Defense Business Briefing -- Jan. 23, 2018

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

This week's top story

Pentagon official: New defense industrial base review 'won't just be a one-time exercise'

The Pentagon's new industrial base review, spurred by an executive order, is on track to be delivered in April, the chief of the Defense Department's manufacturing and industrial base policy office said.

News & notes

Chewning: M&A activity will be considered on 'case-by-case basis'

The head of the Pentagon's manufacturing and industrial base policy shop said today his office is not pursuing broad changes to the department's approach to mergers and acquisitions.

PAE joint venture heads to court over Navy contract

PAE said its joint venture, known as DZSP 21, has taken its protest to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims after the Navy awarded Fluor a key deal.

DOD considers tax incentives to strengthen supply chain security

The Defense Security Service is studying how tax incentives could be used to incentivize companies to better protect their supply chains from foreign intelligence threats.

Pentagon enlists Defense Science Board in industrial base study

The Pentagon's top acquisition official is seeking the help of the Defense Science Board as the Defense Department undertakes a new study of the defense industrial base.

Appointments & promotions

Cubic nominates Melcher for board

Cubic has nominated David Melcher, the former chief of the Aerospace Industries Association, to the company's board of directors.

Harris adds Smith to manage Army, SOCOM work

Harris Corp. has hired retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Smith to serve as vice president for business development, focusing on the company's work with the Army and U.S. Special Operations Command.

KeyW hires Wallen

KeyW has named Dave Wallen senior vice president of advanced cyber, effective Jan. 29.

AIA hires Wagner

The Aerospace Industries Association has named Alex Wagner vice president and senior adviser to Eric Fanning, AIA's new president and chief executive.

What's happening

The week ahead

The week ahead features several public appearances by senior Pentagon officials in the Washington area, while several large defense contractors are scheduled to hold quarterly earnings calls.

For Inside Defense subscribers

Griffin pledges to bridge 'valley of death' as Pentagon's chief technology officer

The nominee for the Pentagon's new innovation chief pledged to ensure promising technologies are prototyped and transitioned from development to the battlefield.

Roper planning F-35 sustainment review if confirmed to lead Air Force acquisition

The nominee for the long-vacant Air Force acquisition executive role is planning "a very deep-dive" look at the F-35 program, particularly in the area of sustainment.

Industry day planned for military's new cyber training range

The Army will soon host an industry day to discuss plans to develop a joint cyber training range for the U.S. military, including details on a new "cyber innovation challenge."