The Pentagon’s director for equal opportunity, Clarence Johnson, has been getting the word out that DOD wants to beef up its diversity—particularly with scientists and engineers. Speaking at the Minority Serving Institutions Research Partnerships Conference in Chicago, Johnson noted that backgrounds in engineering, math, and science open windows for students to military academies or employment as a DOD civilian and offer greater potential to reach senior leadership positions. Knowing the number of new engineers and scientists produced in the US is declining, Johnson says he wants to ensure parents and other “influencers” know DOD is hiring.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.