Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.
DOD seeking industry input on progress payment pilot program for subcontractors
As the Pentagon looks to implement a pilot program that would increase the customary progress payment rate on approved Defense Department contracts by up to 10%, the agency is putting out a request for information seeking industry comment.
DOD releases FY-25 investment strategy for strategic capital office
The Defense Department’s Office of Strategic Capital released its second annual investment strategy and opened applications for its inaugural loan program, according to a DOD announcement.
Hanwha completes purchase of Philly Shipyard
Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean has completed its $100 million acquisition of Philly Shipyard, clearing the way for the South Korean defense company to begin U.S.-based shipbuilding operations.
GAO: Army’s AeroVironment Switchblade award was justified
The Army’s decision to award a $990 million contract to AeroVironment for the Switchblade loitering munition system without a full and open competition was justified based on temporary acquisition authorities granted by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2023 and 2024 National Defense Authorization Acts, according to the Government Accountability Office.
New bipartisan, bicameral bill proposes overhaul of maritime security and industry
Lawmakers unveiled legislation aiming to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and maritime industries through several key efforts, including the establishment of a new position within the White House to direct national maritime security policy.
Kaine calls for improved production and oversight as Senate votes to boost Virginia sub funding
Comprehensive reform is needed in the shipbuilding industry on all fronts, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) told reporters hours before the Senate voted 85-14 to approve increased submarine program funding in the compromise fiscal year 2025 defense authorization bill.
CMMC accreditation body sets Jan. 2 launch for official assessments, releases updated guidance
The accreditation body behind the Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program has announced next steps as the first rulemaking to implement the DOD initiative goes into effect, including a start date for assessments and the release of the assessment process guide.
Info-sharing leaders raise questions over industry needs in CISA incident response plan draft update
Stakeholders from the information technology and defense industrial base are urging the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to consider a wider range of industry needs as part of an effort to update the national cyber incident response plan for the first time in eight years.
Boeing appoints Deasy as new CIO
Boeing announced today that Dana Deasy has been appointed as the company's new chief information officer and senior vice president for information technology and data analytics.
The week ahead
A Washington think tank hosts a discussion this week with the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict.
Army tapping BAE to build prototype airbase defense hypervelocity projectile cannon
The Army has selected BAE Systems to produce a prototype cannon that flips its offensive punch for a defensive role as part of a wider U.S. military project to shield high-value, small-area assets by defeating cruise missile raids with a paradigm-changing capability: hypervelocity projectile gunfire.
TITAN prototyping phase will include more variants for more vehicles
The original plan was to build two versions of the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN): five advanced and five basic, and each would look exactly the same, respectively. But after discussions over the past year, and the arrival of its first advanced prototype Dec. 18, the Army is slightly shifting course.