Jeff has been involved in aerospace journalism since the mid 1990s. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Jeff served as managing editor of Launchspace magazine and the International Space Industry Report. He has been the editor and chief of Aviation Week's Aerospace Daily & Defense Report since 2007 and has been a regular contributor to Aviation Week magazine. He received his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
The Pentagon once again has certified the over-budget Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High program and is moving forward with a new plan that would keep prime contractor Lockheed Martin but shift some funds to explore alternative technologies in the event that satellites under development experience further problems.
The defense acquisition reform panel led by retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Ron Kadish released the executive summary of its final report Dec. 14, with Kadish warning that its findings should not be used as a justification to reduce the Defense Department's budget. "We're not at all suggesting that if you take these recommendations you can take X-billion dollars out of the department's budget," Kadish said during a public meeting in Arlington, Va. "If that occurs, we have failed in reducing instability."
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Ron Kadish says he is "optimistic but skeptical" that the sweeping changes to Pentagon acquisition being recommended by his reform panel will be implemented. Formally called the Defense Acquisition Performance Assessment Project, the panel was charged by Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England with performing an "integrated acquisition assessment." England has made the panel's recommendations part of the ongoing Quadrennial Defense Review, Kadish said. The group will release its final report Dec. 14.
