Inside the Pentagon highlights

Some must-reads from this week's issue of Inside the Pentagon:

1. The Pentagon's chief technology officer says large contractors "are not largely the innovators you seek," but big defense companies and those representing them say they are adopting practices like agile development and helping DOD realize innovative technologies.

Full story: Griffin says big contractors 'are not largely the innovators you seek'

2. Defense officials are seeking increased oversight of defense contractors' cybersecurity posture, as the outgoing head of U.S. Cyber Command is floating a potential role for the Cyber Mission Force in protecting the industrial base.

Full story: DOD officials push for bigger role in defending industry from cyber threats

3. Former Pentagon officials agree with congressional reformers that the Defense Department could find significant savings if it eliminated some "Fourth Estate" civilian management agencies, but the big money, they said, is in base realignments and closures and other politically unpopular actions.

Full story: Former DOD officials see limited budget savings absent painful politics