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

* 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 […]