The US Army is looking to change its physical fitness test (shorter but harder), and may add a combat readiness test before deploying. Army readers, you may want to adjust your PT.
Leadership failure: A Marine Corporal and a US Army Captain charge together into enemy fire, repeatedly, to retrieve their fellow soldiers’ bodies. The Marine is getting the Medal of Honor. The Army Captain… nothing?!? Wouldn’t want to make the officers in the TOC, who denied them fire support, look bad.
Australia and Canada will now work together on mutual defense procurement issues (vid. Australia transcript | Canada release). The F-35 fighter program’s cost & schedule risks, and their respective problems with their unready Collins Class and Victoria Class submarine fleets, are obvious places to start.
The Commission on Wartime Contracting (CWC) formally submits Transforming Wartime Contracting – Controlling costs reducing risks [PDF] to Congress. The report says that at least $31 billion has been lost to contract waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan, and offers 15 recommendations for contracting reform.
General David Petraeus uses his retirement speech (see video at the bottom of this entry) to pay tribute to those who steered the US military through its ‘hollow force’ era. Petraeus also emphasized the importance of safeguarding gains made in Iraq and Afghanistan against a backdrop of change in the Middle East and reduced defense expenditure.
AeroVironment unveils its lightweight man-portable Shrike VTOL UAV. Shrike is the result of a contract from DARPA to develop a persistent perch and stare (SP2S) UAV.
BAE Systems announces a successful testing of its Mk 38 MOD 2 Tactical Laser System (TLS) at Eglin Air Force base, Eglin FLA. The test system fired against air and surface maritime targets.
China continues to refute the findings of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) annual report on its military and security policies. The deputy secretary of the China Society of Military Science labels the report as ‘groundless’ and a product of Cold War thinking.
BAE Australia has delivered the 1st Hobart Class Destroyer ship block to project lead, ASC, but only after some very high profile problems at their shipyard.
The first photographs emerge of Chinese aircraft on display at the Changchun First Aviation Open Day. The pictures come days after photographs suggesting that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) J-11B heavy fighter is operational.
Opinions vary as to the make and role of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that crashed over southwest Pakistan last week.
Debate regarding the shape of operations after Libya shifts from a NATO-centric perspective to budget concerns, as the case is made for cutting back on the Army and continued emphasis upon combined Special Operations-Air Power Teams.
The Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General Norton Schwartz, says there are no plans to follow-up on proposals made by a set of retired generals and merge the Air National Guard and Reserve.
South Korean media speculates that North Korea’s Air Force Commander accompanied Kim Jong-il on his recent visit to Russia and China to seek help to modernize the country’s armed forces in general, and air force in particular.
Some interesting comparative data emerges on the operational cost per flight hour (CPFH) of several US military aircraft, including Lockheed Martin’s F-22, Bell Boeing CV-22 and WC-135 Constant Phoenix.
The US Navy confirms the successful test-flight of a T-45 Goshawk trainer using biofuel.
Following Hugo Chavez’s recent gratitude for Russian assistance in re-equipping Venezuela’s armed forces, diplomatic sources reveal that Moscow is preparing to loan Caracas an additional $4 billion for military purchases.
Rosoboronexport delivers 6 Mi-17 helicopters to Indonesia. A $56 million contract was signed by Jakarta and the state-owned corporation for the helicopters.
The Department of Defense releases Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2011 [PDF]. While the report acknowledges China’s growing importance to peacekeeping and an array of international security operations, Taiwan remains the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) ‘main strategic direction’. State media reiterated that China’s defense policy is defensive in nature and criticized US interference over Taiwan.
The Iranian Ambassador to Moscow hopes that the International Court of Arbitration will rule in favor of Tehran over the legality of Russia’s $800 million contract to supply Iran with S-300 air defense systems.
Meanwhile, sources claim that Russia will next test-launch its Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on the 27th August. The launch will be from the Borey Class Yuri Dolgoruky strategic nuclear submarine.
Research and Markets adds Defense and Security in India 2011 Report to its list of publications. The report says India spent $39 billion on defense and security in 2010, and continues to look towards self-sufficiency. Publication also comes at a time when Robert Sher, Deputy Assistant of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, called US-Indian defense ties a ‘natural partnership’.
As the Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases a report [PDF] on US initiatives to safeguard maritime energy security, analysts line up to argue that the US Navy should increase its focus on irregular warfare challenges.
Interest in China’s J-20 stealth fighter continues at a relentless pace. A new set of photographs reveal the aircraft’s weapons bay. Photos have also emerged of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) North Sea Fleet’s nuclear submarine base.
Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) tells a press conference in Hanoi that the Department of Defense is examining whether to lift restrictions [PDF] on the sale of military products to Vietnam.
Canadian UAV manufacturer Aeryon Labs reveals that it cooperated with the private security firm Zariba to deliver its Aeryon Scout UAV to Libya’s Transitional National Council (TNC).
US defense and security officials are reported to be examining a Chinese television documentary showing a possible cyber attack on the Falung Gong religious sect’s website.
Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) sends a letter to the Secretaries of Defense and State, as well as the National Security Advisor, requesting publication of the Annual Report to Congress on the Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China.
A Turkish defense procurement official claims that Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is in talks with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Saab regarding the development of fighter aircraft.
Lockheed Martin enters into a definitive agreement to acquire QTC Holdings, a medical services provider to the Department of Defense.
Germany’s economic ministry reportedly rules out the purchase of Daimler’s stake in EADS.
While the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks to develop Mission-oriented Resilient Clouds (MRC), the Department of Defense (DoD) drags its heels over the implementation of ‘cloud computing’ initiatives.
Concerns are raised that General Electric’s proposal to build a a $1 billion plant in North Carolina to support laser enrichment efforts may have implications for nuclear proliferation.
South Korean media raises concerns that the country has insufficient radar systems to track long-range artillery attacks by North Korea. This is compounded by reports that six Swedish-made Arthur radars broke down 78 times last year, alongside ThalesRaytheon-made TPQ-36 and 37s malfunctioning on 98 and 60 times respectively over the past five years.
India launches the frigate INS Satpura, the second indigenously-built stealth warship of the Shivalik class.
The Israeli defense budget dispute continues unabated. The Defense Ministry claims that the budget is already ILS6.2 billion ($1.6 billion) under 2011/12 estimates. The Finance Ministry wants greater efficiencies within the defense establishment.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) deployment of Rafael’s Iron Dome air defense system has prompted a change of tactics by militants in the Gaza Strip.
Russia delays the next test-firing of the Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) until the end of August.
