The Defense Security Service will take over background investigations under a new office created by combining resources from the Defense Department and Office of Personnel Management. The office, with a staff of 2,000, will inherit the federal security clearance backlog.

The Defense Department wants to increase its understanding of the small suppliers in the F-35 supply chain, building on the visibility DOD has with major suppliers for Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney. The Naval Air Systems Command is requesting proposals under the F-35 JPO Sustainment Supply Chain Risk Management program.

The Navy is getting closer to moving from its carrier-based F/A-18E to the F-35C after the latter was deemed safe for flight. The Navy's first F-35C squadron recently completed carrier qualifications on its way to being declared ready for operations.

Sikorsky has been tapped for a detailed parts database covering the Navy's CH-53K helicopters.

Japan Civil Aviation Bureau has given the HA-420 HondaJet Elite type certification. The Elite model has expanded range and more capacity, including a fifth seat.

The Pentagon and Federal Aviation Administration have come to an accord regarding the FAA's automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast out requirement and military aircraft. Some military aircraft will not receive ADS-B equipment until 2029.

The Air Force Space Command is now the official buyer of commercial satellite communications for the Pentagon. "The new acquisition authority better integrates our military and private satcom sectors, ensuring our warfighters have the communications capabilities they need to fight and win," Gen. John "Jay" Raymond says.

NASA's ICESat-2 satellite is mapping Antarctica and other Earth features, including the seafloor.

Lockheed Martin has loaded the Air Force's first GPS III satellite into its launch cartridge. "The launch of GPS III SV01 will be the first step in modernizing the Air Force's GPS constellation with the most powerful and resilient GPS satellites ever designed and built," Lockheed Martin's Johnathon Caldwell says.

The National Background Investigations Bureau has reduced the security clearance backlog by 17%, whittling it down to 600,000. The NBIB will come under the Defense Department to further streamline clearance processes.