Preventing Asteroid Armageddon: It’s Deja Vu All Over Again
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The public experienced a moment of angst in 1997 when it looked like Asteroid XF11 might threaten the Earth in 2028. It didn’t. But that doesn’t mean the threat doesn’t exist or that we should do nothing about it. Asteroids and comets that come close to Earth are collectively known as Near Earth Objects (NEOs).… Keep reading →
The Pentagon’s ‘Lost Year;’ Time To Clear The Rubble
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David Berteau at the Center for Strategic and International Studies has penned a wise and pungent analysis of the fairly ridiculous defense budget unveiled today. He’s coined an excellent term to describe it — the Lost Year. Below you will find a somewhat shortened version of his piece, written with Ryan Crotty. Let’s hope Congress… Keep reading →
2014 Budget: Three Reasons Why Pentagon’s Request Is Irrelevant
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[updated 2:30 pm with Hagel, Hale, & Ramsey briefings; Republican responses; and Sharp analysis] PENTAGON: “NOTE: These program descriptions and dollar values do not reflect potential sequester impacts.” That disclaimer — in boldface italic type and a different color of ink, just to make sure you can’t possibly miss it — blazes across the top… Keep reading →
Space Command Juggles Budget In Face Of North Korean Threat, Sequestration
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COLORADO SPRINGS, NATIONAL SPACE SYMPOSIUM: Spend $5 million to help track possible threats like North Korean missile launches by leaving an Alaskan radar site on at full power. Turn off East Coast radar receivers that provide data about satellites and space debris. Gen. William Shelton, head of Air Force Space Command, has cut Space Fence… Keep reading →
Save Our Subs: Prioritizing The Attack Submarine
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by Rep. Randy Forbes and Rep. Joe Courtney For a host of security and economic reasons, American foreign and defense policy will increasingly focus on the Asia-Pacific region in the decades ahead. With over 60% of all U.S. exports going to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries and 40% of total global trade emanating from Asia-Pacific,… Keep reading →
Navy Will Send Prototype Laser Weapon To Persian Gulf: Adm. Greenert
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NATIONAL HARBOR: The Navy will send a prototype laser weapon to the troubled Persian Gulf for a roughly year-long test deployment starting “less than a year from now,” the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, announced today at the Navy League’s annual Sea-Air-Space conference. The bad news is this isn’t some superweapon out of… Keep reading →
Top House Intel Lawmaker Warned China’s Cyber Chief On Thefts; House Cyber Bill Marked Up Tomorrow
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COLORADO SPRINGS, NATIONAL SPACE SYMPOSIUM: Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, ranking member of the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee, met recently with China’s equivalent of the NSA director. The head of the PLA’s General Staff Department’s Third Department told the congressman — in whose district the NSA’s headquarters sit — he wanted to cooperate with the United… Keep reading →
Big Boeing Targets Small Satellite Market; Not ORS, But Much Faster Than Usual
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COLORADO SPRINGS, NATIONAL SPACE SYMPOSIUM: The Boeing Company, better known for building big satellites in clean rooms and charging big prices for them, has spotted what it thinks may be a sweet spot in the satellite market and plans to build prototypes of three small satellites to show the market what it can do. The… Keep reading →
North Korea Has Blocked Kaesong Port
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Seoul on alert. Pyongyang declares “state of war” w South, “has blocked access to Kaesong and threatened a nuclear attack on America: FT sez @colinclarkaol
Gen. Amos, Adm. Greenert: F-35 Essential But Procurement ‘Constipated’
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NATIONAL HARBOR: The top officers in the Navy and Marine Corps defended their most expensive program, Lockheed Martin‘s troubled F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, while acknowledging the way the Pentagon buys such weapons is not merely broken but “constipated.” “There’s no alternative for the United States Marine Corps to the F-35B,” Commandant Gen. James Amos said… Keep reading →