Based in Washington, Jen manages Aviation Week’s worldwide defense, space and security coverage.
Prior to taking on her current role, Jen was Aviation Week's Congressional Editor. Jen came to Aviation Week in March 2011 from Politico, where she covered the intersection of defense and politics. She also worked as a reporter and editor for Defense Daily, Inside the Army, The Other Paper and The Columbus Dispatch.
Jen received a Master’s degree in journalism as a Kiplinger Fellow at the Ohio State University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from the University of Michigan.
HAWK WATCHING: Two lawmakers are appealing to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to shake loose U.S. Air Force funding for three Global Hawk Block 30 aircraft. Last year the Air Force sought to block additional funding for the high-altitude UAV made by Northrop Grumman. Congress directed the Air Force to purchase three more aircraft, but during a hearing last week, Air Force leaders said they are appealing that law. That has Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), a senior member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, and Rep.
Congress continues to push back against the U.S. Air Force’s attempt to stop purchasing the RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk, using a new report on the divestiture of the long-range UAV as fresh ammunition to keep the Northrop Grumman program alive. The Air Force in its fiscal 2013 budget sought to retire and stop making additional Block 30 Global Hawks in favor of continuing to use U-2 spy aircraft for similar intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Disturbed by recent reports of the cost of Lockheed Martin’s Joint Strike Fighter, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), chairman of the Senate panel governing defense spending, is planning to hold a hearing in June on the nation’s largest weapons system.
