Author Archives: Fred Wellman

U.S. Military Embraces Robots with Greater Autonomy

David Alexander, Reuters. In what is likely the next phase of robotic vehicles, the military and industry are experimenting heavily with autonomous vehicles of varying sizes to allow delivery supplies without human guidance. While true autonomy is likely far off, it is increasingly likely that systems such as convoy vehicles, or the currently being tested Squad Mobile Support System, will see service in coming years. These systems mean there are fewer soldiers and Marines on the road and at risk, while increasing logistics capacity.

With NGEN, Navy Prepares for Move to the Future

Amber Corrin, Federal Computer Week. There are certain contracts that are…

Helicopter Industry Adjusts to New Reality

Bob Cox, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. The American Helicopter Society held their annual meeting in Ft. Worth last week and it seems the key word on everyone’s lips was ‘affordability’ in every pitch. The industry faces a remarkably flat cycle of buying from its U.S. Army and Marine customers with little change seen on the horizon. Just like every aspect of the defense industry, the helicopter market will be flat for the coming years even as new aircraft are needed and old airframes are kept in service far longer than previously anticipated.

DigitalGlobe Rejects $792 Million Buyout Offer from Herndon-based GeoEye

Steve Overly, Capital Business,…

Women Increasingly Fill Prominent Defense Industry Positions

Marjorie Censer, Washington Post Capital Business. @CommonCenser looks at the rise to prominence of female executives at some of the defense industries’ biggest corporations. This week General Dynamics promoted Phebe Novakovic to become president and chief operating officer just on the heels of Lockheed Martin naming Marilyn Hewson as their new president and chief operating officer as well. They join BAE Systems, Inc. president and CEO Linda Hudson as part of a surge of female leaders in what has been a traditionally male dominated business sector.

C-27J End Not Official, Yet USAF Moves Forward

Marcus Weisgerber, Defense News. Even though Congress has not yet…

Lockheed Machinists Vote Overwhelmingly to Strike

Bob Cox, Star-Telegram. Machinists at Lockheed Martin’s Texas manufacturing facility voted to reject the company’s final contract offer on Sunday, leading to a likely shut down of the production line for F-35 and F-16 fighters and yet another setback for the troubled program. At issue were proposals surrounding pensions for future employees and a reduction in health care plans and higher costs for employees. The Machinists Local 776 represents some 3,600 workers at the Ft. Worth facility, and Lockheed already warned government contracting officers of the possible work disruption last week.

SAS12: The Navy’s Happy Warrior Strikes Back

Phillip Ewing, DoD Buzz. Going into last…

Bidding Reopens Next Week on Controversial Afghan Aircraft Contract

Agence France-Presse. The Air Force announced it will try again to reopen the contract competition for the Afghan Air Force light attack aircraft, after canceling the award of the contract to Brazil’s Embraer and Sierra Nevada two months ago amid allocations of mishandling of the competition. The new contract will not see award until early 2013 most likely, and comes as rumors of an impending bankruptcy by competitor Hawker-Beechcraft swirl. Overall the new plan means a delay of just over 15 months from the original plan to give the Afghans their own ground support aircraft.

U.S. Navy’s LCS Yet to Fullfill…