Defense

State Department proposes to relax aircraft export rules

Move aims to address aerospace industry's chronic complaints that the cumbersome process of approving licenses to export their products handicaps companies' ability to compete.

Defense

Defense to review 'unnecessary duplication' among services

Critics have complained that vast sums of money are wasted due to the military operating four air forces, two land armies and overlapping intelligence and space programs.

Defense

Panel sinks Navy's $2.5B request for DDG-1000 destroyer

The move essentially puts an indefinite hold on one of the Navy's biggest modernization programs.

Defense

Panels cut Future Combat Systems funding, back larger military pay raise

Raise boosted to 3.9 percent, half a percentage point higher than the president's request.

Oversight

Veterans subcommittee votes $2.2 million for health facilities

Nearly $1.7 billion is for increases in the projected cost of seven facilities previously authorized.

Defense

Industry says war has hurt military modernization efforts

Aerospace Industry Association cautions against making defense modernization accounts "a bill payer" for domestic programs.

News

General sees funding need for sea-based missile defenses

Missile Defense Agency chief did not say how much money he would seek to beef up sea-based program and land-mobile interceptors.

Defense

Armed services having trouble finding qualified recruits

Leaders say percentage of military aged Americans interested in armed services is the lowest on record.

Defense

Panel questions cost of contractors in war zones

Democrat cites example of defense contract personnel eating in taxpayer-funded facilities at a cost of $14,000 a person.

Defense

Commander urges production of new nuclear warheads

Bipartisan opposition in Congress has blocked President Bush's proposed funding for weapons and new production facilities.

Defense

Central Command fields queries on troop levels from Senate Armed Services Committee

Lawmakers concerned over what they view as a deteriorating military and political situation in Afghanistan.

Defense

House panel probes quality of Army recruits

Lawmakers say administration's reliance on supplemental funding makes recruiting more difficult.

Defense

Appropriators skewer Army over contracting abuse

Senators also question officials on recruiting, care for soldiers and families.

Defense

Senators grill Chertoff on grants, FEMA trailers and more

Committee members also express concerns about program to ensure a smooth transition to the next administration.

Defense

Lawmaker: New amphibious ships should be nuclear

Gene Taylor, D-Miss., also repeated his demand that the Marine Corps' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle be redesigned.

Defense

General bemoans glut of Air Force contract protests

Contract for huge airborne tanker program to be awarded by the end of this month, but commander fears protest against it already has been written.

Defense

House Dem wants additional ships, aircraft in spending bills

John Murtha, D-Pa., would boost Navy shipbuilding and buy more F-22s under new budget.

Defense

Intelligence chiefs: Waterboarding legal in certain circumstances

CIA director says technique only used three times in agency's history.

Defense

Military officers say recruiting goals are being met

Army official acknowledges that service fell short of Pentagon standards for high school graduates.

Oversight

IRS nominee faces tough questions from Senate panel

Potential commissioner promises to work closely with Finance Committee on overhaul of the tax code.