Saturday, April 27, 2024
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Tony Bertuca is chief editor of Inside the Pentagon, the flagship publication of InsideDefense, where he focuses on defense budget and acquisition policy. He previously worked for the Sun-Times News Group in his hometown of Chicago, IL, and at the New Hampshire Union Leader in Manchester, NH. Tony has also served as managing editor of Inside the Army. He has a master's degree in journalism from Boston University.
The Army has moved the award date for its Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle contract from the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 to the second quarter, a move that coincides with General Dynamics Land Systems' decision to forgo protesting the service's AMPV acquisition strategy with the Government Accountability Office.
The U.S. Court of Federal Claims has ruled against AM General's protest of a Ground Mobility Vehicle contract awarded last year by U.S. Special Operations Command to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, according to a court document.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno told Senate lawmakers today that he does not want Congress to form an independent commission to determine how to structure the Army and reduce the service's number of active and reserve troops, but National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Frank Grass welcomed Capitol Hill intervention in a discussion Odierno characterized as a "family spat" over resources.
Army Materiel Command has denied a protest filed by General Dynamics Land Systems which alleged that the service's request for proposals for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program was unfairly tilted in favor of BAE Systems, according to a statement from GDLS.
The Army has submitted to Congress a list of unfunded priorities totaling $10.6 billion for fiscal year 2015, $7.5 billion of which accounts for the service's portion of the Defense Department's Opportunity, Growth and Security Initiative, according to documents obtained by InsideDefense.com.
Army leaders told Congress today that the service's fiscal plans already assume significant risk and warned that prolonged sequestration would "gut" vital resources and capabilities if it is not overturned.
One of the Army's top budget officials said today that the service's current fiscal footing is a "glass half-full," but cautioned that the deepest spending cuts were likely still on the horizon.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno last week said he was in discussions with the other service chiefs about an effort to establish a new Global Strategic Landpower Network that would enable the Army to rapidly fall in on prepositioned equipment and quickly deploy in the case of an emergency contingency.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno continued to dig in his heels today on his position that the service will be unable to execute the Pentagon's Defense Strategic Guidance if it shrinks to a sequestration-level end strength of 420,000 -- and he plans to take that message to Capitol Hill.
The Army has made no secret of its intent to take increased risk in many modernization programs, and its fiscal year 2015 budget request reflects that plan with the service backing away from the Ground Combat Vehicle, canceling a next-generation scout helicopter program and delaying enhanced on-the-move networking capabilities, according to budget documents released today.
The Army and National Guard continued to prepare for confrontation last week after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced cuts to the service's end strength and committed the Army to a controversial aviation restructure.
General Dynamics Land Systems has been lobbying Congress this week to intervene in the Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program, asking that lawmakers refuse to fund the AMPV effort until the service puts forth an acquisition plan GDLS feels is more competitive, according to congressional sources and documents.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today announced sweeping changes to the Army, including proposed cuts to its end strength, the termination of the Ground Combat Vehicle and the pursuit of a controversial aviation restructure involving a swap of helicopters between the active-duty force and the National Guard.
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Army modernization officials have said for some time that they can see the budgetary writing on the wall, with few new program launches likely over the next few years.
HUNSTVILLE, AL -- General Dynamics Land Systems has filed an agency protest with Army Materiel Command over a request for proposals for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, the company has confirmed.
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Lt. Gen. Edward Cardon, chief of Army Cyberspace Command, said today that the Army is discussing how it can leverage the rapid acquisition authorities it built up during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to equip the cyber force of tomorrow.
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The Army and Marine Corps are finalizing the requirements for the last phase of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program, according to officials overseeing the effort.
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The Army is conducting Joint Acquisition and Sustainment Reviews to determine the service’s acquisition priorities as the Pentagon enters an era of constrained budgets, according to a four-star general who is helping to spearhead the effort.
The Army is poised to close a solicitation for Bradley Fighting Vehicle upgrades this week and will begin assessing industry proposals soon thereafter.
The Army plans to conduct a demonstration in October that will feature the teaming of manned and unmanned combat vehicles, according to service officials.