Thursday, April 25, 2024
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Key Issues Optical clocks Prototype funding SPAFORGEN
This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has budget news on the Pentagon's Strategic Capabilities Office as well as Air Force Grey Wolf helicopters and a nascent Navy "Stem-to-Stern Review."
The Pentagon is seeking to cut the budget for the Strategic Capabilities Office:
DOD proposes dramatic cuts to SCO funding in FY-21
The Defense Department is moving to rein in the Strategic Capabilities Office by slashing the organization's fiscal year 2021 budget to $767 million -- a one-third decrement compared to the SCO's $1.1 billion this year -- in the latest twist in an bureaucratic brawl over the future of the organization.
Some Air Force budget news on Grey Wolf helicopters, countering small drones and the next-generation ICBM:
Air Force estimates spending $1.9 billion to buy 54 Grey Wolf helicopters across FYDP
The president's fiscal year 2021 budget proposal gives the first peek into the Air Force's acquisition plans for new utility helicopters that will patrol the military's intercontinental ballistic missile silos -- showing an anticipated expenditure of $1.9 billion on 54 MH-139 Grey Wolf aircraft across the future years defense program.
Air Force to spend up to $490 million on R&D to counter small commercial drones
The Air Force is moving forward with a contracting solution worth up to $490 million for research and development of capabilities that can combat commercial off-the-shelf small unmanned aerial systems.
GBSD to immediately start using DevSecOps after EMD contract award this summer
Software developers for the military's next intercontinental ballistic missile system will be able to begin using DevSecOps right after a manufacturing contract is awarded this summer, giving the program a head start on writing code.
The Navy is looking to save $40 billion:
Modly announces Navy program review seeking $40B in savings
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly yesterday announced the service would conduct a "Stem-to-Stern Review" of the Navy's programs with the goal of finding $40 billion in savings.
Document: Modly memo on 'stem-to-stern' review
Last but certainly not least, some defense industry cyber news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:
Industry lawyer says 'go forward' with cyber certification as DOD program takes shape
A leading industry lawyer on federal contracts is advising companies to move forward with cybersecurity audits and to adopt the use of draft standards as the Pentagon completes working on setting up its landmark certification program unveiled last month.