Christopher J. Castelli

Archived Articles
Daily News | April 18, 2013

U.S. and Indian officials might one day discuss India's potential participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, but for now that is not an active dialogue, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro said today.

Daily News | April 17, 2013

The Defense Department's new budget request would start an array of multimillion-dollar development programs tailored to the needs of the nation's most elite troops, including investments in precision weapons, electronic warfare and future vertical-lift capabilities.

Daily News | April 10, 2013

An ongoing Pentagon review is examining how the Defense Department would weather more massive budget cuts if Congress permits another round of sequestration in fiscal year 2014 -- spending reductions not accounted for in the Obama administration's new $526.6 billion defense budget request, the nation's top military officer said today.

Daily News | April 10, 2013

The Defense Department’s fiscal year 2014 budget request, slated to be unveiled today, would end production of Global Hawk Block 40 unmanned aircraft, ramp up funding for C-130J Hercules cargo planes and maintain plans to buy 29 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, according to budget documents reviewed by InsideDefense.com.

Daily News | April 8, 2013

The Defense Department, in its upcoming budget request, will seek $11.98 billion for science and technology investments to counter anti-access and area-denial threats, demonstrate disruptive technologies and accelerate the development of an electromagnetic railgun for missile defense, according to draft internal documents.

Daily News | April 4, 2013

Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall is reaching out to U.S. defense contractors in advance of a visit to India this month, asking for ideas on possible joint projects with Indian agencies and contractors.

Daily News | April 3, 2013

The Defense Department has assigned Christine Fox, the head of the Pentagon's cost assessment and program evaluation shop, a central role in its ongoing strategic-choices assessment, a move that underscores DOD's interest in maintaining its current strategy while revising related budget priorities.

The Insider | April 3, 2013

The Defense Department will deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to Guam in the coming weeks "as a precautionary move to strengthen our regional defense posture against the North Korean regional ballistic missile threat," DOD said in a statement this afternoon.

Daily News | April 3, 2013

The Pentagon's Strategic Choices and Management Review could fundamentally change the prioritization of Defense Department resources and fashion new structures and practices to address future challenges, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today.

Daily News | April 3, 2013

The Defense Department, in its upcoming budget request, plans to boost investments in prototypes of nascent technologies that could hedge against future threats and slash sustainment costs for U.S. weapons, according to draft internal documents reviewed by InsideDefense.com.

The Insider | March 28, 2013

The Pentagon must cut $41 billion in fiscal year 2013 due to sequestration, not $46 billion as anticipated, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today.

Daily News | March 27, 2013

The Office of the Secretary of Defense has directed the Navy to fund 21 EA-18G Growlers in the fiscal year 2014 budget, reversing previous plans to end production of the electronic-warfare aircraft, according to service and industry sources.

The Insider | March 22, 2013

The Defense Department today released its "Strategy for Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities," which lays out DOD's priorities for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities through 2020, consistent with the National Security Strategy and the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, according to a DOD statement.

The Insider | March 21, 2013

The Defense Department has decided to delay the issuance of civilian employee furlough notices for approximately two weeks, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today in a statement.

Daily News | March 20, 2013

The Defense Department will ask lawmakers to approve nearly $70 million in new counterterrorism aid for Libya, Nigeria and the Philippines, among other countries, according to an administration report to Congress.

The Insider | March 19, 2013

The Defense Department has not yet determined when Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will receive his first update on the strategy review launched last week, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today. Hagel will receive regular updates on the effort, according to a March 15 memo that calls for the assessment to conclude in May.

Daily News | March 18, 2013

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel last week directed senior leaders to conduct a review of the choices that underlie the Defense Department's strategy, force posture, investments and institutional management -- including "all past assumptions, systems and practices," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

The Insider | March 15, 2013

Deputy Secretary Ashton Carter's upcoming trip to Asia, slated to begin on March 17, will start with a stop in Japan, where he plans to "emphasize the steadfast U.S. commitment to the defense of the country," a Pentagon spokesman said today.

The Insider | March 14, 2013

Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today that an Iranian fighter jet "approached" a Defense Department surveillance drone this week.

The Insider | March 12, 2013

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said today he expects "a lot" of proposals from contractors for new mergers and acquisitions, many of which will likely be necessary and healthy.

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