The INSIDER daily digest -- June 16, 2025

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has continuing coverage of the Government Accountability Office's annual weapons systems assessment plus the Golden Dome missile defense system as well as questions around the proposed downsizing of DOD's independent weapons testing office.

We start off with more coverage of the Government Accountability Office's annual weapons systems assessment:

GAO: Air Force's secretive hypersonic attack cruise missile delayed

Difficulty in validating hardware for the Air Force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile is putting the program behind schedule and could narrow the number of flight tests the service can perform before deeming the weapon operational, according to the Government Accountability Office's annual weapon systems report.

Navy pauses HALO hypersonic missile development after costly bids

Development of an anti-ship hypersonic missile has been paused due to cost concerns, though the Navy plans to continue with a revised acquisition strategy in fiscal year 2026, according to the Government Accountability Office's annual weapon systems report.

XM30 delay caused by non-MOSA-compliant software, GAO says

The Army’s delay in pivoting the XM30 to a major capability acquisition pathway was caused by software and hardware from competing vendors that didn't jibe with modular open systems requirements, a Government Accountability Office report has found.

Document: GAO's 2025 weapon systems annual assessment

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's proposed cuts to the Pentagon's office of operational test and evaluation has drawn scrutiny from congressional appropriators:

House appropriators question cuts to independent weapons testers

The House Appropriations Committee wants Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain why he ordered cuts to the Pentagon's independent weapons testing office as "it is widely understood that there is increasing need for independent operational test and evaluation," especially in the cyber and electromagnetic realms.

The Pentagon's application for a trademark for its proposed Golden Dome missile defense system doesn't look like it will be accepted:

Golden Dome hits legal turbulence as trademark filing falters

The Pentagon's marquee missile defense initiative, rebranded just months ago as the "Golden Dome" after a trademark conflict scuttled its original name, is now facing another branding setback -- this time from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.