Defense Systems

Some of DOD's telework changes could be permanent

A new emphasis on telework at the Defense Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic could change work culture at the Pentagon, officials said.

Policy

Pentagon Delays Budget Deadline to Help Staff Work from Home

Service officials had complained that a June 1 deadline was preventing them from implementing coronavirus-related social-distancing guidelines.

Business

US Navy Speeds Weapon Buys To Keep Small Suppliers Afloat Amid Coronavirus

The service has already accelerated deals for anti-air missiles and submarine-hunting planes.

Science & Tech

How the Marine Corps Plans to Become Lighter, Nimbler, More Unmanned

The Force Design 2030 report discards tanks and doubles UAV squadrons.

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.