Thursday, April 18, 2024
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Today's INSIDER Daily Digest includes news from the deputy defense secretary's meeting today with reporters and the latest on the Pentagon's new air-launched, anti-ship missile.
We begin with Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan's meeting with reporters today:
Shanahan says cost of Space Force could be in the 'single-digit' billions
Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said today the Pentagon estimates the cost to establish a new and separate Space Force could be less than $5 billion, despite earlier predictions from the Air Force that it could cost $13 billion over five years.
Lockheed Martin's Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile is being considered for two Air Force bombers:
LRASM misses B-1 early capability goal as officials eye B-52 integration
The Defense Department's new air-launched, anti-ship missile failed to reach early operational capability on the Air Force's B-1 bomber in September as planned because of a “minor discrepancy” in the software, a Navy official tells Inside Defense.
Northrop Grumman plans to participate in the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor program's demonstration next year -- even after it was not selected for the most recent set of contracts:
Northrop plans to participate in LTAMDS radar 'sense-off' after being dropped from program
Northrop Grumman, the U.S. radar-building powerhouse dropped last month by the Army from its Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor program, will jump back in the multibillion dollar competition to build a Patriot radar replacement by participating in a radar “sense-off” event next year, setting up at least a three-way contest next spring.
Last night, the Pentagon moved forward on the latest F-35 deal:
Pentagon sets $22.7 billion ceiling for 255 jets in F-35 Lot 12 UCA
The Pentagon today awarded Lockheed Martin a $22.7 billion undefinitized contract action for F-35 low-rate initial production Lot 12 -- a deal that secures early production work for 255 U.S. and international partner aircraft.
Meanwhile, Inside the Air Force recently interviewed Brig. Gen. Anthony Genatempo, the service's weapons program executive officer:
PEO Weapons: Flat FY-20 funding could bode well for steadier long-term production
Air Force weapons funding is expected to remain relatively flat in fiscal year 2020 -- and that's fine, according to the official who oversees the portfolio.
And finally, the Army has issued a new directive about its plans for an artificial intelligence task force:
Army standing up AI task force, but IOC is delayed
The Army is standing up an artificial intelligence task force in Pennsylvania under its new Futures Command to support the Defense Department's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, according to a directive from the service secretary.