Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis has been approved by the Senate to lead US Central Command. Mattis will now oversee the US military’s efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, He fills the leadership void at CENTCOM left by Army Gen. David Petraeus’ departure at the end of June to take charge of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. As we reported Friday, Mattis’ nomination vote occurred on the evening of Aug. 5, prior to Congress adjourning for its August recess. Prior to this, Mattis led US Joint Forces Command for nearly three years.
Lockheed Martin’s proposed autonomous drone, called Vectis, is still on track to fly a prototype by the end of 2027, an official from the company’s Skunk Works division said Sept. 10, and the firm already started work on four more Vectis aircraft.


