The Insider

Army awards Leidos $331M contract for network modernization
By Dan Schere
October 21, 2024 at 11:21 AM

The Army has awarded Leidos a $331 million contract that aligns with the service's network modernization strategy and Unified Network Plan, the information technology company announced today.

The contract has a “one-year base period of performance” and four one-year option periods, according to Leidos.

Under the contract, Leidos will deploy the Army Global Unified Network (AGUN), which uses software-defined network technologies to support the service’s transition to a “zero-trust architecture.” AGUN will be deployed to individual Army sites to “deliver a standardized, orchestrated modern network architecture.” This will allow the Army to divest from its Joint Regional Security Stacks, according to Leidos.

Steve Hull, the president of Leidos’ digital modernization sector, said in a statement today that the contract “underscores our commitment to supporting the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts.”

“We are proud to partner with the Army in deploying the Global Unified Network, which will enhance interoperability and security across all levels of operations. This initiative not only aligns with the Army’s Network Modernization Strategy but also aims to position us at the forefront of advancing military communication capabilities in an increasingly complex global landscape,” he said.

The week ahead
By Tony Bertuca
October 21, 2024 at 5:00 AM

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak at several events this week.

Tuesday

The Mitchell Institute hosts a discussion with the U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander.

Thursday

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a discussion with former Air Force acquisition chief Will Roper on the future of artificial intelligence and autonomy.

Friday

The Military Reporters and Editors Conference is held.

FREE TO READ: Path to Air Force's CJADC2 contribution revealed through integrating PEO
By Shelley K. Mesch
October 18, 2024 at 4:01 PM

After years of changing strategies, the Air Force may have finally landed on a pathway to build and field its contribution to the Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control effort.

The newest strategy -- creating a Department of the Air Force Battle Network laser-focused on C2 capabilities and only C2 capabilities -- stems from the Command, Control, Communication and Battle Management integrating program executive office created by service Secretary Frank Kendall about two years ago.

Read the full story, now available to all.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 18, 2024
By John Liang
October 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Navy dry docks, plus more coverage from the AUSA conference as well as funding for Air Force depots.

We start off with Navy dry dock news:

Navy considering industry partnership to share cost and use of new West Coast dry dock

The Navy is contemplating a collaborative public-private approach to buying and operating a new dry dock on the West Coast, according to an Oct. 15 request for information that floats the idea of entering into a "business partnership" with a commercial entity to share production costs and use of the infrastructure.

Continuing coverage of this week's big AUSA conference:

Army approves, sends to JROC new requirement for integrated offensive-defensive fires

The Army has approved a new requirement to integrate offensive and defensive fires -- a paradigm-changing capability that promises a significant breakthrough in missile warfare -- and is now preparing to ask Pentagon top brass to codify this objective through additional performance parameters for the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

Digital models give Army confidence in Bradley replacement

A models-based approach to the XM30's design phase has helped the Army catch errors that would have otherwise slipped through the cracks, a service official said this week.

Milestone C for Army's T901 engines now expected in 2028-2029 timeframe

Army Program Executive Officer for Aviation Brig. Gen. David Phillips said this week at the Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington that the service now expects the T901 Improved Turbine Engine to enter milestone C, the production phase, in the 2028 to 2029 timeframe.

Read our full AUSA coverage.

News on the Air Force's depots and JADC2 efforts:

Without $1.5 billion boost for depots, Air Force will need to make tough choices on force design

A requested $1.5 billion in spare parts funding could make all the difference in reinvigorating the Air Force's ailing depots and make space for technical innovation, a top sustainment official said, but without it, several key operational initiatives the service has put in place to rival China will not have enough juice to reach the finish line.

Path to Air Force's CJADC2 contribution revealed through integrating PEO

After years of changing strategies, the Air Force may have finally landed on a pathway to build and field its contribution to the Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control effort.

Last but by no means least, our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

CMMC program director addresses competition, small business needs as rollout of final rule begins

The publication on Tuesday of the final rule to establish the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program kicks off workstreams developed over the last three years, according to program director Buddy Dees who spoke with Inside Cybersecurity on efforts to prepare for the launch and assessment needs.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 17, 2024
By John Liang
October 17, 2024 at 2:21 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Navy looking to develop nuclear power sites on military installations, plus coverage of the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and the AUSA conference.

We start off with the Navy developing nuclear power sites on military installations:

Navy requests information to develop nuclear power sites

The Navy is seeking to expand its clean energy generation through development of nuclear power sites on underutilized military land, including seven locations of interest across Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.

Our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

PSC: 'Narrow' scope of CMMC program final rule leads to questions on implementation

The Pentagon's decision to make many comments out of scope from its final rule on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program raises concerns over how the rollout will work in practice as contracting officers write requirements into solicitations, according to the Professional Services Council.

Industry coalition identifies issues with proposed affirmation process, flow-down requirements in CMMC acquisition rule

A coalition of industry groups is asking the Defense Department to make changes to its proposed acquisition rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program to address concerns over affirmation of compliance and how to track flow-down requirements in supply chains.

Continuing coverage of this week's big AUSA conference:

Army's Stryker turret may have passed its testing phase, just not unscathed

The Army announced it has wrapped production verification testing of its Medium Caliber Weapon System, touting it is "beating requirements" for reliability and will start to field the turret atop the Stryker vehicle in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. But that doesn’t mean it's not without hiccups.

Army leaders: U.S. requires layered response to meet small UAS threat across regions

Army leaders across all areas of responsibility shared the challenges they face in efforts to meet the threat posed by adversaries' small, uncrewed aerial systems this week, but one similar refrain remained -- the U.S. military's response must be layered.

Marine Corps selects two companies to produce MADIS counter-UAS component
By Nick Wilson
October 17, 2024 at 11:41 AM

The Marine Corps has awarded two contracts worth up to $200 million each to companies Invariant Corp. and Anduril to build and integrate a counter-drone component of a developing, mobile air defense system, according to an Oct. 16 Pentagon announcement.

Under the awards, the two companies are tasked with delivering a counter-unmanned aircraft system engagement system (CES) for the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). A June 2023 pre-solicitation for the CES component describes it as “an advanced, highly autonomous effector” to take down UAS threats at “significant ranges from the launch location.”

Work under the contracts, which include a base period and four option periods of undisclosed length, is expected to conclude by October 2031. The contracts were awarded competitively, with the Marine Corps receiving bids from four companies, the notice adds.

MADIS is a short-range, surface-to-air capability intended to protect ground forces from low-altitude UAS and aircraft. Developed by the Marine Corps’ ground-based air defense program office, it consists of a "fighting pair" of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, with the first JLTV carrying radar and other systems to detect and track threats, and the second carrying a launcher and stinger missile interceptors.

The CES will be integrated into the JLTV’s remote weapon station or mounted on a JLTV trailer to enhance its counter-drone capabilities, according to the June pre-solicitation.

In April, program officials said the system is expected to achieve initial operational capability in early fiscal year 2025. Fielding is expected to follow in FY-25, with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion -- part of the Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment -- selected as the first Marine Corps battalion to receive MADIS.

The service’s FY-25 budget request aims to increase procurement spending on its total ground-based air defense portfolio from $250 million in FY-24 to $370 million in FY-25, including $171.5 million to purchase 13 MADIS systems.

HII names new CTO for mission tech division
By John Liang
October 16, 2024 at 3:30 PM

HII today announced the promotion of John Bell to chief technology officer for the company's Mission Technologies division.

Bell’s appointment is part of the alignment between HII's Mission Technologies CTO office and the corporate CTO office, "supporting the rapid growth of Mission Technologies, new cross-division opportunities and the adoption of 'Industry 4.0' capabilities, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data and Robotics," HII said in a statement.

“As HII looks to the future, it’s leaders like John Bell who will drive our mission forward, embracing innovation and harnessing technology to meet the complex challenges ahead,” Andy Green, HII executive vice president and president of the Mission Technologies division. “His promotion to CTO reflects not only his profound expertise but also our commitment to advancing technologies that will shape the future of defense.”

Bell has worked for HII for 29 years, doing research and development on networks, information systems, communications, cybersecurity and advanced physics-based modeling and simulation for various weapons, sensors and C5ISR systems, according to the company.

DOD announces $425M package for Ukraine
By Tony Bertuca
October 16, 2024 at 2:36 PM

The Defense Department intends to transfer $425 million in U.S. weapons to Ukraine, including air defense capabilities, air-to-ground weapons, munitions, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons.

The transfer, being made via Presidential Drawdown Authority, includes:

  • Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS):
  • RIM-7 missiles and support for air defense;
  • Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
  • Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
  • Air-to-ground munitions;
  • 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
  • Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
  • Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
  • Small arms and ammunition;
  • Grenades, thermals and training equipment;
  • Demolitions equipment and munitions;
  • Humvees; and
  • Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation

The transfers mark the 67th tranche of U.S. equipment to be shipped to Ukraine since August 2021.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 16, 2024
By John Liang
October 16, 2024 at 1:25 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news from this week's AUSA conference as well as the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification final rule.

We start off with continuing coverage of this year's AUSA conference:

Army howitzer performance demos, ensuing competition phase won't include new, extended-range munition round

The Army is working on an advanced munition for extended-range artillery, but the round won’t be ready to take part in the self-propelled howitzer demonstrations that start next month, nor will it be fired in the competition phase, according to a senior service official.

Army amping up transformation in contact efforts by adding two more divisions, chief says

The Army will add two more divisions to its "transformation in contact" initiative, along with two armored brigade combat teams, two Stryker brigade combat teams and additional formations in the National Guard and reserves, Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George announced.

Army under secretary announces cybersecure enclave for small business innovation

Army Under Secretary Gabe Camarillo has revealed the service will invest $26 million across fiscal years 2025 and 2026 on a new pipeline for small businesses to work with the Defense Department without having to worry about cybersecurity threats.

While we're on the topic of cybersecurity, here's coverage of the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program final rule from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

DOD reveals parameters to establish CMMC program in final rule

The Pentagon has unveiled its plans to launch the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification through a final rule published today laying out key definitions, applicability for contractors and parameters for the assessment process.

Document: DOD's final CMMC rule

 

DOD clarifies use of external service providers to assist with CMMC assessments

The Pentagon's final rule to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program addresses concerns from cloud service providers and managed service providers over how they can be used to help companies reach compliance with the Defense Department effort.

Pentagon releases updated assessment, scoping guides in line with CMMC program final rule

The Defense Department has updated its website for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program with the latest versions of guides for the assessment and scoping, the CMMC model and a FAQ explaining key changes, as work gets underway to implement a final rule to establish the DOD initiative.

Low-rate production deliveries of Sentinel A4 set to begin in FY-25
By Dan Schere
October 15, 2024 at 6:06 PM

Prime contractor Lockheed Martin has thus far delivered 10 Sentinel A4 radar systems to the Army. And the company expects to begin deliveries of 19 systems in fiscal year 2025 under a low-rate initial production contract, Lockheed executives told Inside Defense today on the showroom floor of the Association of the U.S. Army conference.

The 10 radars delivered to the Army already have been undergoing testing for the past year, and the tests are expected to continue for the next year, according to Chandra Marshall, the company’s vice president for radar and sensor systems.

Marshall and David Kenneweg, Lockheed’s program director for Army radars, noted the Army is in the process of trying to integrate the Sentinel A4 into the Integrated Battle Command System throughout testing. Additionally, the radar system has been identified by the government as part of the architecture for the planned Guam defense system.

Lockheed is also looking to expand the role of its Q-53 radar, which was initially fielded by the Army more than a decade ago for counterfire operations during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The company has delivered an extended range version of the Q-53 to the Army, and lately has been focused on pivoting toward a counter UAS mission for the radar.

Kenneweg noted the counter UAS capability of the Q-53 was showcased during the Desert Guardian exercise, hosted by U.S. Central Command Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 at Ft. Drum, NY.

Marshall said while “clearly the mission for Q-53 was not counter UAS from the beginning,” the radar has demonstrated it is capable of performing that mission.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 15, 2024
By John Liang
October 15, 2024 at 1:29 PM

The bulk of this post-holiday INSIDER Daily Digest involves coverage of the big AUSA conference.

Here's our AUSA coverage so far:

Wormuth says CR is slowing down more than $8 billion in projects and programs

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said a stopgap funding measure passed by Congress last month is delaying more than $8 billion in projects and programs.

Modernization plans squeezed by rising personnel costs; Army faces 'really hard choices'

The Army's current modernization plan is being squeezed by rising personnel costs and will force "really hard choices" -- possibly foiling a once-in-a-generation blueprint to retool the force for modern combat -- if the service doesn't receive an increased budget topline that reflects real growth above inflation, according to the Army secretary.

Bush says Army is 'not starting from scratch' when it comes to its role in Replicator 2

With the focus of Replicator 2 being on counter small unmanned systems, Army acquisition chief Doug Bush says the service will try to expand on buying systems that already work well as part of the push.

GM Defense prototype reflects Army's posture toward light vehicles

GM Defense's new prototype, the Next Gen Tactical Vehicle, is "quiet as a mouse," said John 'JD' Johnson, vice president of business and development at the company. It's an attribute the Army has a vested interest in.

Army awards five contracts for self-propelled howitzer demonstrations

The Army announced it has given out five contracts to vendors for an upcoming series of self-propelled howitzer performance demonstrations the Army will put on, starting next month. The total award is about $4 million split between American Rheinmetall Vehicles, BAE BOFORS, Hanwha Defense USA, General Dynamics Land Systems and Elbit Systems USA.

Army wants to get rockets lower into its formations, says AFC commanding general

The Army is "aggressively pursuing rockets" with the goal of increasing the lethality of the service’s light formations, Army Futures Command Commanding Gen. James Rainey says.

A new airborne jamming capability was unveiled this week:

Airborne jamming tech designed to be expendable and degrade enemy air defenses

European arms builder Leonardo has unveiled a new airborne jamming capability -- called BriteStorm -- designed to be carried by uncrewed aircraft, including on systems deemed disposable, to thwart advanced integrated air defense systems and support operations deep within adversary territory.

We now have the list of semiconductor technology projects the Microelectronics Commons initiative is working on:

Microelectronics Commons projects begin receiving inaugural funds

The Microelectronics Commons initiative has released a comprehensive list of the 33 semiconductor technology projects that have been chosen to receive the program's first round of funding.

A pair of senators are seeking a look into DOD's quantum sensing efforts:

Bipartisan Senate duo probing DOD quantum sensing efforts amid growing global interest

Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin seeking insight into the Pentagon's use of quantum sensing technology to maintain a strategic advantage over the nation's adversaries.

Military Sealift Command vessel Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11) recently aided in the simulated re-arming of Ticonderoga-class cruiser Chosin (CG-65) off the coast of San Diego, with sailors using the hydraulic TRAM system to load an empty missile canister into Chosin’s MK 41 vertical launch system:

Navy completes first at sea re-arming demonstration

The Navy successfully completed an at-sea re-arming demonstration today, using its developing Transferrable Reload At-sea Method (TRAM) to replenish an underway warship in the open ocean for the first time, according to a Friday announcement.

L3Harris pitches new autonomous ground vehicle for reconnaissance and security ops
By Jason Sherman
October 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM

L3Harris is pitching a new autonomous reconnaissance and security ground vehicle called the Diamondback, displaying for the first time the futuristic looking combat vehicle -- with a sleek, angular design and large, rugged off-road tires suggesting its tough terrain capability -- at the Association of the U.S. Army exhibit hall.

The vehicle -- which includes a small turret-like component, presumably for sensors -- is not targeted at a validated Army requirement for a new system, a company official said, which means L3Harris is hoping to capture the imagination of service leaders attending the three-day show.

“We are expanding our platform and mission system autonomy capabilities, from air and sea, to support robotic vehicles making first contact with threats in land environments,” Ed Zoiss, L3Harris’ space and airborne systems president, said in a statement. “The Diamondback prototype is easily reconfigurable, highly mobile and rapidly scalable due to its modular and open systems architecture as well as its focus on commercial components and mobility.”

L3Harris is partnered with Overland AI, a company focused on autonomous ground mobility technology, to integrate its off-road and cross-country vehicle navigation systems into Diamondback’s mission capabilities, according to the company announcement.

Diamondback is built “to complement existing robotic vehicle classes” while also performing roles traditionally filled by manned vehicles at a more affordable cost, according to L3Harris.

RTX demonstrates Launched Effects capabilities at EDGE
By Dan Schere
October 15, 2024 at 9:00 AM

RTX, the umbrella company of subsidiaries Raytheon and Collins Aerospace, demonstrated two Launched Effects capabilities at the Army's Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE) last month at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ.

EDGE focused on refining the requirements for the Army’s Launched Effects program. Launched Effects, part of the service’s aviation modernization portfolio, refers to small, unmanned aircraft that shoot out of vehicles in the air and on the ground.

About 30 surrogates from five industry partners, in addition to government technology, were used during the demonstration between Sept. 9 and 24, the Army has said.

During EDGE, Collins demonstrated the RapidEdge “mission system and software toolset” that served as the “brains” facilitating collaboration between a group of UAVs with various payloads that flew as Launched Effects surrogates, RTX stated today.

Meanwhile, Raytheon deployed “autonomy capabilities” that were previously developed through the Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment government program and demonstrated Launched Effects capabilities developed for the Coyote family of counter drone systems.

RTX’s solutions at EDGE were able to “share data, seamlessly demonstrating the utility of modular open system architectures and mesh networks,” according to the company. Ryan Bunge, the vice president and general manager for Collins’ C4I&A portfolio, said today that the technologies “showed how autonomous sensing and effects can extend the Army’s reach, delivering sensing and effects in anti-access or area denial environments.”

Raytheon also announced this week that it demonstrated its ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor (KuRFS), along with the Coyote Block 2 kinetic effector and Block 3 non-kinetic effector during the Army’s annual summer test period. Those systems tested “their essential detect and defeat capabilities” as part of the Low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft Integrated Defense System (LIDS), according to the company.

The 360-degree KuRFS radar “excelled in a stress test” and was able to detect and track a swarm of UAVs during the test, according to Raytheon. The Coyote systems defeated “targets, singles and swarms” while demonstrating the ability to defeat multiple threats in a reduced amount of time.

“The tests validated software enhancements made to both systems,” according to Raytheon.

AM General to showcase ultra-mobile howitzer, JLTV A2 at AUSA
By Jason Sherman
October 14, 2024 at 8:00 AM

AM General, the South Bend, IN-based light tactical vehicle maker, will showcase three products on the exhibition floor of the Association of the U.S. Army's annual convention: the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV A2) and trailer, the HUMVEE 2-CT Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer as well as the all-new MIMIC-V purpose-built truck, the company said in a statement.

The new A2 variant of the JLTV incorporates technical enhancements identified by soldiers and Marines, including improved noise reduction, storage space, power distribution systems, corrosion protection and fuel efficiency, according to the Army.

“The company will also display the JLTV-T Trailer which has a payload of up to 5,100 lbs. . . . to make it a rugged compliment to the JLTV A2,” according to an AM General statement.

Second, AM General will display its current variant of an ultra-mobile, self-propelled howitzer: the HUMVEE 2-CT Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer. This system -- developed with the Mandus Group and utilizing the patented Soft Recoil Technology -- “can rapidly engage targets with both indirect and direct fires and move out to avoid counterfire strikes,” according to the company.

The mobile howitzer is being tested in Eastern Europe, according to AM General.

A third AM General product will be exhibited for the first time: the MIMIC-V (Mission Integrated Maneuverable Interoperable Conformable Vehicle) prototype.

“The MIMIC-V is a platform that has been designed and engineered to serve the ultra-unique needs of our special operations warfighters,” according to the company. “This high-performance and low-signature truck can operate in any environment for any tactical mission. As the name implies, MIMIC-V’s key differentiator is that it can reduce its signature by looking like a commercial vehicle.”

The week ahead
By John Liang
October 14, 2024 at 5:00 AM

Senior Army officials speak at a major industry conference this week.

Monday

The Association of the U.S. Army holds its annual convention, which runs through Wednesday.

Follow our coverage here.

Tuesday

The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds its annual "Smart Women, Smart Power" webcast, featuring Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

The Center for a New American Security holds a virtual "fireside chat" with U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Charles Flynn.

Wednesday

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti speaks about the Navy's 2024 Navigation Plan at the Atlantic Council.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman and other DOD officials speak at the Google Public Sector Summit.

Thursday

The Hudson Institute hosts an event on "Strengthening the Allied Industrial Base."

National Reconnaissance Office Principal Deputy Director Troy Meink speaks at a Mitchell Institute Spacepower Series event.

Friday

CSIS hosts a symposium on "Architects of the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Past, Present and Future."