Saturday, April 20, 2024
Saturday, April 20, 2024
This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on the defense industry and more.
We start off with a broad look at how COVID-19 is affecting the defense industry:
DOD acquisition chief sees positive surge in defense industrial base, but 'slowdown' continues
Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord said today that for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19, more defense companies are re-opening than closing.
Pentagon prepares for delays to research as coronavirus shutters academia
The coronavirus pandemic is expected to delay defense research at U.S. universities, as administrators and researchers grapple with social distancing measures, lab shutdowns, travel restrictions and potential gaps in grant funding.
Space Acquisition Council to survey SpEC members on COVID-19 industrial base impact
The Space Acquisition Council met this week for an emergency session aimed at reaching consensus on how to help the space industry withstand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boeing loses $168 million on VC-25B Air Force One program during COVID-19 crisis
Boeing faces a charge of $168 million on the VC-25B Air Force One replacement program as a result of "engineering inefficiencies" associated with the coronavirus pandemic, the company revealed in a filing today.
General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman report some absenteeism during COVID-19 outbreak
The leaders of both General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman said today they are seeing some employees fail to show up for work, but said they expect absentee rates to soon improve.
A flight test of the Precision Strike Missile took place this week:
Army, Lockheed conduct third successful test flight of Precision Strike Missile
The Army this morning hosted the third successful flight test of the Precision Strike Missile built by Lockheed Martin, the sole competitor for the program to replace the Army Tactical Missile System.
The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent contract could be signed earlier than expected:
Northrop CEO says GBSD deal may be finalized up to two months early
Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden said the contract to develop the Air Force's Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, expected to be awarded during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, may be signed one or two months early.
From ballistic missiles to hypersonic cruise missiles:
Air Force launches new air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile program
The Air Force is starting a new air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile program that looks to capitalize on the maturity of scramjet technology, expand the small hypersonics industrial base and diversify mission sets available to operators.
The Air Force is nearing a test of a prototype aircraft engine:
Air Force making progress toward full-scale AETP engine testing in early FY-21
The Air Force is making progress toward a full-scale engine test in early fiscal year 2021 of advanced engine technologies being matured under the Adaptive Engine Transition Program.
A new RAND Corp. report on space launch is out:
New RAND report calls for near-term support of third space launch provider
The Air Force's top acquisition official said today that concerns about assured space access and the global launch market raised in a new RAND Corp. report could drive a discussion around funding research and development for the next phase of launch competition sooner than expected.
Some missile defense news:
MDA fills in key blank in new solicitation that could break up GMD contract
The Missile Defense Agency is fleshing out its plan to potentially disaggregate the Ground-based Midcourse Defense sustainment contract, detailing the scope of Next Generation Interceptor development and procurement in a new solicitation that could set the stage for a major realignment of industry participation in the Pentagon's marquee homeland missile defense project as soon as fiscal year 2021.
Last but certainly not least, some cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:
Defense official: Auditors won't be allowed to consult for companies they certify under CMMC program
Auditors under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification will be prohibited from consulting with companies they are certifying in an effort to create "checks and balances," according to DOD acquisition Chief Information Security Officer Katie Arrington.