Sunday, June 15, 2025
Sunday, June 15, 2025
This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Pentagon's proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, plus additional coverage from last week's Quad-A conference and more.
We start off with coverage of the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system:
MDA awards $1B for SM-3 Block IB as Golden Dome prompts rethink of missile inventory
The Pentagon has awarded Raytheon Technologies a $1 billion contract to produce up to 55 Standard Missile-3 Block IB interceptors, a move that comes as defense leaders reconsider the future of the combat-tested interceptor -- slated for a production sunset -- amid growing demands from the emerging Golden Dome domestic missile defense architecture.
Various DOD agencies collaborating for Golden Dome in upcoming FY-26 request
The Space Force's fiscal year 2026 budget will have a "big flavor of Golden Dome within it," according to Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton.
We also have additional coverage of the recent Quad-A conference in Tennessee:
Army leaders will rely on feedback from commanders to address aviation capability gaps left by cuts
NASHVILLE, TN -- Addressing capability gaps in Army aviation left by a recent slew of program cuts announced by the service will mean commanders must give their feedback in order to help shape requirements, a service leader emphasized last week.
Deep sensing a priority as Army transforms, ISR task force chief says
NASHVILLE, TN -- The Army is working with industry on a launched effects demonstration for next year using sensing effects that can fly farther than current Army ranges, according to a service leader.
Acting U.S. Cyber Command Commander and National Security Agency Director Lt. Gen. William Hartman testified on Capitol Hill last week:
Potential splitting of CYBERCOM, NSA leadership draws ire of House lawmakers
Lawmakers came out swinging against rumors of a Trump administration plan to sever the "dual-hat" leadership of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.
Document: CYBERCOM chief's FY-26 posture statement
Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, the service's director of force design, integration and wargaming, spoke at a recent discussion hosted by the Mitchell Institute:
Air Force eyeing low-cost, air-to-air missile alternative to AMRAAM
The Air Force wants to invest in developing a new high-speed, air-to-air missile in part to arm the first iteration of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, according to a top service official and a recent request for information filing.
Document: Air Force RFI for low-cost, air-to-air missile alternative to AMRAAM
Anduril Industries' Roadrunner air vehicle was recently deployed aboard a U.S. warship for the first time:
Commercial cruise missile deployed on Navy destroyer, potential pathway to new capacity
The Navy deployed a commercially developed cruise missile aboard an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the Red Sea as part of a broader exploration into countering drone threats, an experiment defense officials say could help lay the groundwork for expanding the Navy's capacity to defeat complex missile raids.