Inside Defense's most-read stories in 2019

You read it, we noticed. It was a tumultuous year for Pentagon leaders, while the nation's largest defense contractors kept competing for big-ticket programs and looking to expand their businesses.

Here, we list our most-read stories of the year.

5. Griffin pulls plug on RKV development; MDA readying stop-work order for Boeing, Raytheon

The Defense Department is readying a stop-work order for Boeing and Raytheon on the Redesigned Kill Vehicle after determining that technical difficulties with the new warhead are effectively insurmountable, a roughly $700 million setback that will further delay plans to improve U.S. defenses against advancing North Korean ballistic missile threats.

4. Lockheed wins Sentinel A4 competition, ousting Raytheon for $3B project

The Army has selected Raytheon to build the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, handing defeat to Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman who had hoped to oust the incumbent Patriot radar builder. The source selection marks one of the first major weapon systems shaped by Army Futures Command and a growing reliance on non-traditional acquisition rules.

3. 'Smartest guy in the room': Pentagon R&D chief under fire after controversial firings

Key lawmakers are closely examining the behavior and decision-making of the Defense Department's technology chief, spurred by high-profile personnel departures from his office.

2. Raytheon and United Technologies hold 'joint kickoff' for integration work

Raytheon and United Technologies this week held a "joint kickoff" event for their integration process, according to a top Raytheon executive.

1. Patriot incumbent Raytheon aims to hold onto franchise with new LTAMDS radar

ANDOVER, MA -- Protruding from the side of a pair of two-story buildings here are dozens of oversize pipes that turn down at a right angle and extend directly to the ground, a quirky architectural feature that brings to mind insect legs.