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Industrial Base
September 2023
JUST IN: Potential Government Shutdown 'Extremely Disruptive' for Supply Chain
By Allyson ParkWith the military currently providing aid to Ukraine while simultaneously preparing for a possible Indo-Pacific conflict, a government shutdown would be “extremely disruptive” for production lines, a top Pentagon official said Sept. 26. -
Defense Department
September 2023
VIEWPOINT: NDAA Continues Trend of Supply Chain Vigilance to Reduce Reliance on China
By Jessica Curyto and Ed ShapiroThe fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act includes several provisions that continue the trend of vigilance of defense-critical supply chains to reduce the Defense Department’s reliance on China, Russia and other so-called “countries of concern.” -
Air Force News
September 2023
AFA NEWS: 3D Printing Can Produce Deterrence, Officials Say
By Allyson ParkEfficient production and additive manufacturing capabilities are vital to the U.S. Air Force’s transition to a modernized force, senior defense officials said. -
Energy
August 2023
Congress Adds Energetics, Critical Chemical Provisions to Defense Bill
While the Defense Department continues to field new missiles, rockets and other munitions loaded with precision technologies, the chemicals that provide the thrust and explosive punch have remained the same for decades. Meanwhile, China has continued to experiment with more powerful energetic materials — chemicals used in explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics — which experts claim has led to China having munitions that can travel longer distances or destroy larger targets. That’s why the energetics community has been hammering Congress and the Defense Department for years to invest in research, development and production of advanced energetic materials. -
Munitions Technology
August 2023
Shifting Munitions Requirements for Great Power Competition
By Jennifer StewartThis fall, the congressional defense committees will be hard at work negotiating the final fiscal year 2024 funding, policies and authorities critical to support our warfighters and the defense industrial base. One important focus area is the resolution of the president’s request for multi-year procurement authorities and funding for specific munitions. -
Air Force News
July 2023
Air Force Research Lab Looking at Uncertainties with Electronics (UPDATED)
The war in Ukraine shows that the present and future of conflict will involve contested environments, requiring complex and resilient electronic devices and systems. The Air Force Research Laboratory wants to ensure these technologies can not only be produced, but trusted. -
Manufacturing
July 2023
WEB EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Can’t Dig Itself Out of Critical Minerals Hole, Experts Say
By Cambrie EckertChina controls the market for most processed rare earth minerals, which are critical in manufacturing and developing key military and commercial technologies and systems, but the United States will not be able to end reliance on China through domestic production, experts and former officials said. -
Manufacturing
July 2023
Additive Technology Revolutionizes Defense Manufacturing
From printing one-of-a-kind parts to enabling rapid, on-site repairs, additive manufacturing is disrupting the industrial base. Innovations in material and process have opened new possibilities, which are in turn fueling interest in the technology. -
Shipbuilding
June 2023
JUST IN: Coast Guard Cutter Program Isn't Cutting It, Watchdog Says (UPDATED)
By Cambrie EckertThe U.S. Coast Guard’s $12 billion program to acquire 25 new cutters is taking on risk by constructing ships before finalizing the design and some of the critical technologies on the new ship, according to a government watchdog report. -
Marine Corps News
June 2023
Despite Budget Cuts, Marine Corps Modernizing Ground Vehicles
With the U.S. pivot to the Indo-Pacific, the Marine Corps is prioritizing investment in maritime capabilities, rapidly reducing the resources for its tactical wheeled vehicles.
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