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

BAE Systems set to speed up AMPV pace with new production line and 'Virtual Proving Ground'

As the Army prepares a pivot to full-rate production for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, the prime contractor, BAE Systems, announced it will open a second production line, and, going forward, take advantage of its advanced digital modeling system, dubbed the Virtual Proving Ground.

NDIA, AIA propose providing prime contractors with access to CMMC assessments on Pentagon system

Two major defense associations are proposing to allow prime contractors access to an online system where companies who are part of the defense industrial base will provide the results of their Cybersecurity Model Certification assessments to the Pentagon.

Cyber AB sees opportunity to grow assessment ecosystem following release of final CMMC program rule

The accreditation body behind the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program is expecting an increase in the number of assessment firms and certified assessors who want to participate in the Defense Department initiative, as work gets underway to stand up a formal ecosystem under the final programmatic rule.

CMMC program director addresses competition, small business needs as rollout of final rule begins

The publication of the final rule to establish the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program kicks off workstreams developed over the last three years, according to program director Buddy Dees who spoke with Inside Cybersecurity on efforts to prepare for the launch and assessment needs.

PSC: 'Narrow' scope of CMMC program final rule leads to questions on implementation

The Pentagon's decision to make many comments out of scope from its final rule on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program raises concerns over how the rollout will work in practice as contracting officers write requirements into solicitations, according to the Professional Services Council.

Industry coalition identifies issues with proposed affirmation process, flow-down requirements in CMMC acquisition rule

A coalition of industry groups is asking the Defense Department to make changes to its proposed acquisition rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program to address concerns over affirmation of compliance and how to track flow-down requirements in supply chains.

DOD clarifies use of external service providers to assist with CMMC assessments

The Pentagon's final rule to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program addresses concerns from cloud service providers and managed service providers over how they can be used to help companies reach compliance with the Defense Department effort.

Pentagon releases updated assessment, scoping guides in line with CMMC program final rule

The Defense Department has updated its website for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program with the latest versions of guides for the assessment and scoping, the CMMC model and a FAQ explaining key changes, as work gets underway to implement a final rule to establish the DOD initiative.

HII names new CTO for mission tech division

HII has announced the promotion of John Bell to chief technology officer for the company's Mission Technologies division.

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak at several events this week.

Meet GENUS: Air Force's offering for Regional Sustainment Framework in the Indo-Pacific

Since January, a contingent of Air Force Sustainment Center officials have traveled to Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines to forge early partnerships for the service's new Global Enterprise Network for Universal Sustainment, Inside Defense has learned.

GAO: All F-35 variants fall short of minimum readiness goals for sixth consecutive year

The Pentagon's costliest weapon system has yet again fallen below Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps mission-capable rate goals, due partly to ongoing challenges with depot and organizational maintenance, according to the government's top watchdog.