Defense

Navy resists offers of more ships, submarines for 2008

Shipbuilders may be unable to meet higher demand, service officials say.

Defense

Delays in funding could force Army to make sacrifices

If supplemental spending bill does not pass by May, the service might need to forgo repairs on equipment for nondeployed units.

Management

House panel backs military health bill banning privatization

Measure is aimed at improving quality of care for wounded service members.

Defense

Osprey helicopter nears overseas deployment

Skeptics are concerned unresolved safety issues could make the hybrid aircraft vulnerable during combat.

Defense

Air Force expects future airlift fleet to exceed 300 planes

Service expects to know this summer how many long-distance aircraft it will need to support and transport burgeoning ground forces.

Defense

Committee approves modified contracting reform bill

Panels still are negotiating over language that would expand the number of procurement officials subject to stringent post-employment restrictions.

Defense

Marine Corps chief says building a larger force will be tough

The Corps is preparing to try to attract 5,000 more new troops each year over the next five years.

Defense

Lawmakers divided over cargo plane options

Budget constraints may force members to choose between C-17 planes made by Boeing and C-5 planes produced by Lockheed Martin.

Defense

Bush cites progress in Iraq, vows to fix healthcare woes

President announces that a bipartisan commission will conduct a comprehensive review of military health care.

Defense

State Guard units press for new Stryker brigade

Cost could be a major hurdle.

Defense

Army secretary resigns amid Walter Reed scandal

Poor conditions at the facility came to light last month in a series of reports by The Washington Post .

News

Panel issues recommendations to help strained Guard

Commission suggests improving communications between the Defense and Homeland Security departments on Guard requirements and other matters.

Defense

Senators suggest further purchases of C-17 aircraft

Air Force had proposed not to buy any more of the planes in its fiscal 2008 budget.

Defense

Panel opposes addition of Guard to Joint Chiefs Of Staff

Commission is set to announce its preference for modest changes, including the promotion of the three-star Guard chief to four-star rank.

Defense

Air Force sends Congress $16.9 billion wish list

List is substantially larger than similar documents submitted by the other military services this month.

Defense

Navy wants more ships, aircraft than budgeted

Service wants an additional $1.7 billion to buy another LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ship next year, and $1.4 billion for 33 new planes.

Defense

Army National Guard outlines $24 billion equipment wish list

Document acknowledges that the White House's fiscal 2008 budget request "meets the nation's needs."

Defense

Navy official 'embarrassed' by cost overruns on combat ship

The service stopped work on the third Littoral Combat Ship in early January, but plans to resume the program soon.

Defense

Iraq-bound troops have adequate gear, Army officials say

All of the 21,500 troops deploying under President Bush's "surge" plan will be fully trained and equipped, officials tell lawmakers.

Defense

New mine resistant vehicles top Marines' $3.2 billion wish list

V-shaped hull of the vehicles offers much better protection than armored Humvees against roadside bombs.