Defense Business Briefing -- April 9, 2019

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

This week's top story

Harris to sell night-vision business to Elbit Systems

Harris said it has agreed to sell its night-vision business to Elbit Systems of America for $350 million in cash.

News & notes

Kratos says it has funded startup costs of Space ISAC

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions said this week it will serve as the founding member of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, unveiled during a classified session at this week's Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO.

Arlington Capital Partners invests in Octo Consulting

Private-equity firm Arlington Capital Partners said it has invested in Octo Consulting Group, acquiring a majority interest in the company.

GAO rejects MD Helicopters' protest of FARA loss

The Government Accountability Office has rejected a protest from MD Helicopters of Army Futures Command's decision regarding development of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.

Applied Insight hires new executives, moves headquarters to Tysons

Applied Insight said it has hired several new leaders and relocated its headquarters from Ashburn, VA, to Tysons, VA.

Vertex Aerospace opens office in UAE

Vertex Aerospace, now a standalone company owned by a private-equity firm, said it has established a regional office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Appointments & promotions

Raytheon hires former NSA official

Raytheon said it has named Teresa Shea vice president of cyber warfare and mission innovations within its intelligence, information and services business.

LMI names Krieg to lead board of directors

LMI said it has named Ken Krieg chairman of its board of directors, effective immediately. He succeeds Todd Stottlemyer, who will remain a member of the board.

Oshkosh names Pfeifer COO

Oshkosh said today it has appointed John Pfeifer to the newly created chief operating officer role, effective May 1.

What's happening

The week ahead

The week ahead is packed with congressional hearings, including one featuring acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan, who is expected to discuss the Pentagon's Space Force proposal.

For Inside Defense subscribers

Lord makes sustainment cost a key consideration for rapid fielding

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord wants life-cycle and sustainment costs to be key considerations for any middle-tier acquisition program seeking the use of rapid fielding authority, according to a recent memo from her office.

New commission to address national security elements of White House AI strategy

A new commission is set to issue recommendations this year on how the U.S. national security apparatus should approach artificial intelligence, including a focus on how the government can work with industry to compete with China's "civil-military fusion" concept, according to the co-chair of the group.

Esper to industrial base: Get on the modernization 'bus'

Army Secretary Mark Esper is telling the defense industrial base to get on board with the service's modernization goals amid concerns over the service's drastic reallocation of funds from legacy upgrades and other programs to the defined six priorities in its fiscal year 2020 budget.