Defense Business Briefing -- Feb. 16, 2021

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

This week's top story

After reorganizing to incorporate Northrop unit, Peraton prepares to reshape again with Perspecta buy

Peraton earlier this month rolled out a new structure of four sectors -- but that organization will only be temporary as the company prepares to complete another significant acquisition.

News & notes

Contractors watch international arms sale pause with cautious optimism

As the State Department pauses multiple foreign arms deals, defense contracting executives say they expect some potential delays, but remain optimistic international sales will mostly move forward.

Northrop CEO says industry is seeking partnership with government on industrial base resiliency

The chief executive of Northrop Grumman said the defense industry is working to provide recommendations to the new administration about how to improve the resiliency of the industrial base.

Serco to acquire Whitney, Bradley & Brown

Serco said it has agreed to acquire Whitney, Bradley & Brown, known as WBB, from an affiliate of private-equity firm H.I.G. Capital for $295 million.

Huntington Ingalls reports increased sales, profit

Huntington Ingalls Industries said sales in its most recent quarter totaled $2.8 billion, up 14% from the same three-month period a year earlier.

What's happening

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak on Capitol Hill this week about the Pentagon’s role in fighting COVID-19, while several large defense companies are slated to make conference presentations.

For Inside Defense subscribers

DOD cyber certification leaders: Updates coming to maturity model, assessment guides following final rule change

The Defense Department's acquisition office and its partners are in the process of adjudicating comments on an interim rule implementing their Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, which Pentagon leaders say will have an impact on the CMMC maturity model and assessment guides.

Pentagon establishes new data interoperability goals as officials seek to close seams between systems

Pentagon officials are laying the groundwork for advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning by establishing new requirements for how different systems should be able to exchange and communicate data, rather than mandating a single data standard.