The Insider

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 29, 2025
By John Liang
October 29, 2025 at 1:41 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on proposed U.S. troop withdrawals from Romania, an Infantry Squad Vehicle quickly deploying a mortar system in the field, domestic shipbuilding and more.

Republican lawmakers aren't happy with proposed U.S. troop withdrawals from Romania:

GOP chairmen oppose U.S. troop cuts in Romania, worry about further reductions in Europe

The Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services committees said today they "strongly oppose" the Trump administration's decision to reduce U.S. troop presence in Romania -- the eastern flank of NATO.

The Army recently held a test event with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, HI, under the service's second iteration of Transforming in Contact:

Global Military Products' mortar-carrying ISV-U shrinks deployment time 225547

Army soldiers driving two utility versions of the Infantry Squad Vehicle last week on Oahu, HI, pulled into a field, unfolded an 81mm mortar system out of the back, simulated firing off six rounds and peeled out, all in about a minute and 15 seconds, a video shared with Inside Defense shows.

President Trump is in Asia this week for a series of summits and meetings where critical minerals are a topic of discussion:

In new minerals deal, U.S. eyes price floors to counter unfair practices

In newly signed critical minerals agreements with Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia, the U.S. has secured commitments to combat unfair and nonmarket trading practices via pricing measures, with the texts of all but the Japan deal referring specifically to the use of price floors.

The Senate Coast Guard, maritime and fisheries subcommittee held a hearing on domestic shipbuilding this week:

Senators appear receptive to SHIPS Act, express concern for state of domestic shipbuilding

Senators expressed bipartisan support today for a rebuild of the domestic commercial shipbuilding industry -- a goal that could be supported by the SHIPS Act, currently working its way through the Senate Commerce Committee.

Document: Senate hearing on reviving commercial shipbuilding

The lapse in appropriations has kept about 80% of the AFRL and AFWERX civilian workforce from returning to work, according to an Air Force Materiel Command spokesperson:

AFRL operating with skeleton crew during government shutdown

A majority of the engineers, scientists and other expert government civilians working within the Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX -- the service's innovation arm -- have been furloughed due to the prolonged government shutdown, a spokesperson told Inside Defense.

Lockheed, Saildrone launch partnership to arm USVs
By Nick Wilson
October 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM

Lockheed Martin will invest $50 million into uncrewed surface vessel maker Saildrone with the goal of arming and delivering commercially available USVs to the Navy, the companies announced today.

Under the partnership, Lockheed will integrate weapon systems onto Saildrone USVs to support Navy missions including fleet defense and attack. Initial work will include integrating Lockheed’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) quad launcher onto Saildrone’s Surveyor platform -- a 65-foot, wind-powered USV.

“This strategic collaboration will deliver commercially available unmanned surface vehicles (USV) equipped with lethal, combat-proven defense technology,” the announcement states. “The companies will collaborate with a goal of delivering integrations, including on-water, live fire demonstrations, in 2026.”

The companies also plan to equip Lockheed’s Mk 70 vertical launch system, and its thin line towed arrays onto undisclosed larger vehicles currently under development at Saildrone.

Saildrone will maintain “all shipbuilding responsibilities” while Lockheed serves as “lead mission integrator,” the notice adds.

The Navy has been operating Saildrone USVs since 2021, using them primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Leonardo DRS CEO to retire
By John Liang
October 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM

Leonardo DRS CEO Bill Lynn will retire as chairman and chief executive officer, the company announced today.

John Baylouny has been named president and CEO and a member of the board of directors, while Fran Fragos Townsend was named board chair. All of the changes are effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Lynn led the company for 14 years. Baylouny has been with Leonardo for more than 35 years, currently serving as chief operating officer, a position he has held since late 2018. Prior to that role, he was the company's chief technology officer with enterprise-wide responsibility for its technology investment strategy. 

Townsend has served as a Leonardo board director since 2009 and also is the company’s lead independent director. She currently chairs the Compensation Committee and serves on the Government Security Committee.

Naval Submarine League cancels annual symposium
By Nick Wilson
October 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM

The Naval Submarine League has canceled its annual symposium and industry update, saying many of the uniformed and civilian military personnel scheduled to appear at the November event are unable to attend due to the government shutdown.

The event, which is typically held in mid-November in Arlington, VA and focuses almost exclusively on submarines and undersea warfare, has been an important venue for the Navy to communicate with industry and with the public on a range of budgetary and operational priorities.

NSL, a non-profit organization intended to support the U.S. submarine force, will hold its annual meeting virtually on Nov. 12 to comply with its bylaws in the absence of the typical multiday convention and trade show, the group announced today.

NSL is evaluating its ability to conduct the event at an undisclosed date later this year, NSL Chairman and retired Navy Adm. John Richardson wrote in the announcement.

“This is dependent on the government reopening as well as formal approval for speakers to participate, which is controlled by DOD/DOW,” Richardson added. “Their bandwidth has been affected by government furloughs and approval timelines are unclear. We will work closely with our sponsors, exhibitors and registrants to determine the best way ahead.”

The announcement comes as the government shutdown stretches to nearly a month, throwing Navy and Pentagon-wide activities into disarray.

The NSL symposium is the first major military convention to be canceled due to the shutdown. The annual Association of the United States Army (AUSA) event proceeded as scheduled earlier this month.

This development also follows a series of moves by the Defense Department to restrict public information access.

The Pentagon has classified budget reconciliation spending plans, restricted think-tank appearances and communication with Congress and rolled out a new press access policy effectively barring resident media from the building.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 28, 2025
By John Liang
October 28, 2025 at 1:57 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a multilateral space treaty, plus the Missile Defense Agency and Army working to combine the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system with the Integrated Battle Command System and more.

Marc Berkowitz testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee this morning on his nomination to be assistant defense secretary for space policy:

Space policy ASD nominee opposes Russia and China's treaty proposal

President Trump's nominee for assistant defense secretary for space policy opposes a new multilateral treaty relating to military use of space proposed by Russia and China, according to responses to senators' questions submitted ahead of his confirmation hearing today.

Document: Senate hearing on Berkowitz, Jewell, Caggy, Rogers nominations

Combining the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system with the Integrated Battle Command System would substantially improve the performance of THAAD against sophisticated threats:

MDA is disaggregating THAAD to integrate with IBCS in 'big' five-year software project

The Missile Defense Agency and Army are moving ahead with plan to merge the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system into the service's new Integrated Battle Command System -- a shift with the potential to fundamentally change how the Army defends against missiles as well as support the Golden Dome domestic air defense project.

The Air Force recently submitted its long-term fighter force structure plan to Congress, which was requested in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act:

Air Force wants to build up fighter inventory as focus in new 10-year plan shifts to homeland defense

Over the next decade the Air Force wants to procure F-15EX Eagle II, F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance jets in greater numbers to meet homeland defense priorities determined in the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, according to a report obtained by Inside Defense.

The Defense Department hasn't responded to repeated requests for information regarding why it marked the first $90 billion "tranche" of its reconciliation spending plan to Congress as "classified":

DOD's decision to classify budget reconciliation spending plan draws concerns

Amid recent departures from long-standing government funding norms -- and an ongoing crackdown on information that has traditionally been available to Congress and the public -- the Pentagon, in choosing to classify its plan for spending $150 billion in budget reconciliation funds, has sparked questions and concerns in several corners of the Washington defense community.

Inside Defense recently spoke with various U.S. shipyards on the effects of the government shutdown:

Public shipyards will continue working without pay as shutdown lengthens

The majority of employees at the nation’s four public shipyards are working without pay during the ongoing government shutdown, while approximately 2-4% of the workforce has been furloughed, a Navy official confirmed to Inside Defense.

HII jointly pursuing auxiliary vessel work with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
By Nick Wilson
October 28, 2025 at 12:41 PM

Shipbuilder HII will jointly pursue work on the Navy's Next-generation Logistics Ship program together with South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as the two companies look to expand their international collaboration.

The shipbuilders will submit a joint response to the Navy’s recent NGLS request for information, which signals the service’s intent to award up to three contracts for concept refinement and ship design work. Also known as the Light Replenishment Oiler, the NGLS is intended to serve as a small logistics craft for resupply missions.

HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a new agreement this week intended to expand strategic teaming efforts for U.S. Navy auxiliary shipbuilding programs, according to an announcement from the companies.

“This marks the beginning of deeper collaboration between not only our companies, but each of our countries, that will support enduring changes to military and commercial shipbuilding in America,” HII Executive Vice President for Maritime Systems and Corporate Strategy Eric Chewning said in a statement. “We look forward to working collaboratively with HHI, the U.S. and South Korean governments, and with our customers to transform the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base and enable accelerated throughput in our shipyards.”

Collaboration under the agreement will also target joint investments in distributed shipbuilding and flexible ship construction, improvements to U.S. Navy Indo-Pacific in-theater ship lifecycle support and collaboration on robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.

Signed in South Korea at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2025 forum, the agreement follows an April memorandum of understanding between the companies aimed at exploring collaborative opportunities to accelerate ship production.

Textron names Maldonado president and CEO of Bell
By John Liang
October 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM

Textron announced today that Danny Maldonado has been named president and CEO of the company's Bell segment.

Maldonado, currently Bell’s chief commercial officer, will succeed Lisa Atherton, who was recently appointed as president and CEO of Textron Inc., according to the announcement.

Both will start their new jobs on Jan. 4, 2026.

Prior to his role as CCO, Maldonado led Textron Financial Corp. as president and CEO for nine years and before that, he was Bell’s executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Army chooses AEVEX Aerospace system for initial short-range Launched Effects fielding
By Dan Schere
October 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM

The Army will field AEVEX Aerospace's Atlas Precision Strike System as part of its initial fielding of short-range Launched Effects, the company announced today.

Atlas is described as a “lightweight, Group II precision-strike platform” that has “extended loiter time,” modular payloads, and uses autonomy for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The system can be rapidly deployed and operated by a “small team with minimal setup,” according to the company.

Sensors, electronic warfare and strike payloads can be integrated into the system using open architecture, and it has navigation capabilities that allow it to operate in contested environments, the company announcements states.

Brig. Gen. David Phillips, the Army’s program executive officer for aviation, told AEVEX during the Association of the United States Army conference this month that the service chose Atlas because it was “production-ready” and the system could be rapidly fielded.

In his April 30 memo laying out the Army Transformation Initiative, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth included a stipulation that the service field a mix of air and ground Launched Effects in every division by the end of 2026.

The Army is working to develop short, medium and long-range variants within its Launched Effects portfolio. Short-range Launched Effects are roughly defined as having a range of between 40 and 125 kilometers.

AEVEX was one of three companies that provided 20 Launched Effects systems each during a three-week user demonstration with the Army in August at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Anduril and Raytheon also provided systems during that demonstration, which focused on testing short-range Launched Effects capabilities.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 27, 2025
By John Liang
October 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Air Force's long-term fighter aircraft procurement plans, plus the Defense Department classifying its budget reconciliation plan as well as the effects of the government shutdown on various defense contractors.

The Air Force recently submitted its long-term fighter force structure plan to Congress, which was requested in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act:

Air Force wants to build up fighter inventory as focus in new 10-year plan shifts to homeland defense

Over the next decade the Air Force wants to procure F-15EX Eagle II, F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance jets in greater numbers to meet homeland defense priorities determined in the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, according to a report obtained by Inside Defense.

It's unclear why the Defense Department in delivering the first $90 billion "tranche" of its reconciliation spending plan to Congress marked the entire document as "classified" and DOD has not responded to repeated requests for information:

DOD’s decision to classify budget reconciliation spending plan draws concerns

Amid recent departures from long-standing government funding norms -- and an ongoing crackdown on information that has traditionally been available to Congress and the public -- the Pentagon, in choosing to classify its plan for spending $150 billion in budget reconciliation funds, has sparked questions and concerns in several corners of the Washington defense community.

Inside Defense spoke with various U.S. shipyards on the effects of the government shutdown:

Public shipyards will continue working without pay as shutdown lengthens

The majority of employees at the nation’s four public shipyards are working without pay during the ongoing government shutdown, while approximately 2-4% of the workforce has been furloughed, a Navy official confirmed to Inside Defense.

Achieving a production rate of 120,000 drones per year will likely involve mostly machine procurement and human capital training at select organic industrial base sites:

Army's initial sprint to produce 10,000 drones a month won’t require MILCON, official says

No new military construction will be required for the Army’s initial push to build 10,000 drones a month by the end of fiscal year 2026 under its new SkyFoundry initiative, according to a service official.

General Dynamics CEO Phebe Novakovic spoke about the effects of the government shutdown during her company's recent earnings call:

GD execs: Protracted shutdown brings substantial risk

Despite strong financial results during the third quarter of 2025, General Dynamics executives are reckoning with disruptions arising from the ongoing government shutdown, including contracting delays, supply chain problems and a general lack of certainty in their defense business outlook.

The week ahead
By Tony Bertuca
October 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Senior defense officials are scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill for nomination hearings this week.

Tuesday

The Senate Armed Services Committee hosts a nomination hearing for several key Pentagon posts.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a discussion on the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean.

Wednesday

The Atlantic Council hosts a discussion on defense supply chain resilience.

Thursday

The Senate Armed Services Committee holds a nomination hearing for Vice Adm. Richard Correll to be chief of United States Strategic Command.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 24, 2025
By Thomas Duffy
October 24, 2025 at 11:42 AM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest starts with a look at Lockheed Martin’s bid for a new Army weapon system, the Marine Corps releases a modernization plan, news on the Army’s effort to transport wounded soldiers on the battlefield, and optimism surrounds a major piece of shipbuilding legislation.

A major defense contractor is eying a new Army weapon competition:

Lockheed preparing LRMF bid for Army’s Precision Strike Missile Inc. 4

Lockheed Martin is preparing a proposal for the Army’s next-generation long-range strike weapon, responding to a non-public solicitation issued in late September that could position its Long Range Maneuverable Fires (LRMF) technology as the baseline for Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4, according to people familiar with the effort.

The Marine Corps plans to modernize ‘aggressively’ over the next few years:

Marine Corps targets ‘aggressive modernization’ with 2025 Force Design update

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith today published a 2025 update to the service’s Force Design doctrine, emphasizing a need for “aggressive modernization” to keep pace with rapidly changing technology and tactics.

The Army is looking at new ways to transport wounded soldiers:

MBCTs come with CASEVAC questions

As the Army works to stand up 25 Mobile Brigade Combat Teams over the next two years, it’s going to have to rethink how it moves around large numbers of incapacitated soldiers with lighter vehicles.

If the government shutdown ends soon, a shipbuilding bill may move quickly:

SHIPS Act co-sponsor predicts bill could advance by first quarter of 2026

SHIPS Act co-sponsor Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) expects movement on the shipbuilding legislation soon but acknowledged on Wednesday there are difficulties facing the bill due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Navy missile defense RFI on hold due to shutdown
By Abby Shepherd
October 24, 2025 at 11:21 AM

A request for information on the development of software solutions for the Navy’s Collaborative Integrated Air and Missile Defense is now on hold due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to a notice Thursday.

Once the government reopens, the RFI will be amended to provide additional time for questions and submissions, the Navy announced. White papers were originally due Nov. 3.

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command initially released the RFI in September to “facilitate the development, prototyping, production, support and sustainment of software solutions” for Collaborative IAMD, according to the notice.

The Collaborative IAMD Planning Program, or CIPP, seeks to apply artificial intelligence to IAMD planning. This requirement is “driven by a national strategic initiative to ensure the Fleet’s readiness in the tactical edge of warfighting,” that could save time and increase effectiveness, the notice states.

Former DIU director Doug Beck rejoins CNAS board
By Theresa Maher
October 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM

Doug Beck, who abruptly left his post as director of the Defense Innovation Unit at the end of August, is coming back to the Center for New American Security’s board of directors after nearly three years away, the think tank announced today.

Beck served as a member on the CNAS board from 2015 until being tapped to lead DIU in April 2023. Beck had previously worked as a vice president at Apple.

While at the Pentagon, Beck published the “DIU 3.0” strategy report with CNAS in February 2024.

Beck’s exit less than two months ago was then the latest in a wave of high-profile exits at the Pentagon and came less than a week after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced his planned departure.

Emil Michael, under secretary of defense for research and engineering, is currently serving as DIU’s interim director. Michael told reporters shortly after Beck’s departure that his tenure as head of the innovation office will only last until someone is tapped to fill the role full-time.

Wormuth named next CEO of Nuclear Threat Initiative nonprofit
By Dan Schere
October 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM

Former Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has been named as the next president and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative -- a nonprofit organization focused on reducing “nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity.”

NTI was founded in 2001 by former Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA) and billionaire philanthropist Ted Turner.

Wormuth served as Army secretary during the entirety of the Biden administration, departing her position in January after President Trump took office. She also served as under secretary of defense for policy during the Obama administration from 2014 to 2016 and has served in several other roles in the Pentagon.

Wormuth will officially start as CEO of NTI on Nov. 17, according to a news release.

“NTI’s mission to reduce global nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats is more vital than ever. I’m excited to lead this exceptional team as it builds on NTI’s legacy and helps shape a safer, more resilient future,” Wormuth said in a statement this week.

The INSIDER daily digest -- October 23, 2025
By Thomas Duffy
October 23, 2025 at 12:22 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the effects of the government shutdown on the Defense Department and industry conferences, the nominee to be the next Maritime Administrator, and the fielding plans for the Army’s next long range assault aircraft.

A tanker conference set for next month falls victim to the government shutdown:

Next month's tanker conference canceled due to government shutdown

The Airlift/Tanker Association has canceled its annual conference for industry and military leaders next month in Nashville because of the lapse in government appropriations, according to the organization.

Arizona senator steps up to back MARAD chief nominee:

SHIPS Act sponsor advocates for MARAD administrator nominee on Capitol Hill

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) today advocated for the nominee to head the Maritime Administration -- Stephen Carmel, a sailor with experience in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and several executive positions at shipping company Maersk Line, Limited.

Bell Textron announces Army aircraft test flight in 2027:

Bell will field first MV-75 test aircraft in FY-27 as Army moves up timeline

As the Army plans to move out on an ambitious plan to field 24 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft -- the MV-75 -- in two years, prime contractor Bell Textron plans to fly its first test aircraft in fiscal year 2027.

The government shutdown is landing hard in some DOD corners:

DOD feeling the bite as government shutdown becomes second longest in U.S. history

The Defense Department, detailing for Congress the impacts of the ongoing government shutdown, says it has canceled “significant elements” of a key military exercise for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command focused on validating land-based strike capabilities via an experimental radar being integrated with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).