Defense Systems

Army, Marine Corps want more ground vehicle simulators

It’s a lot cheaper to blow up or damage a simulation than the real thing.

Business

Lockheed braces for new administration as Musk targets F-35

CFO: “Until we get that visibility, it's really hard to speculate on what we'll see.”

Science & Tech

Defense One Radio, Ep. 166: The Second Battle of Fallujah, 20 years later

A decorated Marine veteran and a videogame maker revisit the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War.

Threats

That F-35 that flew on after the pilot ejected? 'Pilot error' blamed

But investigators also noted multiple “aircraft electrical and display malfunctions” ahead of the crash.

Policy

Military services upping recruiting goals after rebound in 2024

Recruitment numbers are looking better after more recruiters are getting into communities.

Threats

F-35 tech problems, protracted negotiations hit Lockheed finances

Officials also seemed to back off its goal of finishing the TR-3 upgrade by next spring.

Threats

F-35s still missing readiness goals, despite rising spending

The F-35 Joint Program Office’s “war on readiness” has yielded only small improvements since it was launched last year.

Policy

Is the US military learning enough from Ukraine?

Relatively few analysts at the services’ doctrine organizations are working full-time to glean lessons from the war.

Science & Tech

Can AI predict if a Marine will quit? Corps wants to know

“Retention prediction network” could reveal signs that trainers and recruiters might otherwise miss.

Threats

Stay ready, leaders tell Pacific Marines

“There’s a fight coming,” Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said Thursday.

Business

Pentagon keeping $5M per jet until Lockheed finishes F-35 upgrade

Lockheed issues small upgrade to TR-3, but full capability remains some time away.

Business

F-35 performance-based logistics deal is dead—for now

Pentagon balks at moving away from fix-on-demand arrangement during global uncertainty.

Business

F-35’s price might rise, Lockheed warns

After years of declines, the jet’s cost is being pushed by upgrades, inflation, and a proposal to buy fewer of them.