Friday, April 26, 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024
Key Issues Optical clocks Prototype funding SPAFORGEN
The House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee marks of the FY-19 defense policy bill, GAO's annual audit of DOD's major weapons portfolio and much more highlight this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.
The House Armed Services Committee has begun releasing subcommittee marks of the fiscal year 2019 defense authorization bill:
Lawmakers consider eliminating Strategic Capabilities Office
New legislation being considered by the House Armed Services Committee could result in the elimination or restructuring of the Strategic Capabilities Office by Oct. 1, 2020.
The Government Accountability Office today released its annual audit of major DOD weapon systems:
GAO's annual audit of DOD's major weapons portfolio finds acquisition reforms bearing fruit
A congressional audit of the Pentagon's major weapon systems portfolio reveals that two major acquisition reform initiatives -- statutory changes Congress spearheaded in 2009 and executive stratagems led by Defense Department procurement executives beginning in 2010 -- have yielded some success reigning in cost growth and improving buying power.
Document: GAO's annual audit of DOD's major weapons portfolio
Unmanned systems news:
House lawmakers press ACC, AFSOC on Reaper aircrew management
Lawmakers are questioning Air Force Air Combat Command's ability to manage MQ-9 Reapers on behalf of their special-operations counterparts and want a report on how Reaper aircrews are assigned, managed and developed, according to the House Armed Services emerging threats subcommittee's mark of the fiscal year 2019 defense policy bill released this week.
Army seeking solution for UAS location device
The Army intends to award a contract for a "unique solution" for an unmanned aerial system device that would provide real-time location of its UAS platforms while reducing size and weight. The service would use the capability to enhance UAS and counter-UAS training at two combat training centers.
Army Futures Command's headquarters will be concerned with "flexibility, agility, collaboration and speed":
Army Futures Command task force develops 'process model' for change
The Army Futures Command task force is looking to measure the service's business processes for the first time, and the official command will have a large focus on analysis, according to a service official.
Ellen Lord spoke to reporters yesterday following an event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington:
DOD acquisition chief says companies should design systems with 'exportability' in mind
The Pentagon's acquisition and sustainment chief says the U.S. government is going to step up its advocacy of defense exports under a new conventional arms transfer policy, but she believes companies can do more by designing their systems with "exportability" up front.
The Army's acquisition chief spoke at an AUSA event this week:
Jette calls for shift in contracting practices, discretion with OTAs, reduction in UCAs
Congress has provided the services greater flexibility in contracting, but it is incumbent upon the Army to utilize that flexibility responsibly, according to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology.
News from our colleagues at Inside U.S. Trade:
Navarro touts new arms transfer policy as a way to reduce trade reliance on China
Peter Navarro, director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, said on Tuesday that the administration’s new conventional arms policy is a way for the U.S. boost exports to markets dominated by countries like China and Russia.
Just because the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II program finished developmental testing doesn't mean it doesn't still have challenges:
SDB II clears developmental testing but still faces challenges
Raytheon recently announced its Small Diameter Bomb Increment II program finished developmental testing, helping clear the way for operational test to start even as the weapon still faces six performance and schedule risks.
Keep an eye out next week for a request for proposals for a billion-dollar Hawaii missile defense radar contract:
Competition for new $1 billion Hawaii radar set to launch, potential for three winners
The Defense Department plans to launch a competition next week for a $1 billion radar project to develop and field a new radar site in Hawaii as part of a strategy to increase the effectiveness of the Ground Based Midcourse defense segment of the Ballistic Missile Defense System against long-range North Korean rockets.