The INSIDER daily digest

Military R&D and a new Army Science Board report are among the highlights of this Friday INSIDER Daily Digest.

A new Army Science Board report is out:

Army advisory panel recommends new advanced operating concepts to support 'Asia pivot'

An influential Pentagon advisory panel is recommending the Army overhaul the way it organizes and equips troops for long-haul deployments as well as expeditionary operations, calling on the service to consider two dozen new "enablers" -- including technologies -- and four new operating concepts that it argues will facilitate "decisive" strategic and expeditionary maneuver capabilities in 2025.

Coverage from today's DefenseOne event:

DOD R&D leaders point to major challenges U.S. faces in aim to remain competitive

Quickly adapting the Pentagon's processes to integrate commercial technology, better transitioning technology to the field and recruiting a technologically proficient workforce are some of the biggest challenges facing the United States as the nation aims to remain competitive, according to several Defense Department research and development leaders.

The successor to the ATACMS missile is inching closer to becoming a reality:

New long-range, guided missile wins AROC approval; DAB next for ATACMS follow-on

The Army's top brass has formally endorsed the requirement for a new long-range, guided missile, forwarding a recommendation to the Office of the Secretary of Defense that the Pentagon proceed with a competition for the Long Range Precision Fires program -- potentially worth billions of dollars and expected to draw interest from Raytheon, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

At least one CEO doesn't like DOD's Silicon Valley outreach efforts:

Synexxus CEO criticizes DOD'S Silicon Valley outreach

Defense executives have been loathe to publicly criticize the Pentagon's efforts to woo Silicon Valley start-ups, but one chief executive on Friday made no secret of his disdain.

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DOD wants better situational awareness systems:

DOD calls for situational awareness systems for testing ranges

As radio frequencies become more cluttered by both military and commercial communications, the Defense Department is looking to develop new situational awareness systems and spectrum control capability on its testing ranges.

Some Air Force news:

Air Force eyes June 2019 milestone C decision for CRH recap

The Air Force anticipates achieving a milestone C decision for its Combat Rescue Helicopter recapitalization around June 2019, moving the program at least eight months ahead of schedule, the Air Force's CRH program manager told Inside the Air Force this week.

New remote sensing lab to help USAF better exploit SBIRS, weather data

The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center is using a new data utilization lab to explore additional applications for its remote sensing data, including information received from the Space-Based Infrared System and from military and commercial weather assets.

Air Force eyeing advanced engine prototype awards this summer

HARTFORD, CT -- The Air Force is in the final stages of negotiations with engine-makers Pratt & Whitney and General Electric for a prototype program meant to mature advanced technologies that could be used to field higher-performing and more fuel-efficient engines and upgrades for key Air Force platforms.

Pratt closing F135 SDD phase with improved availability, reliability

HARTFORD, CT -- As F-35 engine-maker Pratt & Whitney moves through the last year of system development and demonstration for the Joint Strike Fighter program, its newest engines are meeting availability and reliability targets and, according to a company official, the company is well-positioned for a successful sustainment program.