The INSIDER daily digest -- Aug. 25, 2020

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on defense contractor Alion, the Army's plan to develop a Long Range Hypersonic Weapon prototype by 2023, the Patriot interceptor and more.

Defense contractor Alion has shifted its focus away from Navy systems engineering and technical assistance:

Alion CEO remakes company to zero in on technology

With a major acquisition and a key divestiture under its belt, Alion has reshaped to focus on high-tech areas and significantly change its customer base.

Army Brig. Gen. John Rafferty, head of the service's Long Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team, gave a speech this week during a virtual Heritage Foundation event:

Army official: 'There isn't a moment to lose' on hypersonic weapon development

The official in charge of the Army's Long Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team Monday said the service's plan to develop a Long Range Hypersonic Weapon prototype by 2023 is the quickest way to maintain combined arms overmatch, as it aims to engage in the fight with Russia and China.

Lockheed Martin, maker of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Enhancement Segment interceptor, is looking into why its missile misfired during a recent test:

Patriot MSE appears to have misfired in key air and missile defense test

The Army's most advanced Patriot interceptor appears to have misfired during a key test of the service's new air and missile defense system, requiring a back-up guided missile, an older Patriot variant, to chase and destroy a tactical ballistic missile target last week.

A Marine Corps spokeswoman told Inside Defense this week that the service's Amphibious Combat Vehicle full-rate production decision has been pushed back to November:

COVID-19 delays ACV production decision to November

The Marine Corps has delayed by two months the full-rate production decision for its new Amphibious Combat Vehicle because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Todd Harrison, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said during a virtual conference with reporters last week that he has identified a historic pattern of downward pressure placed on U.S. defense budgets following economic recoveries and the renewed political concern about deficit spending that usually comes next:

Defense analyst wargames future budget crunch

A Washington defense budget analyst is looking at the Pentagon's future spending plans and warning they could very well collide with political forces now building because of the COVID-19 pandemic and historic federal deficits.