Five Lockheed Martin programs were mentioned in Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ roundup of major program moves (see above) for the Fiscal 2010 budget—the VH-71 Presidential helicopter, the F-22, F-35, Littoral Combat System, and Transformational Satellite (still in competition with Boeing)—and the news was not generally good. Asked to comment, the company said it’s “assessing the impact of [Gates’] decisions on all affected programs. As we move forward with the budget process, Lockheed Martin will continue to support our customers and work to deliver affordable solutions that meet their strategic and operational needs.”
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…