The INSIDER Daily Digest

Today's recap includes news on the price of the Joint Strike Fighter, the LRS-B program and more.

The price of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter could go up:

Price of each F-35 would go up by $1M if Canada decreases buy

The price for each Joint Strike Fighter would increase by $1 million per jet for the entire F-35 enterprise if Canada or another country decides to decrease its purchase by 65 aircraft, a senior Pentagon official revealed this week.

Keep an eye out in the coming days for a big Air Force bomber contract:

Air Force: Long-Range Strike Bomber award 'really, really close'

The Air Force is "really, really close" to awarding a contract for the Long-Range Strike Bomber, according to the service's top acquisition executive.

The head of a commission on the future of the Army is firing back at critics:

Army Commission chairman shoots back at congressional critics: 'I am at a loss'

The chairman of the National Commission on the Future of the Army has responded to congressional critics by way of a sharply worded letter, arguing that accusations of the panel missing its mark are unfounded.

Document: Army Commission Chairman's Letter To Lawmakers

The Navy really, really needs unmanned underwater vehicles:

Admiral: Navy has 'imperative' to pursue underwater drones

The Navy has an "imperative" to pursue unmanned underwater vehicle technology to address numerous challenges and shortfalls the service will face in the coming decades, according to the director of naval reactors.

The former SECDEF didn't pull any punches at a hearing this week:

Gates targets AT&L in return to Capitol Hill

Former Pentagon chief Bob Gates, who famously cut billions of dollars in modernization programs and rapidly procured fleets of armored trucks outside the Defense Department's traditional acquisition system, returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to advise Congress on the future of defense reform.

Document: Senate Hearing On The Future Of Defense Reform

News on the Missile Defense Agency's upcoming tests:

MDA forges ahead with ground-based interceptor updates

The Missile Defense Agency is working to update its Ground-based Missile Defense system ahead of a pair of critical tests in the coming years.