The INSIDER daily digest -- June 30, 2020

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on supplemental COVID-19 funding for the Pentagon, missile defense in Asia, a multibillion-dollar DOD household goods moving contract and more.

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee spoke with reporters this morning:

Smith opposes supplemental COVID-19 aid for DOD to reimburse contractors

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) said today he believes the Defense Department does not require supplemental funding to reimburse defense contractors for coronavirus-related hardships, despite the Pentagon acquisition chief's call for "low double-digit billions.

Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill recently spoke at an online Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance event, where he provided details on Aegis Ashore in Japan as well as the fate of the Pacific Radar:

MDA: Japan suspended Aegis Ashore plan due to local community 'sensitivities'

Japan's decision to halt plans for two Aegis Ashore systems is driven by concerns of local communities about the deployment of the land-based ballistic missile defense system and there are 'a number of options' to get the project back on track, according to a senior U.S. defense official.

Fate of Pacific Radar project in DEPSECDEF's hands after MDA completes mandated sensor study

The Defense Department has completed a study that will determine the fate of the Pacific Radar, a planned $1 billion, long-range, ground sensor project that was effectively defunded in the fiscal year 2021 budget request in order to bolster resources for space-based sensors, according to a senior official.

U.S. Transportation Command this week announced the results of a review of a multibillion-dollar household goods moving contract:

TRANSCOM confirms $7.2B award after investigation clears winner of allegations

U.S. Transportation Command confirmed the award of the $7.2 billion Global Household Goods contract to American Roll-on Roll-Off Carrier after clearing the company of improperly withholding information about its parent company.

Inside Defense recently interviewed Mark Lewis, director of defense research and engineering for modernization:

Microelectronics is DOD's new No. 1 technology priority, bumping hypersonics to No. 3

The Defense Department has reworked its weapons technology development priorities, elevating microelectronics to the No. 1 position -- a move that bumps maneuvering hypersonic technology development from the top to the No. 3 post, with 5G technology development pulling into the No. 2 billet between them, according to a senior Pentagon official.

The Senate Armed Services Committee, in a report accompanying its version of the fiscal year 2021 defense authorization bill, "commends" DOD for trying to find efficiencies, but wants to see a much different process during the next iteration of the Defense-Wide Review:

Senate lawmakers cite DOD for poor 'Fourth Estate' review

The Senate Armed Services Committee is displeased by the lack of transparency in the Pentagon's Defense-Wide Review, an internal efficiency initiative Defense Secretary Mark Esper says has freed up $5.7 billion to be invested in military modernization and readiness.

Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, spoke at an online Mitchell Institute event this week:

Air Force general eyes JADC2 on-ramp with European allies in spring 2021

An upcoming military exercise in Europe could give the Air Force's Advanced Battle Management System team and industry suppliers another opportunity to demonstrate maturing technology and leave-behind capabilities for warfighters.