GA is building a prototype 300-kW missile defense laser for the Pentagon and a 250-kW airborne version with Boeing.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.B-21, hypersonics and more: How digital development is driving industry innovation
Technological advancements are key to keeping pace with customer demands and evolving threat landscapes.
In this video BAE discusses a new cockpit control system, designed with an eye on next generation fighters that may be flying in 2030.
By Colin Clark
Every word is worth reading to find out what the 809 Panel did right and what needs to be done to fix some of its missteps. Read on! The Editor.
By Peter Levine and Bill Greenwalt
General Dynamics offers a refined version of the upgunned Stryker, hoping to sway the Army’s choice of lethality upgrade for the 8×8 vehicles come January.
By Paul McLeary
With a proven hull and a cutting-edge gun, General Dynamics’ Griffin III might just hit the Army’s sweet spot between innovative and proven.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
AUSA: On the last day of this enormous trade show, the acting Army Secretary made a point of reaching out to the defense industry. Ryan McCarthy promised action on a host of issues important to business, from R&D investments to intellectual property, as well as offering more details on sweeping acquisition reforms internal to the…
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
WASHINGTON: With Russian jammers blasting Ukrainian radios off the air, the US Defense Department’s racing to regain its edge in electronic warfare. But there’s been no comprehensive strategy to guide all the armed services’ efforts — until now. The first Defense Department-wide electronic warfare strategy is “basically finished” and headed to Secretary Ashton Carter’s desk…
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
GA-ASI’s MQ-9B: The right UAV for persistence, power, and performance
When assessing the state of the art of unmanned aerial systems, it’s critical to be very clear about what various aircraft can and can’t do – and could never do.
ST. LOUIS: Boeing opened the doors of its Phantom Works’ Virtual Warfare Center to reporters for the first time during Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s visit, showing us tantalizing glimpses of advanced technologies such as its Talon HATE project to improve communications between the F-22 and efforts to double to 16 the air-to-air missile load of an F-15.…
By Colin Clark
WASHINGTON: Two major defense industry players have a suggestion for Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, whose Better Buying Power 3.0 plan includes a new requirement that companies get the Pentagon’s blessing for internal research and development (IRAD) spending. Back off. “I’m not sure there’s a lot of upside to a lot of DoD oversight of where…
By Richard Whittle
PARIS: The Pentagon’s decision to pause as it reconsiders what path to pursue with the drone fighter known as UCLASS prompted Boeing to send a warning note today that the US military had better keep its commitments if it wants companies to invest their own money in new technologies. Pressed by Rep. Randy Forbes and Sen. John McCain…
By Colin Clark
COLORADO SPRINGS: For years the Air Force space acquisition mafia fought the idea of Operationally Responsive Space. Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), for the most part, made fabulous, big and really expensive satellites at a wonderfully slow pace. Operationally Responsive Space posited cheaper and more rapidly built smaller satellites. They weren’t nearly as capable…
By Colin ClarkWASHINGTON: Even if Congress staves off sequestration, the defense industry’s troubles hardly be over. But don’t expect a 1990s-style wave of major mergers, agreed officials and analysts at a conference in the Newseum yesterday: Instead, the squeeze will be on smaller companies — which could have an outsized impact on innovation. “Historically, the defense industry…
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
