The INSIDER daily digest -- Dec. 6, 2018

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest is chock-full of news, including remarks from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK), the Army's shift from the previous term "multidomain battle" to "multidomain operations," the Air Force's high-altitude ISR aircraft, and more.

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) gave his first official speech as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee this morning:

Inhofe says he's 'urging' Trump to increase defense budget, but tweets make him 'cringe'

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) said today he used a recent White House meeting with President Trump, Vice President Pence and national security adviser John Bolton to urge the administration to forgo a planned $33 billion cut to defense spending.

The Army's shift from the previous term "multidomain battle" to "multidomain operations" reflects the more strategic, rather than tactical, nature of the new concept:

Army releases new multidomain doctrine in response to NDS

The Army has released its new concept for fighting near-peer competitors Russia and China, "The U.S. Army in Multidomain Operations 2028," following the priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy.

Document: Army's 2028 multidomain doctrine

Inside the Air Force recently got a chance to tour Beale Air Force Base in California and chat with members of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing there:

Readiness needs spur training, manpower changes for high-altitude ISR fleets

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, CA -- As tensions flared between the United States and North Korea over nuclear proliferation last year, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing saw an opportunity to ask: Are we ready to go to war somewhere new?

Navy Under Secretary Thomas Modly spoke at an American Society of Naval Engineers event this morning:

Modly: 'Profound impact' on fleet if DOD topline is cut from $733B to $700B

A potential $33 billion cut to the Defense Department's topline budget in fiscal year 2020 would have "a profound impact" on the size of the Navy's fleet, said the service's second most senior civilian, who also raised questions about the Navy's latest aircraft carrier program.

Mike Luntz, Lockheed Martin's director of operations and sustainment for F-35 training, told Inside Defense this week the initial delivery of a distributed mission training capability in its full mission simulator has been delayed to 2019:

Lockheed aims for mid-2019 delivery of F-35 virtual training capability and full 3F sim deployment

Lockheed Martin expects to deliver a key F-35 simulator capability in mid-2019 that will allow pilots to connect with other aircraft and with partner jets in a virtual environment.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Bradford Shwedo, director for command, control, communications and computers/cyber on the joint staff (J6), spoke this week at an "Air Force IT Day" event hosted by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association:

DOD taking 'layered approach' to addressing cyber vulnerabilities in weapon systems, infrastructure

The Defense Department is carrying out congressionally mandated reviews of cyber vulnerabilities in its major weapon systems and critical infrastructure through a layered approach involving multiple agencies and teams, according to a joint staff official.

Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Lt. Gen. Mark Kelly spoke at a recent Mitchell Institute event:

Air Force eyeing new maintenance sensors, used by commercial airlines, to boost MC rate

The Air Force is working with the airline industry to determine whether it can install sensors in its fighter aircraft to detect key fatigue and maintenance issues -- a technology that could reduce the time it takes to diagnose and repair aircraft.