Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest features a deep dive into the $116 billion "defense-wide" budget account, and more.
We start off with an in-depth look at an ongoing review of the Pentagon's multibillion-dollar "defense-wide" budget account:
New budget review draws skepticism from those who once hunted for DOD savings
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has ordered a review of a $116 billion Defense Department account outside the purview of the military services, stoking concern that officials will search for savings in civilian-led corners of the Pentagon already picked clean by previous efficiency initiatives.
Delivery of the first U.S.-built A-29 Super Tucano to Nigeria has been delayed:
First A-29 Super Tucano delivery to Nigeria pushed back to May 2021
The first delivery in the foreign military sale of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to Nigeria is not expected until May 2021, one year later than initially scheduled.
Navy Under Secretary Thomas Modly spoke to reporters during a roundtable at the Pentagon late last week:
Navy to stand up new position focused on cybersecurity and information management
The Navy is establishing a new position dedicated to cybersecurity and information management following a critical review earlier this year of the service’s cyber practices, according to a top official.
The Air Force has begun limited flights out of an air base in Niger:
Air Force begins limited flying operations at Nigerien Air Base 201, no ISR flights scheduled
This month, the Air Force began limited flight operations to support airfield assessments at Air Base 201 in Niger, where the service is building infrastructure, including a runway, to support regional counterterrorism missions.
The Navy's fiscal year 2020 budget appeal, obtained last week by Inside Defense, states that the Marine Corps' CH-53K helicopter program has suffered a multimillion-dollar cost increase:
Navy discloses $43.4 million CH-53K cost increase to House appropriators
The Navy has informed House appropriators of a recent cost increase for the Marine Corps' delayed new heavy-lift helicopter.
Here's more of our recent coverage of the Navy's appeal document:
$20M congressional cut could trigger up to $43M in fees for Columbia sub program
The Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program is at risk of incurring up to $43 million in contract cancellation fees if Congress slashes $20 million in requested funding for missile tube production.
Navy urges House appropriators to restore rescinded F-35B funds
The Navy disagrees with the House Appropriations Committee's choice to rescind fiscal year 2019 advanced procurement funding for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, arguing the move would set back the service's timeline for standing up the Marine Corps' second squadron of F-35Cs.
House cuts could limit LUSV concept design contracts from seven to five awards
The concept design phase for a new unmanned surface vessel may be limited from seven contract awards to five if Congress maintains a proposed $20 million cut to the program in the fiscal year 2020 defense spending bill, according to an undated document newly obtained by Inside Defense.
Document: Navy's appeals to FY-20 House spending bill