The Insider

By John Liang
April 26, 2023 at 1:30 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a Defense Department report that covers the U.S. military's aircraft inventory plans, plus the Government Accountability Office's analysis of space situational awareness and more.

We start off with coverage of a previously unreported Defense Department report on its long-range plans for military aircraft inventory:

DOD 15-year plan shrinks overall aircraft inventory; grows bomber, refueling, SOF fleets

The U.S. military plans to steadily shrink the total number of aircraft it operates over the next 15 years from 13,749 to 12,721 -- a 7% reduction -- with the bomber force, aerial refueling and Special Operations Forces slated for growth, according to the most detailed public forecast of the Defense Department's aircraft inventory to date.

DOD sets goal to grow Air Force long-range strike force by 20%, 173 bombers by 2037

The Pentagon has set a goal to increase the size of the Air Force bomber force by 20% -- growing the fleet from 143 today to 173 by 2037, according to the first major recalibration of the U.S. military's long-term aviation inventory in five years, a previously unreported expansion that reflects the importance of long-range strike in war plans for a potential fight against China.

Document: DOD's annual aviation inventory and funding plan summary report

Related bomber news:

Air Force would consider new bomber if B-21 can't counter new threats, official says

Though currently not planned, the Air Force is open to adding new aircraft to its bomber fleet in future years if it finds the B-21 Raider is unable to counter an emerging capability, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs Lt. Gen. Richard Moore told lawmakers last week.

The Space Force is facing challenges due to the increase of objects in space, which include gaps in the geographical distribution of global sensors that collect data and limited sensor capability for objects in deep space, the Government Accountability Office noted in a report released Monday:

Air Force, Space Force expect to complete by June new strategy looking at use of commercial data

The Air Force and Space Force are collaborating on a new space strategy that will look at using commercial data to bolster the Defense Department's space situation awareness capabilities. The strategy is expected to be completed by June.

Document: GAO report on space situational awareness

More coverage of the Navy's latest 30-year shipbuilding plan:

Navy marks 62 ships for decommissioning across FYDP

The Navy intends to decommission 62 ships over the next five years, pursuing a "divest to invest" strategy that calls for the retirement of ageing carriers and ballistic missile submarines, the decommissioning of more amphibious warships than are procured, and further divestment from the troubled class of Littoral Combat Ships.

Document: Navy's FY-24 shipbuilding plan

Last but by no means least, our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity are at the RSA conference in San Francisco this week:

Boyens: Work continues to set up Federal Acquisition Security Council ahead of issuing removal and exclusion orders

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Federal Acquisition Security Council completed a lot of work to make sure the process for issuing removal and exclusion orders for untrustworthy equipment on federal systems is deliberate and risk-based, according to National Institute of Standards and Technology supply chain leader Jon Boyens, who participated in a panel with leaders behind the Defense Department's cyber certification program.

By Tony Bertuca
April 26, 2023 at 10:15 AM

The Defense Department and the European Defence Agency have signed a new agreement to provide "stronger transatlantic cooperation" in several areas, including information sharing on supply chain issues.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the agreement will strengthen U.S. and European commitments to NATO and transatlantic security.

“Russia's aggression against Ukraine underlines the importance of strong U.S.-European ties in NATO and with the European Union,” he said. “Deepening dialogue and cooperation will only strengthen this key strategic partnership moving forward.”

The “administrative agreement,” according to DOD, will “enable a substantial defense dialogue” with the EDA.

“Initial activities include consultations on the impact of EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation; military mobility; supply chain issues; and the impact of climate change on defense,” DOD said. “It also allows for U.S. participation in the open session of the European Defence Standardisation Committee.”

The agreement was signed today in Brussels by Jiři Šedivý, chief executive of the EDA, and Bill LaPlante, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.

LaPlante and other Pentagon officials have said their top priorities include finding global solutions -- like “friend-shoring” -- to capacity issues in the U.S. defense industrial base that have been highlighted by ongoing support to Ukraine.

Josep Borrell, head of the EDA, said the information-sharing agreement would be key for future cooperation.

“At a time when war has returned to Europe, we need to open every avenue for cooperation with our closest partners,” he said. “The EDA-U.S. Administrative Arrangement provides another pillar to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and the link between the EU and the U.S. The European Defence Agency, as the hub for EU defense cooperation, plays a unique role in raising our level of defense cooperation and contributing to make the EU a stronger defense actor and partner."

By Dan Schere
April 25, 2023 at 5:23 PM

Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo said Tuesday afternoon that the company is examining the feedback from the Army and the Government Accountability Office on the reasons for losing the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft contract.

Sikorsky, part of Lockheed Martin, lost out to Bell, owned by Textron, on the FLRAA contract. After the Army announced the decision in early December, Sikorsky filed a bid protest with GAO, alleging inconsistencies in the way the Army evaluated its DEFIANT X proposal and Bell’s V-280 Valor.

This month, GAO denied Sikorsky’s protest, agreeing with the Army’s original feedback that the DEFIANT X lacked enough detail when it came to engineering design and development. The company ultimately chose not to take further legal action.

Lemmo, speaking by phone to reporters Tuesday ahead of the Aviation Association of America’s annual conference in Nashville, TN, said despite the outcome of the protest, he is still encouraged by positive feedback from the Army on the company’s X2 technology -- a coaxial rotor system that eliminates the need for a tail rotor. Sikorsky’s proposal for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft also uses X2 technology.

“As we review all the feedback that we got on the proposal on the FLRAA offering, in particular the X2 technology, I think the good news there is that we have many strengths associated with X2,” Lemmo said.

“Specifically, the feedback that we received from the Army let us know that the agility, stability and scalability of our X2 technology can be extremely useful in contested areas,” he added.

Lemmo did not elaborate on the reasons Sikorsky chose not to take the FLRAA case to court. He emphasized that the Army only rated the DEFIANT X as “unacceptable” in the architecture subfactor, but that caused the overall engineering and design factor to also be viewed as unacceptable.

As Sikorsky competes with Bell for the FARA contract, Lemmo said they are continuing to review feedback from the FLRAA case.

“I would say that we are obviously learning from that and moving on, and we’ll take all the lessons learned to all of the future opportunities that we bid on,” he said.

Sikorsky’s RAIDER X prototype is 96% complete in the company’s West Palm Beach, FL facility. Lemmo said the prototype is currently undergoing risk-reduction testing, and they hope to fly it by the summer of 2024.

That timing is based on the Improved Turbine Engines being delivered this fall, which have experienced quality-control-related delays, according to Army acquisition chief Doug Bush. Then, additional tests must be conducted once the engines are installed, Lemmo said.

“It’s got to go through a number of ground tests and checkouts, and then we can begin flight checks,” he said.

By John Liang
April 25, 2023 at 1:39 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Navy's Large Unmanned Surface Vessel program, the Pentagon's defense industrial base investments and more.

We start off with some Navy unmanned systems news:

Draft LUSV capability requirements completed

The capability development document for the LUSV is drafted and will enter the staffing process for FY-23 approval by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, the Navy said.

The Senate Armed Services Committee's top Democrat spoke this week at a Center for a New American Security event:

Reed commits to weapons investments; criticizes Tuberville's nomination blockade

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) said today he is committed to supporting continued investments in the defense industrial base, especially for munitions, as the war in Ukraine has highlighted the need to prepare to surge similar assistance to Taiwan in the event of a conflict with China.

More coverage from last week's Space Symposium in Colorado:

Space Force developing CONOPS for GMTI satellite partnership with NRO

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- The Space Force is developing its concept of operations for the Ground Moving Target Indicator satellite system, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told reporters last week at the Space Symposium.

The MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueling aircraft's initial operational capability date has been delayed by a year:

MQ-25 Stingray IOC delayed a year

The Navy is moving the initial operational capability (IOC) date for the MQ-25 Stingray back a year to 2026 to allow for sufficient time for testing the unmanned aerial fueling tanker, a service spokeswoman told Inside Defense.

Raytheon Technologies this week announced the launch of RAIVEN, a capability that uses artificial intelligence, hyperspectral imaging and light detection and ranging [LiDAR] to help pilots see farther and clearer:

Raytheon wants to add new EO intelligence capability on Army future vertical lift platforms

Raytheon Technologies executives say they are hoping to incorporate a new electro-optical intelligent sensing capability on two Army future vertical lift platforms.

By Dan Schere
April 24, 2023 at 5:09 PM

The Army last week issued a sources-sought notice for a follow-on production contract for the first increment of the Precision Strike Missile.

PrSM, part of the Army’s Long Range Precision Fires modernization objective, was approved by the Defense Acquisition Executive in November 2013, according to a notice posted April 20. Over the course of the next several years, the Army conducted an analysis of alternatives, awarded studies to industry and invited companies to provide demonstrations of the technology.

In September 2021, PrSM passed milestone B, meaning it could transition to the engineering and manufacturing development stage. Lockheed Martin was awarded a $62 million contract modification for the EMD phase, Inside Defense reported.

Increment 1 of the PrSM will “attack, neutralize, suppress and destroy targets using missile delivered indirect precision fires,” according to the Army. Pentagon budget justification materials state the service has an Army Acquisition Objective of 3,986 PrSM missiles, and the current AAO is for Increment 1. The Army has included $384 million for the procurement of 110 PrSM missiles for FY-24.

The follow-on contract will be for the production of “634 assets of the PrSM Increment 1 system” over 48 months, according to the notice. It states that the contract will fulfill a requirement to “provide the most capable and modernized artillery battalions for employment across land domains.” The follow-on will likely be a sole-source contract, it states.

The Army is asking industry to reply to the notice by April 30.

Doug Bush, the Army’s top acquisition official, told Congress last week that Increment 1 could be “a very good candidate” for a multiyear procurement effort in the future.

By Dan Schere
April 24, 2023 at 3:15 PM

The Army has tapped Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to be the service's next chief of staff, according to a congressional notice. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

George will succeed outgoing Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville, who has been in the position since August 2019, and has said he plans to retire this year.

Defense News first reported on the Army’s plans to nominate George.

George’s nomination was sent from the Biden administration to the Senate on April 20 and referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee, according to the register.

George has been vice chief of staff of the Army since last August, according to his biography. He was commissioned from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY in 1988 as an infantry officer. George’s service includes serving as a lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, commanding the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment during the 2003 Iraq War and commanding the 4th Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan in 2008.

More recently, George commanded the 4th Infantry Division in Afghanistan and commanded I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, before serving as senior military assistant to the secretary of defense.

An Army spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

By John Liang
April 24, 2023 at 2:10 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a recently introduced electro-optical sensor developed by Raytheon Technologies, the latest on vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft systems and more.

Raytheon Technologies today announced the launch of RAIVEN, a capability that uses artificial intelligence, hyperspectral imaging and light detection and ranging [LiDAR] to help pilots see farther and clearer:

Raytheon wants to add new EO intelligence capability on Army future vertical lift platforms

Raytheon Technologies executives say they are hoping to incorporate a new electro-optical intelligent sensing capability on two Army future vertical lift platforms.

Frederick Stefany, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition, recently testified at a House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee hearing on rotary wing aviation systems:

VTOL aircraft to bridge 'warfighting gaps'

Investing in vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft systems remains critical for naval forces to bridge "key warfighting gaps" and provide "transformational capabilities" as legacy rotary-wing platforms end service in the next decade, said Frederick Stefany, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition.

Adm. John Aquilino, who leads Indo-Pacific Command, was on Capitol Hill last week talking about his area of responsibility:

Lawmakers dig into INDOPACOM's unmet needs

Lawmakers scrutinized U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's list of unfunded priorities during a Thursday budget hearing, focusing on funding requests to support the development of three future missile systems as well as electromagnetic spectrum capabilities and additional operations in the region.

Aquilino signals support for Taiwan-focused weapons transfers

The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command today signaled support for the use of presidential drawdown authority to "surge" capabilities to defend Taiwan and enhance deterrence in the region.

The No. 2 top military service officials testified before the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee last week about their respective fiscal year 2024 readiness budgets:

Space Force to take over Army's Theater Missile Warning

The Army will transfer its key missile warning functions to the Space Force in fiscal year 2024, Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson told lawmakers in congressional testimony on Wednesday.

Document: House hearing on military readiness

By Tony Bertuca
April 24, 2023 at 5:00 AM

The Army Aviation Association of America hosts its annual conference this week, while senior Pentagon officials are scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill.

Monday

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) speaks at the Center for a New American Security.

Tuesday

Army Deputy Chief of Staff (G-9) Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen speaks at an Association of the United States Army Coffee Series event.

Wednesday

The Army Aviation Association of America hosts its annual conference in Nashville, TN. The event runs through Friday.

The House Armed Services Committee holds a hearing on U.S. military posture and security challenges in Europe.

The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee holds a hearing on space programs.

The House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee holds a hearing on Army modernization programs.

The Senate Armed Services Committee holds a hearing on nuclear security issues.

The Senate Armed Services airland subcommittee holds a hearing on Air Force modernization.

The Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee holds a hearing on public integrity and anti-corruption laws at the Defense Department.

Thursday

The House Armed Services Committee holds a hearing on the Air Force budget request.

The House Armed Services intelligence and special operations subcommittee holds a hearing on U.S. competition with China.

The Senate Armed Services Committee holds a hearing with the chiefs of U.S. European Command and U.S. Transportation Command.

The Hudson Institute hosts a discussion on achieving electromagnetic spectrum superiority.

Friday

The House Armed Services Committee holds a hearing on the Navy budget request.

The Hudson Institute hosts a discussion on military readiness with Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA).

By Nick Wilson
April 21, 2023 at 4:34 PM

The Pentagon released the unclassified version of its annual Freedom of Navigation report today, tallying 22 instances of U.S. forces pushing back on "excessive maritime claims" made by 15 different actors during fiscal year 2022.

These claims include a variety of restrictions imposed on the exercise of navigation, violating international law established in the U.N. Law of the Sea Convention, according to a Friday DOD release.

China tops the list with five violations involving the attempted restriction of sea and airspace in the South and East China Seas.

The report lists two infractions by Iran for attempting to limit transit through the Strait of Hormuz and prohibit foreign military activities in its exclusive economic zone. The United Arab Emirates and Montenegro are also listed with two violations each.

Antigua and Barbuda, Croatia, Malaysia, Malta, Nicaragua, Oman, Russia, Somalia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Yemen round out the list with one violation each.

“If left unchallenged, excessive maritime claims could limit the rights and freedoms enjoyed by every nation,” the announcement states.

“Upholding freedom of navigation as a principle supports unimpeded lawful commerce and the global mobility of U.S. forces. DOD's freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” the release adds.

By John Liang
April 21, 2023 at 2:45 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the military services' readiness budgets and more.

Adm. John Aquilino, who leads Indo-Pacific Command, testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing:

Lawmakers dig into INDOPACOM's unmet needs

Lawmakers scrutinized U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's list of unfunded priorities during a Thursday budget hearing, focusing on funding requests to support the development of three future missile systems as well as electromagnetic spectrum capabilities and additional operations in the region.

Aquilino signals support for Taiwan-focused weapons transfers

The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command today signaled support for the use of presidential drawdown authority to "surge" capabilities to defend Taiwan and enhance deterrence in the region.

The No. 2 top military service officials testified before the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee this week about their respective fiscal year 2024 readiness budgets:

Space Force to take over Army's Theater Missile Warning

The Army will transfer its key missile warning functions to the Space Force in fiscal year 2024, Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson told lawmakers in congressional testimony on Wednesday.

Document: House hearing on military readiness

The Ground-based Midcourse Defense System could resume testing soon:

DOD readies re-start of GMD testing after RKV termination with major flight test later this year

The Defense Department this year plans to break the "strategic pause" imposed on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program after the 2019 termination of the Redesigned Kill Vehicle project with the maiden flight of a guided missile against a target using a booster that utilizes only two of three available rocket stages.

Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter testified before the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee this week:

Air Force sees gap between end of KC-46 deliveries and newest tanker

The Air Force expects a gap period between the end of KC-46 tanker aircraft production and the delivery of the next-generation replacement and plans to close that gap by recapitalizing its current tanker fleet, a top service official told Congress yesterday.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman testified before the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee this week:

Space Force proposes absorbing Reserves now handling space ops

The Space Force has sent Congress a legislative proposal to take the Air Force Reserve component handling space missions and integrate it into the active-duty Space Force, according to the head of the service.

By Sara Friedman
April 21, 2023 at 12:03 PM

The annual RSA conference in San Francisco kicks off Monday with a focus this year on the national cyber strategy, operational collaboration, hardware and software security and more in keynote sessions and panels running through Thursday.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency cyber leader Eric Goldstein and acting Principal Deputy National Cyber Director Rob Knake participate in a Wednesday session on the national cyber strategy. It also features State Department cyber official Liesyl Franz and the FBI’s Bryan Vorndran.

Hardware security and software supply chain security are among the hot topics Monday at the RSA Security Conference.

The Information Technology Industry Council’s Courtney Lang moderates a session on what’s next for hardware security following the CHIPS Act featuring NIST’s Jon Boyens, Amit Elazari of Intel and National Security Council official Steven Kelly, while Office of the National Cyber Director official Camille Stewart Gloster participates in a panel on how to secure the software supply chain.

CISA’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative is in the spotlight with a Monday panel moderated by CISA’s Maria Probst. It features Jason Barrett of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Stephanie Kiel of Google and Robert Sheldon of CrowdStrike.

Monday’s sessions also include a keynote from former CISA Director Chris Krebs and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco on the Justice Department’s approach to evolving cyber threats, and CISA’s Goldstein with Cyber National Mission Force Commander Major Gen. William Hartman discussing the partnership between CISA and U.S. Cyber Command.

The FBI’s Vorndran moderates a panel on hardening AI/ML and Dragos CEO Robert Lee provides an update in a separate session on the industrial cyber threat landscape.

On Tuesday, keynotes focus on responsible AI, cryptocurrencies, cybersecurity and the music industry, and an overview on next-generation tactics, techniques and procedures from CrowdStrike.

There’s also a panel on the U.S. national cyber label program for consumer connected devices featuring the Consumer Technology Association’s David Grossman and Michael Bergman, Intel’s Elazari, NIST’s Katerina Megas and Eric Tamarkin of Samsung.

Other Tuesday sessions include NSA cyber director Rob Joyce moderating a panel on building international coalitions to scale defense, a panel on aviation industry issues, Software Bill of Materials with Charis Blask of Cybeats and Kate Stewart of the Linux Foundation, a discussion on cyber insurance claims trends and an FBI-led panel on the U.S.-Ukraine cyber partnership.

Wednesday’s schedule features a panel on the Cyber Safety Review Board featuring DHS Under Secretary for Policy Rob Silvers and Google’s Heather Adkins. Keynotes include a panel on cyber diplomacy and Mandiant CEO Kevin Mandia providing a year-in-review on the state of cybersecurity.

The diplomacy panel features State Department cyber leader Nate Fick, Nathalie Jaarsma from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Mandia and Wendi Whitmore of Palo Alto Networks.

Another Wednesday panel focuses on systemically important critical infrastructure with former CISA officials Bob Kolasky and Daniel Kroese, Norma Krayem of Van Scoyoc Associates and Henry Willis of the RAND Corp. ONCD official Cheri Caddy and McCrary Institute’s Frank Cilluffo participate in a separate session on the Energy Department’s National Cyber-Informed Engineering Strategy.

Representatives from the healthcare industry respond on Wednesday to the latest cyber proposals from the Securities and Exchange Commission, while ONCD’s Stewart Gloster participates in a session on diversity and inclusion with Walmart’s Rob Duhart.

NSA’s Joyce speaks at a Wednesday track session called “State of the Hack 2023 -- NSA's Perspective.”

Thursday highlights include Cheri Pascoe and Amy Mahn discussing what’s next for the NIST cybersecurity framework; officials from the FBI and the Defense, Treasury and Energy departments on operational collaboration; and an exploration of the Federal Aviation Administration’s cyber efforts.

There’s also a keynote panel on ransomware featuring CSIS’ Suzanne Spaulding and Glen Gerstell, Tenable’s Robert Huber, Phyllis Schneck of Northrop Grumman and Preston Golson of the Brunswick Group. NIST Director Laurie Locascio participates in an afternoon keynote panel focused on setting standards, while ONCD’s Stewart Gloster moderates a session on developing the cyber workforce strategy.

By Tony Bertuca
April 21, 2023 at 10:38 AM

President Biden has announced his intent to nominate Cara Abercrombie to be assistant secretary of defense for acquisition, according to a White House announcement.

Abercrombie currently serves as deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for defense policy and arms control at the National Security Council.

A career member of the senior executive service, Abercrombie previously served as acting deputy director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and as the first president of the Defense Security Cooperation University.

She has also served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for south and southeast Asia.

Though Radha Plumb was confirmed as deputy assistant secretary of defense for acquisition by the Senate earlier this week, things have stalled for Pentagon nominees as Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) continues to block all nominations and military promotions on the grounds that he opposes military travel policies related to abortion services.

By Dan Schere
April 21, 2023 at 10:15 AM

Oshkosh Defense filed two supplemental protests this month in addition to its original protest of the Army's award of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle follow-on contract to AM General.

The Army announced Feb. 9 that it had awarded the contract to AM General to produce more than 20,000 JLTVs and more than 9,000 trailers. The contract could be worth as much as $8 billion over a decade.

Oshkosh filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office on March 6, alleging the Army did not conduct a thorough cost evaluation in examining AM General’s ability to produce the vehicles, and overlooked other flaws in the company’s production process, according to a redacted copy.

According to GAO’s website, Oshkosh filed additional protests on April 13 and 17 in the matter. Those refer to supplemental protest allegations that were filed, according to Edward Goldstein, GAO managing associate general counsel for procurement law.

Goldstein wrote in an email to Inside Defense Thursday that the supplemental allegations are expected to be resolved by the June 14 deadline in the case, which is 100 days after the original protest was filed in March.

Oshkosh, in a statement to Inside Defense Friday, said: “Supplemental protests noted on the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) site are part of the normal protest process filed under a GAO protective order and are not available at this time. We are unable to comment further.”

Oshkosh, which won the original JLTV contract in 2015, can continue to produce the vehicles through 2024.

By John Liang
April 20, 2023 at 2:15 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the defense implications of congressional Republicans' proposed spending cap plan, Marine Corps combat vehicles and helicopters, coverage of this year's Space Symposium and more.

We start off with coverage of congressional Republicans' proposed spending cap plan, and its implications for defense funding:

Defense cuts not addressed in House GOP's new spending cap plan

House Republicans have released a proposal agreeing to lift the national debt limit to pay the nation's bills if the increase is paired with steep cuts to discretionary federal spending, but senior appropriators will ultimately decide what would be slashed under the proposal and defense spending does not appear to be on the menu.

News on Marine Corps combat vehicles and helicopters:

Marine Corps to retrain and recertify ACV operators

The Marine Corps will establish a new training program within its Assault Amphibian School to retrain and recertify operators of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, following training incidents in which ACVs capsized in choppy waters.

Naval leaders update CH-53K production

Meeting delivery schedules and managing the lingering effects of COVID-related supply chain delays continue to be headwinds in the production of rotary wing aircraft, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, deputy commandant for aviation, told House lawmakers Wednesday.

We also have coverage of this year's Space Symposium out in Colorado:

'Overclassification' hindering international cooperation in space, officials say

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- Space has an overclassification problem that is hindering collaboration efforts with allies and industry, officials said this week at Space Symposium.

Kendall: Air Force needs authority to do early work on new starts before congressional approval

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall Wednesday pushed for the passage of a legislative proposal that would allow the Defense Department to get a head start on research before securing new-start approvals from Congress.

Senior Army officials testified on Capitol Hill this week:

Army secretary says continuing resolution would tie down $5.3B in procurement programs

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told Congress Wednesday morning that a two-year continuing resolution would tie down roughly $5.3 billion in procurement programs included in the fiscal year 2024 request.

Bush: FARA eight months behind schedule due to delays with engine deliveries, AOA

The Army's top acquisition official told Congress during a Wednesday afternoon hearing that the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft is about eight months behind schedule, stemming from delays with engine deliveries and an uncompleted analysis of alternatives.

Bush says Army is 'absolutely prepared' to ask for new competition if IVAS 1.2 fails in testing

Doug Bush, the Army's top acquisition executive, told Congress during a hearing Tuesday that the Army would consider a new competition for the 1.2 variant of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System if testing is not successful.

Navy Vice Adm. Ricky Williamson, deputy chief of naval operations for fleet readiness and logistics, testified to Congress this week about challenges to the service's shipyards:

Construction budget to 'strengthen the backbone' of U.S. shipyards

A $2.3 billion proposal to improve critical naval infrastructure at the nation's four public shipyards is part of the Defense Department's $14.7 billion request for military construction projects in fiscal year 2024.

By John Liang
April 19, 2023 at 2:32 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on missile defense, the Navy's construction budget, Army modernization and more.

The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee held a hearing this week on missile defense:

DOD, NATO exploring expanded mission for Aegis Ashore sites in Europe: countering Russia

Defense Department and NATO policymakers are considering expanding the mission of Aegis Ashore sites in Europe -- originally established to counter Iranian ballistic missile threats -- to also defend the continent from Russian air attacks in the wake of Moscow's blistering ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile attacks against Ukraine over the last year.

In related coverage, the Missile Defense Agency is going to need a new director:

Search for new MDA director is on after Hill requests retirement

The Pentagon is seeking a new Missile Defense Agency director after Vice Adm. Jon Hill recently requested permission to retire this summer -- marking the second consecutive MDA director to vacate the post prior to completing a six-year term that Congress created to help foster management stability over the agency's complex projects portfolio.

The House Appropriations military construction, veterans' affairs and related agencies subcommittee heard testimony this week on proposals that range from funding shipyard optimization at the nation’s four public shipbuilding facilities to adjusting the H2-B visa program for hiring and retaining labor for military construction in Guam:

Defense leaders emphasize FY-24 construction dollars for naval infrastructure

The Navy's fiscal year 2024 construction budget includes $6 billion in projects to develop platforms and weapon systems, modernize utilities and reinvest in infrastructure, Defense Department leaders told a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday.

The Senate Armed Services airland subcommittee held a hearing this week focused on Army modernization:

Army acquisition chief says PrSM could be a 'very good candidate' for multiyear procurement

Doug Bush, the Army's top acquisition official, told the ranking member of a congressional defense subcommittee Tuesday that the Precision Strike Missile could be "a very good candidate" for multiyear procurement in the future.

Document: Senate hearing on Army modernization

Lockheed Martin released its quarterly earnings report yesterday:

Lockheed executives enthused by strong demand in Pentagon budget

Lockheed Martin executives claimed a "solid" first quarter consistent with the company's 2023 expectations, and applauded the Defense Department's fiscal year 2024 budget request that looks to invest in F-35 procurement and several of Lockheed's missile systems.

The Navy finally released its 30-year shipbuilding plan:

Navy's 30-year plan presents three options; only one sees fleet reach 355-ship requirement

The Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan again presents three alternative paths, each envisioning modest growth for the total fleet, with only one option exceeding a 355-ship Navy before fiscal year 2053.

Document: Navy's FY-24 shipbuilding plan