President Donald Trump on May 14 criticized the international supply chain model adopted by his predecessors for the Lockheed Martin F-35, saying the decision to globalize parts production for the stealth fighter is an example of “stupidity.”

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has denied Airbus’ formal protest over the U.S. Navy’s decision to select Leonardo to provide its new training helicopter.

U.S. Special Operations Command plans to transfer the pilots and support crews for the U-28A fleet to the Armed Overwatch platform as the new close air support aircraft enters service, an acquisition official said on May 13. 

The Norwegian government is injecting an additional 206 million Norwegian krone ($20 million) into defense equipment programs to address the country’s weakening currency.

Boeing believes it will secure two more new customers for its AH-64 Apache attack helicopter over the next 12-14 months.

The schedule for the Armed Overwatch program could become an early victim of rising political hostility during an election year, U.S. Special Operations Command’s acquisition chief said on May 12. 

The top Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to reopen the federal loan application process for businesses that are critical to national security, and revise the eligibility criteria to include the aerospace supply chain to help support the defense industry during the global coronavirus pandemic.

Gen. Charles Brown, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the next U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, says he would continue many of the same modernization efforts as his predecessor, but recognizes the service must adjust its strategy and priorities because of the spread of the novel coronavirus.