Business

Pentagon Ranks Top 30 DOD Suppliers

The Defense Department’s acquisition chief released a ranking of the top 30 supplier units within the contracting industry to help spark competition. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Pure Home-State Politics Behind Russian Helicopter Opposition

Pressure is building to halt a Pentagon deal with a Russian state arms dealer to supply aircraft for the Afghan Air Force. By Billy House

Business

The Pentagon Can't Buy All Its F-35s for $390.4 Billion

The latest downbeat watchdog report finds software woes likely to delay F-35 further. By Charles S. Clark

Ideas

Why Aircraft Carrier Workers Deserve a Better Plan from the Pentagon

Predictable and stable work is what the aircraft carrier industrial base needs. By Rick Giannini and Darrell Grow

Business

Hagel Orders 'Troubling Gaps' Closed in DOD Background Checks, May Cut Clearances

Navy Yard shooting reviews prompt tougher ‘continuous evaluation’ of secret clearances. By Ben Watson and Kevin Baron

Science & Tech

Boeing Is Making a Spy Phone That Self Destructs

Calling James Bond. Boeing is making a spy phone called 'Black" that will self destruct if someone tries to hack into it. By Nick Stockton

Science & Tech

75 Percent of DOD Contractors Upped IT Security After Snowden

A survey finds firms restricting access and increasing education after the Snowden leaks. By Aliya Sternstein

Business

Pentagon: F-35 Software Remains Seriously Flawed

The $397 billion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program suffers from such severe software problems that it could not conduct operational missions today. By Bob Brewin

Threats

WANTED: A Company Willing to Help Destroy Syria’s Chemical Weapons

Stuck with a stockpile and no place to put it, the organization in charge of destroying Syria’s chemical weapons is asking the private sector to help out. By Marina Koren

Business

Pentagon Wants Contractors to Protect Industry Secrets From Hackers

Newly finalized regulations would force contractors to take measures to secure unclassified networks while also notifying authorities of any breaches. By Aliya Sternstein

Policy

Now Contractors Furloughed During the Shutdown Could Receive Back Pay

Proposed legislation would allow low-wage contract workers to receive wages for the 16 days the federal government was shuttered. By Eric Katz

Business

Pentagon's Kendall: Budget Climate 'Worst I’ve Seen' for Planning

The DOD's top weapons buyer says that uncertainty is threatening the workforce 'and their ability to do their jobs.' By Charles S. Clark

Business

Budget Cuts Put Acquisition Reform Back in the Spotlight

While the Defense Department grapples with budget cuts and sequestration, the House Armed Services Committee sets its sights once again on acquisition reform. By Charles S. Clark

Business

DOD Awarded $6 Billion in Shutdown Contracts

While the government was closed the Pentagon bought radios for Saudi Arabia, Aegis missile parts and more. By Bob Brewin

Business

Got a Security Clearance? Now the Feds Want to Spy on You, Too

Are you cleared? The Snowden case has sparked a new debate over how much the government should spy on its own workers with security clearance. By Aliya Sternstein

Business

Shutdown Could Crimp Pentagon Training and Confuse Contractors

Lack of funding will disrupt operations and impact the national security supply chain, a new report says. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Defense Industry Warns of Furloughs If Shutdown Continues

The Aerospace Industries Association is warning Congress to end the shutdown or face private-sector furloughs across the defense industry. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Bid Protests Won't Get Processed During Shutdown

The Government Accountability Office says it won't be able to process bid protests filed by defense contractors while the government is shut down. By Bob Brewin

Business

Watchdog Finds 719 Problems with the Pentagon’s F-35 Program

In a review of the F-35 program, the Pentagon’s Inspector General says the military lost control of contractors and quality management. By Mark Micheli

Business

The Questionable Security System That Gave Felons Access to Navy Installations

For years, many contractors have simply paid a fee and typed some ID data into an ATM-like machine to gain access to military bases. After the Navy Yard shooting, that could change. By Rebecca LaFlure and R. Jeffrey Smith