Thursday, November 20, 2025
Thursday, November 20, 2025
This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has coverage of the Pentagon's Golden Dome missile defense system, the Navy working to attract private capital and more.
We start off with some exclusive, previously unreported news about the Golden Dome missile defense program:
Pentagon finalizes Golden Dome architecture as implementation plan under review
The Pentagon has completed the baseline architecture for the Golden Dome for America initiative and is shifting its focus to reviewing an implementation plan, marking a major milestone for one of the most ambitious missile defense efforts in decades, according to officials and a statement provided to Inside Defense.
A commercial adoption bootcamp for the acquisition workforce is in the works and an impending announcement on the Navy's relationship with private capital could be a substantial change for the service:
Ex-DOGE employee promises new Navy initiatives to attract private capital and address underperformance
Historically, the Navy has not been a good partner to venture capital and private equity, a Navy official said this week. This could soon change, with the rollout of new initiatives that coincide with the Pentagon's wide-ranging overhaul of its defense acquisition system.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo on Aug. 27 which created JIATF 401 and dissolved its predecessor, the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office. The new task force, unlike the JCO, will have acquisition and procurement authorities:
JIATF 401 spending in FY-26 will emphasize procurement, director says
The Pentagon's newly stood up Joint Interagency Task Force 401, established this summer to focus on the counter-drone threat, will put an emphasis on procurement spending in fiscal year 2026, JIATF 401 Director and Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross told reporters last week.
Coverage of the ramifications of the Pentagon's new "Acquisition Transformation Strategy":
DOD's push for spending control to test Congress as lawmakers seek transparency
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has unveiled a new acquisition reform plan that would let Pentagon officials reprogram funds "without congressional approval," raising questions about the role of appropriators -- some of Washington's most powerful lawmakers -- while they demand increased transparency from the department.
White tapped to lead new Air Force critical major weapon systems portfolio
President Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Dale White to receive a fourth star and to become the first-ever Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Critical Major Weapon Systems, an Air Force official told Inside Defense.