The INSIDER daily digest -- June 5, 2020

By John Liang / June 5, 2020 at 2:13 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has coverage of a new Army tactical network, the Missile Defense Agency's directed-energy efforts and more.

The Army's Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical is working with a network cross-functional team to develop and deliver a series of two-year capability sets from fiscal years 2021 to 2027:

Army completes first integrated tactical network set critical design review

The Army is getting ready to field its first integrated tactical network set to four infantry brigades following a critical design review completed earlier this year, according to service officials.

The Missile Defense Agency this week published a notice of its plans to award a $9.9 million, 15-month contract to Raytheon's Albuquerque, NM, business:

MDA commencing new Microwave Technology Testbed project

The Missile Defense Agency is readying a new Microwave Technology Testbed to mature directed-energy technologies that could be used to thwart hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise missiles.

Some space-related missile defense news:

Additional FY-21 funding for HBTSS could accelerate fielding of new space-based sensor architecture

The Pentagon will accelerate plans for a new space-based missile defense architecture if Congress increases funding in fiscal year 2021 for the Hypersonic Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program, which could allow the U.S. military to put the "kernel" of a totally new network on orbit by FY-22, according to a senior Defense Department official.

More space news:

AFRL space vehicles directorate considering four projects for future funding

The Air Force Research Laboratory's space vehicles directorate is wrapping up a process to determine what new space research areas to invest in and expects to finalize its decision next month.

Frederick Moorefield, deputy DOD chief information officer for command, control and communications, spoke at an AFCEA event this week:

Pentagon looks to participate in 5G standards-setting bodies

The Pentagon has established a new "tiger team" to engage fifth-generation wireless standards bodies, as the Defense Department seeks more influence over the technologies underlying high-speed 5G networks.

Some DOD cyber news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

MOU on DOD's CMMC program explains policies, processes for accreditation body

Roles and responsibilities of the Defense Department and the accreditation body for its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program are detailed in a memorandum of understanding released this week, which spells out how government will work with industry to conduct cyber verification assessments for the defense industrial base.

A recent Army test at Redstone Arsenal, AL, used a Learjet aircraft as a surrogate for a government-owned multimode seeker to detect and locate a target on the range with radio frequency and imaging infrared technologies:

Army completes first captive-carry test of advanced seeker

The Army yesterday completed the first captive-carry, open-air test of the next-generation seeker it is developing for long-range fires applications. Service officials told reporters on a call today the test met all objectives.

More of our coverage of the recent GAO report on major defense acquisition programs:

GAO: EASR 'highest development risk' to LHA-8

A government watchdog report has found that one of the Navy's new radar variants poses a risk to one of the America-class amphibious assault ships currently under construction.

MQ-25 testing schedule at risk if Navy misses carrier installs

Officials for the Navy's MQ-25 unmanned aerial tanker program told government auditors they are at risk of having to extend developmental testing by up to three years, echoing previous warnings the service has made since recent funding cuts.

The Air Force is exploring potential replacements for the MQ-9 Reaper:

Air Force looking to achieve IOC on future ISR, strike drone in 2031

The Air Force is looking for a new medium-altitude, unmanned aerial system to support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions that can reach initial operational capability in spring 2031.

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