Ashley Roque covers land warfare for Breaking Defense. Over the past two decades, she’s reported on defense, US politics, and foreign policy for publications inside and outside of the United States including Janes, Roll Call, Inside Defense and Shephard Media. Ashley holds a BA in English with a minor in journalism from Florida State University, and a master's degree in conflict transformation from the University of Basel.
“We don’t have a lot of cash under the sofa cushions and if we don’t get a budget, and we don’t get a supplemental, we’re going to probably have to cancel some things,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said today.
“We’re certainly aware that we could be doing more, but we’ve been saying from the beginning that we need to make sure that the Ukrainians have every tool available to them to maintain these systems,” Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said today.
Earlier this year, the service unveiled tentative plans to decide who would participate in a new cruise missile interceptor competition in FY25. Industry feedback over the coming weeks could alter that date and reshape the acquisition timetable.
Despite last week’s aviation upheaval, the Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) is slated to meet before the end of March to debate the path ahead for a formal program of record.
Austin’s medical emergency comes at a time of a new leader for Ukraine’s military, the inability of Washington to fund new weapons and former president Donald Trump inviting Russia to invade NATO territory.
In addition to halting the FARA competition, service leaders want to end UH-60 V Blackhawk production, postpone moving the Improved Turbine Engine Program into production, and phase out legacy drones.
“Envision a swarm of these autonomous vessels going out to various island chains … not having to beach because we’re gonna have the UAVs come in, meet somewhere over the water, grab portions, and take that AOR’s portion … of ammo, food, blood,” said Rob Watts, the deputy director of the Army’s contested logistics cross-functional team.
“We’re actually getting [soldiers] involved in how we’re helping to design the force….My view is that we are going to see a lot of refinements from the field that will really help us figure out how we need to adjust,” said Army Chief Randy George.
“The [user assessment’s] purpose is to measure system performance to ensure the phase 2 IVAS 1.2 prototype systems continue to meet design objectives,” said Program Executive Office Soldier spokesperson David Patterson.
“What was different about this attack is where it landed: It did impact… where living quarters are,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, a day after three soldiers were killed in an attack.
In a bid to win a spot on the IFPC Inc 2 program as the second interceptor, Israel’s Rafael will throw its hat into the ring with Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor, while Boeing and Lockheed say they may have contenders too.
Latvia is heading up a new drone coalition while Poland will helm another focusing on armor, according to US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander.
