The INSIDER daily digest -- Feb. 2, 2023

By John Liang / February 2, 2023 at 2:19 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a senior Air Force general asserting that some large defense contractors buy smaller companies to protect their legacy profits, the Space Force's new OTTI infrastructure, a Congressional Budget Office report on hypersonics and more.

While briefing the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon this week, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration and Requirements Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote said when a start-up discovers a "disruptive way of fighting," it threatens the profit margins of prime contractors that are built on sustaining equipment over a period of time. The story is free to read below:

Three-star says prime contractors 'kill' small start-ups to protect profits

A three-star Air Force general today alleged that some of the Pentagon's largest prime contractors sometimes acquire small, innovative start-up companies so they can "kill them" and protect legacy profits.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman spoke to reporters during a roundtable at the Pentagon this week:

Space Force developing new OTTI infrastructure, Saltzman says

The Space Force is developing a new operational test and training infrastructure (OTTI), according to the service's top uniformed official.

A new Congressional Budget Office report "analyzes the hypersonic missiles being developed by the U.S. military and compares them with less expensive existing or potential weapons that might fill similar roles, such as cruise missiles or ballistic missiles":

CBO: DOD paying 33% premium for hypersonic strike compared to existing missile technology

Defense Department plans to develop and field long-range offensive hypersonic missiles could cost one-third more than ballistic missiles of the same range with maneuverable warheads, a Congressional Budget Office analysis finds in a new report that provides the most detailed, government-published, unclassified discussions of U.S. hypersonic weapon programs.

Document: CBO report on U.S. hypersonic weapons and alternatives

The Next-Generation Air refueling System (NGAS), according to a request for information posted by the Air Force this week, will be the program to deliver the tanker widely known as KC-Z:

Air Force kicks off preliminary AOA for next-gen tanker; eyes 2040 capability

The Air Force has formally begun market research for a new tanker, setting a timeline of delivering initial operational capability (IOC) by 2040.

The latest cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

CMMC ecosystem leader sees opportunities to continue prep for certification program as rulemaking timeline shifts

Matthew Travis, CEO of the accreditation body behind the CMMC program, says he is encouraged by the Pentagon's "commitment" to move forward with establishing a cyber certification initiative for defense contractors, despite a potential shift in the rulemaking timeline.

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