The INSIDER daily digest -- April 12, 2018

The SECDEF testifying on Capitol Hill leads off this Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis testified on Capitol Hill this morning:

Mattis ready to 'consolidate, eliminate and restructure' DOD

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today he has directed senior Pentagon officials to review the Defense Department's sprawling management structure and "consolidate, eliminate and restructure," if necessary.

Document: Mattis' testimony before House authorizers

Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Robert Wilkie this week discussed the goals and practices of the Close Combat Lethality Task Force:

Close Combat Lethality Task Force eyes an array of changes

A new task force chartered by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to enhance the lethality and survivability of infantry squads is charged not only with developing and purchasing new equipment, but with revolutionizing training, doctrine and personnel policies.

Joint Strike Fighter news:

F-35 testers complete last SDD flight event

The F-35 joint program office announced this week it has completed its last flight event in the program system development and demonstration phase.

DOD officials were on Capitol Hill this week talking about the defense industrial base:

Military officials warn of fragile readiness gains ahead of FY-20 budget fight

The defense industrial base is in a state of stable recovery after several years of workload stress and funding uncertainty, but recent readiness gains will be at risk should Congress be unable to cut another spending deal in fiscal year 2020, according to senior military officials.

Navy will upgrade shipyards to accommodate new Virginia subs, optimize layout

The Navy has a three-pronged investment plan to improve its nuclear-capable shipyards that will upgrade dry docks to accommodate future attack submarines and aircraft carriers, and optimize shipyard layouts to improve productivity, according to a senior Navy official.

Document: Senate hearing on the defense industrial base

 

News on the Coast Guard's highest-priority acquisition effort:

Coast Guard leaving door open to buying six heavy icebreakers

The Coast Guard is leaving the door open to potentially expanding its heavy icebreaker program to six ships, and the service is giving shipbuilders the option to include block-buy proposals in their bids.