Welcome to our first newsletter hot on the heels of another successful ADM2016 Congress! We squeezed a lot into an action-packed day but the general consensus from the feedback received is that it was a very worthwhile experience.

The Pentagon’s Director of Operational Testing and Evaluation (DOT&E) Michael Gilmore has released his report into the F-35 Lightning II for US Congress with the Joint Program office (JPO) saying the deficiencies raised are “well known” and come as “no surprise”.

The US Navy will launch a service life extension program (SLEP) for its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as delays to the carrier variant (F-35C) joint strike fighter force it to consider contingency plans.

The man who will head up NASA’s Mars mission believes Australia has a part to play in future space programs that goes beyond the happy chance of being an ideal site for tracking and communications stations.

With remote piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) set to boom in both civil and military roles in Australia, the Australian Association for Unmanned Systems (AAUS) believes it’s time to solve the critical issue of safely integrating them into civil airspace.

Late last week Japan revealed its fifth generation fighter technology demonstrator, known unofficially as the “ShinShin”, or the X-2.

BAE Systems has signed a new contract with Bangkok Dock to assist in the licensed construction of a second 90 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Royal Thai Navy.

Land 400 Phase 2 contender Patria (teamed with prime contractor BAE Systems Australia) has been awarded a contract to supply up to 40 hulls of its 8x8 Armoured Modular Vehicles (AMVs) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Australia’s eighth Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel assumed the role on 25 January. Here is the text of his first statement:

Reports indicating the bid pitched by TKMS for the Sea 1000 Future Submarine program was no longer in contention need to be treated with some scepticism.

A Defence spokesperson has confirmed the Department has a watching interest in the development of the Raytheon Excalibur N5 munition

Boeing and the USAF have announced they have successfully completed the first KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refueling in the skies above Washington State.

More than a quarter of Australia’s economy, and 10 per cent of its total employment exist due to scientific advances made over the past 20 to 30 years.

ADM spoke with CEO Richard Brown on his hopes for the forthcoming White Paper and Defence’s current approach in a realm of constantly evolving threats.

Lockheed Martin has agreed to separate and combine its realigned Information Systems & Global Solutions business segment with Leidos Holdings.