DOD Report: China Close to Achieving Nuclear Triad

At least two decades of a “very aggressive modernization effort” has brought China’s military to the cusp of a nuclear triad for the first time, along with dramatic progress in developing hypersonic missiles and an air force with a long-range power projection capability, the Pentagon warns in a new report on that country’s military power. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

Experimental Laser Weapon Downs Multiple Missiles in Test

An early test of an experimental system that serves as the precursor to a fighter jet’s laser weapon successfully shot down multiple air-launched missiles last month, the Air Force Research Laboratory said Friday. “The demonstration is an important step of the SHiELD system development, by validating laser effectiveness against the target missiles,” the laboratory said. “The final SHiELD system, however, will be much smaller and lighter, as well as ruggedized for an airborne environment.” SHiELD aims to create a laser weapon for the F-15 that is powerful enough to protect the aircraft from incoming surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. Read the full story by Rachel S. Cohen.

DIB Calls for Revamped View of Software Development, Acquisition

The Defense Innovation Board on Friday published its extensive look at the flaws in the Pentagon’s software development processes, and recommended steps to improve it. The Congressionally mandated report, “Software is Never Done,” included 10 main recommendations the board says are key to improving how software is bought and developed to ensure it is effective when fielded. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

AFSPC Testing Data Library to Speed Contested Space Ops

As space grows more contested, command and control operations will rely as much on the systems in orbit as the data they collect and share. Maj. Gen. Kim Crider, the new mobilization assistant to Air Force Space Command boss Gen. Jay Raymond, aims to better harness that information by creating a repository where situational awareness and observation data from space-based sensors can be stored and accessed by warfighters on multiple security levels. Known as the “unified data library,” the concept already promises to shape the Air Force’s understanding of how information should be used to achieve true multi-domain command and control. Read the full story by Rachel S. Cohen.

RADAR SWEEP

Senate Intelligence Leaders Oppose NRO as Part of Space Force

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee left no doubt today that they strongly oppose the idea of merging the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) into the Space Force. SpacePolicyOnline.com

OPINION: A Space Force That Would Make A Difference

Within the upcoming weeks, Congress will decide whether to support a proposed new armed service for military operations in space. To fully deliberate that choice, they must first define the problem. Forbes

Big Brother’s Watching: Turkey Secretly Tracked US Airmen, Documents Allege

The Turkish government secretly investigated US airmen deployed to Turkey, monitoring their movements and alleging they were connected to a failed coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016, according to documents unearthed by Turkish dissidents. Air Force Times

Retired CENTCOM Commander’s Lawsuit Against Privatized Housing Owners ‘Gives Validation’ to Issue, Advocate Says

A lawsuit filed by the recently retired commander of U.S. Central Command and his wife against privatized housing companies and their contractors shows the problems “are pervasive among all levels, from generals and admirals all the way down to E1,” said Crystal Cornwall, executive director of the Safe Military Housing Initiative. Military Times

Air Force Establishes 24/7 Helpline to Address Housing Concerns

Residents of privatized housing on Air Force bases now have a 24/7 toll-free helpline to better assist with any housing concerns that they have not been able to resolve with their local privatized or government housing office, or housing chain of command. USAF release

Senate Fails to Override Trump’s Veto, Continuing US Involvement in Yemen

The Senate failed Thursday to override President Donald Trump’s veto of legislation calling for an end to U.S. support of the war in Yemen. UPI

One More Thing …

Australian Troops Ordered to Avoid Using Slang With US Marines

Despite being in its eighth iteration of Marine Rotational Force–Darwin—not to mention speaking the same language—Australian troops have been ordered to avoid using slang around American counterparts. Marine Corps Times