The INSIDER daily digest -- March 24, 2021

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Missile Defense Agency's Next Generation Interceptor program, Air Force aviation mishap rates, artificial intelligence and more.

Boeing is out of the running to work on the initial design for the Next Generation Interceptor:

MDA taps Lockheed, Northrop-Raytheon team for NGI, ousting incumbent Boeing

The Missile Defense Agency today selected Lockheed Martin and a Northrop Grumman-Raytheon team for initial design contracts for a Next Generation Interceptor, bumping Boeing from the race to build a new guided missile intended to protect the United States before the end of the decade from advanced North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin testified this week before the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee:

USAF sees improvement in Class A mishap rate, working to implement aviation safety recommendations

The Air Force's deputy chief of staff told lawmakers this week the service's rate of Class A aviation mishaps per flight hour is down 47% since 2018 and highlighted efforts within the service to implement safety recommendations from the National Commission on Military Aviation Safety.

Document: House hearing on military training mishaps

The Joint Common Foundation went live recently, according to Lt. Gen. Michael Groen, director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center:

Pentagon launches joint development environment for artificial intelligence

The Pentagon's joint development environment for artificial intelligence applications is up and running, according to the leader of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, who says the platform will be key to sharing data and connecting systems across the military services.

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing this week to consider the nomination of Navy Adm. John Aquilino to become the next head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command:

Aquilino: Ford 'through' technological challenges, all but two elevators finished

The Navy has finished work on nine of its 11 weapons elevators for the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford (CVN-78), the class' lead ship, Adm. John Aquilino said Tuesday.

Document: Senate hearing on INDOPACOM nomination

Joan Johnson, the Navy's deputy assistant secretary for research development, test and engineering, spoke this week at a national security artificial intelligence conference hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association:

Navy R&D official: Service has 'infinite' opportunities for AI, but must make 'informed and deliberative' investment decisions

To successfully compete in distributed maritime operations, particularly with China, the Navy and the other military services are in the process of establishing digital readiness performance goals, according to a top service official.

Last but certainly not least, some cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Intel official: Industry-focused supply chain reports to inform Biden administration's initial work on risk management

Results from agency-led reports on semiconductor and high-capacity battery supply chains will help the Biden administration identify immediate priorities around reshoring manufacturing capacity and a risk management approach in collaboration with the private sector, according to a senior intelligence official.