Defense

Marine Corps, Army chiefs oppose ending 'don't ask' this year

Leaders say ending the ban on openly gay troops now would distract forces from combat training and operations.

Defense

Gates warns against gambling on 'don't ask' repeal

Delaying a vote until after the lame duck session could mean the courts decide the issue, Defense secretary says.

Defense

Panel urges OMB not to block F-35 alternate engine funding

The White House has made the second engine an example of government waste.

Defense

Defense study bolsters case for ending ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

Gates says Congress should act this year to repeal the ban on openly gay troops, to prevent the courts from abruptly making changes.

Defense

White House bows to political realities on military pay

For fiscal 2011, the House-passed defense authorization bill includes a 1.9 percent pay raise for the military.

Defense

Officials ousted from tanker program for mishandling information

The two companies vying for the contract each received a one-page document intended for the other.

Defense

Navy chief is preparing 'don't ask' recommendations

Roughead says Pentagon review allows the military to look at the potential effects of repealing the ban on openly gay troops in a “broad context.”

Defense

EADS: Mistaken data release won’t scuttle tanker contest

Contractor is giving Pentagon benefit of the doubt that an advertent release of sensitive information to its rival won't disrupt competition.

Defense

Navy watches clock on littoral ship plan

Adm. Gary Roughead says it could be a challenge to obtain congressional authorization to proceed by Dec. 14, when current contract proposals expire.

Defense

Group calls Defense budget cuts critical to reducing deficit

Former government officials and retired military officers say keeping department exempt from reductions is “short-sighted.”

Defense

Gates warns against deep Defense cuts

Defense secretary calls deficit commission's recommendations to slash Pentagon budget "unnecessary and unrealistic."

Defense

Republicans divided on defense cuts

Fissure opens between GOP lawmakers who say spending on the military is necessary to recover from a decade of war, and fiscal hawks focused on reducing the deficit.

Defense

House-Senate talks on Defense policy bill collapse

Authorization measure might fail to pass for the first time in more than 40 years.

Defense

Jockeying for top Democratic Armed Services panel spot begins

House committee's most senior Democrats were voted out in the election.

Defense

Navy seeks to split next littoral ship contracts

Benefits of awarding work to two firms include stabilizing the program and the industrial base for shipbuilding, and enhancing prospects for foreign military sales.

Defense

Air Force lacks schedule for next generation bomber

Officials plan to breathe new life into existing bombers to keep them flying and effective until the next long-range strike platform and its support systems are ready.

Defense

McKeon seeks House Armed Services leadership post

California Republican says he would put on renewed emphasis on oversight of Pentagon.

Defense

Navy to ax troubled programs

Possible terminations are just one part of a broader Pentagon effort to rid the military services’ budgets of unnecessary costs.

Defense

Webb blasts Pentagon for impeding flow of information

Virginia senator says Defense officials are showing a "lack of respect" for Congress and the media.

Defense

Webb to stall future Defense nominations over JFCOM

Virginia Democrat accuses Pentagon of slow response to requests for information on closure of Norfolk-based command.