Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.

BAE Systems to buy Collins Aerospace and Raytheon units

BAE Systems has reached agreements to acquire Collins Aerospace's military GPS business and Raytheon's airborne tactical radio business, both of which it said are being sold in connection with the planned merger between Raytheon and United Technologies.

Fahey: Pushback from industry over cost of CMMC 'upsets me a little bit'

One of the Pentagon's top acquisition officials told Inside Defense this month he sees the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program as critical -- despite industry's complaints.

GAO warns Pentagon against prizing acquisition speed over reliability

The Government Accountability Office has noticed the Defense Department's increased emphasis on accelerating its notoriously slow acquisition system, but the watchdog agency is concerned weapon system reliability might be sacrificed at the expense of speed.

Air Force gives contracting authority to AFWERX innovation hub

AFWERX -- an organization striving to create a "culture of innovation" in the Air Force -- now has the authority to award contracts, setting up the young team for closer partnerships with industry and academia.

DOD-backed cyber certification accreditation body readies for February launch

An accreditation body that will certify third parties to audit the cybersecurity practices of Defense Department contractors is expected to form its complete board of directors by the end of next week, clearing the way for signing a Memorandum of Understanding with DOD acquisition officials by the beginning of February, according to officials involved in the effort.

Boeing adds three retired Air Force generals

Boeing said it has hired retired Air Force Lt. Gens. Samuel Cox, Samuel Greaves and Steven Shepro.

Booz Allen promotes Dotson

Booz Allen Hamilton said Judi Dotson will lead the company's national security business, effective April 1.

The week ahead

While Congress this week is in the thrall of the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump, Defense Secretary Mark Esper is slated to speak at a Washington think tank and senior service officials are scheduled to attend various industry association events.

Military battles for budget share, while Esper turns up heat with new reform agenda

Army and Navy leaders took the Pentagon's internal spending debate public last week as they discussed a variety of stresses on their respective budgets, following new orders from Defense Secretary Mark Esper mandating aggressive "clean sheet" reviews for next year.

C3.ai touts five-year, $95M deal with Pentagon for predictive maintenance

Silicon Valley firm C3.ai said a recent $95 million deal with the Defense Department to use its "predictive maintenance" software could be widely applied across DOD's aircraft fleets.