“Hopefully some time next year [the Army will know] whether we can go straight to procuring those things, or if we need to do development,” said Army acquisition head Doug Bush.
By Ashley RoqueThe restart will involve BAE Systems UK and US-based supply chain, and first deliveries are expected in 2025.
By Tim MartinAt a time when the US is continuing to pledge more and more weapons to Ukraine, the Army is eyeing ways to overcome ammunition production challenges.
By Ashley RoqueBefore the Army launches a competition next year to select an ERCA platform integrator, Congress wants to know if a new howitzer is a better option.
By Ashley RoqueFrance will purchase Caesar howitzers to replace those “loaned” to Ukraine, while Germany seeks to upgrade its own rocket artillery system.
By Christina MackenzieThe deal covers the purchase of 1,000 K2 tanks, 672 K9 self-propelled howitzers, and 48 FA-50PL light combat aircraft, with production benefits for Poland as well.
By Bartosz GłowackiPresident Joe Biden first announced the transfer, writing that the system “will enable [Ukrainian forces] to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine.”
By Valerie Insinna“This has been such a plastic conflict. … I think there’s a lot of indications that the Ukrainians are doing a tremendous job,” said Mara Karlin, the assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities. Given that, “you can plan more and more for things that would need greater training.”
By Valerie InsinnaIn addition to the $750 million Taiwan deal, State also cleared a pair of weapons packages for Japan.
By Aaron MehtaThe Army is modernizing three artillery systems: 155 cannon, the cheapest option, for the close fight against the enemy’s frontline forces; guided rockets for the deep fight against enemy reinforcements and supply lines; and missiles, the most expensive munitions, for very deep or even strategic strikes against targets in the enemy rear and homeland.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.AUSA: There are almost a quarter-million Humvees (and counting) around the world, from the US to Ukraine to the Philippines, and AM General built them all. The Indiana-based company is constantly finding new ways to upgrade the 1980s-vintage design, but this is the most radical I’ve seen: a cargo Humvee whose flatbed holds a howitzer, the kind of weapon…
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.ARLINGTON: New threats from Russia and China mean the Army must take on new missions — but it’s got almost no new money so the Army is looking at ways to modify existing systems to do some radically new things. So imagine howitzers firing precision-guided cannon shells to shoot cruise missiles out of the sky or to sink…
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.CAPITOL HILL: The recent death of Bill Young, longtime power on the House Appropriations Committee, opened the door to a new chairman of the defense subcommittee. Today New Jersey’s Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen stepped through that door. Frelinghuysen has served on the defense subcommittee since 1999. He was its vice-chairman. The most likely winner from the veteran…
By Colin Clark