Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.
AM General pledges to compete for JLTV, guaranteeing Army competition in $7.6B acquisition
AM General, maker of the U.S. military's legacy light tactical vehicle fleet, will toss its hat in the ring for the upcoming competition to build Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, a move that presents incumbent Oshkosh with a formidable challenger and assures the Army an industrial rivalry that acquisition officials hope will drive innovation and a fair cost in an estimated $7.6 billion project.
Oshkosh remains committed to JLTV follow-on after cuts
Oshkosh Defense remains committed to competing for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle follow-on contract, even after the Army acknowledged it plans to purchase fewer vehicles than previously expected, according to a company executive.
Northrop opens GBSD software development facility in Huntsville, AL
Northrop Grumman announced it has opened a software development facility as part of an expanded footprint in Huntsville, AL, to support the Air Force's Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.
DOD seeks comment on new climate change proposal aimed at contractors
The Defense Department is seeking public comment on a proposed acquisition regulation that would require major federal suppliers to publicly disclose greenhouse gas emissions and "climate-related financial risk," while also mandating "science-based reduction targets."
Contractors likely to host OMFV digital design
The Army is "leaning towards" having companies host the authoritative source of truth for the digital design of the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, the Bradley fighting vehicle replacement, James Schirmer, the deputy program executive officer for ground combat systems, said Oct. 13 at the Association of the United States Army conference in Washington.
DIU announces $14M in DPA Title III agreements for sUAS
The Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit has announced $14 million in Defense Production Act Title III agreements to strengthen the domestic small unmanned aerial systems industrial base.
Boeing hires former DSCA chief
Boeing announced it has hired former Defense Security Cooperation Agency Director Heidi Grant.
The week ahead
Senior defense officials are slated to discuss national security policy at several venues around Washington this week.
Senate appropriators would increase defense spending by $24B above Biden's request
The Senate Appropriations Committee wants to provide $24 billion more for national defense than what President Biden has requested, according to a draft fiscal year 2022 defense spending bill, which is in line with separate legislation passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Hudson report warns of dependency on China for batteries powering unmanned systems
The military services' push for more unmanned systems is dependent on the power supplied by batteries, a supply chain almost completed controlled by China.