Business
ULA’s Vulcan won’t launch any Space Force missions this year
The new heavy-lift rocket has yet to receive certification from the service.
Ideas
To improve recruiting, make medical standards match retention ones
Many of the assumptions that undergird the recruiting standards are outdated or simply wrong.
Threats
What does Russia’s launch of an ‘experimental’ weapon at Ukraine mean for allies?
The new missile “would certainly be a hard thing to defend against,” one expert said.
Business
One contractor is on the Space Force’s naughty list
The service has never confirmed putting companies on the blacklist until now.
Policy
Intelligence IGs head for the exits ahead of Trump’s return
The president-elect fired five inspectors general during his first administration.
Ideas
Why Ukrainian soldiers came to Idaho to study nuclear forensics
Hint: It’s an essential element of U.S. deterrence strategy.
Defense Systems
DIU orders software to drive massive drone swarms
The software glue holding the Replicator effort together is beginning to harden.
Policy
US to begin providing anti-personnel mines to Ukraine
Policy shift reflects changing Russian tactics and Ukrainian needs, a U.S. official says.
Policy
New $275M Ukraine-aid package to include HIMARS ammo
SecDef says materiel for “critical battlefield needs” will be drawn from Pentagon stocks.
Ideas
What Ukraine can now do with longer-range US missiles
Q&A with a Marine Corps University professor.
Threats
Russian nuclear doctrine change does not indicate imminent attack, Pentagon says
While the Kremlin’s broadening of nuclear posture seems alarming, experts say future escalation could take a different path.
Defense Systems
Next launch of SDA’s satellite constellation pushed to spring
Officials originally planned to begin launching in September, but production has lagged.
Threats
SecDef visits South China Sea island to bolster Philippines and check China
Austin also noted unmanned boats and other U.S.-funded tech upgrades.
Business
Should the Navy lean on private repair shipyards to build subs faster?
Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, thinks so.
Policy
Classified-info pact sets stage for closer US-Philippines cooperation
A new coordination center will replace “random conference rooms.”
Defense Systems