Defense Business Briefing -- Oct. 2, 2018

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

This week's top story

Petters: Path for unmanned underwater market 'yet to be really settled'

The development of the unmanned underwater vehicle market likely won't track the path of the unmanned aerial vehicle market, the chief executive of Huntington Ingalls said last week.

News & notes

Pentagon rescinds controversial progress payment proposal

The Pentagon, beset by congressional opposition and industry outcry, is backing off a controversial proposal that would have reduced defense contractor progress payments, according to a statement from Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan.

Vectrus' Deagle: Adding technology is 'the only way' to further reduce costs

The chief growth officer of Vectrus told Inside Defense the contractor views infusing technology into its programs as the best approach to lower the cost of these efforts.

Thornberry, Inhofe oppose Pentagon's planned change to contractor progress payments

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) said he and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) have sent a letter to the Pentagon opposing plans to reduce defense contractor progress payments, arguing that doing so is "inconsistent" with congressional intent.

Appointments & promotions

Lockheed hires Rank

Lockheed Martin said today it has named retired Army Brig. Gen. Joe Rank chief executive of Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia.

NDIA names McConn chair

The National Defense Industrial Association said it has named Richard McConn chair of the organization.

ManTech hires Rudo

ManTech International said it has named Adam Rudo senior vice president and general manager of the company's security solutions business unit, which is part of its mission, cyber and intelligence solutions group.

In reorganization, Leidos taps Fasano to lead defense group

Leidos has named Gerry Fasano president of its defense group, according to an internal company memo.

What's happening

The week ahead

Defense Secretary Mattis travels to Europe this week for a NATO ministerial, while senior Pentagon officials are scheduled to speak at different events around the Washington area.

For Inside Defense subscribers

Pentagon eying 'three or four' university outposts for Joint AI Center

The Pentagon will establish outposts at select universities around the country under its new Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, the Defense Department's chief information officer said.

Key DOD organizations assessing contractor cybersecurity

Defense Department organizations concerned with the state of their contractors' cybersecurity are assessing whether companies are meeting requirements for securing sensitive information on their networks.