Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news from the Association of the United States Army's Global Force Symposium in Huntsville plus the Navy's amphibious warship procurement plans and more.
We start off with coverage from AUSA's Global Force Symposium:
Lockheed, Raytheon advance in multibillion-dollar contest to develop Stinger replacement
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The Army has selected Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies to develop competing prototypes of a next-generation short-range interceptor, a move that knocks Boeing from an expected multibillion-dollar competition to design and build a follow-on to the Stinger missile.
AFC to target near-term S&T funding with an eye to shape two FYDPs, force of 2040
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Army Futures Command's fledgling project to begin to design the force of 2040 will target science and technology funding with a focus on two future five-year budget planning windows: 2030 to 2034 and 2035 to 2039, the first indication for how near-term spending plans could be influenced by early drafts of a very long-term blueprint.
Army estimates MYP authority for PAC-3, GMLRS will easily clear statutory savings requirement
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The Army is making the case to congressional appropriators that multiyear procurement authority for two major munition programs -- the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System -- will yield substantial savings compared with an annual purchase and provide crucial stability for second-tier suppliers.
Army raises future monthly 155mm artillery shell production target from 70K to 85K
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The Army is raising the planned future monthly procurement target of 155mm artillery shells to 85,000 by 2028 -- a goal 20% higher than the 70,000-rounds-a-month goal by 2025 previously set by service Secretary Christine Wormuth -- by building more North American production capacity.
The Army's top civilian official was on Capitol Hill this week:
Wormuth: Funding for Army modernization programs could be 'reduced' if DOD goes to FY-22 levels
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said during a House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing that funding for some "big ticket" Army modernization programs could be "reduced" if the Defense Department is forced to return to fiscal year 2022 levels in its FY-24 budget request.
In Navy news, senior service officials were grilled by lawmakers this week on amphibious warship procurement plans:
Lawmakers drill down on amphibious warship debate
The Senate Armed Services seapower subcommittee questioned Navy officials on the lack of amphibious warships in the service's most recent budget request, drilling down on an issue that has put Navy and Marine Corps leadership at odds and left industry uncertain.
The Navy is also looking into additional development of hypersonic missile defense:
Navy R&D looks to fill gaps in missile defense
The Navy lacks the ability to defend against "complex raids" of hypersonic missiles and other threats, according to the service's newest budget request, which includes funding for the development of a more advanced interceptor system.
As for the Air Force, the service's secretary spoke this week about cruise missiles and the prospects of U.S. Space Command switching headquarters locations:
Kendall 'more committed' to HACM, questions ARRW
The Air Force is "more committed" to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile than the Air-launched Rapid Response weapon, service Secretary Frank Kendall said Tuesday, adding that the future of ARRW is still undecided.
Kendall: No decision yet on SPACECOM basing
No decision has been made yet regarding whether U.S. Space Command will be moved from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, AL, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told lawmakers Tuesday.