The INSIDER Daily Digest

Breaking this morning, the Boeing-Lockheed Martin team has decided to protest the Long-Range Strike Bomber contract award to Northrop Grumman.

Boeing-Lockheed protest LRS-B award

A Boeing-Lockheed Martin team has filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office against the Air Force's decision to award Northrop Grumman a contract to build the Long-Range Strike Bomber, alleging the selection process was “fundamentally flawed.”

Lockheed also announced this morning that it has completed its purchase of Sikorsky and named a new president for the unit.

Lockheed Martin closes Sikorsky deal

Lockheed Martin said today its acquisition of Sikorsky from United Technologies Corp. is complete, marking the end of one of the largest defense industry transactions in recent years.

Boeing tells Inside the Navy today that timing will be key to building more Super Hornets.

Boeing can build F-18s as long as jets are purchased consecutively

F/A-18E/F manufacturer Boeing could support a Navy request to build additional Super Hornets as long as the service purchases jets in fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018, according to a company spokeswoman.

The latest foreign military sale is for Stryker vehicles heading to Eastern Europe.

Lithuania readies to spend $600M on up-gunned Strykers to beef up Baltic region

In a move underscoring Washington's new focus on bolstering the Baltic region against potential Russian military advances, the U.S. government has agreed to provide Lithuania a still-in-development, cannon-variant of the Stryker combat vehicle -- a possible $600 million deal that comes just weeks after the Army was given permission by Congress to develop the “up-gunned” Stryker.

We also have news on the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Col. Curtis Buzzard, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Divison, met with reporters at the Pentagon Thursday.

ISIL's roadside bombs prolonging fight to win back Ramadi

U.S. military officials cited improvised explosive devices littering the area around Ramadi as one reason for the holdup in the campaign to retake the Iraqi city from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Industry insiders say they're increasingly concerned about how the False Claims Act is being applied against contractors. Companies, they say, are having to take greater steps to protect themselves against cases that should never have been brought.

Industry advocates say False Claims Act misuse is hurting contractors

Insiders say the False Claims Act, meant to help root out fraud and abuse by government contractors, is instead being used to punish companies for rogue employee actions or mistaken contract non-compliance, putting companies in a difficult position.

It's Friday, which means we have a fresh package of Air Force stories. We've compiled a few of the highlights below.

USAF still crafting strategy for FAB-T airborne bomber terminals

The Air Force is still working to develop an acquisition strategy for a key bomber terminal requirement that it pulled from the Family of Advanced Beyond Line of Sight Terminal program more than one year ago.

Ground Based Strategic Deterrent draft RFP release could come this month

The Air Force will release a full draft request for proposals for its Ground Based Strategic Deterrent effort by early calendar year 2016, though it may incrementally release draft RFP documents beginning this month, according to a service spokesman.

Air Force: LRS-B contract value will remain classified

The Air Force does not plan to make public the value of the Long-Range Strike Bomber contract it awarded to Northrop Grumman last week, saying that such information could "provide a window into the development being undertaken by the contractor."

Air Force forges ahead with beam control and laser integration on jet

The Air Force will hold a December industry day for companies capable of integrating a laser source and beam-control system onto a fighter-sized aircraft, according to a Nov. 2 Federal Business Opportunities notice.