Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.
Pentagon's draft industrial base strategy calls for 'generational change'
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- The Pentagon says it has become "acutely aware of significant challenges" facing the U.S. defense industrial base and has produced a strategy -- to be followed by an implementation plan -- that details key areas where U.S. weapons suppliers can be strengthened, according to a draft copy of the new National Defense Industrial Strategy obtained by Inside Defense.
Microelectronics Commons 'hubs' take shape as leaders discuss future plans
Amid newly announced timelines for upcoming Microelectronics Commons project proposals, the program's regional innovation "hubs," which act as connection points for government and the commercial sector, are working to get their programs up and running.
Marine Corps requests information on USVs
Marine Corps Systems Command is seeking industry input regarding unmanned surface vessel and integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, according to a request for information.
BAE anticipates next 'option year proposal' for AMPV before end of year
BAE Systems expects the Army to award the next "option year proposal" for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle before the end of the calendar year, a company official told Inside Defense.
Rulemaking, supporting documentation for Pentagon's CMMC program nears formal publication
The Defense Department's work to prepare the proposed rule for its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program is nearing completion, according to a Pentagon spokesperson, with publication in the Federal Register expected as soon as this week.
CMMC accreditation body triples certified assessor count in 2023 ahead of formal launch period
The number of certified assessors for the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program experienced triple-digit growth in 2023 from the prior year, as the formal launch of the Defense Department initiative comes closer to fruition.
Sosa joins HII mission technologies as CIO
HII announced today that Marc Sosa has been hired to be chief information officer for the company's Mission Technologies division.
The week ahead
Senior defense officials speak at a plethora of congressional and industry events this week.
DOD planning 2024 advanced tech experiment Down Under with Aussies
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- The Defense Department is readying plans to integrate a 2024 advanced technology experimentation exercise with similar Australian efforts down under after both nations this fall exchanged observers at key events, according to the Pentagon's top technology development official.
U.S. military braces for two-year flight test gap in rush to field long-range hypersonic weapon
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- The Defense Department -- after 18 months of problems with both the two-stage missile and the ground launcher for the U.S. military's premier long-range hypersonic strike weapon -- has determined the original development path is no longer viable and remedial work on both elements of the Army's Dark Eagle program is now necessary.
Kendall on AI: 'If you have a human being in the loop, you will lose'
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- Top U.S. defense officials said a new era of AI warfare has arrived and that the Pentagon needs to significantly increase funding on artificially intelligence programs to enable new weapon systems, rapidly provide senior military commanders with targets, and, in some cases, do the shooting.
Austin: FY-24 funding instability 'erodes' U.S. security and ability to compete
SIMI VALLEY, CA -- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the 10th gathering of the Reagan National Defense Forum by calling on Congress to provide fiscal year 2024 funding certainty in an address that did not outline any new initiatives or policy objectives but focused on the unique role of the United States leadership in the world.