Business
The US Air Force Is Adding Algorithms to Predict When Planes Will Break
The airlines already use predictive maintenance technology. Now the service’s materiel chief says it’s a “must-do for us.”
Policy
US Air Force: Recent String of Crashes Isn’t a Crisis
But it will stand down every flying wing for one day to look for trends in the mishaps that claimed the lives of 18 airmen.
Business
Did Your Company Make that Warplane? Don’t Count on the Upgrade Work Anymore
The new Air Force acquisition chief wants to open more sustainment contracts to competition.
Defense Systems
Shwedo tapped to be new Joint Staff CIO
President Donald Trump has nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Bradford Shwedo to be the next Joint Staff CIO.
Threats
US Air Force to Put Sensors on Allies’ Satellites
The move is intended to deter Russia or China from shooting down spacecraft — and provide backups if they do.
Business
US Air Force Is Moving Faster on Space Contracts, Industry Execs Say
The service has new purchasing authorities, a planned new structure for its satellite-buying arm — and a new attitude, company leaders say.
Business
Air Force Secretary: Boeing Is Giving Its Tanker Short Shrift
Pointing to the KC-46 program’s latest problems, Heather Wilson says the company is focusing too much on its civil aircraft.
Defense Systems
Military looks to boost pay for cyber talent
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said $37,000 may be sufficient for Hill staffers answering the phone, but is much too low for military cyber specialists.
Defense Systems
Why DOD needs more than OTAs to fix acquisition
The Air Force materiel commander says organizational culture matters more than novel procurement authorities when it comes to reforming cumbersome processes.
Business
Pentagon Tells Leaders to Talk More With Contractors — and Less to the Public and Press
One day after Air Force leaders severely restricted media contacts, Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan encouraged Pentagon officials to engage more with industry.
Policy
Trump Calls for a Space Force, a Concept His Pentagon Opposes
The president’s words could reanimate a legislative proposal that the defense secretary and others thought they had killed.
Policy
Here’s What the Services Want from Congress This Year
After lawmakers pass the budget promised by February’s bipartisan deal, the three secretaries have other priorities for legislative action.
Defense Systems
Service heads demur on DOD's cloud plan
At a D.C. defense policy event, the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force skirted the issue of the Pentagon's centralized cloud procurement strategy.
Defense Systems
Air Force plans to convert IT staff into cyber force
The Air Force hopes to solve the cyber worker shortage by redefining traditional IT jobs, starting at seven bases.
Business
Lockheed: Pentagon Negotiators Are Becoming More Unpredictable
The company’s CFO says willingness to discard precedent has stalled a new deal for the F-35 — and even affected the C-130.
Policy
The Air Force One Deal May Be Less Rosy Than Claimed
The White House’s “fixed-price deal” may still leave the taxpayer on the hook. And a spokesman seems to have inflated the projected savings.
Business
White House, Boeing In Final Stages of New Air Force One Deal
President Trump and Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg met in White House this week to break gridlock on price of new presidential planes.
Science & Tech