: Northrop Grumman, Global Hawk supplier, has issued a response to recent criticism of the program coming from the Air Force (see Global Hawk Costs Under the Microscope, above). Regarding USAF concerns about repair turnaround times, company spokeswoman Cynthia Curiel said in a written statement that “several initiatives have been implemented” to improve the turnaround. Among them, Northrop’s sensor supplier, Raytheon, has increased work shifts to expedite repairs and will host a dedicated interim repair line to quicken the pace of field repairs, she noted. “In addition, government and contractor personnel are making repairs in theater when appropriate in order to return the [Global Hawks] to full operational use as quickly as possible,” said Curiel.
A recent Pentagon memo barring troops from placing bets on prediction markets using classified or sensitive information is a necessary step toward clamping down on such activity in the ranks, but experts tell Air & Space Forces Magazine that enforcement will remain a major challenge.