Defense Business Briefing -- Feb. 12, 2019

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

This week's top story

FLIR Systems to acquire Endeavor Robotics

FLIR Systems announced this week it has agreed to purchase Endeavor Robotics, the former iRobot defense business that was spun off in 2016.

News & notes

GAO calls for DCMA to develop mechanism to monitor contractor business system reviews

The Pentagon is backing a Government Accountability Office recommendation that the Defense Contract Management Agency create a way to better monitor contractor business system reviews.

Aerojet Rocketdyne says it has decommissioned more than 400 buildings

Aerojet Rocketdyne says the first four years of its five-year affordability drive have resulted in a 1.1 million-square-foot reduction in the company's facilities.

Leidos sells former Lockheed facility in Gaithersburg

Leidos said it sold Lockheed Martin's former Gaithersburg facility late last year.

Appointments & promotions

SAIC picks Rogers for CIO

Science Applications International Corp. said Nathan Rogers has been named chief information officer, succeeding Bob Fecteau.

What's happening

The week ahead

Lawmakers must work this week to avert another partial government shutdown when a stopgap continuing resolution expires on Friday. Meanwhile, senior Pentagon officials are scheduled to speak around the Washington area.

For Inside Defense subscribers

Pentagon testing office points to shortfalls in evaluating emerging technologies prized by DOD leaders

From advanced software to autonomous systems to directed energy weapons, the Defense Department lacks the adequate tools, ranges and skills to fully vet many emerging technologies Pentagon leaders say are crucial to renewed great power competition, according to DOD's head of operational testing.

NIST pushes ahead on updating guidance for contractors protecting sensitive government information

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is racing to publish a second revision of a draft guidance document on protecting "controlled unclassified information" prior to Feb. 15 in case another partial government shutdown occurs.

Pentagon planning a mammoth FY-20 war budget to avoid spending cap

The Defense Department is preparing to ask Congress for an increase of more than $100 billion in its controversial warfighting account to skirt a mandatory budget cap, but some government officials are worried it will only further the account's appearance as a slush fund.