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Iranian drone that appeared to threaten US forces shot down in Iraq
On September 28, US forces shot down an Iranian drone that officials said appeared poised to attack US troops in Iraq.

Iranian drone that appeared to threaten US forces shot down in Iraq

New Ukrainian aid will buy 18 HIMARS and weapons to “disrupt” drones
The Pentagon announced Sept. 28 that it will contract with industry for $1.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including 18 high-mobility artillery rocket systems and other weapons. to counter the drones that Russia is using against Ukrainian troops.

EU executive proposes eighth batch of sanctions against Russia
The European Union executive on September 28 proposed an eighth round of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, including tougher trade restrictions, more individual blacklists and an oil price cap for foreigners. third country.

Company

Giant Orca drone for Navy wavers over Boeing shortcomings, GAO says
Orca, the US Navy’s mine-laying drone, is at least three years behind schedule and 64% ahead of original cost estimates because the service failed to determine that aerospace giant Boeing had the skills needed to build the seagoing vessel, according to congressional auditors.

Lockheed and Verizon are testing a swarm of 5G-related drones for intelligence gathering
Lockheed Martin and Verizon are experimenting with 5G-enabled intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones and payloads in an effort that could ultimately improve US military command and control and targeting capabilities in the field.

For the OMFV competition, the American Rheinmetall wants to use Anduril’s software
As the military prepares to weigh industry proposals for its Optionally Crewed Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), American Rheinmetall is betting the software capabilities of a fledgling defense startup could propel its offering to victory.

Indonesia touts need for KF-21 fighter jet, but remains silent on payment delays
Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to developing a fighter jet with South Korea as questions over long-overdue payments for Jakarta’s share of the development remain unanswered.

Defense

Will the Marines be the only branch to reach 2022 recruit strength?
With high retention, the Marine Corps is expected to achieve a slightly adjusted target for 2022.

Fears of openly gay troops were greatly exaggerated (Pentagon report)
A decade after the services first allowed gay and lesbian troops to serve openly, a Joint Chiefs of Staff report found that concerns about combat effectiveness and unit cohesion were fundamentally unfounded.

The Navy’s newest and most advanced warships will all soon have one thing in common: the SPY-6 radar
The ability to track smaller, faster objects over longer distances gives warships more time to respond to incoming threats.

Veterans

VA to screen all patients for toxic exposure issues
Veterans Affairs doctors will begin screening all patients in the department for toxic exposures related to the military beginning in November, the latest step in efforts to understand the extent and severity of smoke-related injuries from homes in combustion and other battlefield toxins.

Proposed legislation could expand education benefits, veterans’ access to commercial driver’s licenses amid trucking shortages
Two senators have introduced a bill that would allow schools offering trucking programs to expand veterans’ access to commercial driver’s licenses as the trucking industry faces a shortage of drivers across the country.

Proposal aims to change how VA manages women’s cancer care
Representative Sylvia Garcia, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, hopes the pilot program will help female veterans have better access to cancer care.