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

DOD contract obligations have gone up, but mostly benefited largest contractors and defense products

The Pentagon's contract obligations grew 13 percent between fiscal years 2015 and 2017 -- but the five largest defense contractors reaped most of that benefit, according to new analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Chewning: Government is taking into account BAE's concerns over CFIUS policy

A top Pentagon official said an interim Treasury Department rule that has concerned some organizations, including BAE Systems, will go through a regulation-writing process over the next year.

United Technologies to split into three companies

United Technologies, upon completing the acquisition of Rockwell Collins, said it intends to split into three businesses: United Technologies, Otis and Carrier.

Elbit acquires IMI Systems

Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems said it has completed its acquisition of IMI Systems for about $495 million with a potential additional payment of about $27 million if performance goals are met.

UTC receives final approval for Rockwell Collins buy

United Technologies said it has received the final regulatory approval required to close its purchase of Rockwell Collins.

Commerce considering emerging technologies, including AI, for export control

The Commerce Department is seeking input on how to best identify emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, that are essential to national security and could be subject to export controls.

Leidos hires Freeman

Leidos said it has named Tim Freeman senior vice president for business development and strategy within its defense group.

The week ahead

Senior Pentagon officials will appear before Congress and elsewhere around the Washington area this week, while the Credit Suisse conference gets underway in Palm Beach, FL.

Trump response to China's cyber activities seeks to pull all levers of international power

Senior Trump administration officials have described China's cyber aggressions as a "whole-of-government" campaign from Beijing, and in response the United States is putting in motion a range of policy options involving the Pentagon and economic and trade sanctions, as well as law enforcement actions, according to recently released strategy documents and reports.

Army creates new defensive cyber project office

The Army has reorganized one of its leading technology project management offices to instead focus on defensive cyber operations, responding to a growing need in that domain.