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2022 NDAA Hits More Hurdles in Senate as Continuing Resolution Deadline Looms

Nov. 29, 2021

Back from a Thanksgiving week recess, the push to pass the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act hit another snag Nov. 29, as the Senate voted against ending debate on its version of the bill. At the same time, Congress is staring down a Dec. 3 expiration date for its continuing…

USAF Orders 15 Silent Arrow Cargo Delivery Drones for Tactical, Humanitarian Roles

Nov. 29, 2021

The company Silent Arrow will scale down its 1-ton cargo delivery drone to fulfill an order by the Air Force for 15 of the smaller vehicles, which will be redesigned under the new name Silent Arrow Precision Guided Bundle. The drones will be used for tactical and humanitarian roles, the…

How the Space Force Is Fast-Tracking New Tech to Clean Up Orbital Debris

Nov. 29, 2021

Small businesses teaming up with nonprofit research institutions have a head start at proposing concepts for mitigating orbital debris and other aspects of on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. SpaceWERX director Lt. Col. Walter McMillan said SpaceWERX consulted fellow government entities, academic institutions, startups, small businesses, and major contractors about research…

DOD Announces Force Posture Changes in the Indo-Pacific and Europe, but Future of Spangdahlem AB Still Unclear

Nov. 29, 2021

The Pentagon completed its Global Posture Review, which it said will include a framework for “coherent” force posture decisions, including key movements in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe. In a Nov. 29 press briefing, Mara Karlin, who is performing the duties of deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, said the…

Air Force is 120 Airplanes Smaller Since 2020, But Fighters and Bombers Stay About Level

Nov. 24, 2021

The Air Force trimmed 120 airplanes from its fleet in fiscal 2021, gaining the most aircraft among its F-35 fighter squadrons and giving up the most from its B-1 bomber units, according to data provided by the Air Force. With puts and takes, the Air Force’s kinetic shooter fleet, not…

No COVID-19 Vaccine, No PCS Moves, Air Force Says

Nov. 24, 2021

With several thousand Airmen still unvaccinated against COVID-19, the Air Force is reportedly introducing a new consequence for those without a medical or administrative exemption. Starting Nov. 29, unvaccinated Airmen will be blocked from moving to new assignments unless they are on existing PCS orders or have been selected for…

SOUTHCOM Advances ‘Quiet Weapon System,’ Promoting Gender Equality in Regional Militaries

Nov. 24, 2021

Gen. Laura J. Richardson made history as the first woman to lead U.S. Southern Command and the third ever to lead a U.S. combatant command. Seeing a woman in such a senior leadership role is already having a powerful impact on female officers and enlisted personnel in regional militarties. "Everywhere…

New DOD Group to ‘Synchronize’ Efforts to Track Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

Nov. 24, 2021

The Defense Department is establishing a new office to coordinate its approach to unidentified aerial phenomena, signaling the Pentagon’s increasing interest as the issue becomes less and less of a fringe concern. The Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group will be organized under the office of Undersecretary of Defense…

KC-46 Weapons Systems Council Unifies Lessons Learned With USAF’s New Tanker

Nov. 24, 2021

Air Mobility Command’s KC-46 next-generation refueler has been operating from five bases nationwide and for nearly two years, but lessons learned and problems encountered were not unified until a Nov. 17-18 Weapons Systems Council at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. “The KC-46, being a new platform, it did not have…

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