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

NDIA tallies pandemic's disruptive defense supply chain impacts

The National Defense Industrial Association, in a new report with data firm Govini, says the U.S. defense industrial base last year received an overall grade of 69, or a D, falling from a 72 the previous year, partly because of the "unprecedented disruption" the COVID-19 pandemic has had on U.S. supply chains.

AMC chief to brief senior leaders, Congress on industrial base modernization

Gen. Edward Daly, the leader of Army Materiel Command, will meet with senior service leaders and lawmakers in the next month to discuss plans to spend $16 billion over 15 years on organic industrial base modernization.

Industry sees opportunity for greater transparency on CMMC rollout under new Pentagon leadership structure

Transitioning the Pentagon's cyber certification program to the Defense Department chief information officer's portfolio could have a positive impact on DOD efforts to engage with industry, according to a major trade association.

Pentagon issues memorandum placing CMMC program under direct oversight of DOD CIO Sherman

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program is moving from the Pentagon's acquisition arm to direct oversight by Defense Department Chief Information Officer John Sherman, according to a memorandum obtained by Inside Cybersecurity.

Defense Trade Advisory Group seeks new members

The State Department announced it is accepting membership applications for the Defense Trade Advisory Group.

Six companies get Army awards to expand ground vehicle autonomy

Six companies won a total of $4.3 million in December to integrate their robotic software with the Army's modular open system for ground vehicle autonomy.

Five shipbuilders emerge as leading Light Amphibious Warship contenders

As the Marine Corps moves to build its new Light Amphibious Warship to transport Marines in the Pacific, five shipbuilders have emerged as the leading contenders for the program: Austal USA, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Bollinger Shipyards, TAI Engineers and VT Halter Marine.

Taglieri joins ASRC as CFO

ASRC Federal announced it has named Jon Taglieri as the company's chief financial officer. 

The week ahead

Senior Pentagon leaders are slated to speak publicly at several events this week. 

Analysts map out potential FY-23 defense budget scenarios, predict possible program cuts

Analysts from several prominent Washington think tanks convened today to discuss the upcoming fiscal year 2023 defense budget request, reaching consensus on key points like the heavy toll of projected inflation and the high likelihood the Pentagon will continue to tout expanded research and development spending.

DOD takes 'first step' with new software modernization strategy

The Defense Department has released a new software modernization strategy, which will be followed by an implementation plan in the next six months intended to update DOD's approach to delivering digital capabilities "that will define future conflicts," according to a memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.