The Insider

Inside the Air Force highlights
By Rachel Cohen
April 13, 2018 at 10:50 AM

Highlights from this week's Inside the Air Force:

The Air Force confirmed this week it did not ask for the $600 million funding boost Congress provided in the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act to buy two additional Wideband Global Satellite Communications space vehicles, but it will comply with the language as directed.

Full story: Air Force confirms Wideband Global SATCOM plus-up not requested

2. Air Force Special Operations Command officials said this week the command still needs about $60 million to fully fund a program that would field an offensive laser on an AC-130J by fiscal year 2022, and flight tests of an operationally relevant laser are now expected in FY-21.

Full story: AFSOC lacks nearly $60M needed to put offensive laser on AC-130J by FY-22

3. Boeing will get a head start on engineering and manufacturing development work for the Air Force's next presidential aircraft fleet as the service looks to establish a cost baseline and award an EMD contract this summer.

Full story: Boeing receives funds for Air Force One 'hot start' ahead of EMD contract

Pentagon hires new software acquisition official 
By Tony Bertuca
April 13, 2018 at 9:05 AM

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord has hired a new special assistant to help transition the Defense Department to agile software development.

Lord told reporters at the Pentagon today that Jeff Boleng will be the Defense Department’s new special assistant for software acquisition. He currently serves as acting chief technology officer at Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute.

Boleng previously served 21 years in the Air Force as a cyberspace operations officer and a software engineer.

In his new role, which he will assume April 16, Boleng will formulate the department's software acquisition strategy and advise DOD leadership.

Lord said Boleng will spend 90 percent of his time on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Pentagon's largest acquisition program.

She has previously said that agile software development is a critical weakness for DOD.

The Defense Science Board recently released a report urging DOD to “immediately” adopt a more agile software posture.

AFSPC-11 due to launch April 14
By Courtney Albon
April 13, 2018 at 8:00 AM

Air Force Space Command's AFSPC-11 mission is slated to launch April 14 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.

The launch window opens at 6:53 p.m. and the mission will fly on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

AFSPC-11 features the Continuous Broadcast Augmenting Satellite Communications system as its primary payload, but will also fly a number of secondary payloads to demonstrate an Air Force Research Laboratory capability called the ESPA Augmented Geostationary Laboratory Experiment, dubbed EAGLE.

Geurts to Congress: Quotes, analysis about aircraft carrier block coming soon
By Justin Katz
April 12, 2018 at 5:24 PM

The Navy anticipates it will deliver to Congress a report about potential savings for a block buy of CVN-80 and CVN-81 in four to six weeks, according to the Navy's top acquisition official.

Navy acquisition executive Hondo Geurts testified to Congress today the Navy has issued a request for quotes to Newport News Shipbuilding for a potential two-ship buy of the future aircraft carriers. He told the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee that the Navy would deliver the shipyard's quotes and the service's analysis early this summer.

Geurts added the cost savings would be different from when the Navy did a similar block buy for Nimitz-class ships.

"We've already started construction of CVN-80 so the savings are a little bit dependent on exactly when should we go into such an agreement," he said. "But I believe there are substantial savings available."

Geurts told Inside Defense the government-furnished equipment for the carriers amounts to one-third the total cost and the Navy is working to reduce that.

Geurts testified before the subcommittee alongside Vice Adm. William Merz, deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems, and Naval Sea Systems Command chief Vice Adm. Thomas Moore about delivering a 355-ship fleet.

HII to reactivate Pascagoula River east bank facilities
By John Liang
April 12, 2018 at 5:02 PM

Huntington Ingalls Industries' shipbuilding division plans to reactivate its facilities on the east bank of the Pascagoula River, the company announced today.

The site of the original Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., founded in 1938, was decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to an HII statement. The reactivation will restore the facility's ability to support Ingalls' current ship construction and modernization programs as well as help the company better prepare for future work, including next-generation amphibious assault ships and surface combatants.

"We are excited to be bringing the east bank back to life," Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said in a statement. "As we prepare to celebrate our 80th anniversary, what better way to do that than to announce that the original Ingalls facility will become a productive, vibrant part of the Pascagoula landscape once again."

Work will begin immediately on the project, which the company expects to require approximately two years to complete.

The primary component of the project includes the addition of large, covered areas for construction of ship assemblies and components as well as the restoration of an outfitting pier.

"We are using proven concepts from our west bank modernization as a guide for our east bank reactivation," said George Jones, Ingalls' vice president for operations. "Our employees are the best sources for innovative ideas. With their help, we have improved safety, efficiency and working conditions. We have some of the best shipbuilders in the country, and they deserve the best shipyard in which to work. From more covered work areas and better environmental controls, to state-of-the-art tools and technology, Ingalls is leading the way in modern military ship design and construction."

Highlights from Inside the Pentagon
By Tony Bertuca
April 12, 2018 at 4:50 PM

Here are some must-reads from this week's edition of Inside the Pentagon:

Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves says it will take at least six years for the Defense Department to field a capability for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to contribute to missile defense missions.

1. Full story: MDA director says F-35 missile defense capability 'six to seven years' out

The United States is projected to spend $3.325 trillion on defense over the next five years -- and nearly $7 trillion over the next decade -- amid a period of historic deficit increases, according to a new report from the Congressional Budget Office.

2. Full story: CBO projects defense spending will top $3.3 trillion over next five years

A top U.S. military officer said there is an "extremely high" risk that hypersonic strike weapon technology being developed in China and Russia could proliferate to North Korea and Iran, a determination that is fueling efforts by the Defense Department to focus development on a new capability to defeat ultra-fast, maneuvering missiles.

3. Full story: MDA: 'Extremely high' risk that North Korea, Iran obtain hypersonic missile

Boeing HorizonX invests in British company Reaction Engines
By John Liang
April 12, 2018 at 4:46 PM

Boeing's HorizonX Ventures has invested in Reaction Engines, a manufacturer of advanced propulsion systems based in the United Kingdom.

Reaction Engines is known for its Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE), a hybrid engine blending jet and rocket technology that is capable of Mach 5 in air-breathing mode and Mach 25 in rocket mode for space flight, according to a Boeing statement issued this week. As part of the SABRE program, Reaction Engines developed an ultra-lightweight heat exchanger that stops engine components from overheating at high speeds, thus improving access to hypersonic flight and space.

HorizonX's investment in Reaction Engines is its second in a company outside of the United States and its 11th since being launched in April 2017.

"As Reaction Engines unlocks advanced propulsion that could change the future of air and space travel, we expect to leverage their revolutionary technology to support Boeing's pursuit of hypersonic flight," Steve Nordlund, vice president of Boeing HorizonX, said in the April 11 statement.

HorizonX participated in the $37.3 million Series B funding round alongside Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, according to the statement.

The INSIDER daily digest -- April 12, 2018
By John Liang
April 12, 2018 at 2:29 PM

The SECDEF testifying on Capitol Hill leads off this Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis testified on Capitol Hill this morning:

Mattis ready to 'consolidate, eliminate and restructure' DOD

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today he has directed senior Pentagon officials to review the Defense Department's sprawling management structure and "consolidate, eliminate and restructure," if necessary.

Document: Mattis' testimony before House authorizers

Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Robert Wilkie this week discussed the goals and practices of the Close Combat Lethality Task Force:

Close Combat Lethality Task Force eyes an array of changes

A new task force chartered by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to enhance the lethality and survivability of infantry squads is charged not only with developing and purchasing new equipment, but with revolutionizing training, doctrine and personnel policies.

Joint Strike Fighter news:

F-35 testers complete last SDD flight event

The F-35 joint program office announced this week it has completed its last flight event in the program system development and demonstration phase.

DOD officials were on Capitol Hill this week talking about the defense industrial base:

Military officials warn of fragile readiness gains ahead of FY-20 budget fight

The defense industrial base is in a state of stable recovery after several years of workload stress and funding uncertainty, but recent readiness gains will be at risk should Congress be unable to cut another spending deal in fiscal year 2020, according to senior military officials.

Navy will upgrade shipyards to accommodate new Virginia subs, optimize layout

The Navy has a three-pronged investment plan to improve its nuclear-capable shipyards that will upgrade dry docks to accommodate future attack submarines and aircraft carriers, and optimize shipyard layouts to improve productivity, according to a senior Navy official.

Document: Senate hearing on the defense industrial base

 

News on the Coast Guard's highest-priority acquisition effort:

Coast Guard leaving door open to buying six heavy icebreakers

The Coast Guard is leaving the door open to potentially expanding its heavy icebreaker program to six ships, and the service is giving shipbuilders the option to include block-buy proposals in their bids.

Newport News Shipbuilding requests supplier base assess steel tariff impact
By Lee Hudson
April 12, 2018 at 11:49 AM

Newport News Shipbuilding has asked its supplier base to assess what impact, if any, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will have on future business, according to the company's president.

NNS President Jennifer Boykin told reporters April 10 at the Navy League's annual Sea-Air-Space symposium she discussed the tariffs last month with both the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition and the Submarine Industrial Base Coalition.

"They're all assessing that right now . . . I think that's something that all of the companies are going to be sort of grappling with and really trying to understand as we move forward," she said. "Relative to us, we only buy American steel and we have long-term contracts in place."

Boykin said the company's suppliers do not see any immediate issue but it is something they will continue to watch.

Inside Defense reported last month President Trump ordered 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports because of national security concerns. There are temporary exemptions for Canada and Mexico and potential exemptions for other U.S. allies on a case-by-case basis.

Dems seek answers on deployment of National Guard troops to U.S.-Mexico border
By Justin Doubleday
April 12, 2018 at 11:42 AM

Seven House Democrats, including the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, are seeking more information from the Trump administration on the decision to deploy National Guard units to the U.S.-Mexico border.

In an April 11 letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, the Democrats state they oppose the deployment and add it "is not to be made lightly." Reps. Bennie Thompson (MS), Adam Smith (WA), Jerrold Nadler (NY), Elijah Cummings (MD), Filemon Vela (TX), Zoe Lofgren (CA) and Stephen Lynch (MA) signed the letter.

The lawmakers point out border apprehensions over the past few months are “significantly lower” than rates during the past two administrations.

“We require a clearer explanation of the impetus for this approach at a time when border crossings are at a 40-year low,” they write. They also question the authority behind using the National Guard as “an immediate deterrent” against asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors, as described by a DHS press release.

The lawmakers request answers on a series of 11 questions:

  1. When was the assessment completed that identified deployment of the National Guard as a necessity? What factors or criteria were used to determine this approach would be the most effective and cost-efficient alternative? Please provide a copy of this assessment.
  2. Under what authority will the National Guard be deployed? What duties or roles will they fulfill? What authority or other guidance will govern the use of force by National Guard personnel?
  3. How does this deployment impact the U.S. Border Patrol's overall border security strategy?
  4. How many service members and National Guard members will be involved, what is the length of their deployment and the estimated cost of their activities?
  5. Please provide a detailed breakdown, by funding line, of the specific accounts that will be used to fund this effort.
  6. Will the funding for this effort require any reprogramming action, to include below-threshold or those that will require written congressional approval?
  7. Will National Guard members be armed during their deployments?
  8. What scheduled training activities were deferred by units and personnel in order to conduct this deployment?
  9. Per the joint statement issued by Secretaries Nielsen and Mattis on April 6, 2018, please describe the “security vulnerabilities” identified by DHS that will be addressed by the National Guard and how.
  10. Per the joint statement issued by Secretaries Nielsen and Mattis on April 6, 2018, please explain what standard both DHS and DOD will use to determine “our nation's borders are secure” to end the deployment of the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border.
  11. Please provide the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between DHS, DOD, the National Guard Bureau, and relevant governors that will govern this upcoming deployment. Please also provide the MOUs for Operation Jump Start and Operation Phalanx.

Last week, the Pentagon announced it was standing up a new border security cell to support President Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to the border.

SOSi acquires STG Group Holdings
By John Liang
April 12, 2018 at 10:14 AM

Reston, VA-based services contractor SOS International announced this week it has acquired cyber and data solutions provider STG Group Holdings.

The acquisition adds new, technical capabilities in cybersecurity, information assurance, software development, and data analytics to SOSi's portfolio, the company said in an April 11 statement.

The STG purchase is SOSi's third and largest acquisition since 2016, and the two companies together employ 1,300 employees worldwide.

Julian Setian, SOSi's chief executive, told Inside Defense in an interview last November that the company, which at that time had nearly $300 million in annual sales, anticipated increased sales from its existing business.

Setian said in November that his company had several big pursuits planned for the following year and has $700 million to $800 million in bids pending award.

"Having said that, we're very focused on acquisition too," Setian added. The company "can afford to do some fairly large acquisitions, and we still intend to do that."

Last September, SOSi acquired Defense Group Inc., a data analytics and cyber solutions company. The previous year, the contractor picked up New World Solutions, which specializes in imagery science, cyber analytics and research and development.

Bibb joins J.F. Lehman & Company's operating executive board
By John Liang
April 12, 2018 at 10:11 AM

Private-equity firm J.F. Lehman & Company this week announced the appointment of Caroline Bibb to its Operating Executive Board.

Prior to joining the board, Bibb spent five years at the company as a managing director for operations, according to an April 11 Lehman statement. Before that, she ran her own consulting business after spending 30 years with Honeywell, where she worked for a variety of divisions within the corporation, including ones focused on defense.

Bibb holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and an MBA from The College of William & Mary.

Force development director: Robotics strategy is a course change
By Ashley Tressel
April 11, 2018 at 4:25 PM

The Army's recent focus on robotics is a hard shift from past years, according to the director of force development.

While past years' budgets funded almost no robotics programs, research, development, test and engineering and procurement funds for robotics nearly doubled in the Future Years Defense Program.

Maj. Gen. John George, director of force development in the office of the Army deputy chief of staff (G-8), detailed the service's new focus on robotics today at the National Defense Industrial Association’s Ground Robotics Capabilities Conference.

The Army's robotic and autonomous systems strategy completed last March is the first of its kind, encompassing ground robots, soldier power and small unmanned aircraft systems. Only two years ago, the service did not have such a strategy and was not developing any robotics programs, he said.

The RAS strategy contains five capability objectives: increasing situational awareness; lightening the warfighter's physical and cognitive workloads; sustaining the force with increased distribution, throughput, and efficiency; facilitating movement and maneuver and increasing force protection.

George also mentioned the service's desire for a universal controller to unite ground and air systems at the battalion level and below.

Either Endeavor Robotics or QinetiQ North America will develop the Common Robotic Controller as part of the contract award for Common Robotic System (Individual), which will be carried out by one of the two companies after a prototype demonstration this year.

The universal controller would further the service's goal of implementing open-architecture software for future systems.

"As long as you meet the rules of the road, come on in," said George.

He added that the Army is continuing to divest excess and obsolete equipment to increase resources for modernization efforts.

The INSIDER daily digest -- April 11, 2018
By John Liang
April 11, 2018 at 2:28 PM

A slew of hearings this week highlight this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

The head of Air Force Special Operations Command testified before Congress this morning:

AFSOC lacks nearly $60M needed to put offensive laser on AC-130J by FY-22

A fledgling effort to put a high-power laser on the new AC-130J gunship requires about $92 million in total to develop and field an offensive weapon by the early 2020s, the head of Air Force Special Operations Command told lawmakers this week.

Document: Senate hearing on special operations forces


Missile defense news from this morning's hearing on Capitol Hill:

MDA director: 'Extremely high' risk that North Korea, Iran obtain hypersonic missile tech

A top U.S. military officer said there is an "extremely high" risk that hypersonic strike weapon technology being developed in China and Russia could proliferate to North Korea and Iran, a determination that is fueling efforts by the Defense Department to focus development on a new capability to defeat ultra-fast, maneuvering missiles.

MDA director says F-35 missile defense capability 'six to seven years' out

Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves says it will take at least six years for the Defense Department to field a capability for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to contribute to missile defense missions.

Document: MDA director's testimony on the FY-19 budget request


MDA exploring Aegis BMD for boost-phase intercept

The Missile Defense Agency is eying the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system to shoot down enemy long-range ballistic missile during the boost-phase of flight, a technically challenging gambit to add a new defensive layer against North Korean threats and reduce exclusive reliance on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system to protect the United States.

Manned/unmanned teaming is getting increased emphasis in the Army:

TARDEC S&T investments focus on autonomy

One of the Army's top research centers through its science and technology investments is building a foundation for manned/unmanned teaming, or MUM-T, a desired capability for several future robotic systems.

More Army unmanned news:

Army restructuring robotics office

The Army has hired a project director for autonomous systems and is waiting on four-star approval to rename the Training and Doctrine Command project office for maneuver robotics and autonomous systems as the capability management office for maneuver robotics and autonomous systems.

Inside Defense recently obtained an unclassified copy of the latest Selected Acquisition Report on the Air Force's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile program:

Delays to AMRAAM tech refresh program affecting other missile improvements

Several projects underway to improve Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile are taking longer than expected, and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program's complexity is spurring changes to the weapon as well, the Pentagon said in a December 2017 Selected Acquisition Report.

Document: DOD SAR on the AMRAAM program


A look at how much money the Navy would save under a two-ship aircraft carrier purchase:

NNS estimates two-ship carrier buy will save the Navy $1.6 billion

Newport News Shipbuilding estimates a two-ship carrier buy would save the Navy roughly $1.6 billion, according to the company's president.

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Army officials aren't waiting for the "perfect" network solution:

Network modernization effort targets 'better' rather than 'perfect'

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The Army's effort to transform and modernize its network capabilities requires disciplined acceptance of risk, service officials said last month.

Ryan counts major defense spending increase among top achievements
By Tony Bertuca
April 11, 2018 at 11:33 AM

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), who announced he will not seek reelection and retire from Congress in January 2019, counts a recent deal to increase defense spending among his top accomplishments.

"I think we have achieved a heck of a lot," he said at a press conference today. "I will be retiring in January, leaving this majority in good hands."

Ryan, who came to national prominence as a fiscally conservative lawmaker, said his two biggest achievements over two decades in office were last year's $1.4 trillion tax reform package and a recent $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that included a deal to increase defense spending by $165 billion over two years.

He said that addressing the military "readiness crisis" was not something he focused on until becoming speaker, but counted the additional funding as a "lasting victory" for the nation.

Ryan worked with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and other GOP defense hawks to push the defense increase through Congress, despite opposition from Tea Party conservatives and Democrats.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the tax legislation will drive federal deficits to historic highs.

Ryan said that the chance that Democrats might re-take the House majority in November did not play a role in his decision to retire. He also said neither the statements nor actions of President Trump were factors in his exit.

"You all know that I did not seek this job," he said. "I took it reluctantly. I have no regrets whatsoever for having accepted this responsibility."