “immense burden.”
  • The Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) released its 2012-16 strategic plan [PDF]. It’s not just about defeating devices – though of course that does not go away – they also want to go after the support networks behind the people making these explosives. Easier said than done when the use of cheap mass-market staples such as fertilizer is involved.

  • DOD Acquisition (acting until confirmed) chief Frank Kendall to contractors: “If you are not delivering on cost and schedule … you are very vulnerable.”

  • Count USAF Lt. Col. Dan Ward firmly in the “70% solution” camp. For one, actually getting 70% infinitely beats overreaching and getting nothing in the end.

  • The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) had its first FY13 budget hearing yesterday (video). The only Senator that expressed support for another BRAC round is Republican Lindsey Graham from South Carolina (also known as “not Virginia, California or Texas”). SASC Chairman Carl Levin would rather start in Europe.

  • PC vs. BZ: the fight goes on. On one hand the US Navy is to return to more traditional, less politically-charged ship-naming. On the other hand the decision to sanitize the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal‘s motto because of “potential insensitivity” does not sound like initial success.

  • Earlier this week the Australian Secretary of Defence appointed Mr. Warren King [PDF] as CEO of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) where about 40% of the overall defense budget is managed. King was already acting in that capacity since July 2011.

    • Categories: Australia & S. Pacific, Budgets, Daily Rapid Fire, Europe - Other, Fighters & Attack, Mines & Countermine-IED, Official Reports, People, Science - Basic Research

    Stay Up-to-Date on Defense Programs Developments with Free Newsletter

    DID's daily email newsletter keeps you abreast of contract developments, pictures, and data, put in the context of their underlying political, business, and technical drivers.