This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Virginia-class submarine funding, more details on the Pentagon's secretive Replicator program and more. Draft marks of the FY-25 defense policy bill -- expected to appear in the coming weeks -- are likely to authorize the purchase of a second Virginia-class submarine and outline a strategy for funding the multibillion-dollar vessel: Plans to fund two Virginia subs take shape in Congress, with or without defense spending cap The push to procure...

The Defense Department has announced a $400 million transfer of U.S. weapons to Ukraine to combat the ongoing Russian invasion, including air defense munitions, artillery rounds, armored vehicles and anti-tank systems. The package being provided to Ukraine via Presidential Drawdown Authority includes: Munitions for Patriot air defense systems; Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS); Stinger anti-aircraft missiles; Equipment to integrate Western launchers, missiles and radars with Ukrainian systems; Additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and ammunition; 155mm...

The Army awarded Lockheed Martin an $861 million firm-fixed-price contract for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and supporting services on May 8, according to a Pentagon notice . The contract is part of an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract to “increase inventory” of HIMARS launchers and equipment, according to a Lockheed statement provided to Inside Defense Friday. The contract amount represents the “authorized base year funding value” for fiscal year 2024, according to the company. UPDATE: ...

The Army has released a sources-sought notice asking industry for solutions to fulfill the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 requirement. The notice, posted Thursday , states a contract will include engineering development for early operational capability, initial production of missiles and an option for a possible seeker that supports a full-rate production decision. PrSM Increment 2 will include a seeker that uses radio frequency and infrared imaging to “engage moving maritime and relocatable targets up to and beyond 400 kilometers,”...