The INSIDER daily digest -- April 14, 2022

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest begins with a report on the Air Force’s KC-46 refueling tanker program, the two contractors vying for the Army’s next big helo contract discuss their proposals, a report on Defense Department technology transfer efforts, and the Navy is delaying the start of construction for its newest frigate program.

The Air Force announced it will look at the environmental effects of basing its newest tanker aircraft:

Air Force to start environmental study of KC-46 beddown

The Air Force announced today that it will begin an environmental impact statement for the recapitalization of KC-135 tankers with the beddown of 24 KC-46A aircraft at Macdill Air Force Base, FL.

The two contractors battling for the next Army helicopter program are talking about their proposals:

Sikorsky-Boeing and Bell compare dueling FLRAA proposals as Army nears decision

The Army is drawing closer to choosing the aircraft that will replace perhaps its most iconic helicopter: the Black Hawk.

In its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, the Army is seeking an aircraft that can fly farther, faster, and carry more weight than the Black Hawk.

The Pentagon sees new technology as a means of closing some warfighting capability gaps:

With rapid experimentation effort, DOD looks to build up tech transition pathways

The Pentagon is planning to use its new rapid experimentation effort to oversee future technology demonstrations and advance innovative solutions to joint problems as officials seek to close warfighting capability gaps across the Defense Department.

The Navy won’t be starting construction on a new frigate this month as had been planned:

Frigate construction pushed back from April target start date

The Navy will begin construction on the first Constellation-class frigate this summer or fall, later than the program’s goal to begin construction in April.