The INSIDER daily digest

The Army's WIN-T program leads off this Friday INSIDER Daily Digest.

A sneak peek at Monday's issue of Inside the Army:

Army demos WIN-T capability to link network with aircraft, extend range of battlefield ops

The Army in June concluded demonstrations of a new capability for the service's mobile internet network, assessing a new waveform with potential to support networking with aircraft and significantly extend the range of operations on the battlefield, according to the service.

Army Science Board set to review findings of five FY-16 studies

The Army Science Board on July 27-28 will review findings of five studies that are part of a collective effort to recommend bold, transformational ideas on new options to give the future force a disruptive advantage against potential adversaries.

Army National Guard lays out activation plan for Cyber Protection Teams

The Army National Guard has laid out activation plans for all 10 of its Cyber Protection Teams, which will happen in three tranches over the next three years.

Spending on infrastructure in Afghanistan continues to haunt the Pentagon:

Pentagon still haunted by '$43 million gas station'

Earlier this year the Defense Department refuted charges that it spent $43 million building a single gas station in Afghanistan, but now an influential senator alleges DOD "opened a real can of worms" while defending itself and is demanding additional information.

Document: Sen. Grassley's memo to DOD on Afghanistan gas station cost

Some news from today's Inside the Air Force:

Air Force urges caution in expanding service chiefs' acquisition authorities

While praising acquisition reform measures included in the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, the Air Force is cautioning Congress not to move too swiftly in its attempt to give more authority to service chiefs, noting that a major shift could over-burden chiefs of staff and blur the lines between the roles of the chief and the service secretary.

Document: Air Force report on acquisition-related authorities of the service's chief of staff

AFRL to release close-air-support capabilities roadmap this year

The Air Force expects to release a roadmap this year outlining ongoing Air Force Research Laboratory efforts to develop new close-air-support capabilities.

Document: Air Force report on A-10 and close air support policy

Air Operations Center 10.2 milestone C may be delayed two more years

Continued schedule breaches and performance issues in the development of the Air and Space Operations Center Increment 10.2 upgrade have triggered a critical change report and will likely push an already-delayed milestone C decision two years to the right -- from June to a tentative date of summer 2018.

Defense business news from the past couple days:

Novetta executive: Contractor 'can't bury our head in the sand' on Silicon Valley advances

Following private-equity firm the Carlyle Group's purchase of Novetta, a longtime defense contracting executive has taken on the task of fully integrating and growing the company's federal work.

Boeing reports $393 million charge related to tanker program

Boeing said Thursday it would recognize a $393 million after-tax charge on the KC-46 tanker program, reflecting "higher costs associated with previously announced program schedule and technical challenges."

DBB approves plan to advise new presidential administration for Pentagon transition

In the midst of a tumultuous election season, an influential defense advisory panel has approved a plan on how to advise the next president-elect on how to best transition the Pentagon to a new administration.