Here are the programs that made the biggest news over the past week:
Stryker double-V hull buy — As the specter of sequestration hangs over the effort, the Army moved ahead with a $163 million contract for Stryker double-V hull production to better protect troops from roadside bombs,
we reported. The contract would cover 93 Stryker vehicles and comes after the House Armed Services Committee’s markup added $50 million to the president’s budget request for a fourth double-V-hull brigade set, although it awaits passage by the full House. A Pentagon report last month warned that if sequestration takes effect, there will be no more double-V hull upgrades after fiscal 2016. Read more Stryker analysis >>>
LCS advocates fight back — Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin has begun the fight to restore funding for the Littoral Combat Ship after House authorizers cut the fiscal 2015 buy down to two ships after the Navy had already trimmed it to three, according to Gannett Wisconsin. As it turns out, the LCS may be competing in Congress with the F/A-18 and EA-18G, as it was Illinois lawmakers who attempted to freeze funding for LCSs and shift it to Boeing-made aircraft. Proponents of keeping LCSs argue that losing the ships would harm the industrial base and future naval capabilities. Read more LCS analysis >>>
F-35Bs for Australia? — The Australian government may be interested in buying the jump-jet of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35B, according to the West Australian. That would give the nation its first aircraft in three decades. Defence Minister David Johnston said the government was considering buying the F-35B, although he acknowledged the aircraft is more expensive and doesn’t have the range of the 72 conventional F-35As the nation committed to buying recently. Read more F-35 analysis >>>
Sixth GPS satellite launched — After some weather delays, the Air Force and launch provider United Launch Analysis sent the sixth Global Positioning System IIF satellite into orbit on Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, we reported. In all, the company will build 12 satellites, and the Air Force plans to launch the rest of the satellites in 2016. The GPS satellite has become an essential capability for both military and civilian users alike worldwide. Read more GPS analysis >>>