NASA needs a win — another robot is on its way to Mars

NASA needs a win — another robot is on its way to Mars

On Saturday, United Launch Alliance successfully launched an Atlas V rocket carrying the next robot destined for the surface of Mars: Insight. As the only planet (we’re aware of) that is entirely populated by robots, Mars has already seen an array of different machines specially designed to shed light the red planet’s mysteries, but none […]

Summarizing the News: What’s the deal with the F-35 lately?

Summarizing the News: What’s the deal with the F-35 lately?

In today’s media climate, even the most ardent follower of the news could be forgiven for falling behind on the complex issues of the day. Between work, family, friends, and the other obligations that make up everyday life, it’s a miracle anyone has time to devote some thought and concern to the plight of civilians […]

No need for a space force? Air Force Chief of staff makes case to keep space operations

No need for a space force? Air Force Chief of staff makes case to keep space operations

Recently, President Trump renewed the call for the establishment of a new branch of the U.S. military dedicated specifically to space defense. This “space force” already passed a vote in Congress as a part of their fiscal year 2018 defense budget, but was removed when that measure was reconciled with the Senate’s own budget legislation. […]

Navy plans to extend destroyer lifespans to hit 355 ships by 2036

Navy plans to extend destroyer lifespans to hit 355 ships by 2036

When President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act in December, he did more than secure a funding increase for the American Defense Department, he made the establishment of a 355 vessel U.S. Navy a part of formal national policy. That provision, however, came with a significant caveat: no one seems to know how […]

The Navy can’t afford a 355 ship fleet, but lawmakers are warning them not say to say so

The Navy can’t afford a 355 ship fleet, but lawmakers are warning them not say to say so

When President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Bill back in December, he not only put the largest defense budget in history into action, he also made the building of a “355 ship Navy” part of the formal national policy. That provision, championed by Senate Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Roger Wicker and Rep. Rob Wittman, mandated […]

Two more Marine Corps aircraft crashed on Tuesday, four presumed dead

Two more Marine Corps aircraft crashed on Tuesday, four presumed dead

Four U.S. Marines are presumed dead following yet another tragic incident involving Marine Corps aircraft on Tuesday. That crash was one of two incidents involving Marine Corps aircraft going down within just hours of each other. The Marines were traveling over Southern California near the Mexican border when their CH-53 Super Stallion was lost on […]

Marine Corps Commandant considers extending time between deployments, says transgender troops remain ‘until we hear otherwise’

Marine Corps Commandant considers extending time between deployments, says transgender troops remain ‘until we hear otherwise’

Marine Corps Commandant General Robert B. Neller addressed a number of issues facing the Corps during an Atlantic Council “Commanders Series” in Washington D.C. on Thursday. Among them were modernizing and maintaining the force, potential changes to Marines operational tempo, and the future of transgender service members within the branch. Neller cited Marine Corps aviation […]

Deputy Secretary of Defense’s new strategy for defense tech: ‘Rip off and deploy’

Deputy Secretary of Defense’s new strategy for defense tech: ‘Rip off and deploy’

Patrick M. Shanahan, Deputy Director of Defense under James Mattis, discussed the ways the United States aims to regain its competitive edge in an era of rapidly developing near peer opponents like China by emphasizing smart spending and evolving the force for future conflicts. Though the deputy secretary offered a bit of marketing spin to […]

Trump Wants the Military to Foot the Bill for the Border Wall

Trump Wants the Military to Foot the Bill for the Border Wall

The much-ballyhooed border wall that President Trump touted during his presidential campaign was again in the news on Tuesday. The President, in speaking with some of his closest advisers, floated the idea of funding the construction of a wall on the Mexican border through the military’s budget according to sources. Trump discussed the idea in […]