Military industrial complex

How women took over the military-industrial complex

From the executive leadership of top weapons-makers, to the senior government officials designing and purchasing the nation’s military arsenal, the United States’ national defense hierarchy is, for the first time, largely run by women.

As of Jan. 1, the CEOs of four of the nation's five biggest defense contractors — Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and the defense arm of Boeing — are now women. And across the negotiating table, the Pentagon's top weapons buyer and the chief overseer of the nation's nuclear stockpile now join other women in some of the most influential national security posts, such as the nation's top arms control negotiator and the secretary of the Air Force.

It’s a watershed for what has always been a male-dominated bastion, the culmination of decades of women entering science and engineering fields and knocking down barriers as government agencies and the private sector increasingly weigh merit over machismo.

And, as Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson told POLITICO, it's also the result of "quieting that little voice in your head that doubts whether you can do that next job or take on that special assignment."

Military industrial complex

Russian authorities to take additional measures to develop new weapon systems, says Putin

The Russian authorities will take additional measures to develop new weapons systems for the national army and navy, President Vladimir Putin said at the National Center for Defense Management.

Earlier on Wednesday, the President arrived to the center to watch the test launch of the Avangard hypersonic missile.

"As for this topic in general, I know how the work is organized. Later we will talk with the general designer again, talk with other colleagues. We will take additional measures to unconditionally provide results in all similar issues the General Staff and the Defense Ministry consider promising for the equipment of the army and fleet with the latest weapons systems, including hypersonic weapons," Putin said. His speech was broadcast on the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

Military industrial complex

Putin Says Russian Arms Industries Meet Production Targets

Russia's arms industries have met most production goals for new weapons, but some contracts haven't been fulfilled, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

Putin, who spoke at a meeting with military officials and defense industry leaders in Sochi, said the military last year received 96 planes, 81 helicopters, 152 air defense systems and 291 radars among other new weapons.

Despite Russia's economic downturn, the Kremlin has pushed ahead with an ambitious arms modernization program amid tensions with the West over Ukraine.

Putin said that some of last year's contracts hadn't been honored and urged officials to analyze the reasons behind the failures, but gave no details. He said that that the government will continue to support defense industries, work to create new jobs and raise salaries.

Military industrial complex

Arrivederci, Finmeccanica: Italian Defense Giant Rebrands as Leonardo

Finmeccanica, the Italian defense group, will change its name to Leonardo, the company said Wednesday, a move reflecting CEO Mauro Moretti’s radical restructuring of the company.

The new name, which refers to Italian 15th century artist Leonardo Da Vinci, was approved by the Finmeccanica board on Wednesday as the firm’s 2015 results, which showed a €527 million (US $590 million) profit, were signed off.

The name must still be approved at a shareholders’ meeting in April, but that is considered a formality.

Military industrial complex

The Company Getting Rich Off the ISIS War

The war against ISIS isn’t going so great, with the self-appointed terror group standing up to a year of U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.

But that hasn’t kept defense contractors from doing rather well amidst the fighting. Lockheed Martin has received orders for thousands of more Hellfire missiles. AM General is busy supplying Iraq with 160 American-built Humvee vehicles, while General Dynamics is selling the country millions of dollars worth of tank ammunition.

Military industrial complex

BAE Systems Reports Strong Results In U.S. Defense Business, Reflecting Sector Trend

The world’s third largest military contractor reported strong first-half results in its U.S. defense operations on July 30, rounding out a surprisingly positive earnings season for the Pentagon’s first-tier suppliers. U.K.-based BAE Systems, the only top contractor to the defense department headquartered outside the United States, said it saw “encouraging signs of growth returning” in the U.S. defense market despite fiscal headwinds, and described favorable trends in all three of its domestic operating units.