The INSIDER daily digest

A new Defense Science Board study and a chat with the head of Leidos highlight this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

A new DSB study is underway:

New DSB panel to evaluate military research and development enterprise

The Pentagon's acquisition executive has commissioned a new assessment of the defense research enterprise, a study launched in accordance with a statutory mandate to review the sprawling government complex that supports military research and development.

Document: DSB terms of reference memo on the defense research enterprise

Inside Defense sat down this week with the head of Leidos:

As Lockheed deal advances, Leidos prepares for new business units, larger corporate office

Leidos is laying the groundwork for its merger with Lockheed Martin's information systems and global solutions unit, readying for additional business units and a more sizeable corporate office.

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An RFI for the future SBIRS program is out:

Air Force reveals architecture options for future SBIRS

The Air Force is considering options for a six- or eight-satellite constellation for the future Space-Based Infrared System program of record and anticipates the follow-on system could feature a mix of hosted payloads with disaggregated missions.

Document: Air Force RFI for SBIRS architecture options

The No. 2 officer at U.S. Pacific Command spoke at last week's "Quad-A" conference:

PACOM deputy chief touts need for rotary wing upgrade

Future rotary platforms are essential if the joint force is to tackle potential conflicts in the "expansive maritime environment" of the Pacific theater, according to the deputy commanding general for U.S. Pacific Command.

Keep an eye out for an upcoming industry day on CAC25:

Marines will host an industry day in May for the second phase of CAC2S

The Marine Corps plans to host an industry day in May for the second phase of the common aviation command and control system for full-rate production, according to the program manager.

House lawmakers want more info on unmanned combat vehicles:

House bill pushes for expansion of unmanned combat vehicles

Lawmakers are seeking an update on the Defense Department's progress toward further integration of unmanned ground and aerial vehicles into the joint force, according to the House Armed Services Committee's fiscal year 2017 defense policy bill.