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

Trump administration officials pledge 'streamlined' arms sales to boost defense industry

Trump administration officials said the government has embarked on a new era in foreign military sales to boost the U.S. defense industry and maintain global influence amid the rise of China and resurgence of Russia.

Moody's upgrades Aerojet Rocketdyne

Moody's Investor Services late last month upgraded the ratings of Aerojet Rocketdyne, citing the "strong budgetary setting" as well as the company's operational efficiency efforts.

Supplier of faulty welding on sub missile tubes working to understand scope of defects

The company responsible for faulty welding on missile tubes slated for the Navy's Columbia-class submarine is still working to understand the full scope of the defective work, its chief executive told Wall Street investors.

Vectrus reports improved sales and profit

Vectrus said sales during its most recent quarter hit $321 million, up 24 percent from the same three-month period a year earlier.

Boeing HorizonX invests in 3D printing company

Boeing today said it has invested in Burlington, MA-based Digital Alloys, which is developing high-speed, multimetal additive manufacturing systems.

General Dynamics promotes Marzilli

General Dynamics' board of directors has tapped Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems, to serve as executive vice president of the contractor's Information Technology and Mission Systems segments, effective Jan. 1.

The week ahead

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is traveling to South America this week, while the Senate, which has canceled August recess, returns to consider various nominees and legislation, including the defense spending bill for fiscal year 2019. President Trump is also expected to sign the FY-19 defense authorization bill.

Defense Innovation Unit drops 'experimental' to reflect permanence at DOD

The military's Silicon Valley start-up is no longer an experiment, according to the Pentagon's No. 2 official.

Navy creates agility task force for emerging technologies

The Navy has formed an agility task force designed to help the service expedite its creation and use of "emerging technology."

New SCO director aims to maintain 'optempo,' with tech demonstrations forthcoming

The new director of the Strategic Capabilities Office says several technology demonstrations are planned for the coming weeks, as he looks to maintain the "optempo" the office has set in developing novel ways of using existing conventional capabilities to deter China and Russia.