Northrop boosts sovereign supply chain with Aussie supplier for F-35s

Northrop boosts sovereign supply chain with Aussie supplier for F-35s
Northrop boosts sovereign supply chain with Aussie supplier for F-35s

Canberra has emphasized the need for more production in Australia not just for the financial benefits, but for the strategic reality that supply lines off the island nation would likely be the first target in a conflict.

Acquisition strategy for JADC2 ‘glueware’ faces hurdles, including on Capitol Hill

Acquisition strategy for JADC2 ‘glueware’ faces hurdles, including on Capitol Hill
Acquisition strategy for JADC2 ‘glueware’ faces hurdles, including on Capitol Hill

“The services today are working more what I call ‘service all domain command and control’ — and don’t blame me for the acronym, it sounds like SADC2,” said Scott Stapp, CTO of Northrop Grumman Corp.

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Outcomes Of JADC2 Will Provide Decisive Advantage

Outcomes Of JADC2 Will Provide Decisive Advantage
Outcomes Of JADC2 Will Provide Decisive Advantage

“Does (JADC2) increase lethality? The answer should be yes. (JADC2) makes us more lethal. We’re a warfighting organization. That’s what this is designed to do.”—Lt. Gen. Dennis Crall, director of C4 and CIO, Joint Staff.

GBSD: First Missile Test Flight 2023, Initial Production 2026

GBSD: First Missile Test Flight 2023, Initial Production 2026
GBSD: First Missile Test Flight 2023, Initial Production 2026

“We’ve entered into the next big phase, what we call ‘CDR season,'” Greg Manuel, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s Strategic Deterrent Systems division, told Breaking Defense.

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The B-21 Raider: A Bomber That Is Both Low Observable And Easier to Maintain

The B-21 Raider: A Bomber That Is Both Low Observable And Easier to Maintain
The B-21 Raider: A Bomber That Is Both Low Observable And Easier to Maintain

Supportability issues that affected the availability and performance of early, stealthy aircraft are being addressed by Northrop Grumman on this new program.

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Exposing The Data Makes JADC2 Possible

Exposing The Data Makes JADC2 Possible
Exposing The Data Makes JADC2 Possible

Aligning current and emerging technologies for Joint All-Domain Command and Control is the enabler that will let warfighters acquire data and quickly act on it by applying effects where they need them, when they need to, and on the timeline they need them.

New SBIRS Sat Creates Bridge To Next-Gen Missile Warning

New SBIRS Sat Creates Bridge To Next-Gen Missile Warning
New SBIRS Sat Creates Bridge To Next-Gen Missile Warning

The new SBIRS satellite, called SBIRS GEO 5, will be “the most advanced missile warning satellite” on orbit, said Lt. Col. Ryan Laughton, SMC’s program manager.

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Connected Battlespace: The Power of JADC2

Connected Battlespace: The Power of JADC2
Connected Battlespace: The Power of JADC2

The new administration faces key decisions in the “great powers” competition with China and Russia. This includes implementation of Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2). In this brief video interview, Northrop Grumman Chief Technology Officer Scott Stapp offers some important thoughts.

AFRL Pushes Laser “SHiELD” Flight Test Back, Again

AFRL Pushes Laser “SHiELD” Flight Test Back, Again
AFRL Pushes Laser “SHiELD” Flight Test Back, Again

CSIS’s Todd Harrison said he believes that  the “many challenges” to the SHiELD concept can be overcome “with time and money” —  and could well be worth expending because of the potential benefits.

AFRL’s Newest Lab Aims At Building Things In Space

AFRL’s Newest Lab Aims At Building Things In Space
AFRL’s Newest Lab Aims At Building Things In Space

One of the first projects the new DeSel lab will work on is testing structures for a futuristic capability that could be enabled by on-orbit assembly and manufacturing: space-based solar power.

Lockheed Martin Joins The Skyborg Fray With Phase 2 Award

Lockheed Martin Joins The Skyborg Fray With Phase 2 Award
Lockheed Martin Joins The Skyborg Fray With Phase 2 Award

Lockheed Martin’s award means that all three big defense primes with deep ties to the Air Force now are in the running for Skyborg.

Trump On F-35: ‘We Should Make Everything’ In US

Trump On F-35: ‘We Should Make Everything’ In US
Trump On F-35: ‘We Should Make Everything’ In US

“All because President [Barack] Obama and others — I’m not just blaming him — thought it was a wonderful thing,” President Trump said. “The problem is, if we have a problem with a country, you can’t make the jet. We get parts from all over the place. It’s so crazy.”

How To Avoid Protests To National Security Launch Service Awards

How To Avoid Protests To National Security Launch Service Awards
How To Avoid Protests To National Security Launch Service Awards

Given the critical nature of National Security Space Launch, winners of the competition to replace the Atlas V and its Russian-made RD-180s engines should have the flexibility to adapt to unforeseen events, the self-knowledge and willingness to work closely with the Air Force, and a record of excellent performance to avoid wasteful contract award protests.…

ABMS Demos Speed New Capabilities To Warfighters

ABMS Demos Speed New Capabilities To Warfighters
ABMS Demos Speed New Capabilities To Warfighters

ABMS is essentially the first effort by the Defense Department to “build the Internet of Things for the military,”  Will Roper, head of Air Force acquisition, says.