Inside the Army highlights

Some must-reads from this week's edition of Inside the Army:

1. An Army research agency has issued a call for white papers on tools to improve situational awareness in complex operating environments like those expected in future conflict and laid out in the service's new multidomain operations concept.

Full story: Army seeks situational awareness training tool for complex environments

2. The Missile Defense Agency has rebranded the Missile Defense Tracking System -- a space-based sensor network envisioned to track enemy long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles from launch to impact -- the Space Sensor Layer program and plans to brief industry this month on a second round of technology prototyping for the desired orbital capability.

Full story: Missile Defense Agency to release Space Sensor Layer prototype RFP

3. Just a couple weeks ago, the Pentagon was scheduled to receive a $50 billion Christmas present from President Trump, but the future of the defense budget has been called into question as he has ordered a speedier-than-expected exit for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and a surprise promotion for Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan.

Full story: Spotlight on Shanahan as DOD finalizes budget without Mattis

4. The Defense Department's chief information officer is about to get increased power to review military spending plans for information technology and cyber capabilities, as DOD makes a concerted push into cloud computing and prioritizes artificial intelligence.

Full story: Pentagon CIO to get new authorities as military makes push into cloud, AI