Defense One
Amid several high-profile test failures that have slowed hypersonic weapon development, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has summoned the CEOs of America’s largest defense companies to the Pentagon for a face-to-face meeting next week, Defense One has learned. The purpose of the Feb. 3 meeting is to stress the urgency in fielding the fast-flying weapons as the U.S. plays catch up to recent Chinese and Russian advances.
Military.com
When footage of civilians clinging to the side of a U.S. C-17 Globemaster III and falling to their deaths at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 16 surfaced on social media, it became one of the defining images of the American military's chaotic final days in Afghanistan. After human remains were found in the wheel well of the plane, the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations announced the following day that it was reviewing the incident. But five months later, there are still no answers from the service on what went wrong at the airfield.
Breaking Defense
To discuss preliminary observations related to PC21 and other subjects such as satellite communications (SATCOM) for on-the-move communications, we talked with Maj. Gen. Robert Collins, program executive officer for Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), and Brig. Gen. Jeth Rey, director of the Network Cross-Functional Team at Army Futures Command.
FedScoop
The Department of Defense’s new top artificial intelligence office will reach initial operational capability Feb. 1, the Navy’s chief data officer said Jan. 26. The new chief digital and AI officer will oversee the DOD’s chief data officer, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and Defense Digital Service and serve as an integrator for their efforts. Navy CDO Tom Sasala said that the new office will help the DOD push forward on data initiatives and be helpful to the work his team has been doing to bring data-based decision making to the Navy.
SpaceNews
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on strategic forces, announced Jan. 25 that he will not run for re-election in November. Cooper’s decision was expected as his current district in Nashville was redrawn by the state legislature and his seat is likely to be won by a Republican candidate. Cooper has been in office for 32 years.
ABC News
The U.S. Navy has begun to make plans to recover the F-35C fighter jet that crashed Jan. 24 after striking the deck of an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea. The jet is the most advanced stealth fighter jet in the world and would have made an enticing target for China if it had attempted to recover it from the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
Stars and Stripes
Mask-wearing in crowded open-air and indoor public spaces, such as subways and shops, will be recommended but not required, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Jan. 19 in an address to the House of Commons. Social distancing requirements, limits on gatherings and a legal mandate that people show a National Health Service COVID-19 pass or its equivalent for entry to venues will also end.
Washington Technology
Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense company, finds itself at a major decision point regarding its acquisition of a key supplier to the entire industry. Meanwhile, another blue chip player, Raytheon Technologies, hopes the deal does not happen. But they and the entire industry share the supply chain mega-headwind, even though they have a difference in opinion on Lockheed's proposed acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne. Here are how Lockheed and Raytheon Technologies talked about both items during their fourth quarter and year-end earnings calls with investors Tuesday.
One More Thing
CBS News
Members of the Tuskegee Airmen are some of the most highly decorated military pilots in U.S. history. But there was one honor that was overlooked for more than 70 years—until now. In 1949, a team from the famed all-Black Tuskegee Airmen won the first Top Gun contest, a gunnery competition among pilots from across the Air Force. But the record book listed the winner as "unknown." "They knew who won, but they just didn't want to recognize us," said Retired Lt. Col. James Harvey, a 98-year-old former fighter pilot who was part of that winning team.
