A Pentagon audit revealed Boeing overcharged the Air Force by over $1 million for simple spare parts on C-17 aircraft over a four-year period, with some items marked up by 8,000%. The audit also found that the Air Force failed to properly validate pricing and negotiate fair deals with Boeing, potentially impacting C-17 readiness worldwide. This comes amid a strike by Boeing workers and issues with the Starliner mission.
KBR has secured a five-year, $113 million contract to conduct aeronautical systems research for the Air Force. The contract will see KBR deliver a range of services, including program management, engineering, logistics, security, and testing, supporting critical projects like the Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS). This win follows other recent contract wins, including a $230 million recompete award and an international order for technical design services in Australia.
Telos Corporation has been awarded a $12.5 billion contract to modernize and maintain network infrastructure for the Department of the Air Force. This multi-year project, spanning over a decade, will involve work at all Air Force locations, including Guard and Reserve bases. The contract win has significantly boosted TLS share prices, indicating investor confidence in the company’s future prospects.
Former US Air Force Secretary Whitten Peters warns that China’s rapidly modernizing military, particularly its advanced sixth-generation aircraft, poses a significant threat to US air dominance. Budget constraints and congressional inaction risk delaying crucial programs like the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, leaving the US struggling to keep pace with China’s technological advancements. The consequences of falling behind in this technology race could be dire, potentially handing China a decisive military advantage within a decade.
Deep Analytics LLC has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by AFWERX to develop enhanced object detection technologies. This initiative focuses on objects illuminated by intense artificial lights in dark environments. This project aims to tackle a critical issue faced by the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Deep Analytics LLC will begin its project on May 13th, 2024, and aims to deliver innovative solutions that bolster the national defense capabilities of the United States.
An Air Force instructor pilot has tragically lost their life following an ejection seat malfunction while the jet was still grounded at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. The pilot, who was operating a T-6A Texan II aircraft, sustained injuries from the ejection and was transported to a hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries. The incident highlights the complexities and potential risks associated with ejection seat systems and has raised concerns within the Air Force. Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.
U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall took a groundbreaking flight in an AI-controlled F-16, demonstrating the growing role of artificial intelligence in air combat. The flight was part of the Air Force’s efforts to maintain technological superiority over China and incorporates unmanned combat AI planes into its fleet. As AI advances, it may eventually assume the ability to make autonomous firing decisions.
A watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against the Air Force for allegedly withholding records related to efforts to implement racial diversity quotas in officer recruitment. The Center to Advance Security in America (CASA) claims that the Air Force has failed to produce any responsive communications despite a FOIA request. CASA argues that the Air Force’s inability to find any records is “impossible” and that the memo ordering the development of a diversity and inclusion outreach plan “undoubtedly” triggered internal discussions. The lawsuit raises concerns about the prioritization of race over merit in military recruitment and the potential impact on military preparedness.
In the past 12 months, Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force has intercepted suspected airspace violations by Russian and Chinese military aircraft nearly 700 times, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry. This figure represents a decrease of 109 incidents from the previous year, but remains significantly higher than a decade ago. The majority of scrambles occurred in southwestern Japan, coinciding with increased Chinese activity in the Western Pacific. The incidents underscore the ongoing tensions in the region and Japan’s commitment to defending its airspace.
