Defense

Navy delays Littoral Combat Ship contract award

Original Dec. 14 deadline has been extended to Dec. 30 to give Congress more time to consider plans to award 10 ships apiece to two contractors.

Defense

Marines set 90-day civilian hiring freeze

‘Pause’ aimed at meeting Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ order to trim overhead spending.

Defense

Volunteers give back to service members this holiday season

Many nonprofits offer alternative gift-giving ideas that support the troops.

Defense

Senate backers of ‘don’t ask’ repeal to pursue new tactic

Lieberman and Collins will introduce stand-alone legislation that would overturn the gay ban.

Defense

Senate Republicans block 9/11 health bill

Vote effectively kills the measure, though Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has vowed to “pursue every possible route” to passage before the Senate leaves next week.

Defense

Senate Dems lose vote on 'don't ask' repeal

Democrats fail to overcome a Republican filibuster of the 2011 defense authorization bill that included a provision repealing the 1993 law.

Defense

Northrop sees rising demand for Global Hawks

The company is working closely with Air Force officials on addressing the concerns of Pentagon and Air Force acquisition executives over the growing cost of the program.

Defense

Military is preparing to implement ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal

Vice chairman says waiting for a more convenient time is not realistic.

Defense

What critics call a ‘CRomnibus’ boosts security spending

Draft in the House includes funding for more whole-body imaging machines at airports, and for border security and immigration enforcement endeavors.

Defense

Senate will consider 'don't ask, don’t tell' tonight

A vote will be part of a defense measure this evening.

Defense

In general, agencies comply with employee background check requirement

Nearly 90 percent of employees with unsupervised access to federal facilities have been checked out.

Defense

General gives upbeat assessment of progress in Afghanistan

Gen. David Petraeus says U.S. and allied forces have arrested the Taliban's momentum in many parts of the country, and reversed it in important areas.

Defense

House funding measure leaves fate of F-35 alternate engine uncertain

Supporters argue competition will improve the product, but critics say producing two engines for the fighter jet is a prime example of waste.

Defense

Gates makes his own surprise visit to Afghanistan

Trip comes as the Obama administration is wrapping up a strategy review of the war.

Defense

Defense revises rule on contractor business systems

New proposal lowers the amount the government can withhold from contractors that don’t do enough to protect against waste, fraud and abuse.

Defense

Defense chief isn't optimistic about ‘don’t ask’ repeal this year

Senate plans to adjourn for the year by Dec. 17 and has a long to-do list before leaving town.

Defense

Report: Defense faces large and growing mental health problem

Data reflect the ‘increasing psychological toll’ of combat operations on the force.

Defense

Senate passes bill to manage military cemetery

Measure requires Army to report whether Arlington graves are properly marked and to develop plans to fix errors.

Defense

General not confident of 2014 pullout from Afghanistan

Gen. David Petraeus notes the war is a very complex endeavor and requires a comprehensive approach.

Defense

Marine Corps, Army chiefs oppose ending 'don't ask' this year

Leaders say ending the ban on openly gay troops now would distract forces from combat training and operations.