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

Multiple defense contractors pause political giving following last week's insurrection

Several defense contractors confirmed today that they have paused their political action committee giving while assessing the insurrection at the Capitol last week.

Boeing settles with Justice Department over 737 MAX charges

As part of a new settlement with the Justice Department over the 737 MAX program, Boeing has agreed to cooperate with the department's fraud section in any ongoing or future investigations, according to DOJ.

Axiologic Solutions buys Knowledge Link

Axiologic Solutions said it has acquired Herndon, VA-based intelligence services company Knowledge Link, nearly doubling the size of the company.

BWXT hires former Lockheed executive to head government operations

BWX Technologies said it has named Rob Smith to the newly created position of president of government operations.

Gerencser tapped to chair Business Executives for National Security

Business Executives for National Security said this week it has named Mark Gerencser chairman of the nonprofit's board of directors.

SAIC hires Dankanikote

Science Applications International Corp. said it has named Ravi Dankanikote senior vice president of business development for the company's defense and civilian sector.

VTG hires Herdman

VTG said it has named longtime contracting executive Kirk Herdman to the newly created role of president for national security solutions.

Nichols Liu hires Chvotkin

Government contracting law firm Nichols Liu said it has named Alan Chvotkin a partner and president of industry publisher Pub K, effective immediately.

Constellis names Conway chief growth officer

Constellis said it has named Darryle Conway chief growth officer, succeeding Rick Tye, who has been tapped to head the company's crisis response business.

The week ahead

Senior Pentagon officials are slated to participate in several virtual events this week.

Congressional axe falls on DOD chief management officer

Congress, after overriding President Trump's veto, has passed a defense policy bill that immediately eliminates the office of the Defense Department's chief management officer, a post lawmakers established in 2017 intending it become the third-most senior job in the Pentagon.

New DOD policy reinforces 'foundational' role of cybersecurity in acquisitions

A new Defense Department instruction makes official a concept DOD officials have been increasingly beating the drum over the past several years: cybersecurity is critical to all aspects of defense acquisitions.

Committee chairs ready to flip as Dems near sweep

Committee chairmanships are on the line as the results of two run-off Senate elections in Georgia indicate the Democratic party is close to claiming a majority in Congress that will be led by President-elect Biden from the White House.