The INSIDER daily digest -- Dec. 12, 2024

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, future Air Force acquisition challenges, Navy submarines and more.

We start off with news on Stryker Brigade Combat Teams:

Army not doing enough to modernize Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, lawmakers say

The Army's current modernization investments leave out Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, House and Senate authorizers argue in their joint explanatory statement accompanying the fiscal year 2025 defense authorization conference bill.​

The Air Force's outgoing acquisition chief gave a forecast of the challenges his eventual successor will face:

Hunter: Next USAF acquisition chief can expect resource, integration challenges

As Air Force acquisition czar Andrew Hunter prepares to relinquish his duties to the incoming Trump administration, he anticipates the next executive to fill the role will face enduring obstacles around resourcing and integration.

Space news:

SPACECOM basing decision could change with presidential administration -- again

Moving U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama as President-elect Trump has promised would be costly and disconnect the fully operational command from a community of space experts, analysts told Inside Defense, while a major congressional supporter touted what he considers security benefits and long-term cost benefits at the proposed new location.

Integrated space fires top priority for SPACECOM chief as China expands space capabilities

ORLANDO -- U.S. Space Command's top requirement is weapon systems that can defeat space assets, whether through cyber, non-kinetic or kinetic attacks, according to SPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting.

Navy submarine and amphibious ship news:

Del Toro says communication between Congress, Navy is 'strong' following harsh report

After lawmakers noted concern with a "lack of transparency" from the Navy on submarine program challenges and solutions, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro assured reporters today that open communication between the service and Congress remains a top priority.

Navy punting LSM award due to pricier-than-expected bids

The Navy has been forced to further postpone procurement of the Landing Ship Medium due to higher-than-expected bids, according to the assistant Navy secretary for research, development and acquisition, who today cast doubt on the service's previous plan to procure the lead vessel in fiscal year 2025.

Army missile defense and helicopter news:

LTAMDS 'successful' in key operational test with IBCS, PAC-3

The Army's Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor successfully completed a key operational assessment last week, clearing an important testing hurdle necessary to stay on track for a planned high-level review where the next-generation Patriot radar will seek to pivot to production.

Authorizers want specifics from Army on Black Hawk modernization

House and Senate lawmakers are asking for specific pieces of information from the Army when it comes to Black Hawk modernization in the conference version of the fiscal year 2025 defense authorization bill.

The FY-25 defense authorization conference bill has language in it giving the Air Force responsibility for air base air defense:

Lawmakers put Air Force on the hook for air base air defense plan

House and Senate authorizers want the Air Force to create and put into action a plan to begin fielding air base air defense sites at service installations located in the homeland and across the globe, per the recently released fiscal year 2025 defense policy conference bill.

The Pentagon is nearing the creation of a new artificial intelligence office:

DOD establishes new rapid AI capabilities cell, dissolves Task Force Lima

The panel charged with examining the use of generative artificial intelligence for the military has submitted its final recommendations to the Pentagon, setting the stage for the creation of a new rapid AI capabilities cell.