Christopher J. Castelli

Archived Articles
The Insider | April 3, 2012

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta today called Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka to discuss developments related to North Korea's announcement that it plans to conduct a missile launch in mid-April, according to Pentagon Press Secretary George Little.

The Insider | April 3, 2012

A new Canadian report on the F-35 program criticizes the Canadian defense ministry's handling of the procurement process for the multibillion-dollar endeavor.

The Insider | March 29, 2012

The huge cost of new SSBN(X) nuclear ballistic submarines cannot be borne by the Navy's shipbuilding account alone, acting Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall told the Senate Armed Services Committee this morning at his confirmation hearing.

Daily News | March 28, 2012

The Navy's latest 30-year shipbuilding plan, sent to Congress today, is affordable for the next five years but thereafter "presents a resourcing challenge" largely due to the multibillion-dollar investment requirements associated with building a new class of nuclear ballistic missile submarines, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has told lawmakers.

The Insider | March 28, 2012

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has sent Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Service Committee, a letter responding to the senator's call for a detailed plan for controlling soaring costs in the multibillion-dollar program to build new aircraft carriers.

The Insider | March 27, 2012

The Defense Department will ask Congress for more funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

Daily News | March 22, 2012

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Service Committee, is urging Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to provide a detailed plan for controlling soaring costs in the multibillion-dollar program to build new aircraft carriers.

Daily News | March 15, 2012

The Pentagon is asking Congress to ease rules requiring the department to report cost data for big-ticket acquisition programs that are nearly complete.

Daily News | March 9, 2012

The Defense Department must make "tough" cuts to major investments to accommodate the huge cost of replacing Ohio-class submarines that provide nuclear deterrence worldwide, according to Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale.

Daily News | March 8, 2012

Despite a stern warning from the Senate Budget Committee chairman about the likelihood of more defense cuts that would not be as extreme as sequestration, the Defense Department is not planning for that scenario, Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale said today.

Daily News | March 8, 2012

The Navy will increase its presence in the Asia-Pacific region consistent with the administration's greater strategic emphasis on the area, senior defense officials said today.

Daily News | March 6, 2012

In a major realignment of the Navy staff at the Pentagon, Vice Adm. Bill Burke is poised to assume a new key post overseeing resources for procurement, manpower and readiness across the range of naval warfighting domains.

Daily News | March 6, 2012

The Defense Department's inspector general has launched a new review of the quality management system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

The Insider | March 5, 2012

The Defense Department was not surprised by published reports over the weekend that China would boost its defense spending by 11.2 percent, according to Pentagon Press Secretary George Little.

The Insider | March 2, 2012

House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) is praising Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), the panel's top Democrat and a big Boeing proponent, following Dicks' announcement today that he plans to retire from Congress at the end of the year.

Daily News | February 28, 2012

The Defense Department will penalize Lockheed Martin for management problems by curtailing payments under the latest multibillion-dollar, low-rate production contract for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The Insider | February 24, 2012

The Defense Department is welcoming a new statement from the Chinese defense ministry about the potential for improved bilateral military ties, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today.

The Insider | February 23, 2012

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met this morning with a Jordanian delegation led by Lt. Gen. Mashal al-Zaben, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Lt. Gen. Prince Feisal bin Hussein.

The Insider | February 21, 2012

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter arrived in Afghanistan today to meet with the Afghan leadership and International Security Assistance Force personnel, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Daily News | February 14, 2012

The Pentagon inspector general's newly launched assessment of a fatal F-22A Raptor crash investigation, an appraisal dubbed "fairly routine" by the Air Force's chief, is the first such in-depth review since a 1994 disaster that killed 24 Army paratroopers and injured scores more.

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