The INSIDER daily digest -- Dec. 10, 2024

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a missile defense intercept test that took place in Guam, plus extensive coverage of the House and Senate FY-25 defense authorization conference bill.

We start off with a big missile defense intercept test that took place today over Guam:

DOD conducts Guam missile defense test, key step toward hardening island against China

The U.S. military today executed the first-ever ballistic missile defense test from Guam -- a technical achievement that validated a small step toward integrating legacy technology in support of fielding a new 360-degree defense of the American territory in the Western Pacific against advanced Chinese threats.

Anduril has announced the availability of a software development kit for its artificial intelligence-powered, open software integration platform:

Anduril pulls back curtain on 'Lattice' AI system

When Anduril announced Tuesday it would expand the company's Lattice family of offerings with a software developer kit, the company also shed light on how everything under the Lattice name forms an ecosystem of interoperable, decentralized solutions enabling reliable communications in contested environments.

Of course, the defense policy conference bill has language related to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program:

Defense policy bill would fence some F-35 deliveries, again add six F-15EX to fighter mix

Some deliveries of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would be temporarily fenced under the proposed fiscal year 2025 defense authorization conference bill until Lockheed Martin, the Joint Program Office and the incoming defense secretary create a plan to resolve any outstanding hardware and software deficiencies hamstringing the program.

Navy-related coverage of the defense policy conference bill:

Authorization bill supports new destroyer construction, unmanned tech testing and foreign vessel purchases

House and Senate authorizers have agreed to use incremental funding to enter a contract for the construction of a new USS Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, according to the joint fiscal year 2025 defense authorization bill, which approves $895 billion for national defense priorities.

Authorization bill supports restrictions on frigate and LSM construction

House and Senate authorizers have agreed to include provisions imposing construction limitations on the Constellation-class frigate and Landing Ship Medium programs, in addition to slashing frigate funding, in their joint fiscal year 2025 defense authorization bill.

Army-related coverage of the bill:

Congress asks Army for report on ground combat vehicle protection systems

House and Senate lawmakers are asking the Army to produce a report on its strategy for ground combat vehicle protection systems.

A missile defense provision in the conference bill:

Conference bill directs East Coast site, setting stage for $5B U.S. missile defense expansion

Congress is poised to finalize legislation that could lead to a $5 billion expansion of the United States' homeland missile defense system, mandating construction of a third missile defense site on the East Coast and likely setting up a new round of debates over where to build the new missile field.

A Space Force provision in the conference bill:

Air National Guard space units likely to be transferred to Space Force

The fiscal year 2025 defense authorization bill is set to allow the Space Force to absorb certain Air National Guard units that perform space missions, a move which the National Guard Association of the United States and National Governors Association oppose.

The incoming top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee is looking to increase the defense budget:

GOP senator working defense increase into budget reconciliation proposal

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), who is slated to become Senate Armed Services Committee chairman when the GOP ascends to the majority next year, said today he is unhappy with current defense legislation because it doesn't do enough to increase military spending.

The Navy's top civilian wants to bolster the maritime industrial base:

Navy secretary expects Congress to introduce SHIPS for America Act in coming days

Congress is likely to introduce a new bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation intended to bolster the commercial and military maritime industrial base in the coming days, according to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.

The V-22 Osprey won't be flying anytime soon:

V-22 fleet operationally paused following precautionary landing

Following a recent precautionary landing of a CV-22 Osprey aircraft, all V-22 variants are operationally paused as of Dec. 6, Naval Air Systems Command told Inside Defense this week.