Gates fires general, withholds funds over F-35 problems: "Defense Secretary Robert Gates sacked Monday the general in charge of the F-35 fighter jet program and said he would withhold funds from Lockheed Martin over a series of cost overruns and delays.
'The progress and performance of the F-35 over the past two years has not been what it should,' said Gates, adding, 'a number of key goals and benchmarks were not met.'
The Pentagon will withhold 614 million dollars in performance fees from lead contractor Lockheed Martin, he said.
Gates said he took the decision because 'the taxpayer should not have to bear the entire burden of getting the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) program back on track.'"
Monday, February 1, 2010
Obama budget tries to ease strain on stretched US military
Obama budget tries to ease strain on stretched US military: "President Barack Obama's defense budget invests heavily in medical care and morale-boosting programs for US soldiers and their families amid the mounting strain of more than eight years of war.
The 2011 budget unveiled on Monday and a Pentagon strategy review put a spotlight on the emotional and financial burden placed on the all-volunteer force since the attacks of September 11, 2001."
The 2011 budget unveiled on Monday and a Pentagon strategy review put a spotlight on the emotional and financial burden placed on the all-volunteer force since the attacks of September 11, 2001."
Defense.gov News Article: NATO Commander Sees Pivotal 2010 for Afghanistan
Defense.gov News Article: NATO Commander Sees Pivotal 2010 for Afghanistan: "Just returned from an international conference on Afghanistan, NATO’s top military commander expressed confidence that the critical pieces are being put into place to make 2010 a turning point for Afghanistan’s future.
Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, who participated in the Jan. 28 International Conference on Afghanistan in London as part of the NATO delegation, said he’s seeing the international community coming together in an unprecedented way to ensure the new strategy succeeds.
“For the first time, there is universal international focus on taking Afghanistan to the next step,” he said, noting representation by 60 nations and 19 other international organizations at the conference and additional commitments of troops, trainers and political, economic and development aid."
Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, who participated in the Jan. 28 International Conference on Afghanistan in London as part of the NATO delegation, said he’s seeing the international community coming together in an unprecedented way to ensure the new strategy succeeds.
“For the first time, there is universal international focus on taking Afghanistan to the next step,” he said, noting representation by 60 nations and 19 other international organizations at the conference and additional commitments of troops, trainers and political, economic and development aid."
Defense review urges 'more and better' capabilities (1/31/10) -- GovExec.com
Defense review urges 'more and better' capabilities (1/31/10) -- GovExec.com: "The Pentagon's much-anticipated Quadrennial Defense Review calls for heavier investments in helicopters, long-range strike aircraft and a slew of new technologies, including unmanned air, underwater and other vehicles, according to a copy of the report obtained by CongressDaily.
The 105-page blueprint of the capabilities and requirements for the U.S. military going forward, which the Pentagon plans to release Monday, demands 'more and better key enabling capabilities' to help U.S. forces in their current missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and provide a hedge against potential future adversaries."
The 105-page blueprint of the capabilities and requirements for the U.S. military going forward, which the Pentagon plans to release Monday, demands 'more and better key enabling capabilities' to help U.S. forces in their current missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and provide a hedge against potential future adversaries."
Pentagon review calls for 'more sophisticated' relationship with industry - TheHill.com
Pentagon review calls for 'more sophisticated' relationship with industry - TheHill.com: "The Pentagon’s sweeping review of military strategy and capabilities offers a sobering assessment of the U.S. industrial base and acknowledges the Defense Department’s decades-long “hands-off” attitude towards defense contractors.
While Pentagon officials are calling for the revitalization of the defense industry in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), they also warn that the Department of Defense will not “underwrite sunset industries and prop up poor business models.”"
While Pentagon officials are calling for the revitalization of the defense industry in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), they also warn that the Department of Defense will not “underwrite sunset industries and prop up poor business models.”"
FT.com / US & Canada - US military responsibilities to expand
FT.com / US & Canada - US military responsibilities to expand: "The US will take on a broader range of military responsibilities, including defending space and cyberspace, in spite of growing pressure on budgets, a long-awaited administration report is set to conclude on Monday.
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, is due to unveil the Obama administration’s Quadrennial Defense Review, which shifts emphasis from the post-cold war doctrine that the US is able to fight two “major regional conflicts” at one time."
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, is due to unveil the Obama administration’s Quadrennial Defense Review, which shifts emphasis from the post-cold war doctrine that the US is able to fight two “major regional conflicts” at one time."
FT.com / US & Canada - US military responsibilities to expand
FT.com / US & Canada - US military responsibilities to expand: "The US will take on a broader range of military responsibilities, including defending space and cyberspace, in spite of growing pressure on budgets, a long-awaited administration report is set to conclude on Monday.
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, is due to unveil the Obama administration’s Quadrennial Defense Review, which shifts emphasis from the post-cold war doctrine that the US is able to fight two “major regional conflicts” at one time."
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, is due to unveil the Obama administration’s Quadrennial Defense Review, which shifts emphasis from the post-cold war doctrine that the US is able to fight two “major regional conflicts” at one time."
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