Archive for October, 2011

The defense “jobs” conundrum

By Philip Ewing on Monday, October 31st, 2011

The defense “jobs” conundrum

A columnist agrees that DoD’s budget creates jobs, but argues that so does lots of other federal spending.

NASA’s high hopes for the commercial space game

By Philip Ewing on Monday, October 31st, 2011

NASA’s high hopes for the commercial space game

Boeing announced Monday it’s moving into NASA’s old space shuttle digs to work on its new spacecraft.

NATO’s Libya intervention ends Monday

By Philip Ewing on Monday, October 31st, 2011

NATO’s Libya intervention ends Monday

With a dictator dead and his former subjects “safe” — for now — the air war comes to a close.

Weekend wrap: Expeditionary links

By Philip Ewing on Friday, October 28th, 2011

Weekend wrap: Expeditionary links

The week that was. The links that were.

Nuclear submarines for Canada?

By Philip Ewing on Friday, October 28th, 2011

Nuclear submarines for Canada?

Canadian leaders are considering the possibility of fielding SSNs, but there’s a long way to go before a nuclear boat flies a maple leaf ensign.

Report: It wasn’t ‘hollow growth’ after all

By Philip Ewing on Friday, October 28th, 2011

Report: It wasn’t ‘hollow growth’ after all

A study says forget what you’ve heard: The services did a great job modernizing their forces in the decade following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Lockheed’s tug of war with DoD

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Lockheed’s tug of war with DoD

Even though it can be a rocky relationship, the Pentagon and its largest contractor are tied together inextricably.

Report: India picks Boeing’s Apache for attack helo

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Gen invokes infamous defeats in warning to HASC

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Gen invokes infamous defeats in warning to HASC

The Army’s vice chief said that if DoD budget reductions aren’t handled right, it could “cost soldiers’ lives,” as early in past wars.

New Army optimism on GCV

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, October 27th, 2011

New Army optimism on GCV

The Army is walking back from earlier cost estimates, but acknowledges ‘a lot of unknowns.’

LCS 3 builder’s trials

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Snapshot of a defense giant

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Snapshot of a defense giant

General Dynamics announced “solid operating performance” for the third quarter, detailing the breadth of its business.

Report: Iraq War could end up costing more than WWII

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Report: Iraq War could end up costing more than WWII

A study concludes that when all the costs are tallied up, even accounting for inflation, Iraq could prove more expensive than all of World War II.

New details, questions on U.S. role in Uganda

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

New details, questions on U.S. role in Uganda

Two officials told lawmakers that U.S. troops will have a limited support assignment in central Africa, but House members were skeptical.

Analysts: Scattershot ‘industrial strategy’ better than none

By Philip Ewing on Monday, October 24th, 2011

Analysts: Scattershot ‘industrial strategy’ better than none

The nature of DoD and the defense game means strategy and planning may not always be consistent, analysts said, but it’s still important.

SecDef: We’ll stay committed to the Pacific

By Philip Ewing on Monday, October 24th, 2011

SecDef: We’ll stay committed to the Pacific

Secretary Panetta reassures Asian allies that as DoD’s budgets shrink, its commitment to the Pacific will not.

The Navy’s SSGN crossroads

By Philip Ewing on Monday, October 24th, 2011

The Navy’s SSGN crossroads

Now that the brass has gotten used to having dedicated guided-missile submarines, will it plan to replace them?

Weekend wrap: Expeditionary links

By Philip Ewing on Friday, October 21st, 2011

Weekend wrap: Expeditionary links

The week that was. The links that were.

Donley: Don’t hollow out the force

By John Reed on Friday, October 21st, 2011

Donley: Don’t hollow out the force

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley yesterday went on the offensive to protect his service from future budget cuts, saying that they would create a less potent and hollowed out Air Force.

A joint Navy-Air Force ballistic missile?

By Philip Ewing on Friday, October 21st, 2011

A joint Navy-Air Force ballistic missile?

An admiral suggests the services collaborate on new weapons to preserve U.S. deterrence through the 21st century.