A pioneer in linear programming and former USAF mathematician, Alex Orden, died Feb. 9 in Chicago at age 91. After receiving a Ph.D. in Mathematics from MIT in 1950, Orden became a member of the Air Force’s Project SCOOP, for Scientific Computation of Optimum Programs, a task force that pioneered the development of linear programming models for logistical planning. Task force leader G.B. Dantzig cited Orden for providing a computation breakthrough in solving large logistics movement and operations scheduling problems of that time.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III hosted his second Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in a virtual format May 23, drawing 47 nations that back Ukraine’s fight against Russia but leaving questions about when the war might end. New coastal defense systems and more artillery, armor, and tanks were highlighted…