Sikorsky Unveils S-97 Raider: Road To FVL?

Sikorsky Unveils S-97 Raider: Road To FVL?
Sikorsky Unveils S-97 Raider: Road To FVL?

The company that built the first workable helicopter rolled out a (potential) revolution in chopper technology yesterday: Sikorsky’s high-speed S-97 Raider. A year ago, Sikorsky made a splash at the huge Association of the US Army conference with just a life-size mock-up. Now, just in time to talk it up at AUSA 2014, they’ve built a working…

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Ciao, Sergeant York! Pass The Focaccia! Prego.

Ciao, Sergeant York! Pass The Focaccia! Prego.
Ciao, Sergeant York! Pass The Focaccia! Prego.

WASHINGTON: The military should soon deploy a new weapon in its efforts to keep troops fit and fed: foccaccia. That’s right, those tough folks who can live on snakes and water may soon get their hands on a Meal Ready To Eat filled with a pretty tasty Italian delicacy covered in Italian herbs and a…

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People, Cyber & Dirt: Army & SOCOM’s ‘Strategic Landpower’

People, Cyber & Dirt: Army & SOCOM’s ‘Strategic Landpower’
People, Cyber & Dirt: Army & SOCOM’s ‘Strategic Landpower’

AUSA: The word “cyber” is everywhere these days. It’s an all-purpose adjective slapped onto any concept to attract money and make it sound sexier, from cyberwar to cyberschoolbus to, well, cybersex. (We are not making that last term a link). Cyber and SOF – the Special Operations Forces – are the only parts of the…

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Eye On Fewer Drone Civilian Deaths, MBDA Challenges Lockheed, Raytheon With Brimstone Missile

Eye On Fewer Drone Civilian Deaths, MBDA Challenges Lockheed, Raytheon With Brimstone Missile
Eye On Fewer Drone Civilian Deaths, MBDA Challenges Lockheed, Raytheon With Brimstone Missile

AUSA: As concern increases that too many innocents are killed in drone strikes, a European missile company is telling Congress it has a highly accurate missile called the Brimstone 2 that can do the job with fewer casualties and minimal collateral damage. “What we have found as a company is that this missile does not…

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JLTV Wracked By ‘Perfect Storm’ Of CR, Shutdown, Sequester: Uncertainty Rules

JLTV Wracked By ‘Perfect Storm’ Of CR, Shutdown, Sequester: Uncertainty Rules
JLTV Wracked By ‘Perfect Storm’ Of CR, Shutdown, Sequester: Uncertainty Rules

AUSA: A recently retired general officer summed up the mood among many Army officers and defense industry officials here yesterday: “This is the worst, most depressing situation I’ve seen in 34 years of service.” The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program is just one indicator in that depressing scenario facing the Army. The service still plans…

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Radio Wars: Will Production Halt Force Army To Play Radio Shell Game?

Radio Wars: Will Production Halt Force Army To Play Radio Shell Game?
Radio Wars: Will Production Halt Force Army To Play Radio Shell Game?

[UPDATED with comments from Army generals] WASHINGTON: In the latest battle over Army radios, defense industry giant General Dynamics is beating the war drums once again. If the Pentagon doesn’t issue a new contract for backpack-sized “Manpack” radios soon, GD warns, they and co-supplier Rockwell Collins will complete the current lot by the year’s end — a…

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Army Cyber Chief Meets Buyers In Pursuit Of Faster Acquisition

Army Cyber Chief Meets Buyers In Pursuit Of Faster Acquisition
Army Cyber Chief Meets Buyers In Pursuit Of Faster Acquisition

AUSA: The Army’s top cyber commander, Lt. Gen. Edward Cardon, met with acquisition officials for several days last week eager to find ways to buy capabilities within three years or less. Cardon told reporters at a roundtable here that he wanted to buy “faster, better, quicker” since the cyber realm doesn’t really allow for the…

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Sequestration Cuts Leave Army With Only 2 Brigades Ready To Fight: CSA Odierno

Sequestration Cuts Leave Army With Only 2 Brigades Ready To Fight: CSA Odierno
Sequestration Cuts Leave Army With Only 2 Brigades Ready To Fight: CSA Odierno

UPDATE: Odierno Clarifies. It May Be Three Brigades WASHINGTON: The Army has had to cancel so much training that only two of its 42 combat brigades are ready for combat, Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told reporters at the Association of the US Army conference here today. It’ll take until June to get a…

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AUSA, Biggest Defense Conference, Thrives Despite Shutdown, Sequester & CR

AUSA, Biggest Defense Conference, Thrives Despite Shutdown, Sequester & CR
AUSA, Biggest Defense Conference, Thrives Despite Shutdown, Sequester & CR

[UPDATED 2:15 pm]WASHINGTON: Between sequestration, shutdown, and the Continuing Resolution, it’s been a brutal year for the federal government, especially the Army. Alongside training, maintenance, and morale, most of the service’s conferences have been hammered: “I’m surprised any of us is here,” Army Secretary John McHugh said this morning in his opening remarks to the…

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