:

Congress

TRANSCOM Head Defends Plan To Buy Foreign-Made Cargo Ships

By Marc Selinger

Tuesday, April 10th, 2018

SHARE:

TRANSCOM Head Defends Plan To Buy Foreign-Made Cargo Ships

Air Force Gen. and Transcom Commander Darren McDew. Photo: U.S. Air Force.

The leader of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) is defending the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2019 request to buy up to 24 foreign-built, used commercial ships for the military’s reserve fleet, saying they are the cheapest, fastest option to replace aging cargo vessels.Asked by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee why the ships would not be built in the United States, Air Force Gen. Darren McDew, TRANSCOM’s commander, testified April 10 that 20-year-old, foreign-made ships are available for purchase at the…

Army

Hegseth Says DoD Open To Reviewing Army’s Planned Cuts To Legacy Helicopter Procurement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers the Pentagon is open to reviewing the Army’s planned procurement cuts to its legacy manned aviation fleet. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member […]

Congress

Appropriators Press For Details On Iran War Costs; DoD’s $29B Estimate Doesn’t Include Base Damage

The Pentagon estimates the U.S.’ ongoing conflict with Iran has now cost at least $29 billion, while a lead official noted the updated figure does not factor in damage to […]

Congress

Appropriators Offer Skepticism On $350B Defense Reconciliation Plan, ‘Big Risk’ For Key Initiatives

Senate and House Appropriators told Pentagon leadership on Tuesday they’re skeptical of the department’s plan to fund $350 billion of the fiscal year 2027 defense budget through the reconciliation process, […]

Congress

All Future Systems Should Have Autonomy Features, Reed Says

Last week, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) visited North Kingstown, R.I.-based Senesco, which is teaming with autonomous systems company Havoc to bid on the U.S. Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel program. […]