Defense Business Briefing -- Jan. 14, 2020

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

This week's top story

DOD acquisition chief advises Boeing to be 'very forthcoming' amid troubling headlines

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord said today Boeing should be "very forthcoming" with the Defense Department as the company's new chief executive pledges to "rebuild trust" amid alarming reports of efforts to mislead federal regulators about the troubled 737 MAX aircraft.

News & notes

PSC, Chamber back Boeing in dispute over technical data markings

The Professional Services Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are seeking to bolster a case filed by Boeing over markings intended to protect the company's technical data.

DOD watchdog to evaluate 'foreign influence' in Pentagon's R&D programs

The Defense Department inspector general’s office is opening an evaluation into "foreign influence" on the Pentagon's research and development programs, as officials worry about the extent of China's reach into U.S. universities, laboratories and companies.

Appointments & promotions

1901 Group hires Batsakis

1901 Group has named George Batsakis chief strategy officer.

Lockheed taps former DARPA director to be CTO

Lockheed Martin has named Steven Walker, the former director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, chief technology officer.

Oshkosh names Pack CFO

Oshkosh said David Sagehorn, the company’s chief financial officer for the last 12 years, will retire, effective April 3.

BWX Technologies promotes Loving

BWX Technologies said it has named Rick Loving chief administrative officer.

What's happening

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak at several events around Washington this week, including the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium.

For Inside Defense subscribers

Pentagon No. 2 looks to settle turf fights, create acquisition appeals process

The Defense Department's No. 2 official has issued new guidance to clarify "acquisition roles and responsibilities" after recent congressional reforms led to Pentagon infighting regarding the oversight and management of DOD weapons programs.

DSB: DOD should focus on quantum-based technologies for sensing, computing, communicating

An influential advisory board says the Pentagon must "vigorously" pursue three quantum technology areas with particular military potential.

NIST readies foundational data security guidelines for another comment period

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is preparing to issue another round of draft revisions to foundational data security and privacy guidelines for public comment, a milestone for a document that has major implications for federal efforts, including at the Pentagon, to secure crucial systems and data from foreign adversaries.