The INSIDER daily digest -- August 5, 2025

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the nominee to become the Pentagon's next top weapons tester's plans to overhaul that office, along with funding plus-ups to several Army missile programs as well as the effects of the strikes at key Boeing defense plants and more.

Amy Henninger, nominated to serve as director of operational test and evaluation, wants to combine operational and developmental testing efforts and make sure the office gets more involved with programs at the early stages:

DOT&E nominee plans to take office in new direction as drastic cuts loom

The Defense Department's independent testing office could see a major overhaul if President Trump's pick to lead it is confirmed by the Senate.

Document: Henninger, Powers, Denton, Kohlmann nominations testimony

Army missile procurement programs such as the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, the Precision Strike Missile and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System are slated to get significant funding plus-ups in the Senate version of the fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill:

Senate appropriators want to add $2B for PAC-3 MSE procurement

The Senate Appropriations Committee intends to add more than $2 billion in procurement funding for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement in its fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill.

Related news on Air Force missile spending:

Air Force awards billions for AMRAAM, JASSM and LRASM

The Air Force has awarded missile makers Raytheon and Lockheed Martin $3.5 billion and about $4.3 billion, respectively, to boost deliveries of the vendors' advanced missile products, according to a July 31 Pentagon announcement.

The work stoppage at three Boeing factories in St. Louis, MO, St. Charles, MO and Mascoutah, IL marks the first time since 1996 that members of the local International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers chapter voted to walk off the job:

Boeing defense strike could spell trouble for some military programs

About 3,200 mechanics and other Boeing defense workers in the St. Louis area went on strike early this morning, adding strain to the production lines of high-profile military programs like the T-7 Red Hawk training jet and F-15EX Eagle II.

The Navy is seeking congressional permission to enter into one contract for Groton (SSBN-828) through SSBN-832 starting in FY-26, as this would provide "industrial base stability, production efficiencies, and cost savings when compared to the estimated cost of an annual procurement with options":

DOD submits proposal to allow contract for up to five Columbia subs, mirroring House and Senate provisions

The Defense Department is asking Congress to consider a new legislative proposal that would allow the Navy secretary to enter into a contract for up to five Columbia-class submarines beginning in fiscal year 2026, with a goal of improving industrial base stability and reducing schedule slippage.

Document: DOD's ninth FY-26 legislative proposals package