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

Pentagon justifies single-award approach to JEDI cloud

The Pentagon says managing multiple commercial cloud providers would be too complex and slow down cloud migration in a new report justifying the Defense Department's plan to make a single award for the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure program.

In-Q-Tel exec nominated for DOD post favors 'light touch' on venture-backed firms

An In-Q-Tel executive nominated to serve as deputy under secretary for research and engineering said she believes there are major opportunities for the Defense Department to team with commercial technology firms backed by venture capital, but only if the government is willing to "take a back seat."

Esper: Army should be more 'hospitable' to innovators

The Army needs to combine greater outreach to industry -- traditional and otherwise -- with less prescriptive requirements to foster innovation and improve acquisition, according to the service secretary.

Protest spotlight

GAO denied a protest by DynCorp and AAR Supply Chain of an aircraft supply chain management services contract award to JPATS Logistics Services.

SAIC constructing new 'platform innovation center'

Science Applications International Corp. is building a new platform integration and engineering center in Berkeley County, SC.

AFRL industry day slated for July 17-19

The Air Force Research Laboratory will hold its annual three-day Wright Dialogue with Industry event in July, a chance for companies to learn more about Air Force and NASA technology interests and key research and development efforts.

HII partners with 3D Systems to accelerate 3D printing into shipbuilding

Huntington Ingalls Industries will partner with 3D Systems to accelerate the adoption of metal 3D printing into the shipbuilding industry.

UTC Aerospace: Parts will cut down maintenance on CH-53K

United Technologies Corp. subsidiary UTC Aerospace Systems announced recently the components it's providing to the Marine Corps' heavy-lift helicopter will reduce the amount of regular maintenance the aircraft requires.

Former Army chief of staff joins Oshkosh board

Retired Army Gen. Raymond Odierno has been appointed to Oshkosh Corp.'s board of directors.

Lockheed names new rotary and mission systems VP

Lockheed Martin has appointed retired Navy Vice Adm. Barry McCullough vice president of strategy and business development in the company's Rotary and Mission Systems business unit.

The week ahead

The Shipbuilders Council of America holds a major conference in Washington this week, while several think tanks host events featuring senior Pentagon officials.

Watchdog: DSS could face 'disruptions' over security clearances amid shift to more aggressive oversight

The Defense Security Service is in the midst of transitioning to a more aggressive posture to protect classified information, but it has yet to finalize a detailed strategy and will likely be pressed for resources as it prepares to assume responsibility for the Pentagon's massive backlog of security clearances, according to the Government Accountability Office.

House panel directs new National Security Science and Technology Strategy for $15B portfolio

A house panel has adopted legislation that would require the Defense Department to prepare a National Security Science and Technology Strategy annually, an assessment to be provided to Congress that explicitly prioritizes investments across a $15 billion research portfolio that aims to provide the building blocks for potential new weapons.

Army previews plan to spend $580 million on assured PNT across FYDP

The Army intends to spend $580 million from fiscal year 2020 through FY-24 on efforts to provide assured position, navigation and timing capability, according to a recent report.