After slight delay, Army approves XM30 Milestone B
The decision comes after critical design reviews of both the American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems plans.
Milestone B delay for Bradley replacement competition will not impact fielding, Army says
“The [new] Milestone B date will allow the two competing contractors to complete a more comprehensive critical design reviews prior to the milestone decision,” an Army spokesperson said. “The program continues to meet key events to deliver on schedule.”
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Milestone B: Army’s FLRAA tiltrotor graduates to engineering and manufacturing development phase
Prime contractor Bell is now tasked with providing six aircraft prototypes, with first flight set for 2026.
Bad Idea: Accountability in Defense Acquisition
We’re partnering with the Center for Strategic and International Studies to bring you their fab Bad Ideas series through the Christmas holiday season. They produced three today. I’m betting Sen. John McCain will most enjoy the first of the three, this one by Andrew Hunter, on why it’s so damn complex and often difficult to know just […]
Kill Army Helo Upgrades & Build Super Chopper: Bell V-280 Exec
AMARILLO, TEX.: Bell Helicopter is so confident in their new V-280 tilt-rotor prototype that they want the Pentagon to accelerate the Future Vertical Lift program – which they think the V-280 will win – by “five to eight years.” [Click here for our head-to-head comparison of the V-280 and its rival, the Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1] That […]
Columbia Costs: Is It $100B OR $128B? Well, Yes. Read Kendall’s ADM Memo.
WASHINGTON: Replacing aging Ohio-class nuclear missile submarines could cost so much it busts the Navy budget. But how much? That gets complicated. The media’s been saying $128 billion. The Navy would prefer we say $100 billion. Both figures are right. The difference is inflation. Last Wednesday, when Pentagon procurement chief Frank Kendall gave the go-ahead […]
Michigan: Arsenal of Democracy for dangerous times
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
Kendall Says Full Speed Ahead On Navy Nuke Missile Subs: $128B Columbia Class
WASHINGTON: Pentagon procurement chief Frank Kendall just approved the Navy’s top-priority program, the Columbia-class nuclear missile submarine, to start detailed design work and engineering. Known in Pentagonese as a Milestone B decision, undersecretary Kendall’s okay lets the Navy spend the $773 million Congress voted for the program in last month’s Continuing Resolution. [CORRECTED:] The projected procurement […]
Cut Red Tape: HASC Chair Thornberry Rolls Out 1st Major Acquisition Changes
UPDATED: Here Is Bill That Thornberry Introduced On March 25 CAPITOL HILL: After over a year of preparation, House Armed Services chairman Mac Thornberry will announce Monday a plan to fix Pentagon procurement. In intentional contrast to past efforts at sweeping acquisition reforms, Monday’s child will be a relatively modest “increment one,” a committee aide […]