The INSIDER daily digest -- July 16, 2018

A recent interview with the CEO of Leonardo DRA, the Pentagon's new NC3 senior point person, a new GAO report on defense contracting and the Air Force's KC-46 airborne refueling tanker highlight this Monday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Inside Defense recently chatted with Bill Lynn, the former deputy defense secretary and current chief executive of Leonardo DRS:

Lynn: Two-year budget stability bolsters industry investment

The stability created by the two-year budget deal will help the defense industry make investments in research and development, according to Bill Lynn.

The Pentagon has a new head of its nuclear command, control and communications systems:

Mattis names Hyten as new NC3 point person

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis recently named U.S. Strategic Command chief Gen. John Hyten the sole person responsible for overseeing nuclear command, control and communications, Hyten said at a July 13 Mitchell Institute conference.

The Air Force's KC-46 tanker program recently hit some major objectives:

KC-46 finishes flight tests needed for first aircraft delivery in October

Boeing and the Air Force wrapped up a slate of KC-46 tanker flight tests July 6, clearing another hurdle ahead of the first aircraft's planned delivery in late October.

More recent KC-46 news:

Newly aligned KC-46 schedule includes slate of risk-mitigation efforts

The Air Force's recent announcement that its KC-46 delivery schedule was aligned with prime contractor Boeing's came after the two parties agreed on a slate of schedule mitigation efforts, Inside Defense has learned.

Air Force, Boeing eye first KC-46 delivery in October

The Air Force and Boeing have agreed to a new KC-46 schedule that sets October as the anticipated date of the first new tanker delivery.

House lawmakers want Air Force to accept KC-46 deliveries at a faster pace

As the Air Force works with Boeing to assure timely delivery of the first new KC-46 tanker, House policymakers want the service to increase its planned aircraft acceptance rate to more than three new tankers per month.

A new Government Accountability Office report is out:

Pentagon crafting data strategy to accelerate contract awards

The Pentagon plans to develop a strategy to hasten its lengthy contract award timelines, according to Director of Defense Pricing Shay Assad.