The INSIDER daily digest -- May 30, 2018

GAO's annual missile defense report leads off this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

The Government Accountability Office today released its annual report on the Ballistic Missile Defense System. Here's our preliminary coverage:

GAO's missile defense audit flags MDA use of undefinitized contracts, limits of computer models

The Missile Defense Agency produced "mixed progress" in delivery and testing goals in 2017, according to a congressional audit that also found U.S. military commanders who rely on the Ballistic Missile Defense System do not have "full insight" into capabilities the agency provides to warfighters, including potential shortcomings.

Document: GAO report on missile defense

More missile defense news from earlier this week, in case you missed it:

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.

The Air Force wants a speedy development process for an autonomous fighter jet:

Rapid autonomy development team sets 18-month plan for autonomous fighter jet

The Air Force wants to make headway on developing an autonomous fighter jet in an 18-month program spearheaded by a new rapid development team, Inside Defense has learned.

Looks like the Air Force will be pushing back its Huey helicopter replacement program contract award to late this summer:

Air Force delays Huey replacement contract award until end of FY-18

The Air Force is delaying its contract award for the UH-1N Huey replacement program until the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, after previously planning to select a new helicopter by early summer.

The Navy has a list of hundreds of changes to the Littoral Combat Ship:

Navy identifies 300 planned alterations for LCS

The Navy has identified roughly 300 planned alterations that must be made to the Littoral Combat Ship with the changes ranging from quick fixes to more time-consuming modifications.

Related LCS news, ICYMI:

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.