Defense Business Briefing -- Sept. 22, 2020

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

This week's top story

Raytheon: Defense business will make up about two-thirds of sales this year

The ongoing pandemic, which has dampened commercial air travel, means defense work will make up about two-thirds of Raytheon Technologies' sales this year, rather than about half as initially predicted, according to the company's chief executive.

News & notes

House CR would extend COVID-19 reimbursement program for defense contractors

The House has filed a stopgap continuing resolution that would extend the period by which contractors can be reimbursed for remaining in a "ready state" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in Hidden Level

Lockheed Martin Ventures has invested in Hidden Level, a Syracuse, NY-based company that designs and develops sensors for low-altitude airspace monitoring.

SAIC reorganizes business units

Science Applications International Corp. announced the company will reorganize its business units.

Pentagon acquisition office to develop guidebook for industry on controlled unclassified information

The Defense Department is working on a guide to help industry and the acquisition community understand how to handle controlled unclassified information, addressing a foundational component of the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program.

NDIA questions expected timeline of Pentagon cyber certification program, intent of potential sponsorships for assessors, consultants

Recent developments at the independent authority overseeing accreditation of assessors for the Pentagon's cyber certification program are raising concerns at one of the nation's largest defense associations, which represents a wide variety of contractors who make up the defense industrial base.

Appointments & promotions

Govini names Sam Jones chief product officer

Govini announced it has hired Sam Jones as chief product officer.

What's happening

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill this week and to speak at a think tank conference. Meanwhile, Congress is expected to debate the terms for a stopgap continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded past Sept. 30.

For Inside Defense subscribers

Commission tells lawmakers the Pentagon needs more 'top-down' leadership on AI, emerging technologies

Members of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence are advocating for the Pentagon's top leaders to be more involved in the military's approach to AI and emerging technologies, including through the creation of a new senior-level steering committee.

Pentagon tech advisers to deliver recommendations on how the military can test, validate AI systems

The Defense Innovation Board will recommend ways the Defense Department can test and validate artificially intelligent systems are meeting safety and performance goals, considered a key hurdle to the military's goal of rapidly fielding AI capabilities.