Ashley Roque covers land warfare for Breaking Defense. Over the past two decades, she’s reported on defense, US politics, and foreign policy for publications inside and outside of the United States including Janes, Roll Call, Inside Defense and Shephard Media. Ashley holds a BA in English with a minor in journalism from Florida State University, and a master's degree in conflict transformation from the University of Basel.
In addition to halting the FARA competition, service leaders want to end UH-60 V Blackhawk production, postpone moving the Improved Turbine Engine Program into production, and phase out legacy drones.
“Envision a swarm of these autonomous vessels going out to various island chains … not having to beach because we’re gonna have the UAVs come in, meet somewhere over the water, grab portions, and take that AOR’s portion … of ammo, food, blood,” said Rob Watts, the deputy director of the Army’s contested logistics cross-functional team.
“We’re actually getting [soldiers] involved in how we’re helping to design the force….My view is that we are going to see a lot of refinements from the field that will really help us figure out how we need to adjust,” said Army Chief Randy George.
“The [user assessment’s] purpose is to measure system performance to ensure the phase 2 IVAS 1.2 prototype systems continue to meet design objectives,” said Program Executive Office Soldier spokesperson David Patterson.
“What was different about this attack is where it landed: It did impact… where living quarters are,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, a day after three soldiers were killed in an attack.
In a bid to win a spot on the IFPC Inc 2 program as the second interceptor, Israel’s Rafael will throw its hat into the ring with Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor, while Boeing and Lockheed say they may have contenders too.
Latvia is heading up a new drone coalition while Poland will helm another focusing on armor, according to US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander.
The contracts are going to France’s Nexter Munitions and Germany’s Junghans Microtec for 155mm rounds, a desperately needed ammo type in Ukraine and one NATO nations are looking to fill their own stocks.
“Think about Ukraine as an island… we are not allowed to cross the border,” Army Materiel Command’s deputy Lt. Gen. Christopher Mohan told Breaking Defense.
