The INSIDER daily digest -- June 28, 2017

Patrick Shanahan's DEPSECDEF nomination, a close look at possibly the next Pentagon acquisition chief and much more highlight this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Patrick Shanahan has cleared one hurdle on his way to become deputy defense secretary:

McCain's committee advances Shanahan to full Senate after testimony 'revisions'

The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted to advance the nomination of former Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan to become the next deputy defense secretary, despite Chairman John McCain's (R-AZ) initial reluctance.

An Inside Defense look at Ellen Lord:

Trump taps Textron executive to be Pentagon procurement chief

President Trump on Tuesday announced his intent to nominate Ellen Lord, chief executive of Textron Systems, to be under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.

A new DOD prototyping strategy is being hashed out:

DOD crafting new prototyping strategy amid AT&L reorganization

The Defense Department is working on a new strategy to guide investments in prototyping and innovation initiatives as part of the congressionally mandated reorganization of the office of the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.

The Air Force should set up an executive agent for remotely piloted aircraft programs:

New report calls for creation of executive agent for RPA

A new report from the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute recommends the Defense Department establish an executive agent tasked with coordinating remotely piloted aircraft requirements and integration across the department.

The Defense Department wants all its remaining Osprey orders bunched into a single contract:

DOD wants to consolidate remaining V-22 orders in single, $5.7 billion seven-year contract

The Pentagon wants to consolidate all remaining MV-22 orders -- 67 tiltrotor Ospreys -- into a single, $5.7 billion contract that would run seven years and lower the program's tab by $648 million compared to annual purchases, a move that would provide significant stability to the Bell-Boeing and Rolls Royce team that builds the aircraft.

Army news:

Raytheon pitching 'Quick Kill 2.0' ahead of Army's APS gold rush

The Army is pursuing an interim effort to outfit its combat vehicles with active protection systems from three companies, but the re-entry of a prime contractor that had exited the market has the potential to shake up the program.

House authorizers propose moving billions into Army base budget

The House Armed Services Committee is putting forth legislation that would move billions of European Deterrence Initiative funds into the Army's base budget, helping push the Defense Department’s topline above funding caps set by the 2011 Budget Control Act, according to Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry's (R-TX) mark for the fiscal year 2018 defense policy bill.

Army prepares next Black Hawk multiyear contract

The Defense Department has certified a new multiyear procurement for the UH-60M Black Hawk, and the Army expects to award the contract within the next week.

Army to begin training first SFAB in August

The Army's first security force assistance brigade will begin training in August with 16 weeks of immersive language coursework, according to the unit's commander.

House authorizers seek acquisition strategy for LTAMDS

A Congressional panel has put forth legislation that would require the Army secretary to issue an acquisition strategy for a 360-degree lower-tier air and missile defense sensor.

GAO faults requirements workforce cuts for MDAP challenges

Years after the cancellation of multiple programs costing billions of dollars, the Army's "un-executable requirements and negative program outcomes . . . continue to exist," according to federal auditors.