Defense Business Briefing -- July 14, 2020

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

This week's top story

Defense executives say they will submit anticipated section 3610 costs this week

In a new letter sent to the Pentagon this week, eight of the largest defense contractors say they are preparing their estimated costs related to COVID-19 relief legislation and warn the Pentagon will need additional funding to cover these expenses.

News & notes

MITRE establishes MITRE Labs

MITRE said it has created MITRE Labs, which will restructure the company's research and development capabilities and workforce.

BAE working group weighing future of work post-pandemic

BAE Systems' U.S. business now has a committee assessing the future of work at the company given the changes brought by the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, according to BAE's new chief executive.

Pentagon AI director says DOD has 'overwhelming support' from Google, major tech companies

The Pentagon is working with major U.S. technology companies on a range of artificial intelligence projects, including software to help streamline warfighting operations, according to the head of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.

NuWave Solutions, under new leadership, to pursue growth in new markets

NuWave Solutions, recently acquired by private-equity firm AE Industrial Partners, sees opportunity to expand its data management, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence work to the commercial and federal civilian markets, according to its new chief executive.

What's happening

The week ahead

House lawmakers are slated to vote this week to advance the fiscal year 2021 defense appropriations bill.

For Inside Defense subscribers

House lawmakers whack Pentagon for spending CARES Act funds on contractors instead of PPE

House appropriators are criticizing the Defense Department for spending most of its COVID-19 relief funds propping up weapon systems manufacturers, rather than bolstering the U.S. supply of personal protective equipment.

House advances legislation to ramp up 'Buy American' requirements on Pentagon

The House is poised to pass legislation that gradually ramps up "Buy American" requirements on the Defense Department's largest programs of record, but industry representatives and analysts say the "arbitrary" rules could trip up important weapons developments and hurt international cooperation on defense programs.

Pentagon acquisition chief calls to 're-shore as much as possible' in wake of COVID supply chain challenges

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord says the United States should "re-shore" the production of key capabilities like microelectronics after the COVID-19 crisis exposed weaknesses in the Defense Department's supply chain.