The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 3, 2023

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on senators' efforts to overcome a blanket hold on military nominations, plus a chat with a senior Pentagon official about digital engineering and more.

Some Senate Republicans are getting increasingly vocal over Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) continuing hold on military nominations:

All Joint Chiefs now confirmed as senators look to override Tuberville's nomination blockade

Despite the Senate's recent moves to fill the final vacancies remaining on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks yesterday said the blanket hold on nearly 370 other military confirmations and promotions still in place from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is hurting military readiness.

Daniel Hettema, the director of digital engineering, modeling and simulation in the office of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering, chatted this week with Inside Defense about digital engineering:

DOD official talks about the future of digital engineering

A Pentagon official spoke with Inside Defense about the future of digital engineering yesterday, stating the Defense Department is moving toward "model interconnection" as it updates its digital engineering strategy.

A new Defense Department artificial intelligence document is out:

Defense officials give further insight into the 2023 data, analytics and AI strategy

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks today announced the release of the 2023 Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy, which emphasizes the need for speed and agility in AI adoption.

Document: DOD's 2023 data, analytics and AI adoption strategy

In a request for information, the Army is asking manufacturers to integrate hybrid-electric engines on the Stryker M1126 infantry carrier vehicle:

Army explores hybrid-electric Stryker infantry vehicle

The Army wants to improve the efficiency of its Stryker infantry carrier vehicle with hybrid-electric engines, according to a public announcement.

Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer for missiles and space, said senior Pentagon officials are considering the need for a new guided missile interceptor program:

Pentagon debating FY-25 new start missile project to add layer between PAC-3 and THAAD

The Defense Department, concerned that potential adversaries could exploit seams in air defense coverage provided by the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and the Patriot systems, is debating a new-start program in the fiscal year 2025 budget request called the Lower Tier Future Interceptor (LTFI).