Defense
General: Air National Guard needs new fighter jets
Air National Guard's requirements are especially urgent because planes are older and there is no plan to address their early "age-out," official says.
Defense
Effort to salvage helicopter program draws veto threat
White House "strongly objects" to any funding in the Defense authorization bill that would continue the troubled presidential helicopter program.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Employee charges Military Health Systems was unethical in awarding IT contract
Internal e-mails allege top officials provided a technology company with software code and documents for the military's massive electronic health record system and awarded it a contract without competition.
Defense
FEMA’s fuzzy chain of command impedes its mission, observers say
Witnesses testifying before House panel call on Congress to designate an administrator for recovery efforts.
Defense
Defense review sees no growth in budgets, troops
Top official says there is a "desire to keep something like a multiple engagement capability in the force."
Defense
Business group urges reform of Pentagon contract requirements process
Report suggests more dialogue on cost and technical feasibility.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Consortium sponsors competitions to develop cybersecurity workforce
Group aims to identify 10,000 highly skilled computer security high school and college students to fill the demand for cyber workers in federal agencies.
Defense
Conferees face multiyear fighter decision
Differing approaches to procuring Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets could become an issue during House-Senate negotiations on defense policy bill.
Defense
Forward Observer: Lessons Not Learned
Obama will face decisions in Afghanistan similar to those that confronted Nixon in Vietnam.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Independent commission plans second report on cybersecurity requirements
Recommendations will address privacy, civil liberties and engagement of international allies in implementing policy.
Defense
FEMA’s response to formaldehyde discovery impeded timely resolution, IG says
Agency delayed testing for health problems associated with trailers to craft a communications strategy.
Defense
Official forecasts special operations procurement needs
Defense review will examine gaps in equipment and technology for the Special Operations Command.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Security experts push to require federal information security guidelines
Inclusion of recommendations in NIST’s list of computer security controls seen as a positive first step.
Defense
Air Force outlines long-term plan for unmanned aircraft
Document creates an institutional framework for expanding the role of drones.
Defense
Obama wins vote on canceled engine
The action reverses years of strong support in the Senate for the second engine program.
Defense
Lawmaker drops support for more F-22s
House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa., says Senate's rejection of the measure and president's veto threat changed his mind.
Defense
Wartime contracting commission heads back to Iraq
Panel will investigate the Pentagon’s plans for $3 billion worth of in-theater government property.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Army tests weapons systems geared to the 20-something video gamer
The service salvages high-tech gizmos from its canceled $160 billion Future Combat Systems program to field systems to seven infantry teams by 2014.
Defense