ACQUISITION NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Air Force Advances Human-Machine Teaming With Autonomous Collaborative Platforms AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS Brianna Hodges The U.S. Air Force recently demonstrated a major leap in human-machine teaming, fying autonomous collaborative platforms, alongside crewed fghter aircraft during a train- ing event at Eglin Air Force Base. Pilots operating an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie aircraft in an air combat training sce- nario, showcasing real-time integration between manned and semi-autonomous systems. (Read more) Navy Secretary John Phelan told senators during a June 10 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill that “I went on the [ USS Gerald R. Ford ] carrier; they had eight ovens—this is a ship that serves 15,300 meals a day. Only two were working. Six were out [for repair].” He be- lieves that sailors should be able to repair the hardware they are trained to operate without having to wait for contractors to do the work. (Read more) Air Force Demonstrates Low-cost Maritime Defense Capability with QUICKSINK AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS In a demonstration of enhanced maritime lethality, the Air Force tested a new, more versatile variant of the QUICK- SINK maritime weapon. A 500-pound variant of the anti- ship weapon was delivered by a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber during a test at the Eglin Air Force Base Gulf Test Range. This innovative capability provides a rapid response to maritime threats across vast ocean expanses, signifcantly bolstering the U.S. Air Force’s counter-maritime deterrence and opera- tions. (Read more) Navy Secretary Advocates for Sailors’ ‘Right to Repair’ Equipment DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS C. Todd Lopez
DLA Modernizes Distribution Network for Contested Warfare DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is modernizing its distribution network to ensure that the military can sustain operations in increasingly complex and contested environ- ments. A new white paper, written by Army Maj. James Marley, DLA Distribution’s joint logistics contingency plan- ner for U.S. Central Command, recognizes that logistics no longer is a back-end function. Rather, it is a critical enabler of military success from lessons learned from the confict in Ukraine and growing strategic competition with China and Russia. (Read more)
- - U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of the 1st Armored Divi sion, speaks during the Warriors Corner presentation at the Rhein Main Congress Center in Wiesbaden, Germany, July 17, 2025. The event highlighted how Transformation in Contact 2.0 integrates lessons from Ukraine and leverages European partnerships to advance ar mored warfare capabilities. Source: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock - U.S. Army Leaders Discuss Vision for Future Armor Warfare at LANDEURO Conference ARMY NEWS SERVICE Army Lt. Col. Jessica Rovero In an era defned by pervasive surveillance, lethal drones, and rapidly evolving precision strike capabilities, U.S. Army leaders from the 1st Armored Division and 1st Armored Bri- gade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division laid out a path for transforming America’s armored forces. The leaders were gathered at the inaugural LANDEURO conference, held on July 17 at the Rhein-Main Congress Center in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Read more)
- An Airman assigned to the 393rd Bomber Generation Squadron pre pares GBU 38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions to be loaded onto a B 2 Spirit stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The loading operations were a component of the Air Force Research Laboratory QUICKSINK Joint Capability Technology Demonstration, a new low - - - - cost, air delivered capability for defeating maritime threats. Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings
52 | DEFENSE ACQUISITION ONLINE | September-October 2025
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