The INSIDER daily digest -- April 26, 2022

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Navy’s rationale for compiling its unfunded priorities list, the Government Accountability’s Office further review of the Joint Strike Fighter program, a cruise missile defense radar demonstration, and the Defense Department adding money to its European defense program.

If Congress provides more money the Navy says industry can build more E-2D Hawkeye aircraft in 2023:

Navy: Contractor can support building additional E-2Ds in FY-23, more aircraft needed

After being informed that industry can build more E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes in fiscal year 2023, the Navy is asking Congress for $400 million in its unfunded priorities list for two additional aircraft.

The GAO sees more problems for the F-35 program:

GAO: F-35 Block 4 development, delivery to extend into FY-29

The Pentagon’s efforts to develop and deliver advanced Block 4 software capabilities to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter have risen by more than half a billion dollars and are expected to extend into fiscal year 2029, a Government Accountability Office report released today shows.

DOD thinks it may have a way to protect the National Capitol region from a cruise missile attack:

Homeland cruise missile defense radar demo in FY-23 could link with Aegis interceptors

The Defense Department is looking to defend Washington, DC, as well as other unspecified domestic locations against Russian and Chinese cruise missiles by pairing a new variant of an elevated X-band radar with advanced systems that guide missile interceptors, such as Aegis cruisers or destroyers.

With war raging in Ukraine, the Pentagon is adding money to its European defense effort:

Pentagon boosts European Deterrence Initiative by $300M

The Defense Department is proposing a $4.2 billion European Deterrence Initiative for fiscal year 2023, a $300 million increase over what Congress enacted for FY-22, with much of the funding being directed toward Army operations and maintenance spending, according to a newly released budget justification document.