The INSIDER daily digest

News on problems with the tactical wheeled fleet as well as the OCO budget headline this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

The military's tactical wheeled fleet is having problems with faulty transparent armor ballistic glass:

Marine Corps seeks vehicle transparent armor solution from industry

The Marine Corps is seeking a solution from industry on faulty transparent armor ballistic glass across the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet, Inside Defense has learned.

Document: Transparent armor for MRAP Cougar RFI

Coverage of the ongoing OCO fight:

Smith argues for 'downsizing' national security ambitions, starting with nukes

The House Armed Services Committee's top Democrat has become a vocal opponent of the Pentagon's plans to modernize the nuclear triad, arguing that the United States needs to more smartly prioritize national security spending.

Obama's new Afghanistan troop plan raises fresh budget questions amid OCO fight

President Obama's new plan to leave 8,400 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, which was not immediately accompanied by a plan to pay for them, drew harsh criticism from GOP defense hawks, including House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), who demanded the president immediately submit a supplemental budget request to finance the new strategy.

More of our omnibus reprogramming coverage:

SOCOM cites urgent need for new 'suicide drones'

The Pentagon has alerted Congress that U.S. Special Operations Command has an urgent need to replenish its stock of Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems, often called "suicide drones" because they are essentially small, flying warheads that can be steered by operators with the aid of an onboard camera.

Document: DOD's LMAMS reprogramming request

Keep an eye out for an MDA study on defending Aegis Ashore sites in Europe from aerial attacks:

MDA studying anti-air warfare capabilities for Aegis Ashore sites

The Missile Defense Agency is studying the best way to defend the Aegis Ashore sites in Europe from aerial attacks, U.S. European Command confirmed.

It's still up in the air whether a liaison element between the Navy-Marine Corps team and U.S. Special Operations Command is needed:

Naval forces, SOCOM continue requirement discussion on SOF LE

The Navy and Marine Corps continue to develop relationships with U.S. Special Operations Command through a liaison element, but it has not yet been determined whether the capability is an enduring requirement, according to an official.

A bunch of Army generals met last week:

Army generals convene for 'four-star forum'

The Army's top leaders assembled in Washington last week for a series of high-level conversations.