Defense Business Briefing -- Aug. 28, 2018

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

This week's top story

PAE, now with $2.5 billion in annual sales, pursues 'long-term, sticky business'

PAE, long known for maintaining facilities overseas for the State Department, has significantly expanded its reach, adding business process outsourcing and national security work, among other areas, to become a $2.5 billion contractor.

News & notes

Pentagon formally removes requirement for 'technical interchange' related to IR&D

The Defense Department has moved to eliminate text in defense acquisition regulations that required major contractors to engage in "technical interchanges" with Pentagon employees to ensure independent research and development costs were considered allowable.

Appointments & promotions

MITRE hires Gagnon

The MITRE Corp. said this week Gary Gagnon has rejoined the company as vice president of cyber strategy and chief security officer.

Constellis names Reardon CEO

Constellis said it has named Tim Reardon chief executive, effective immediately.

Lockheed taps Evans to head aeronautics

Lockheed Martin said Michele Evans has been appointed executive vice president of the company's aeronautics business unit.

What's happening

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to appear at a variety of venues around the Washington, DC area this week.

For Inside Defense subscribers

Pentagon turns to rapid prototyping, hoping for big tech gains, but accepting new risks

Pentagon acquisition executives have begun using a new rapid prototyping and fielding authority that could streamline traditional weapon system development, but might also test the patience of Congress should it lead to costly failures.

Director of influential advisory board says bid protests are hindering DOD innovation

The coordinator of an influential Pentagon advisory panel says contractors who file bid protests against Defense Department acquisitions are slowing down efforts to modernize DOD's IT infrastructure.

Army drafting intellectual property policy

The Army "in probably a month or two" will have a formal policy on intellectual property, according to the service's acquisition executive.