The INSIDER daily digest -- July 3, 2019

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the National Nuclear Security Administration's effort to extend the life of certain nuclear warheads, U.S. Special Operations Command potentially getting light-attack aircraft, a recent Pentagon contracting rule and much more.

A National Nuclear Security Administration official outlined to Inside Defense efforts that aim to mitigate concerns with industry's capacity to produce and supply explosives, or what the Government Accountability Office called a "fragile supplier base" in a June report:

NNSA taking steps to mitigate production delay risks in W80-4 life extension program

The National Nuclear Security Administration is pursuing avenues to reduce the risk of production delays in the W80-4 nuclear warhead life extension program -- an issue that has caught the attention of a congressional watchdog.

U.S. Special Operations Command could be getting more light-attack aircraft:

House amendment could give SOCOM light-attack aircraft procurement authority

A group of Republican House lawmakers is proposing an amendment to the fiscal year 2020 defense policy bill that would give U.S. Special Operations Command the authority to buy new light-attack aircraft, even as the Air Force lengthens its own experimentation campaign to identify the airframe that best meets U.S. and partner requirements.

A new Pentagon rule mandates that if a contracting officer doesn't need additional cost or pricing data, he or she would still require the contractor to certify cost or pricing data:

Pentagon issues final rule for cost and pricing data requirements for single offers

The Pentagon last week issued the final version of a rule meant to implement legislation seeking enhanced competition.

The Air Force is looking into integrating developmental and operational testing:

Air Force testers considering organizational options for integrated DT, OT

The Air Force testing community is evaluating alternatives for creating a new integrated developmental and operational testing organization and will likely present those options to service leadership within the next few months.

Earlier this week, Naval Air Systems Command's Airborne Electronic Attack Program Office (PMA-234) announced plans for an open competition to develop and build NJG-LB "Capability Block 1" that is being eyed by Northrop Grumman, L3 Technologies and Raytheon:

Navy outlines Next Generation Jammer Low-Band 'capability block 1' deliverables

The Navy has identified the first deliverables for the $3.4 billion Next Generation Jammer Low Band development program, a key step to advance the goal of delivering an operational prototype pod for an EA-18G Growler by 2024, a project that could attract as many as three bidders.

The Army's Artificial Intelligence Task Force will talk with the service secretary and other senior leaders next year to determine what the task force will look like as it transitions into a permanent organization:

Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force outlines first priorities

Eight months after its inception, the Army's Artificial Intelligence Task Force has set its initial priorities and is receiving guidance from the service's cross-functional teams.

The Army last month approved the JLTV for full-rate production, a decision it delayed by six months so it could consider options for vehicle design changes suggested by soldiers and Marines during testing and evaluation:

JLTV retrofit getting program back on track

As the Army wrestles with how to best use the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, built with Afghanistan and Iraq in mind, in future conflicts, the service plans to deliver the vehicle as promised.