The INSIDER daily digest -- June 21, 2017

By John Liang / June 21, 2017 at 1:53 PM

The Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan, a proposed Air Force "Space Corps" and a lot of congressional mark-up coverage highlight this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Don't expect the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan to reflect plans for 355-ship fleet:

Navy will submit 30-year shipbuilding plan that does not reflect plans for 355-ship fleet

The Navy will submit a 30-year shipbuilding plan in fiscal year 2018 that does not reflect its plans for a 355-ship fleet because the budget does not support growing the force, according to a service official.

House lawmakers are proposing an Air Force 'Space Corps':

Air Force leaders say Space Corps proposal would complicate reform efforts

The Air Force chief of staff and secretary told reporters Wednesday that while they appreciate the passion behind House lawmakers' proposal to create a separate Space Corps under the service's leadership, the move would complicate and add bureaucracy to a system they are trying to reform.

House lawmakers propose new Space Corps and U.S. Space Command in FY-18 policy mark

The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee is proposing a significant reorganization of the military space mission in its mark of the fiscal year 2018 defense policy bill, directing the creation of a new U.S. Space Corps as well as a U.S. Space Command by January 2019.

More of our FY-18 defense policy bill mark-up coverage:

Authorizers eye end-strength increase sought by Army

House authorizers intend to support the Army in its push for an end-strength increase, according to legislation released June 20.

House panel looks to accelerate Army vehicle modernization

Lawmakers are skeptical of the Army's plans to upgrade and ultimately replace its existing combat vehicles, and plan to enshrine their concerns in legislation.

House authorizers aim to shift procurement away from MDA

The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee is advancing legislation requiring the Pentagon to shift acquisition authority for operational missile defense systems from the Missile Defense Agency to the military departments.

House subcommittee mark green-lights Virginia-class 13-boat block buy

The House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee mark calls for a 13-boat block buy for the Virginia-class submarine, which, if passed, would be the largest shipbuilding contract to date.

Future GMD acquisition strategy envisions three new competitions, extending legacy contract

The Missile Defense Agency intends to break up the next acquisition contract for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program into a handful of efforts, including a competition for new interceptors as well as a competition for ground systems development and readiness -- while extending the current GMD Development and Sustainment contract held by Boeing from 2018 to 2022 for select activities.

FY-18 defense policy bill mark includes MQ-9 cost-benefit analysis

The House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee’s mark of the fiscal year 2018 defense policy bill directs the Air Force and defense secretaries to study whether it would be more cost-effective to improve the MQ-9 Reaper fleet by upgrading existing Block 1 aircraft to the Block 5 design or by buying new aircraft altogether.

House authorizers call for more oversight of F-35 EOQ strategy

Some House authorizers are proposing additional oversight of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's economic order quantity strategy, calling for reporting requirements similar to those of a multiyear procurement deal.

Another Defense Science Board task force study is underway:

DOD advisory task force seeking 'new approaches' to counterintelligence mission

The Defense Department is seeking new ways to strengthen counterintelligence capabilities, looking beyond simply spending more money to defend against "insider" threats and seeking "new approaches" to the challenge of managing massive stores of sensitive data in an age where an individual can, in one fell swoop, make off with a "staggering scale" of state secrets.

News from this week's Inside the Army, in case you missed it:

USAREUR to cut exercises to 'no more than 50' in FY-18

As the Army expands its rotational presence in Europe to deter Russia, the service is shifting its approach to multilateral exercises on the continent.

Army Materiel Command 'pressing' for funding for cyber initiatives

Army Materiel Command is working with the Army staff to have funds allocated for its cyber initiatives, according to AMC's cyber division chief.

Vendors seeking Phase 2 awards for RS3 contract vehicle

The Army is preparing to issue further awards for a services contract vehicle worth up to $37.4 billion.

TRADOC to host second CIE, focused on Big 6+1

Army Training and Doctrine Command plans an engagement with industry this summer on its Big 6+1 capabilities.

Army releases market survey for Common Robotic System, Heavy

The Army is seeking information from industry for the Common Robotic System, Heavy according to a Federal Business Opportunities notice.

More Inside the Navy news:

Navy official: Aircraft programs should apply submarine rapid acquisition model

Navy aircraft programs should consider the submarine community as a model when thinking of how to execute rapid acquisition projects, according to a service official.

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