How Air Force Leaders See T-7A Feeding into Sixth-Gen Aircraft
With the first operational T-7A trainer jet in hand, Air Force leaders are already looking ahead to how the Red Hawk will fit with the service’s plans for sixth-generation aircraft.
Pentagon Investing $1 Billion in L3Harris Solid Rocket Motor Business
The Pentagon is investing $1 billion in L3Harris’ solid rocket motor business in a bid to shore up the U.S. government’s supply chain for a range of munitions.
Space Force’s Newest Weather Satellite Feeding Data to NOAA Forecasters
As the Space Force moves forward with plans to modernize its weather satellite architecture, it’s working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to share data and leverage the agency’s modeling and validation tools, officials told lawmakers in a Jan. 13 hearing.
Pentagon Sets New Body Composition Standards Matching Existing Air Force Policy
Airmen and Guardians preparing to take updated physical fitness assessments this year won’t be surprised by the Pentagon’s updated body composition standards that all service members will have to meet; the Air Force worked up similar standards three years ago.
Radar Sweep
Former Sailor Sentenced to 16 Years After Selling Navy Secrets to China
The Washington Post
When U.S. Navy sailor Jinchao Wei received a message on social media in February 2022 from someone proclaiming to have a strong interest in naval ships, Wei was rightly suspicious. ... Despite this, Wei soon began interacting with a man he would term “Big Brother Andy” on encrypted messaging apps. He shared sensitive photographs, documents and operating manuals of U.S. ships with the unnamed man from China in exchange for payments totaling more than $12,000 over 18 months.
Three ‘Meta Trends’ Are Reshaping Warfare, INDOPACOM Commander Says
Defense One
Five years ago, when then-Adm. Phil Davidson told senators that China would attempt to seize Taiwan as early as 2027, “it seemed like it was a good long way out,” Adm. Sam Paparo said Jan. 12. “And the danger in that was that we thought that it was some holiday that we had until 2027 for ourselves. But there could be a war of, quote, necessity, anytime between now and Aug. 1 of 2027, and there can be a war of choice anytime after August of 2027.”
‘Accelerate Like Hell’: Hegseth Moves to Reshape DOD’s AI and Tech Hubs
DefenseScoop
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared his team’s long-awaited new plans to outpace U.S. adversaries by rapidly advancing the military’s arsenal of AI, drones, hypersonics, and other disruptive technologies—and drastically reshaping the Pentagon’s approaches for safely deploying them.
Pentagon Task Force to Deploy AI-Powered UAS Systems to Capture Drones
Defense News
The Pentagon’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 will soon deploy counter-drone technology that uses nets to capture intruding unmanned aerial systems. The JIATF-401, tasked with coordinating counter-drone defense efforts across all military branches, announced on Jan. 11 that it has awarded a contract for two advanced DroneHunter F700 systems, according to a release.
Pentagon Defends Use of Aircraft Painted in Civilian Colors for Boat Strike
The Wall Street Journal
The Pentagon has told lawmakers that it chose an aircraft painted in civilian colors to carry out a lethal Sept. 2 strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean because the unit could be the quickest ready for the operation—not because it was trying to deceive the targets, according to a U.S. official and a congressional aide.
Quantum Cameras Could Remake Space-Based Intelligence
Defense One
Can quantum physics enable better, cheaper, faster satellite photos? In a month or two, a startup will test a “quantum camera” for space-based imaging. If it works, it could slash the cost of missile defenses and give smaller NATO allies and partners spy-satellite capabilities that were once exclusive to major powers.
Who Is Thomas Carden? First Ever Four-Star National Guard Bureau Vice Chief
Military.com
Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Carden has made history, becoming the first National Guard Bureau vice chief to wear the four-star rank. The Georgia Army National Guard officer was confirmed Jan. 13 by the U.S. Senate as the Bureau’s 12th vice chief. His confirmation means he will receive a fourth star due to the 2024 fiscal year National Defense Authorization Act elevating the position to four stars. He succeeds Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, who retired in May 2024.
South Korea Announces Completion of KF-21 Flight Test Program
Breaking Defense
South Korea has completed the flight test program for Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae jet, a key milestone for the indigenous fighter.
Bacon Joins Democrats to Introduce No Funds for NATO Invasion Act
The Hill
GOP Rep. Don Bacon (Neb.) joined House Democrats to introduce legislation seeking to preemptively block President Trump from using military force to acquire Greenland—a prospect the president has declined to rule out amid renewed interest in the Danish territory.
Army to Field Bell MV-75 Aircraft This Year, Integrate More Drones
Defense News
The U.S. Army will field the long-anticipated Bell MV-75 tiltrotor aircraft this year ahead of its former schedule, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George announced at the Army’s Senior Leader Sitrep town hall meeting that premiered online Jan. 13.
Twin Air Force Pilots Connect in Refueling Flight over the Pacific
Task & Purpose
Twin pilots met in the sky over the Pacific. On a Dec. 4 training flight in Japan, Air Force Capt. Jordan Wesemann was at the controls of his KC-135 tanker aircraft as his twin brother, Capt. Jared Wesemann, maneuvered his F-35 fighter jet up to refuel.
