The Insider

By Thomas Duffy
November 12, 2024 at 2:25 PM

Today’s INSIDER Daily Digest begins with a look at Air Force future research, news from our Inside Cybersecurity colleagues, Pentagon action to prohibit the use of foreign made drones, the Biden administration’s race to get Ukraine money out the door, and a new Army TNT facility being built.

The Air Force is exploring air dominance research:

Air Force looks to align munitions modernization with air dominance programs

The Air Force is focused on 13 technical research areas to get its munitions portfolio on par with advancements in air dominance, including advanced control actuation systems, autonomy and improved aircraft integration, according to a broad agency announcement the service posted today.

The Defense Department is mulling over changes to CMMC compliance:

Lawyers argue for allowing plan of action and milestones to address security lapses in CMMC compliance

The American Bar Association’s Public Contract Law section is urging the Defense Department to consider allowing a plan of action and milestones for contractors to address ongoing compliance issues with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, as the Pentagon works to finalize a rulemaking to change its acquisition regulations.

The Pentagon wants to stop the flow of foreign built drones:

DOD taking next steps to prohibit foreign-made drones

The Pentagon is seeking to amend existing acquisition regulations to prohibit the procurement and operation of uncrewed aerial systems manufactured or assembled by certain foreign entities, according to a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication Tuesday.

More money should be headed toward Ukraine soon:

DOD looks to move billions in weapons to Ukraine before Trump is sworn in

The Defense Department is committed to providing Ukraine with about $6 billion in military assistance before the end of President Biden's term on Jan. 20, when former President Trump, who has criticized U.S. support of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, returns to office.

The Army is building anew energetics factory in Kentucky:

Army awards $435M contract for domestic TNT production facility

The Army has awarded Repkon USA a contract with a ceiling of $435 million to build a TNT production facility in Graham, KY -- which would make it the only domestic production facility for the material in the United States.

By Vanessa Montalbano
November 12, 2024 at 12:57 PM

The Air Force is focused on 13 technical research areas to get its munitions portfolio on par with advancements in air dominance, including advanced control actuation systems, autonomy and improved aircraft integration, according to a broad agency announcement the service posted today.

Among the service’s top priorities are modeling, simulation and analysis. The idea, according to the Air Force Research Laboratory, is to be able to foster collaborative, simulated scenarios to evaluate the weapons performance under a sustained threat or in various environments.

“Concepts include, but are not limited to, intercommunicative weapons, novel damage mechanisms, lethal and novel destruct mechanisms, multiple targeting and time critical delivery,” the BAA states. “Detailed modeling includes, but is not limited to, sensors, aerodynamics, autopilots, navigation and guidance schemes, propulsion, warheads, fuzes, datalinks, fire control, launcher, suspension, carriage and release, error filters, environment (wind, fog, and dust), lethality, vulnerability and threats.”

Other important research areas include modular aircraft integration technologies, more precise guidance algorithms against maneuvering targets, innovative Find, Fix, Target, Track and small datalink technologies for the detection of threats to aircraft and related information sharing in part via high velocity fuzing. Additionally, the Air Force is interested in optionally autonomous engagement management systems to maximize aircraft survivability in battle zones and determine the best countermeasure response.

Any machine learning capability developed for the weapons systems should “facilitate a swarm of networked collaborative and autonomous weapon systems,” the service wrote. “Technology must demonstrate the ability to reconcile prescribed targets within a dynamic battlespace.”

Affordability is also a crucial requirement for future munitions, with the service indicating it wants to investigate both conventional and conceptual munitions warhead technology as it relates to the destruction, damage, defeat or denial of function of targets of interest. The researchers should focus on varying amounts of blast or damage outcomes, selectable effects and micro-warheads.

“Novel concepts of target defeat are encouraged to augment or replace the more traditional kinetic energy methods,” according to the BAA. “Research and development of energetic materials that could increase overall warhead performance. Including new or advanced explosive formulations and characterization, additive manufacturing of energetic materials, and high energy-rate fabrication advancement.”

On the power side, the service is looking to reduce the amount of energy and weight required to fire air-to-air missiles, starting with innovative thermal management, guidance electronics, and power generation and storage techniques, plus the miniaturization of batteries and internal packaging components to include propellant formulations and grain structures.

Specifically, the service is seeking “technologies that are able to maintain the operating pressures of a rocket motor while reducing mass to increase the performance,” the BAA notes. “As well as non-eroding throat technology utilizing advanced material (metallic inserts, ceramics, etc.) able to perform in severe environments such as high stagnation temperatures and pressures, abrasive propellants (high aluminum content) and high stress/strain.”

This BAA is intended to direct service-wide munitions research, design, development and eventually prototyping through 2029. Businesses are invited to submit white papers throughout the period of this BAA, and related proposals may be requested by a contracting officer. The cumulative amount for awards issued under this BAA is not expected to exceed $750 million.

By Thomas Duffy
November 11, 2024 at 2:29 PM

This Veteran’s Day INSIDER Daily Digest starts off with new money going to defense microelectronics, some preventative moves made against foreign-made drones, how climate change will be handled by the incoming administration, and some counter UAS news.

The Defense Department announced new investments in microelectronics:

DOD awards $160M to Microelectronics Commons

The Defense Department has announced an additional $160 million in Microelectronics Commons investments made during October.

Regulations are being strengthened against drones built overseas:

DOD taking next steps to prohibit foreign-made drones

The Pentagon is seeking to amend existing acquisition regulations to prohibit the procurement and operation of uncrewed aerial systems manufactured or assembled by certain foreign entities, according to a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication Tuesday.

How the new administration will handle climate change is worrying some folks in the Pentagon:

DOD official worries Trump team will put climate change policy on 'chopping block'

As the Defense Department prepares for the incoming Trump administration and the policy changes it may bring, one senior Pentagon official is holding out hope that there will be broad support for suppressing the impact climate change is expected to have on DOD operations and infrastructure worldwide.

Special Operations Command sees the need for spending more on counter UAS:

SOCOM nearly doubling counter drone IDIQ contract ceiling

U.S. Special Operations Command is nearly doubling the ceiling of a 2022 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for Counter Unmanned Systems from $967.6 billion to $1.9 billion, according to a Nov. 6 justification and approval notice from the Defense Department.

By Dan Schere
November 11, 2024 at 1:16 PM

U.S. Special Operations Command is nearly doubling the ceiling of a 2022 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for Counter Unmanned Systems from $967.6 million to $1.9 billion, according to a Nov. 6 justification and approval notice from the Defense Department.

SOCOM chose Anduril Industries to be a “counter-unmanned systems, systems integration partner” at the time of the original award in January 2022. SOCOM chose Anduril out of 12 competing proposals, Inside Defense reported then.

The contract ceiling increase, as stated in the Nov. 6 J&A document, is to “fulfill immediate C-UxS capability expansion and support requirements from Ukraine and Israel Supplemental funding for USSOCOM, United States Army, United States Marine Corps and other agencies.”

As the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts have raged on, DOD has continued to place a heavy emphasis on rapidly fielding UAS and counter UAS capabilities. The J&A document notes that SOCOM “continues to pursue technical solutions to fulfill its SOF-peculiar requirements” under DOD Directive 3800.01e -- the executive agent for groups 1, 2 and 3 counter sUAS.

The J&A document also notes that the special operations forces counter drone program has had “continued congressional interest” for the past four years, “enabling SOF to accelerate C-UAS capabilities for austere locations abroad.”

“Based on the current high threat environment driving an increased force protection footprint for deployed SOF, USSOCOM is facing urgent procurement demands in support of US SOF and our partners,” it states.

By Tony Bertuca
November 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM

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

Monday

Veterans Day.

Tuesday

The Intelligence and National Security Alliance hosts a discussion with DOD’s principal director of cybersecurity.

The chief of Army Futures Command speaks at the ScaleUp: AI Conference in New York.

Wednesday

The Mitchell Institute hosts a discussion with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin.

Defense One hosts the State of Defense Business event.

Thursday

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a discussion with the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby.

The Atlantic Council hosts a discussion on artificial intelligence and national security.

By Dan Schere
November 8, 2024 at 4:05 PM

The Army has awarded Repkon USA a contract with a ceiling of $435 million to build a TNT production facility in Graham, KY -- which would make it the only domestic production facility for the material in the United States.

TNT is used in ammunition, bombs and grenades, and is the “primary explosive fill” for 155mm artillery shells, according to the Army. The current supply chain for the material relies on overseas sources.

Maj. Gen. John Reim, the joint program executive officer for armaments and ammunition, said today that the “state-of-the-art facility is essential to the JPEO A&A’s mission to develop, procure and field safe, reliable and lethal munitions to our joint warfighters and international partners.”

“This project will also further strengthen our defense industrial base, enabling munitions production at speed and scale,” he said.

Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said today that the award is a “major step forward in rebuilding our industrial base and ensuring we have the critical capabilities to support our warfighters.”

“Reshoring TNT production gives us the ability to control and secure our supply chain for this vital component, especially in an era of increasing global challenges,” he said.

A year ago, Bush had said $650 million had been set aside in the Ukraine security supplemental spending package for a domestic TNT production facility. The package was passed by Congress this past spring.

Friday’s announcement comes as the Army continues to increase its production of 155mm ammunition in response to the U.S.’s support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The Army has set a goal of reaching 100,000 rounds per month by the end of fiscal year 2025.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Thursday that there is $4 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority remaining, and multiple announcements of U.S. weapons transfers to Ukraine can be expected in the weeks before President Biden leaves office on Jan. 20 and former President Trump begins his second term.

By John Liang
November 8, 2024 at 2:04 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Navy's Columbia-class submarine program, expected increases in weapons transfers to Ukraine during the Biden administration's last days and more.

We start off with coverage of a Defense Department Selected Acquisition Report that has a new cost estimate of the Navy's Columbia-class submarine program:

Columbia submarine program price tag climbs 10%; total cost estimate now $139 billion

The Columbia-class submarine program -- the Navy's once-every-two-generations modernization project that commands an outsized portion of the service's investment resources -- is now estimated to cost $139 billion, $12 billion more than the Pentagon originally estimated.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said yesterday that DOD will be making frequent announcements in the coming weeks on immediate U.S. weapons transfers to Ukraine made via Presidential Drawdown Authority, of which some $4 billion remains:

DOD looks to move billions in weapons to Ukraine before Trump is sworn in

The Defense Department is committed to providing Ukraine with about $6 billion in military assistance before the end of President Biden's term on Jan. 20, when former President Trump, who has criticized U.S. support of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, returns to office.

Army Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer for ground combat systems, said this week about the XM30 program that "[t]here's a lot of holes in our knowledge that we now actually can see live in real time":

XM30 digital design shows promise, gaps in typical review process, official says

The model-based tests the Army is running on its replacement for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the XM30, have been so insightful they've shown just how much knowledge the service lacks without them, a senior official said during a web event Wednesday.

China is a military threat the U.S. needs to prepare for, Teal Group analyst JJ Gertler told Inside Defense:

Air Force restructuring likely to stay intact under Trump, modernization questions take the fore

The Air Force's restructuring plan will likely continue forward under the Trump administration, according to analysts, but modernization efforts could change.

We end with a look at how a second Trump administration would influence missile defense policy:

Missile defense enterprise could see massive expansion under next Trump administration

The Pentagon's missile defense enterprise could be poised for a major expansion under the next Trump administration, including tripling the planned buy of Next Generation Interceptors, accelerating the Glide Phase Interceptor development and defending the nation against not just North Korean threats, but also Russian and Chinese ICBMs.

By Dan Schere
November 8, 2024 at 11:56 AM

The Army wants to learn more from industry about adding signals intelligence sensor capabilities for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle platform, in preparation for operating in a multidomain environment, according to an Oct. 28 notice.

The Army’s Product Manager for Aerial Enhanced Radars, Optics and Sensors is seeking information from industry on extended-range electronic intelligence as well as communications intelligence sensor solutions, according to the request for information. The technologies should have a high Technology Readiness Level that will require 12 months or less of development.

The Army met its acquisition goal of 204 aircraft for the Gray Eagle in 2019, the service has said previously. However, Congress has continued to add procurement money for additional drones to be deployed to the Army National Guard.

In response to questions from Inside Defense about what prompted the Army to explore adding SIGINT to the Gray Eagle, and how much of the fleet the capability would be deployed to, the service issued a statement on Nov. 6 saying: “The Army continually monitors the evolution of technologies and potential threats and this RFI is designed to obtain information from industry on advanced SIGINT technologies to understand future potential capabilities.”

“At this point this RFI will not directly result in a solicitation for procurement. As the Army has not made procurement a decision for this capability there aren’t specific units identified to receive it,” the Army said in the statement.

Responses to the RFI are due Nov. 25.

By Dan Schere
November 8, 2024 at 10:37 AM

The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement successfully integrated with the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor during a test this month at White Sands Missile Range, NM, according to PAC-3 MSE manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

The test validated software updates to the PAC-3 MSE that ensure evolving threats within the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture can be defeated, according to Lockheed.

During the test, the PAC-3 MSE and Cost Reduction Interceptor “confirmed the ability to detect, acquire, track and engage” an advanced tactical ballistic missile target, the company stated in a press release.

Brian Kubik, Lockheed’s vice president of PAC-3 programs, told Inside Defense this week that the Army was present at the test, and the primary goal was to test software updates to the PAC-3 MSE since the first successful integration with LTAMDS one year ago.

“This is continuing to test our ability to expand the envelope, look at different threats, different engagement scenarios,” he said.

The new aspect to this test was the “ripple shot” configuration the PAC-3 and CRI interceptors were launched, meaning one interceptor was right behind the other.

“Think about defending a high-value asset target. Because of the timeline to engagement with a threat like that, you don’t have time to shoot, look and shoot again if it’s not successful. So, we put two interceptors in the air at the same time,” he said.

“Before you know whether the first one is successful, you put the second one in the air as a backup.”

The Army has issued a report declaring the test a success, Kubik added.

LTAMDS, the eventual replacement for the Patriot sensor, has experienced various delays in the past year with “interoperability, software and radar performance” during contractor verification testing that has extended the schedule for development to the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, according to the Government Accountability Office’s annual weapon systems assessment. Senate appropriators have proposed cutting half of the procurement funding for LTAMDS in FY-25, citing “test delays.”

By John Liang
November 7, 2024 at 2:36 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on missile defense policy under a second Trump administration, the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle program and more.

We start off with a look at how a second Trump administration would influence missile defense policy:

Missile defense enterprise could see massive expansion under next Trump administration

The Pentagon's missile defense enterprise could be poised for a major expansion under the next Trump administration, including tripling the planned buy of Next Generation Interceptors, accelerating the Glide Phase Interceptor development and defending the nation against not just North Korean threats, but also Russian and Chinese ICBMs.

More missile defense news:

DOD last year approved 20% cost hike in Army’s IBCS program; from $11B to $13.2B

The estimated price tag for the Integrated Battle Command System increased to $13.2 billion -- a 20% hike over the previous $11 billion projected cost, as part of the Pentagon's decision last year to approved the Army air-and-missile-defense networking capability for full-rate production.

Document: DOD modernized SAR on the IAMD system

Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer for Army ground combat systems, spoke about the Robotic Combat Vehicle program during a Nov. 6 web event hosted by GovExec:

Army Robotic Combat Vehicle faces a challenge on two fronts

As it stands, the Robotic Combat Vehicle isn't as autonomous as the Army wants it to be, because the current technology is just "not that great," a senior Army official said during a web event Wednesday.

More than 50 technology initiatives from industry, government labs and universities participated in an annual experiment which focused on early-stage unmanned systems enabled with electromagnetic warfare capabilities:

Companies see opportunities for collaboration at Navy's Silent Swarm exercise

Participants in the Navy's 2024 Silent Swarm demonstration say the event, which grew to its largest size ever this summer, highlights the need for hardware and software vendors to collaborate on the delivery of electromagnetic warfare capabilities in contested maritime environments.

Though much is still unknown in the wake of this week's elections, information gleaned from conversations with congressional analysts and a study of lawmaker seniority sheds partial light on how power is expected to change hands at key defense committees:

Defense committee leadership re-shuffled after Dem losses and GOP wins

The 2024 election, which saw the return to power of former President Trump, has shifted the GOP into the Senate majority, while control of the House remains up for grabs.

By Abby Shepherd
November 7, 2024 at 11:09 AM

The Navy plans to establish a new program to boost strategic studies and thinking within the service -- modeled after a similar initiative that was created during the Cold War but ended in 2016.

Administered by the Navy’s Office of Strategic Assessment, the new Naval Strategic Studies Group will begin its work in January, and the first cohort will be made up of uniformed and civilian Navy and Marine Corps members, according to a news release last week.

The first cohort will be in Washington, DC and will work on a capstone research project and “broad strategic challenges” to boost Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s strategic maritime statecraft initiative.

“I expect my seasoned, mid-grade officers to be brilliant on naval tactics and operations by the time they report for graduate education,” Del Toro said in the release. “I need future flag and general officers who will think strategically about how to lead naval forces in an increasingly contested maritime domain and amidst intense economic, technological and military competition."

Threats posed by China, Russia and Houthi rebels in the Red Sea will shape the global security environment over decades, Del Toro added.

“A revitalized, Naval SSG will help the Department of the Navy engage with and look ahead of these trends with sufficient access, resources, and guidance from leadership,” he said.

By Tony Bertuca
November 7, 2024 at 11:02 AM

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a memo to U.S. troops today committing the Pentagon to a "calm, orderly and professional transition" to the incoming Trump administration.

“As it always has, the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next Commander in Chief, and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command,” Austin wrote in the memo obtained by Inside Defense.

The previous presidential transition, in which outgoing Trump officials were meant to relinquish the reins of the Pentagon to the incoming Biden administration, was marked by dysfunction and charges of obstruction.

Austin also pledged to keep the military apolitical during what could be a time of turbulent change following a sharply divisive presidential election.

“The U.S. military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security,” he wrote. “You are not just any military. You are the United States military -- the finest fighting force on Earth -- and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution, and the rights of all of our citizens.”

The Defense Department established an internal team to assist with the upcoming presidential transition in September, which is being led by Performance Improvement Officer and Director of Administration and Management (PIO/DA&M) Jennifer Walsh.

By Dan Schere
November 6, 2024 at 6:39 PM

The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Ground Vehicle Systems Center has awarded a $197 million contract to HII for research and development over a five-year period.

Under a five-year task order awarded under the Defense Department’s Information Analysis Center’s multiple-award contract vehicle, HII will research and develop “enhancements for GVSC’s ground combat systems and service lifecycle efforts,” the company announced today.

The research will center around vehicle power and mobility and will apply to both manned and unmanned ground combat vehicles, as well as hybrid, joint light tactical and robotic vehicles, according to HII. Work will be performed primarily in Warren, MI.

Grant Hagen, the head of Mission Technologies’ Warfare Systems group within HII, said today that “accelerating advanced technology to benefit the warfighter is a priority, and we’re pleased to collaborate with the Army on ground vehicle advancements that will improve soldier safety and mission success on the battlefield.”

By John Liang
November 6, 2024 at 2:40 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has a look ahead at what the congressional defense committee leadership will look like in the wake of yesterday's election results and more.

We start off with a look ahead at who will be running the congressional defense committees in the wake of yesterday's election:

Defense committee leadership re-shuffled after Dem losses and GOP wins

The 2024 election, which saw the return to power of former President Trump, has shifted the GOP into the Senate majority, while control of the House remains up for grabs.

More than 50 technology initiatives from industry, government labs and universities participated in an annual experiment which focused on early-stage unmanned systems enabled with electromagnetic warfare capabilities:

Companies see opportunities for collaboration at Navy's Silent Swarm exercise

Participants in the Navy's 2024 Silent Swarm demonstration say the event, which grew to its largest size ever this summer, highlights the need for hardware and software vendors to collaborate on the delivery of electromagnetic warfare capabilities in contested maritime environments.

The Army is sticking with the Black Hawk helicopter replacement program:

Army says it remains committed to FLRAA, even with change in approach to aviation

In spite of a change in philosophy to its overall acquisition approach, and a shakeup that saw the cancellation of one long-term aircraft program earlier this year, Army leaders remain publicly confident that the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft will come to fruition.

Our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have a story on an industry group asking questions about the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

Electric sector group seeks clarity on DOD definition of CUI amid CMMC rulemaking process

The Edison Electric Institute is asking the Defense Department to scope what is considered controlled unclassified information in the context of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, building on comments submitted in February to reflect the current situation with the acquisition-focused proposed rule.

Army Futures Command recently stood up its newest All-Domain Sensing Cross-Functional Team, which officially began its mission Oct. 16 and will work in tandem with partners in the Defense Department to streamline technology development, capabilities and processes:

Harnessing the senses: Army Futures Command's newest CFT hopes to standardize sensor technology for the future force

The Army, along with the joint services, has been investing in and developing effective sensors -- perhaps without taking full advantage of them, a senior official said Oct. 31.

By Shelley K. Mesch
November 6, 2024 at 12:48 PM

The Space Force plans to award as many as four contracts for its Protected Tactical Satellite Communications-Global effort, according to the program's request for proposals posted online yesterday.

The contracts would create a pool of vendors with indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts for PTS-G, according to the notice, and the service would award the first design and demonstration delivery order.

PTS-G would create a proliferated network of communications satellites in geostationary orbit, the service has said, and would use “commercial solutions for inexpensive, quick-to-launch small GEO communications satellites” to provide assured warfighter communications.

The service requested $248 million to fund the new-start program in fiscal year 2025 for PTS-G, according to justification documents released with the request in March. That budget has not yet been passed by Congress.

PTS-G would fill the gap between the focused PTS-Resilient capabilities and the more broad but less assured capabilities from MILSATCOM and commercial services, a gap which the Space Warfighting Analysis Center called out. It would also increase global capacity for SATCOM.