Defense Systems

Marine Corps seeks to boost cyber and signals skills with new recruitment program

The trial program would give civilians a chance to enlist as staff non-commissioned officers if they have the required skills.

Threats

F-35 crash shrinks a tiny test fleet under stress

Congress and GAO were already worried about having enough test jets to handle planned upgrades.

Threats

Lawsuit alleges contractors lied about V-22’s safety

The suit, filed by the families of Marines killed in a 2022 crash, says the tiltrotor aircraft don’t meet government safety specifications.

Policy

House authorizers: cut F-35 purchases to fix problems

Their version of the defense policy bill would reduce the Pentagon’s 2025 purchase by 10 jets.

Science & Tech

Marine logistics battalions to get resupply drones by 2028

Each unit will receive three to six small cargo drones, part of the Corps' effort to become lighter and more agile.

Policy

Everyone’s V-22s are flying again—and may do so past 2060

As all services emerge from March’s grounding, the program’s manager lays out long-term plans.

Ideas

Marine special operators are using fiction to envision the future

Short stories by Marine Raiders are driving discussions about the evolution of MARSOC through 2040, its commander writes.

Policy

F-35 deliveries could resume in July, but the new jets won’t be combat-ready for a year or more

Program officials also say they’ll “reimagine” their upgrade plan, with new delays for some capabilities.

Business

The F-35 program is costing more and doing less, GAO says

Total sustainment costs are now expected to top $1.5 trillion, even as the jet’s mission-readiness declines.