The INSIDER daily digest -- July 30, 2018

A toned-down DOD roles and missions review and new reports from the Defense Science Board and Pentagon inspector general highlight this Monday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Don't expect a major requirement from House and Senate authorizers for DOD to conduct a roles and missions review:

Lawmakers tone down push for broad DOD roles and mission review

House and Senate lawmakers have agreed the Pentagon needs to conduct a major review of its roles and missions, but decided to forgo measures that would have mandated revalidations of several key weapon systems and prohibited increases in the number of U.S. troops.

The Defense Science Board is adding to the chorus of warnings on U.S. vulnerability to cyber threats:

DSB: Cyber as strategic capability needed or DOD, nation risk unacceptable vulnerability

The Defense Department must harness cyber operations as a strategic capability or the nation will not be able to maintain its current global posture, rendering the U.S. homeland and the nation's military forces "unacceptably vulnerable" to coercion and intrusion by adversary nations and non-state actors.

Document: DSB report on cyber as a strategic capability executive summary

More recent cybersecurity news, in case you missed it:

Pentagon issues 'do not buy' software list aimed at China-, Russia-linked firms

The Pentagon has issued a "do not buy" list of software to its acquisition workforce with the goal of ensuring no software linked to Russia or China is used in Defense Department systems and the defense supply chain.

Pentagon soon to release new cyber, AI strategies

The Pentagon is expected to release in the coming weeks new strategies for cyber and artificial intelligence, respectively, according to a Defense Department official.

A new DOD IG report on the Littoral Combat Ship is out:

DOD IG: Navy prematurely declared IOC on three LCS MCM mission packages

The Navy prematurely declared initial operational capability for three Littoral Combat Ship mine countermeasure mission packages, according to a government watchdog.

Document: DOD IG report on LCS MCM packages

More recent LCS news:

Navy RFI sought industry ability to improve manufacturing costs on shipbuilding

The Navy is examining industry's capabilities to improve manufacturing processes surrounding the service's highest-profile shipbuilding programs such as Virginia-class submarines, Littoral Combat Ships and the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford (CVN-78).

House appropriators would allow Navy to purchase three Littoral Combat Ships

The House Appropriations defense subcommittee is opening the door for the Navy to purchase three Littoral Combat Ships in fiscal year 2019.

Navy will install first over-the-horizon missile on Independence-variant LCS

The Navy will install the first Raytheon-Kongsberg-manufactured over-the-horizon missile on an Independence variant of the Littoral Combat Ship, according to the service.