The INSIDER daily digest -- May 29, 2018

A chat with the head of DynCorp International, a new Air Force directed-energy effort, the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor, a Navy over-the-horizon anti-ship missile for the Littoral Combat Ship and more highlight this Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Inside Defense recently chatted with the head of DynCorp International:

After refocusing, DynCorp International sees profits rise, weighs acquisitions

An improving U.S. defense budget has led DynCorp International to return to its historical core markets, boosting profits and leaving the company weighing its acquisition options.

Air Force seeks information on off-the-shelf, airborne laser to defend aircraft, bases

A new directed-energy program aims to outfit a yet-undetermined air vehicle with a laser that can protect airborne platforms and defend bases, an Air Force spokesman tells Inside Defense.

Document: Air Force RFI for airborne directed-energy weapon

The Missile Defense Agency wants to keep the SM-3 Block IIA missile production line warm, despite a recent intercept failure:

DOD leaders give Raytheon provisional green light for SM-3 Block II build

Defense Department leaders have granted Raytheon a potential major contract boost along with a provisional green light to continue manufacturing the newest variant of the Aegis ballistic missile defense interceptor -- the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA which failed during its most recent flight test in January -- in order to keep the production line warm.

A look at how long it will take for the Navy to complete design work needed to incorporate an over-the-horizon anti-ship missile onto the Littoral Combat Ship:

Navy will begin LCS design work to add over-the-horizon missile

Once an over-the-horizon anti-ship missile contract is awarded it will take the Navy anywhere from 18 months to two years to complete the design work needed to incorporate the system on the Littoral Combat Ship, according to a service official.

Continued coverage of the Senate Armed Services Committee's FY-19 defense policy bill:

Senate panel looks to restrict end-strength growth to protect modernization spending

The Senate Armed Services Committee wants to authorize military end-strength levels below the Trump administration's fiscal year 2019 request to insulate the Pentagon's modernization accounts from the potential return of spending caps in FY-20, according to staffers who briefed reporters Friday on the committee's defense authorization bill.

Senate bill would authorize U.S. cyber forces to go on offensive against Russian interference

New legislation in the Senate authorizes U.S. military hackers to go on the offensive against Russian attacks on the United States in cyberspace and also mandates a cyber deterrence doctrine after lawmakers were disappointed in the Trump administration's latest policy.

Senate committee blesses Army's Bradley replacement goal

The Senate Armed Services Committee is rewarding the Army's work to nail down a concept for the Next Generation Combat Vehicle with a sizable increase in funding to accelerate prototyping of the intended Bradley replacement, according to a staffer.

Senate bill proposes shifting F-35 procurement funds to support sustainment posture

The Senate Armed Services Committee's mark of fiscal year 2019 defense policy legislation proposes a slew of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter provisions aimed at bolstering accountability mechanisms, improving the program's sustainment posture and supporting early funding for post-development upgrades.

Senate lawmakers support ABMS, set stage for conference battle over JSTARS recap

The Senate Armed Services Committee's mark of the fiscal year 2019 defense policy bill supports the Air Force's plan to scrap the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System recapitalization effort and pursue an alternative, more survivable architecture.

Senate authorizers direct Navy to focus on lower-tier submarine vendors

A Senate panel is pushing the Navy to focus on submarine industrial base second- and third-tier vendors in its mark of the fiscal year 2019 defense policy bill.