Features
Tactical Turbulence
Rebid on major tanker contract and shake-up of top leadership set back Air Force agenda.
News
House panel weighs fallback plan for Defense authorization bill
Attaching essential provisions to anticipated stopgap spending measure is one possible strategy.
Defense
Nomination for top Air Force civilian post stalls
Senator intends to put a hold on the nomination because she is concerned Defense officials have failed to recognize the "gravity" of mistakes in their efforts to acquire aerial refueling tankers.
Defense
Navy details shift in plan for destroyers
Service should focus on destroyers that can guard against ballistic missiles and stealthy submarines operating far out at sea, officials say.
News
Subcommittee decides not to buy more Navy DDG-51 destroyers
Panel decided to boost other shipbuilding projects during its markup of the $487.7 billion fiscal 2009 Defense spending bill.
Defense
Lawmaker aims to take up defense authorization in September
Armed Services Committee leader wants to gain support in the next week for a unanimous consent agreement limiting debate on the bill.
Defense
Navy to cancel new destroyer program and buy older model
DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers production line has been dormant for years.
Defense
Air Force nominees say they will try to regain public's trust
Some lawmakers are skeptical about whether the leadership change can solve systemic problems at the service.
Defense
Navy's fighter jet shortage may be worse than expected
To minimize the size of the shortfall, the service hopes to get 10,000 flight hours out of each of its Hornets.
Defense
Defense official says tanker deal may fall behind schedule
The goal is still to make an award by the end of the year, but protests or proposals to use a different aircraft could cause delays.
Defense
Gates reopens competition for aerial refueling tanker contracts
Defense secretary says scope will be limited in hopes of making a new award by the end of the year.
Defense
GAO: Boeing had 'substantial' shot at tanker deal but for Air Force errors
GAO has recommended that the Air Force reopen competition on the program.
Defense
Committee approves $72.7B military construction spending bill
Bill includes $47.7 billion in discretionary spending for Veterans Affairs Department, nearly $3 billion more than the president's request.
Defense
Boeing's allies threaten legislative action if Air Force rejects GAO's tanker findings
Service has 60 days to inform GAO of its future plans.
Oversight
Air Force officials fly under the radar in war over tankers
Service officials have been barred from releasing most details behind their decision.
News
Senate panel OKs only part of Pentagon's funds transfer request
Transfer would pay for civilian salaries, among other things, only in the event a supplemental funding bill is not approved by July 5.
Defense
Hill panels split over amount Defense can transfer to Army
House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee has agreed to allow the shift of only $7.3 billion of $9.7 billion requested.
Defense
Gates offers Bush new Air Force leadership team
Gen. Norton Schwartz, a 35-year veteran with a background in Air Force special operations, is Defense secretary's pick as chief of staff.
Defense
Lawmaker challenges Defense official's stance on new destroyer
Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., has taken his fight to put the DDG-1000 destroyer program on hold directly to the Pentagon's top acquisition official.
Defense