Business

Just Half of Workers at Two Critical Shipyards Are Vaccinated

The sobering numbers offer a snapshot of defense contractors’ struggle to get workers vaccinated.

Threats

Vulnerabilities May Slow Air Force’s Adoption of Artificial Intelligence

More data on the battlefield means a wider attack surface, something the Defense Department has yet to prepare for, experts say.

Ideas

Are Directed-Energy Weapons Behind the Havana Syndrome?

As an aerospace engineer and former Vice Chair of the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, I can attest to the effectiveness of such weapons.

Ideas

AFA Conference Wire: Keeping AI Safe From Bad Data

News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.

Defense Systems

White House pushes back on efforts to restore program cuts in NDAA

The Biden administration appears determined to stick to plans to retire legacy platforms and systems.

Defense Systems

Telework is the new normal for Air Force Materiel Command

Air Force Materiel Command is preparing to have half of its headquarters personnel working remotely at least some of the time, Commander Gen. Arnold Bunch said.

Defense Systems

Air Force secretary mulls space acquisitions nominees

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said candidate interviews are underway for the space acquisition system secretary position and he expects to make a recommendation to the defense secretary and White House soon.

Defense Systems

Zero trust, EMS top Air Force cyber priorities

Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the commander of the 16th Air Force, said implementing zero trust principles was "foundational" to improve data use and mitigate vulnerabilities from the defense industry supply chain.

Defense Systems

Tracking physical responses, target accuracy to enhance combat marksmanship

The Office of Naval Research is testing whether technology can help it spot dips in warfighters’ performance or lethality.

Ideas

Biden Just Gave France Something More Valuable than a Submarine Contract

The White House endorsement of European defense apart from NATO is worth more than a $66 billion deal with Australia.

Science & Tech

Learn to Use Data or Risk Dying in Battle, New Army Project Teaches

Project Ridgway pushes soldiers to use—and even create—the artificial-intelligence tools that will confer military advantage.

Threats

Racial Division, Troops’ Role in Protests Has Hurt Minority Recruiting, Air Force Says

Black interest in military service plummeted after the George Floyd protests. Can the Pentagon undo the damage?

Ideas

AFA Conference Wire: New Space Force Uniforms, Hub-and-Spoke

News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.

Policy

Trump’s Red, White & Blue Air Force One Paint Job is Not Final, General Says

The concept image is “just something that’s on a paper,” according to Air Force acquisition official.

Threats

Biden Counters China’s Allegations Of A New ‘Cold War’ In UN Speech

The president’s remarks on human rights, freedom of navigation, and authoritarianism were a thinly veiled message to Beijing.

Ideas

Why France Is Getting No Sympathy for Its Lost Sub Deal

Its European neighbors have long bristled at Paris’ self-dealing and aggressive sales tactics.