Author Archive

State governors exert defense muscle

By Michael Hoffman on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

State governors exert defense muscle

The Council of Governors has exerted control over the budget debate between the Pentagon and the Air National Guard.

Air Force contracting success: A sliding scale

By Michael Hoffman on Friday, April 20th, 2012

Air Force contracting success: A sliding scale

An Air Force report found the service is receiving fewer, not more, protests now than it did in the 90s.

SAS12: Multi-year contract could yield 10th destroyer

By Michael Hoffman on Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

SAS12: Multi-year contract could yield 10th destroyer

The Navy’s top buyer says the service must find cost savings in vessels such as multi-year contracts to deliver more ships.

SAS12: Marines plans rigorous cargo UAS tests

By Michael Hoffman on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

SAS12: Marines plans rigorous cargo UAS tests

The K-MAX cargo unmanned helo has performed well in Afghanistan, but the Marines plan on further testing.

SAS12: Navy systems commands tighten the reins

By Michael Hoffman on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

SAS12: Navy systems commands tighten the reins

Navy leaders warn defense industry that systems commands will place tighter controls on Navy contracts.

SAS12: If the Navy had one more dollar to spend?

By Michael Hoffman on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

SAS12: If the Navy had one more dollar to spend?

If Congress handed out additional funding, the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ Systems Command leaders say what they would spend it on.

SAS12: SecNav touts ‘green fleet,’ shipbuilding

By Michael Hoffman on Monday, April 16th, 2012

SAS12: SecNav touts ‘green fleet,’ shipbuilding

Navy Secretary Mabus comes to the defense of renewable energy and shipbuilding in the face of fierce criticism.

SAS12: Navy’s ‘green fleet’ adds combat power

By Michael Hoffman on Monday, April 16th, 2012

SAS12: Navy’s ‘green fleet’ adds combat power

The Navy’s energy guru pushes back against critics who say the service’s green programs hurt seapower.

Army content to sit on cargo UAS sidelines

By Michael Hoffman on Monday, April 9th, 2012

Army content to sit on cargo UAS sidelines

Lockheed’s K-MAX unmanned cargo helicopters continue to impress while hauling Marine Corps gear around Afghanistan.

Officials worry Army’s NIE is too expensive

By Michael Hoffman on Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Officials worry Army’s NIE is too expensive

Questions have arisen about the Network Integration Evaluation’s $260 million annual price tag.

The Army’s future aviation balancing act

By Michael Hoffman on Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

The Army’s future aviation balancing act

Aviation is one of the service’s “healthy portfolios,” said the Army’s top uniformed weapons buyer — for now.

Helicopter fleet showing its age

By Michael Hoffman on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Helicopter fleet showing its age

Budget woes force Army leaders to keep upgrading rather than buying new helicopters for its fleet.

McCain threatens to stall OSD nominations

By Michael Hoffman on Friday, March 30th, 2012

McCain threatens to stall OSD nominations

Senator John McCain picks another fight with the Pentagon to get movement on MEADS and a Pacific force posture assessment.

GOP leader: Pentagon lied to us

By Michael Hoffman on Thursday, March 29th, 2012

GOP leader: Pentagon lied to us

Congressman Paul Ryan claims that the Pentagon is not offering its “true advice” in this year’s defense budget.

Race to build JLTV grows to 6

By Michael Hoffman on Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Race to build JLTV grows to 6

AM General announces it will offer an independent bid to build Humvee replacement.

Breakfast with the Pentagon

By Michael Hoffman on Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Breakfast with the Pentagon

Early morning breakfasts offer a view into two services, the Air Force and the Army, headed in different directions.

JLTV shakeup reinserts Ford into truck competition

By Michael Hoffman on Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

JLTV shakeup reinserts Ford into truck competition

BAE Systems and Navistar’s split opens opportunity for Ford to get back into the Humvee replacement competition.

Army to saber and saddle industry: Sorry

By Michael Hoffman on Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Army to saber and saddle industry: Sorry

The Army has to get choosy about what parts of the defense industrial base it can save. Saddle and sabre industry need not apply.

Ohio Guard accuses AF of fudging C-27J figures

By Michael Hoffman on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

Ohio Guard accuses AF of fudging C-27J figures

An Ohio Guardsman claims the Air Force deliberately inflated C-27J lifecycle costs to justify canceling the fleet.

DoD pushes back deadline for JLTV bids

By Michael Hoffman on Thursday, March 8th, 2012

DoD pushes back deadline for JLTV bids

Program officials will give competitors more time to submit their bids for the next phase of the Army and Marines’ vehicle competition.