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

Northrop CEO to depart; Warden to take over

Wes Bush, Northrop Grumman's chief executive, will step down Jan. 1, the company announced.

Lynn: Two-year budget stability bolsters industry investment

The stability created by the two-year budget deal will help the defense industry make investments in research and development, Bill Lynn said last week.

Focused on drone business, Kratos hires retired four-star, partners with another contractor

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, readying to grow its tactical and target drone businesses, has opened a new facility, teamed with another contractor to bolster its capacity and hired a former four-star Air Force general as a consultant.

BAE to expand in Huntsville

BAE Systems said it will expand its operations in Huntsville, AL.

Navy plans to seek unmanned technology through OTAs

The Navy intends to seek unmanned vehicle sensing technology from industry through the use of other transaction agreements, according to a July 10 Federal Business Opportunities notice.

CACI opens shared services center

CACI International formally opened its shared services center in Oklahoma City, OK.

CACI settles NSA case for $1.5 million

CACI Technologies has agreed to pay the U.S. government $1.5 million to settle an allegation that it breached a contract with the National Security Agency, the Justice Department announced earlier this month.

L3 Technologies to acquire two information security businesses

L3 Technologies said it has entered into an agreement to buy Azimuth Security and Linchpin Labs to bolster its cyber and intelligence capabilities.

L3 hires O'Bryan

L3 Technologies said this week it has named Stephen O'Bryan chief global business development officer.

Maxar Technologies hires Porter

Maxar Technologies said it has hired Biggs Porter to serve as chief financial officer, effective Aug. 15.

Accenture taps Batsakis to head defense and intelligence practice

Accenture said it has named George Batsakis to head Accenture Federal Services' defense and intelligence practice.

The week ahead

President Trump was scheduled to meet Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, while Congress continues to work through the defense authorization and appropriations bills.

Senate appropriators still seek transparency in DOD services contracts

The Senate Appropriations Committee remains concerned the Defense Department does not have adequate policies and controls in place to enforce limitations on its annual amount of contracted services and is urging the Pentagon comptroller to review the matter.

Military's new AI center aims to accelerate fielding, attract 'world-class' talent

The U.S. military’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center will be crucial to scaling AI and machine learning across the department and into operations, as well as attracting talented engineers to work with the Defense Department, according to DOD officials.

Pentagon CIO reviewing JEDI cloud strategy

The Pentagon chief information officer says his office is reviewing the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure acquisition strategy, but he declined to set a new date for releasing the final solicitation.