The INSIDER daily digest

A GAO report on divesting weapon system programs and a chat with the head of Leidos' defense group highlight this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

DOD is disagreeing with a GAO report on Pentagon efforts to retire certain weapon systems:

Pentagon at odds with GAO over alleged 'gaps' in divestiture process

The Defense Department is proposing to retire weapon systems, such as the Air Force's A-10 aircraft, without properly understanding the full impact of doing so, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

Document: GAO report on A-10 divestment

Inside Defense recently chatted with the head of the newly formed Leidos defense group:

Leidos defense chief promises increased focus on international sales

The newly formed Leidos defense group, which merges the contractor's existing defense work with the defense business within Lockheed Martin's information systems and global solutions group, will have greater scale and improved ability to pursue international work, according to the unit's new chief.

Lockheed Martin is lobbying the Army to replace the Patriot radar system:

Lockheed makes case for Patriot radar replacement

As the Army works to craft an either upgrade or replacement for its venerable Patriot radar system, one contractor aims to convince the service to take the latter course.

Keep an eye out for the Marine Corps finishing testing of the V-22 Osprey's new aircraft survivability equipment by early next year:

Marines focus on aircraft survivability upgrade testing for MV-22

Marine Corps operational testers are working through trials of the V-22 Osprey's new aircraft survivability equipment, with the service aiming to wrap up testing of the system by early calendar year 2017.

A Navy-Marine Corps test team will be shifting its focus to an at-sea test of the Joint Strike Fighter in October:

Naval F-35 integrated test force will soon shift focus to October at-sea test

ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER GEORGE WASHINGTON -- The Navy and Marine Corps F-35 integrated test force will shift its focus to an October at-sea test after completing the final Joint Strike Fighter developmental test.