The INSIDER daily digest -- June 16, 2023

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Navy seeking to extend the life span of its Seahawk helicopter fleet, House authorizers calling for a report on radars that would help defend Hawaii against missile attack and more.

MH-60S helicopters will begin reaching the end of their service lives in the 2030s. But through a service life extension program (SLEP) and ongoing preventative maintenance, the Navy hopes to extend their use into the 2040s or beyond:

Navy eyes life extensions for MH-60S fleet, considers FVL options

The Navy plans to extend the service life of its fleet of MH-60S Seahawk aircraft into the 2040s, while an analysis of alternatives for a future vertical lift capability works its way through the Pentagon's internal review process.

The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, in legislation proposed for the FY-24 defense policy bill, would mandate the defense secretary prepare a report within 90 days of the bill’s enactment on the integrated air and missile defense architecture for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command with particular focus on the role of Hawaii sensors:

Dubious of radar plan to protect Hawaii from missile attack, lawmakers direct new report

Lawmakers are skeptical of the Pentagon's latest radar plan to help protect Hawaii from missile attack, noting the fiscal year 2024 budget plan would halt funding for the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii project while also seeking permission to start a new sensor project that doesn't integrate into the U.S. military's wider missile defense sensor architecture.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosted a panel discussion on Indo-Pacific strategy featuring the deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia:

U.S., allies focus on building 'common operating picture' in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, launched to provide a near-real time view of waters and shores in an increasingly contested realm, will "be live across the region" by the end of the calendar year, according to Lindsey Ford, deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia.

Shield AI is developing its Hivemind pilot for multiple platforms and ran in-flight tests on a modified F-16 last year:

Shield AI partnering with Kratos for autonomous flight software

Defense software company Shield AI announced today it has formed a partnership with Kratos to put its artificial intelligence pilot on the XQ-58 Valkyrie drone.

The Army's top civilian spoke about the Extended Range Cannon Artillery program this week:

Army secretary says ERCA not likely to 'get over the finish line' this year

The Extended Range Cannon Artillery program is not likely to "get over the finish line" this year in terms of its development, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told reporters this week.