Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 29, 2018

F-22 Raptors line up with F-15 fighters on the Anderson Flightline. Photo from Flickr.

Warrior Maven: U.S. Air Force Revs Up "Rapid Raptor" Program to Rush F-22s War

F-22 Mini-Series Part I: The Air Force is strengthening its “Rapid Raptor” program designed to send four F-22s to war

The Air Force is strengthening its “Rapid Raptor” program designed to fast-track four F-22s to war - anywhere in the
world - within 24 hours, on a moments notice, should there be an immediate need for attacks in today’s pressured, fast-moving global threat environment , service officials said.

The program, in existence for several years, prepares four F-22s with the requisite crew members, C-17 support, fuel, maintenance and weapons necessary to execute a fast-attack “first-strike” ability in remote or austere parts of the world, Air Force officials say.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 29, 2018

With first A-10 strikes in Afghanistan, Marines call in the heat on the Taliban -- Marine Times

In another first, Afghan pilots are now dropping laser-guided bombs -- Air Force Times

Top US Marine warns a ‘big ass fight’ with North Korea will not go according to plan -- Marine Times

US-Vietnam Military Ties Warn China over Maritime Expansion -- VOA

Chinese flight routes set off military alarms in Taiwan -- CNBC

China’s Conscription Cycle: Challenges, Vulnerabilities and Opportunities -- Zachary L. Morris, Small Wars Journal

‘Game-Changer’: Russian Battle Bot Development Could Eclipse US Program -- Sputnik

Pakistan Wants To Buy Military Supplies From Russia and China After U.S. Funding Freeze -- Newsweek

Australia to spend $3.1 billion to increase stake in global arms exports -- Reuters

UK Intelligence Furious After Williamson's Remark About Russian Threat - Reports -- Sputnik

Danish lawmakers agree to hike military spending, citing Russia threat -- Reuters

The French Navy Is Finally Retiring These Antique Helicopters After 55 Years of Service -- The Drive

Estonia has no doubts on Trump's commitment to NATO, says Prime Minister Juri Ratas -- CNBC

U.S. delivers helicopters to bolster Jordan's border defenses -- Reuters

Maybe This Will Work: US Rushing New ‘Training’ Units to Afghan Front -- Sputnik

The U.S. and Soviet Union Once Investigated Bioluminescence as a Way to Track Submarines -- Popular Mechanics

New US Army missile defense strategy due out this summer -- Army Times

Secrecy and uncertainty surrounds US Navy discipline for fatal ship collisions -- Navy Times

Sailors on Aircraft Carriers Could Guide Drones With a Wave of Their Hands -- Popular Mechanics

A new generation of F-35 pilots are coming, and they'll solve the fighter's biggest problem -- Business Insider

What is it like to fly an F-35 fighter jet? Well... like a computer game -- SKY News

Air Force F-22 Upgrades Move Into Operational Testing -- Defense Daily

The Air Force’s KC-46 tanker is almost ready for prime time -- Air Force Times

Trump's nuclear weapons plan: 'Low-yield' bombs set off furious debate -- Washington Examiner

Secretary of Defense Mattis’s Trip to Southeast Asia -- Joshua Kurlantzick, CFR

What's Next For Intelligence Gathering In China After Leak Of CIA Confidential Information -- NPR

Army expanding installations to assign women in combat jobs -- The Fayetteville Observer

Beards for troops? Top enlisted leader is no fan of facial hair -- Military Times

US military bases & patrol routes compromised by fitness tracker map -- RT

Stopping the Next Cyber Conflict -- Dmitri Alperovitch, The Cipher Brief

Soldiers recount true story behind '12 Strong' -- Military Times/AP