The INSIDER daily digest -- March 31, 2017

In today's INSIDER Daily Digest: News on the Army budget, the CIRCM program and more.

Some big Army budget news:

Army budget officials bearish on buildup

The Army is wrestling with funding questions for fiscal year 2017 as it refines an FY-18 budget that will preserve the status quo rather than facilitating a buildup, a trio of service leaders told Inside the Army.

More Army news:

GAO reveals full cost, scope of CIRCM program

The Army's Common Infrared Countermeasure program -- an effort led by Northrop Grumman to outfit U.S. military helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with a next-generation defense against infrared-guided missiles -- is a $2.6 billion endeavor to buy more than 1,000 missile warning and countermeasure systems, congressional auditors reveal in a new report.

Document: GAO's 2017 report on selected weapons programs

Army's helicopter engine replacement program now estimated to be a $10.4B project

The Army's long-term project to replace the engines of its Black Hawk and Apache helicopter fleets is now a potential $10.4 billion project, according to government auditors, a $1 billion increase from two years ago.

Global Force Symposium coverage:

AUSA in mid-March hosted the Global Force Symposium in Huntsville, AL. View Inside the Army's coverage of that event.

Countering road-mobile missiles is a priority for DOD:

High-priority 'Third Offset' project aims to counter road-mobile missiles in Pacific region

The Defense Department is seeking to catapult funding for a Third Offset Strategy project to mature a new technology designed to help re-energize conventional deterrence against China and Russia: a potential new way to defeat road-mobile ballistic missiles.

News from this week's Inside the Air Force:

Senate Dems grill Air Force secretary hopeful on Sandia consulting contract

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday questioned President Trump's nominee for Air Force secretary about key modernization and readiness challenges as well as some ethics concerns surrounding a 2013 investigation into her consulting work with Sandia National Laboratories.

Document: Wilson's nomination hearing

 

Air Force requests $178 million for counter-UAS efforts in FY-17 amendment

The Air Force is asking for $178.2 million in the fiscal year 2017 defense budget amendment to support research, development and procurement of systems to counter small unmanned aerial vehicles, as a U.S. Central Command official promotes a proactive approach.

Document: Air Force J&A document on gun-fired nets for anti-UAS

 

Air Force beginning to develop sustainment strategy for B-21

The Air Force Sustainment Center is in the early phases of developing a sustainment strategy for the Northrop Grumman-built B-21 bomber, and is working to determine the gaps in skills and manpower it may need to address to support the new, stealthy bomber.

Experts say National Space Council could bring needed cohesion

The re-emergence of a National Space Council could provide needed national leadership in the space community, but some Washington space policy experts say it could also prove to be a hindrance if not implemented correctly.

Air Force implementing tiered bonuses, considering allowing part-time work

The Air Force is planning to offer airmen tiered bonuses based on length of service, the Air Force's personnel chief told the House Armed Services military personnel subcommittee this week.

Document: House hearing on the military pilot shortage

 

ACC considering whether moving straight to laser-equipped PCA is feasible

The Air Force's Air Combat and Special Operations commands are seeking to determine how to balance their efforts to put a laser on both a fighter jet and a gunship in the 2020s, as ACC ponders how directed energy might play into its Penetrating Counterair concept in the next few years.