Satellite imagery shows Russia is now painting the silhouettes of Tu-95MS “Bear-H” strategic bombers in parking revetments at its master bomber base, Engels Air Base, also known as Engels-2. The base has come under repeated attack over the last year and as Ukraine's standoff weapons capabilities are rapidly evolving, so are its abilities to strike deep inside Russia using local sabotage and drone attack teams.
In a twist few saw coming, Congress has reached a last-minute agreement to keep the government open and avoid a shutdown that Defense Department leadership had warned would be devastating to national security. Under the agreement, the government will operate through a continuing resolution (CR) for the next 45 days—but with no funding for Ukraine attached. A CR, which funds the government at previous fiscal year levels, is usually viewed as a negative by the DOD, but will certainly be more welcome than a shutdown, even if it means uncertainty remains about what happens come mid-November.
The Air Force, Army, and the Defense Innovation Unit have completed agreements with three companies to work on geothermal projects to help mitigate energy-related risks to U.S. military missions. Eavor, Teverra, and Zanskar Geothermal and Minerals are the three companies that were selected to work on the geothermal projects at four installations across the United States to address potential Defense Department energy disruptions related to severe weather, cyberattacks or other events, according to a DIU announcement.
The National Security Agency will be establishing an Artificial Intelligence Security Center, its director announced Sept. 28. The center will reside within NSA’s Cybersecurity Collaboration Center, an unclassified facility outside NSA’s gates designed to bolster the security of the defense industrial base, and is designed to help maintain the U.S.’s global edge in AI and ensure malicious foreign actors can’t pilfer American AI capabilities.
The F-35 program has completed a long-delayed series of crucial tests, which could pave the way for a decision next year to officially move the advanced fighter jet into full-rate production. The Joint Simulation Environment tests, known as “runs for score,” were finished Sept. 21, as was the initial trial validation, F-35 Joint Program Office spokesman Russell Goemaere said in an email to Defense News on Sept. 29.
In Episode 148 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Tim Ryan chats with spacepower expert Dr. John ‘Patsy’ Klein; Col. El Gardner, director of space strategy, policy, and plans for the Space Force; and Henry Heren about what it means to successfully engage in an era of enduring competition in space.
The Space Development Agency awarded a $14.2 million contract to General Atomics to produce two optical communications terminals hosted on two small satellites for an in-space demonstration. The contract, announced Sept. 27, is for a demonstration of satellite-to-satellite laser communications under adverse conditions that can degrade the communication link.
The U.S. Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown Sept. 30, voting in the last hours of the day to pass a new spending bill. The bill will fund the government for another 45 days, and ensures that, among other things, military service members will be paid.
“A few blocks away from Baltimore Harbor where many a sailor have made port and ships have launched for centuries, I walk into a tan and green-shingled building lined inside and out with tattoo memorabilia. Snarling panthers, rickety ships, pin-up girls: slices of Americana-style ink hang over century-old tattoo guns as their modern successors whizz permanent art into the skin of ready and willing canvases. Plus there’s a little banter and fun, free of charge,” says Drew F. Lawrence.