Defense Systems
Congress questions Navy's plan for large drone ships
The Navy wants to increase production of unmanned surface vessels, but Congress remains wary of long-term success.
Ideas
State of Defense 2020: Special Report
Our annual service-by-service look at the big questions facing the U.S. military.
Policy
17 Sailors and Six Marines Died in Avoidable Accidents. Congress Asks: Are the Problems Fixed?
After ProPublica wrote about inadequate training and faulty equipment, lawmakers grilled Navy and Marine leaders about the accidents and whether America is ready for war.
Ideas
A Marine Squadron Leader Begged for Help Before a Deadly Midair Crash. Now Congress Wants Answers
DOD's secret investigation into the 2018 collision shows the squadron leader had repeatedly asked for more training time, senior enlisted, and gear.
Business
Price of F-35 Falls, But Not as Much As Pentagon Hoped
Defense officials say the cost of the plane’s engine is not declining as much as the airframe itself. The engine maker says it already dropped by half.
Defense Systems
Navy research funds could see scrutiny, secretary says
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer warned certain activities could suffer in "constrained" resource environments.
Science & Tech
US Marines Try Using Drones to Bring Blood to Battle
The light unmanned aircraft made hundreds of supply drops during recent Australian live-fire wargames.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $1.4 billion hardware contract
HPI Federal won the Navy's NGEN-R contract, the first piece of the newly divided IT contract for the Navy and Marines.
Defense Systems
Marine Corps commandant not keen on zero-based budget review
Gen. David Berger, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, said it's unlikely the service will adopt a programmatic review like the Army’s "night court" process.
Business
Extra-Long Sustainment Contracts Are Lockheed’s Latest Bid to Cut F-35 Costs
The company is pitching the Pentagon on a five-year deal — with promises to keep 80 percent of the fleet mission-ready.
Defense Systems
Navy boosts CIO role, adds more cyber and data authorities
The Navy is establishing a new special assistant to the secretary for information management/CIO to enforce cybersecurity standards, have a say in IT acquisition and develop data and digital strategies.
Policy
Brand New Marine One Helicopter To Make Debut at Trump’s July 4th Parade
Other aircraft slated to fly over include the B-2 stealth bomber, F-22 Raptor and Air Force One.
Defense Systems
Marines plan to hit key JRSS milestone by year's end
The Marines Corps expects to complete the first implementation of the Joint Regional Security Stacks in Quantico, Va. by the end of 2019.
Threats
State of Defense 2019: Special Report
Our annual service-by-service look at the U.S. military finds the shift to great-power competition dogged by some old problems and some very new ones.
Business
US Navy to Create Chief Learning Officer, Overhaul Sailor Education
The creation of a Naval University and other changes are aimed at better shaping sailors and Marines for tomorrow’s wars.
Science & Tech
Marines Turn to Artificial Intelligence to Better Deploy Troops
The tool could help top brass determine which battalions and gear are most prepared for battle.
Policy
Curtailing Korean Exercises Comes at a Price, Says USMC Commandant
Gen. Neller says training on the Korean peninsula is an integral — if not quite irreplaceable — part of Marine readiness.
Defense Systems
Meet the Marines' new CIO
Brig. Gen. Lorna Mahlock talks about how the service is looking to gain technical advantage.
Science & Tech
Hackers Find Scores of Vulnerabilities in Marine Corps Websites
The Pentagon’s latest bug-bounty contest continues a successful run of hack-the-military efforts.
Defense Systems