So far, it’s been no contest. Airmen and Air Force civilians have far surpassed their counterparts across the Defense Department in responding to Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ call for creative ideas on improving efficiency. Of the 10,464 total submittals as of mid-day Tuesday, a whopping 6,944 of them—or two-thirds—had come from Air Force personnel, according to DOD’s tracking figures. Here’s the remaining breakdown: Army, 1,428 (14 percent); OSD/Joint Staff/Defense agencies, 904 (9 percent); Navy, 869 (8 percent); and Marine Corps, 319 (3 percent). Sept. 24 is the deadline for proposals. Gates launched the INVEST initiative last month to give uniformed military and civilian defense personnel the chance to offer their thoughts on how DOD could become more efficient and shed overhead. OSD plans to award tiered $500 and $1,000 prizes to the ideas judged best.
The Air Force conducted its first successful test of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, on May 14, snapping a streak of three consecutive failed tests and giving the beleaguered hypersonics program a much needed boost. Off the coast of Southern California, the AGM-183A ARRW separated from the wing…