The INSIDER daily digest -- March 22, 2017

By Jason Sherman / March 22, 2017 at 3:20 PM

Today's digest is packed: the Army locks in fewer than planned AH-64E buys; F-35; all sorts of budget news and more.

The Apache attack helicopter executes its first-ever multiyear procurement contract, and it looks a bit different than the service initially proposed:

Army executes five-year contract for AH-64E that locks in fewer aircraft than planned

The Army last week backed off its original plan to commit to buying 275 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing in a five-year contract, instead executing a deal to buy 244 aircraft -- a more than 10 percent drop -- and offset these reductions by folding foreign purchases by Saudi Arabia into the deal to increase the multiyear package to 268 rotorcraft.

Lockheed Martin officials at the company’s annual media day weighed in on the Joint Strike Fighter:

Lockheed optimistic F-35 SDD will close this year, despite delay projections

F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin is still aiming to complete the Joint Strike Fighter program's development phase by the end of the year, telling reporters this week that key milestones this summer will offer a good indicator of whether it is executing to its aggressive testing schedule.

Lockheed exec: Navy will test F-35C nose gear, helmet-mounted display fixes at sea this summer, fall

The Navy will most likely begin testing fixes for the F-35C nose gear and the helmet-mounted display on a ship this summer or fall, according to a Lockheed Martin executive.

On the Hill and around town, lots of budget news:

Mattis makes case for $30B defense increase

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Senate appropriators today that failing to add $30 billion to the Pentagon's coffers in fiscal year 2017 would further risk military readiness.

McCain and Thornberry grappling with Trump's defense budget proposals

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and his House counterpart Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) expect President Trump's fiscal year 2018 budget proposal, which would make steep cuts in domestic spending to boost defense funding, to fail in Congress.

Budget amendment would plus up anti-ship missile, other developments

Despite pitching the fiscal year 2017 budget amendment as a military readiness supplement, the Defense Department is also seeking billions more for research and development, including more money for the Navy's new anti-ship missile.

Administration eyes further boost to Army aviation in FY-17

A fiscal year 2017 budget amendment released March 16 by the White House would provide a $1.65 billion boost to the Army's aircraft procurement account, but the measure faces an uncertain future in Congress.

G-8: Army may have to curb vehicle upgrades if BCA caps return in FY-18

The Army may need to adjust vehicle modernization programs if Budget Control Act spending caps return in fiscal year 2018, according to the deputy chief of staff (G-8).

Army generals outline readiness, modernization challenges

A pair of Army senior leaders last week detailed for lawmakers the adverse impacts on the service of years of unstable funding, as well as the risks to key modernization priorities posed by the potential return of Budget Control Act spending caps.

House oversight committee eyes Pentagon waste as Trump proposes domestic cuts to boost defense

A panel of House lawmakers on Tuesday debated how much could be saved by streamlining Pentagon business practices and, though they differed along partisan lines on what to do with the savings, a bipartisan consensus emerged that billions in waste could be slashed at a time when President Trump has proposed steep cuts to domestic spending to increase the Defense Department's budget.

Wittman: Congress anticipates CBO 355-ship analysis before marking FY-18 budget

Congress anticipates receiving analysis from an oversight organization within the next two to three weeks on building a 355-ship fleet, analysis that will inform the fiscal year 2018 House authorization mark, according to an influential lawmaker.

Lastly:

Wilson says Air Force will seek 'different acquisition strategies for different programs'

The Air Force won't limit itself to a particular acquisition strategy in future procurement efforts, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson told an industry conference Wednesday.

Air Force, Lockheed to wrap up propulsion review in May

Lockheed Martin expects an investigation into the A2100 propulsion system carried by four key military space constellations to wrap up in May.

Schmidt: Defense Innovation Board to tackle big data next month

The Defense Innovation Board intends to tackle the issue of big data during a meeting early next month, the board’s chairman said during a question-and-answer session Tuesday.

Milley: Army will have to 'optimize' for future war in urban environments

The Army may need smaller operational formations to adjust to future fighting in urban environments, according to the service's chief of staff.

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