Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.
With M&A on hold, companies say they're positioning for post-pandemic market
Though many defense contractors say they're now taking a break from mergers and acquisitions, some say they expect to be able to capitalize on a wave of deals once the COVID-19 pandemic has come to an end.
Industry groups oppose DOD reform proposals targeting TransDigm
A group of industry associations says it is "strongly opposed" to several Pentagon proposals to reform the defense contracting process, including provisions intended to counter controversial pricing practices used by TransDigm.
L3Harris announces $330 million charge related to coronavirus
L3Harris Technologies said its commercial and international businesses are facing a higher risk of challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Leidos says coronavirus lowered quarterly sales by about $50 million
Leidos said the ongoing coronavirus outbreak reduced the company's sales during its most recent quarter by about $50 million.
Huntington Ingalls says attendance at shipyards is about 70% to 75%
Huntington Ingalls said it expects reduced shipbuilding sales growth because attendance at both of its shipyards is down.
Lockheed Martin completes $450 million in accelerated progress payments
Lockheed Martin said it has achieved its goal of flowing $450 million in accelerated progress payments from DOD to its suppliers.
BWX Technologies' nuclear operations group reports increased sales, profit
BWX Technologies said sales during its most recent quarter in its nuclear operations group, which includes its naval work, totaled $424 million, up 39% from the same three-month period a year earlier.
Esper thanks defense industrial workforce
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has released a letter praising the work of the defense industrial base in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Raytheon Technologies, bracing for coronavirus impacts, says it won't yet provide 2020 outlook
Raytheon Technologies said the "ongoing uncertainty" surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak means the company will not provide a 2020 outlook.
PAE reports sales decline
PAE said sales during its most recent quarter totaled $617 million, down about 8% from the same three-month period a year earlier.
Amazon files agency-level protest with Pentagon over JEDI cloud changes
Amazon Web Services has filed an agency-level protest directly with the Defense Department over changes DOD is making to the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract solicitation.
PSC praises repeal of rule on nondisplacement of federal contractors
The Professional Services Council is praising a new Federal Acquisition Regulation rule that repeals a 2009 executive order on nondisplacement of federal contractors.
Kratos reports sales increase
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions said that during its most recent quarter it recorded sales of $169 million, up 5% from the same three-month period a year earlier.
The week ahead
Executives from several defense companies are scheduled to speak at public events in the coming week.
DOD officials call for FCC to reverse Ligado decision, but many senators aren't sold
Pentagon officials appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee last week to call on the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its order approving Ligado's L-band network license, but some senators questioned the Defense Department's vehement opposition to the approval.
Pentagon acquisition rules must be changed to implement CMMC, but delays possible due to COVID-19
The Pentagon is moving aggressively under its cybersecurity certification program to create a framework and structure for contractors, vendors, and suppliers to get up to speed on what they will need to do to get certified, according to a top Defense Department official, but the process of changing acquisition rules to make the program effective could be delayed.