Defense
Gates Signals Tough Budget Season For Sea Services
It says a lot about the parlous state of federal finances that defense secretary Robert Gates thinks the Navy can't afford to keep buying the kinds of warships that currently populate its fleet. The . . .
Cyber Remedies Likely To Limit Liberties
We certainly have come a long way since the first computer virus was created in Lahore, Pakistan in 1986. Today, some experts believe that a majority of all new software releases around the world involve . . .
EADS Returns To The Tanker Race — With Pentagon Help
The European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Company (EADS) is back in the race to supply the Air Force with a next-generation aerial refueling tanker, announcing on April 20 that it would once again bid . . .
The F-35 Will Cost About What An F-16 Costs
With the best of intentions, Congress and the Obama Administration have implemented a series of acquisition-reform measures that are making the problem worse. Efforts to clarify the cost of programs . . .
Northrop Backed Into Shipbuilding, And It Can Back Out
A recent story in Defense News by respected naval analyst Christopher Cavas has investors speculating about the future of Northrop Grumman's Avondale shipyard near New Orleans. The yard faces . . .
“V” For Versatility: Osprey Reaches For New Missions
After a long wait, the joint force is growing accustomed to using the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor in operational missions. However, it will probably take a good deal longer before Osprey missions become routine, . . .
F-35 Cost Rise Is Speculative, But Progress Is Real
Last week brought both good news and bad news for the F-35 joint strike fighter, the biggest weapons program currently being funded by the Pentagon. On the plus side, the Marine version of the plane . . .
Study: European Aircraft Subsidies Have Harmed America
The Lexington Institute today is releasing a study of European commercial-aircraft subsidies that documents the severe damage they have done to the U.S. aviation industry, and calls on the federal government . . .
Countering The Asymmetric Threat From Sea Mines
Sea mines have long posed a threat to the operations of U.S. sea-based forces. Since World War II, sea mines have damaged four times the number of U.S. naval vessels as all . . .
Bottom Line On The Alternate Engine: A Waste Of Money
Three U.S. military services are developing the F-35 joint strike fighter to replace their aging cold war aircraft and those of allies. The program is performing well in tests, but the key to its success . . .