The INSIDER daily digest -- Feb. 23, 2021

By John Liang / February 23, 2021 at 1:34 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Littoral Combat Ship program, a Defense Science Board study on cyber and more.

Austal USA's problems with the Littoral Combat Ship program have caused the company's president to resign:

Austal USA president resigns following investigation into LCS program

Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle has resigned following an investigation into the company's Littoral Combat Ship program, Austal announced today.

The Defense Science Board has been called on to form a "Task Force on Future Cyber Warfighting Capabilities of the Department of Defense":

Defense Science Board to study future of DOD's cyber warfighting capabilities

The Defense Science Board last month launched a congressionally mandated study of the Defense Department's cyber warfighting capabilities, including a technical evaluation of DOD's major cyber warfare programs.

Document: DSB TOR for study on future cyber warfighting capabilities

In related cyber news, our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have coverage of the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

Pentagon plans to conduct 'gap analysis' between FedRAMP and CMMC for reciprocity

The Defense Department is working with the General Services Administration's Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program team to develop a "gap analysis" that will compare the cloud services effort with the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification initiative, according to DOD's Stacy Bostjanick.

The COVID-19 pandemic has moved the Defense Department in the direction of freeing up greater cash flow to defense contractors:

DOD launches new contractor cash flow and pricing study rooted in controversy

The Pentagon has entered arrangements with three universities to study key areas related to contract finance and pricing that could impact the way defense contractors are paid.

House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee Chairman Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Ranking Member Rob Wittman (R-VA) both spoke at a recent event hosted by the Hudson Institute:

Courtney, Wittman call on Biden's first budget to prioritize Navy

Congressional seapower leaders are calling on the Biden administration's first budget to prioritize the Navy and shipbuilding to counter the growing threat posed by China.

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