The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 14, 2021

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news from the Pentagon's latest operational test and evaluation report, plus coverage of the Surface Navy Association's virtual conference and more.

We start off with coverage of the Pentagon's latest operational test and evaluation report:

Top weapons tester calls for 'substantial investment,' with more focus on space, cyber

The Pentagon's chief weapons tester says the government needs to spend the next 10 years updating weapons testing processes and infrastructure, paying special attention to space and cyber capabilities.

DOT&E report lays out deficiencies with UH-60V program

The Pentagon's chief weapons tester is recommending the Army improve and verify software reliability for the second initial operational test and evaluation of the service's UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters, after the first test was deemed inadequate.

DOT&E notes testing shortfalls of Army ground vehicles

An annual report from the Pentagon's director of operational test and evaluation, released Jan. 13, detailed novel and continuing problems with the Army's newest ground vehicles.

DOT&E designates F-35 ODIN schedule 'high risk'

A new report from the Pentagon's director of operational test and evaluation labels the F-35 joint program office's test schedule for the Operational Data Integration Network "high risk" and questions the program's ability to deliver a fully functional system by this September.

Grey Wolf testing strategy deemed risky as flight certification delay persists

Pentagon chief weapons tester Robert Behler warns the MH-139A Grey Wolf program's continued delays obtaining a military flight release is not only driving the Air Force to rely on suboptimal, contractor-led testing but potentially jeopardizing the milestone C decision to begin production.

(For complete coverage of this year's DOT&E report, click here.)

We also have coverage of this week's Surface Navy Association virtual conference:

Navy wrapping up AOA for new nuclear-tipped cruise missile; potential development launch in FY-22

The Navy is wrapping up a project to define options for a new nuclear-tipped, submarine-launched cruise missile with plans to conclude by the end of the summer an analysis of alternatives that will offer Defense Department leaders -- and the incoming Biden administration -- a turn-key solution to launch development of a program in fiscal year 2022, according to a senior service official.

Congress hampering Navy unmanned vessel efforts, Slavonic says

The Navy's unmanned procurement efforts are under harsh scrutiny due to the past failures of other programs, Gregory Slavonic, the outgoing Navy under secretary, said Wednesday.

Navy 'bullish' about unmanned industrial base, program manager says

The Navy is "bullish" about the capability of the industrial base to produce unmanned maritime systems, Capt. Pete Small, the program manager for unmanned maritime systems, said Wednesday.

Marine Corps 'very excited' about Light Amphibious Warship concept designs

The Marine Corps is "very excited" about the Light Amphibious Warship concept designs it has received from industry and is heading toward a fiscal year 2022 start of lead ship construction, Maj. Gen. Tracy King, the service's director of expeditionary warfare, told reporters last week.

The Air Force's Advanced Battle Management System program is now a formal acquisition effort:

Roper caves to demands, establishing ABMS as a traditional acquisition program

Air Force acquisition executive Will Roper is responding to intense congressional pushback against his bypassing of the traditional requirements process for his prized Advanced Battle Management System by signing a formal acquisition strategy ahead of President-elect Biden's inauguration.

The Defense Department is working on a Trusted Capital Marketplace:

Pentagon unveils 'Trusted Capital Digital Marketplace' to link vetted investors with defense companies

Pentagon officials have released more details on a revamped, digital version of the Trusted Capital Marketplace, highlighting how the program will stave off "adversarial capital" by linking vetted sources of finance with defense companies requiring investment.