DIU releases Replicator overview targeted at industry involvement

The Defense Innovation Unit released an overview of the Replicator initiative this week, answering frequently asked questions and focusing on increasing industry's involvement amid the private voicing of frustrations from some companies. The Replicator initiative is the Defense Department’s effort to counter China’s military mass through the accelerated fielding of key weapons systems. Replicator 1, the first iteration of the initiative, focuses on fielding thousands of all-domain, attritable, autonomous (ADA2) drones by August 2025. On May 6, DIU released a...

The INSIDER daily digest -- May 9, 2024

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Army challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, Air Force modernization programs, plus continuing coverage from the AI Expo for National Competitiveness. A senior Army official spoke this week about challenges in the Indo-Pacific region at the Fires Symposium in Lawton, OK: Flynn: Army is 'out of position' in the Indo-Pacific Army units need to be in better position to maintain an advantage against potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region, according to...

Air Force eyes $18B for new investment by retiring 938 'legacy' aircraft through 2029

The Air Force wants to harvest $18 billion for new modernization priorities by divesting 938 aircraft -- including fighters, bombers, cargo planes, trainers, rotorcraft and more -- according to a DOD report that reveals for the first time the scope of plans between fiscal years 2025 and 2029 to finance new capabilities -- such as uncrewed fighters -- out-of-hide. Those details are part of a 50-page April report required by law on Defense Department-wide planned force structure changes prepared by...

ACV platoon conducts waterborne training during first operational deployment

The Marine Corps tallied its first overseas use of Amphibious Combat Vehicles during a May 4 training exercise that saw the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s ACV platoon complete waterborne, live-fire training off the coast of the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan. During the exercise, ACVs launched from the well deck of amphibious warship Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and formed into assault sections before firing 40mm training rounds at shore-based targets using their Mk 19 grenade machine guns, according to a service release...

DIU seeks quantum sensing and hypersonics for new emerging tech portfolio

The Defense Innovation Unit launched the first solicitation under its new emerging technology portfolio today, focusing the first lines of effort on quantum sensing and hypersonics. The Transition of Quantum Sensors project “will focus on demonstrating the military utility of quantum sensors to address strategic Joint Force competencies like positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and anomaly detection,” DIU said. The solicitation is seeking sensors designed at the atomic level for better accuracy, responsiveness and less degradation of Global Positioning System...

Army issues RFI for M-SHORAD increment 4

The Army released a request for information for the fourth increment of the Maneuver Short Range Air Defense system Wednesday, stating that this capability will focus on delivering “air defense capability to support dismounted maneuver.” M-SHORAD is designed to provide air defense for maneuvering forces against rotary-wing, fixed-wing, unmanned systems, rockets, artillery and mortar threats, according to the Army. Increment 4 will include capabilities that can be transported on a C-130 aircraft and that are “air droppable and sling load...

Flynn: Army is 'out of position' in the Indo-Pacific

Army units need to be in better position to maintain an advantage against potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the commander of Army forces in the Pacific. “Unfortunately, most of the U.S. Army is out of position because it sits in the continental United States,” Gen. Charles Flynn said Wednesday during the Fires Symposium in Lawton, OK. Delivering a virtual keynote address, Flynn outlined efforts to deter Chinese aggression across the Indo-Pacific. In response to a question on...

FY-25 BMD budget request posture testimony

In April and May 2024, the coingressional defense committees held hearings on the fiscal year 2025 budget request for missile defense and missile defeat programs.

220830

DOD instruction on sustainment health metrics in support of materiel availability 

The April 24, 2024 Defense Department instruction "establishes policy, assigns responsibilities and provides direction for monitoring and reporting sustainment business health metrics and supporting data."

221076

National Defense Sealift Fund reprogramming action

In a May 1, 2024 reprogramming action, Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord approves the transfer of $32.2 million to the National Defense Sealift Fund to pay for one Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-on/Roll-off ship plus maintenance costs.

221075

Not a subscriber? Sign up for 30 days free access to exclusive, behind-the-scenes reporting on defense policy and procurement.

Log in to access this content.