The INSIDER daily digest

A lawsuit against the Army's DCGS-A program and a Nunn-McCurdy breach by the Air Force's GPS OCS program lead off this Friday INSIDER Daily Digest.

The Army's DCGS-A program is facing a lawsuit:

Palantir files lawsuit alleging 'irrational' DCGS-A procurement strategy

Silicon Valley-based Palantir Technologies has filed suit against the Army in the Court of Federal Claims over the Distributed Common Ground System-Army, rebuking the service's "recurring cycle of irrational procurement decisions."

Document: Palantir's DCGS-A lawsuit

The Air Force's GPS OCX program has suffered a Nunn-McCurdy breach:

Air Force declares Nunn-McCurdy breach on GPS OCX

The Air Force on Thursday declared a Nunn-McCurdy breach on the Raytheon-built, next-generation Global Positioning System ground component, after determining that the program's cost will spike more than 25 percent above its cost thresholds.

The Navy has finally allocated billions of dollars toward several shipbuilding programs:

Navy awards long-awaited, multibillion-dollar contracts for LHA-8, T-AO(X) and LX(R)

The Navy has awarded the long-awaited contracts to two shipbuilders worth a combined value of about $6.3 billion for dock landing ship replacement design as well as detail, design and construction of the LHA-8 and the fleet oiler replacement.

Another delay to the Army's Paladin Integrated Management program:

Army delays operational testing for PIM until October, slips other program milestones

The Army has delayed until October the start of operational testing -- originally slated to commence in June -- for the $8 billion Paladin Integrated Management program due to earlier quality control issues with the engine.

Document: DOD's 2015 SAR on the Paladin Integrated Management program

The Army's multibillion-dollar AMPV program is gradually moving forward:

Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program clears key EMD milestone

The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program cleared an important milestone in June during a review that demonstrated the design for the new personnel carrier is stable, expected to meet performance requirements and can be executed within the service's $13.8 billion plan to replace the M113 fleet.

The Joint Strike Fighter program made news this week:

F-35 JPO eyeing 2018 for Block 4 modernization contract decision

F-35 program officials expect to have a Joint Requirements Oversight Council-approved Block 4 capability development document in hand by late this summer -- a milestone that will solidify follow-on modernization requirements and help set the foundation for the capabilities necessary to operate in the future threat environment.

DOD: RAND revises potential F-35 'block-buy contract' savings downward to $2 billion

A notional three-year Joint Strike Fighter "block-buy contract" between the United States and foreign buyers could net $2 billion in savings, according to a revised assessment of the potential agreement that is lower than a previous $3 billion tally but also accounts for reduced U.S. military participation in such a deal.

Air Force officials highlight gaps in fifth-generation data sharing

As the Air Force prepares to integrate the F-35A into its fleet, the outgoing general in charge of the service's Joint Strike Fighter integration office and one of the Pacific Air Force's top cybersecurity officials are highlighting the need for increased data exploitation and connectivity capabilities for fifth-generation aircraft.

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More Air Force news:

Air Force, P&W may increase F-22 overhaul rate due to higher utilization

Increased F-22 utilization has the Air Force and Pratt & Whitney considering changes to the Raptor's F119 engine maintenance plan that could increase the peak overhaul rate.

Air Force calling for industry input on SBIRS follow-on architecture

As the Air Force works to obtain an approved acquisition strategy this fall for the follow-on to its Space-Based Infrared System satellite constellation, it's seeking input from industry to help understand industrial base capabilities, address new targets and threats as well as balance its needs for innovative solutions with affordability.