The INSIDER daily digest -- Aug. 27, 2018

By John Liang / August 27, 2018 at 2:11 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on rapid prototyping, cybersecurity, Army Futures Command and more.

The Defense Department's acquisition community is using a new rapid prototyping and fielding authority featured in Section 804 in the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act:

Pentagon turns to rapid prototyping, hoping for big tech gains, but accepting new risks

Pentagon acquisition executives have begun using a new rapid prototyping and fielding authority that could streamline traditional weapon system development, but might also test the patience of Congress should it lead to costly failures.

Our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity look at the Senate's recently passed FY-19 defense spending bill:

Senate defense spending bill pegs cybersecurity investments as core to military mission

The Senate-approved fiscal year 2019 defense spending bill identifies cybersecurity investments as crucial to maintaining a U.S. military advantage over foreign adversaries, while encouraging an acceleration of the Pentagon's ongoing efforts to boost the nation's cyber defenses.

The Navy is in the midst of figuring out how to dispose of the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN-65):

Barge disposal could act as blueprint for dismantling first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

As the Navy gears up to dismantle the service's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, it may look to use a future disposal agreement for a Surface Ship Support Barge (SSSB) as a blueprint for the larger vessel.

The Navy's top civilian official wants to expand an aircraft depot maintenance program:

Navy weighs expanding pilot program for aviation maintenance

A pilot program the Navy is using to improve aircraft depot maintenance -- which it has been testing on F/A-18s and MV-22s -- may be pushed out to the rest of the fleet, according to the Navy secretary.

Army Futures Command was activated late last week:

Milley: Army Futures Command to oversee $30B to $50B

Army Futures Command, which was activated today during a ceremony in Austin, TX, will cost roughly $80 million to $100 million per year to operate and will manage a portfolio worth $30 billion to $50 billion, according to Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley.

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