GM Defense: New President, New Factory, New Electric Truck

GM Defense: New President, New Factory, New Electric Truck
GM Defense: New President, New Factory, New Electric Truck

The fledgling defense wing of the giant civilian automaker rolled out an all-electric version of its Infantry Squad Vehicle, eying an Army competition for a stealthy electric scout.

Electric Battlefield: Army Awards $600K For R&D

Electric Battlefield: Army Awards $600K For R&D
Electric Battlefield: Army Awards $600K For R&D

Six small companies got $100,000 awards to do an eight-week sprint on ways to move the Army to electric power. Meanwhile, an academic study denounced the Army’s plan for mobile nuclear reactors.

Army Seeks Electric Scout By 2025

Army Seeks Electric Scout By 2025
Army Seeks Electric Scout By 2025

The Light Reconnaissance Vehicle, an off-road truck to scout ahead of airborne and light infantry units, could lead the Army’s move to electric motors. But electrifying heavy cargo trucks, let alone tanks, could take decades.

HASC Wants Answers On Pacific Fuel & Europe HQ

HASC Wants Answers On Pacific Fuel & Europe HQ
HASC Wants Answers On Pacific Fuel & Europe HQ

The HASC readiness subcommittee also wants to create a comprehensive quadrennial review of what it’ll really take to supply and sustain the global force.

Army Ponders What To Cut If Budget Drops: Gen. Murray

Army Ponders What To Cut If Budget Drops: Gen. Murray
Army Ponders What To Cut If Budget Drops: Gen. Murray

The Army Futures commander is making a list of which of the service’s 34 top-priority programs to sacrifice first – and which programs outside the top 34 he has to save.

New TRISO Nuclear Mini-Reactors Will Be Safe: Program Manager

New TRISO Nuclear Mini-Reactors Will Be Safe: Program Manager
New TRISO Nuclear Mini-Reactors Will Be Safe: Program Manager

If the Pentagon does build the mobile reactors, it will deploy them far from the front lines – and even if they’re hit, their revolutionary TRISO fuel pellets will stay intact at temperatures that can melt steel.

Batteries, Bullets, & Drones: Commandant’s Wishlist For Infantry Task Force

Batteries, Bullets, & Drones: Commandant’s Wishlist For Infantry Task Force
Batteries, Bullets, & Drones: Commandant’s Wishlist For Infantry Task Force

What’s the one technology the Marine Corps Commandant wants more than any other for his riflemen? It wasn’t an amphibious vehicle, more JLTVs, a new rifle or friggin’ lasers. It is “a smart way to recharge batteries,” Gen. Robert Neller told reporters.

It’s Time to Take Donald Trump Seriously

It’s Time to Take Donald Trump Seriously
It’s Time to Take Donald Trump Seriously

Donald Trump is going to be president, notwithstanding the handwringing in the national security policy community about whether they should agree to serve in his administration (here, here, here, here, here).   Concerns are understandable given Trump’s unorthodox campaign and often extreme statements.  But there is an element of hubris in these commentaries and in discussions I…

Pentagon Keeps Pressing For Energy Savings

Pentagon Keeps Pressing For Energy Savings
Pentagon Keeps Pressing For Energy Savings

[UPDATED with Burke remarks on biofuels & other alternative energy] WASHINGTON: Budget crunch be damned, the Defense Department’s effort to get more energy-efficient is still in business, said the assistant secretary in charge. Even without the free-flowing supplemental funds and the flexibility of the “rapid equipping” initiatives that allowed for speedy spending at the height…