The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 1, 2024

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a "strategic partnership" between a pair of space defense contractors, the Army buying 30D printers to build small counter-UAS systems and more.

Satellite bus supplier Apex is teaming up with Anduril Industries:

Anduril, Apex announce partnership to accelerate space systems

Startup defense contractor Anduril Industries announced a "strategic partnership" with California-based satellite bus supplier Apex to deliver capabilities fulfilling the space domain's "deep mission need," the company announced today.

Lawmakers last week approved an Army proposal to reprogram funds for a 3-D printer project that sought $16.2 million for the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems program, a sum that would raise fiscal year 2024 allocation for the budget line from $30.7 million to $47 million, a 30% increase:

Army cleared to buy 3-D printers for small units to experiment with UAS fabrication, repair

Congress has approved an Army request to immediately launch a project to provide 3-D printers to small units to experiment with manufacturing spare parts for -- and even building from scratch -- rucksack-portable, uncrewed aircraft systems, allowing on-demand repair and customization.

Up to $984 million in fiscal year 2024 defense funds will be available for Office of Strategic Capital direct loans ranging from $10 million to $150 million, "to approximately ten successful applicants," according to a recent notice:

Pentagon announces $984M inaugural OSC loan program

The Defense Department's Office of Strategic Capital has announced the availability of nearly $1 billion for its inaugural loan program aimed at spurring investments in emerging technologies, according to a recent Federal Register notice.

In a recent memo, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin determines that "Replicator 2 will tackle the warfighter priority of countering the threat posed by small uncrewed aerial systems (C-sUAS) to our most critical installations and force concentrations":

Austin reveals Replicator 2 will focus on counter-sUAS

The second iteration of the Pentagon's Replicator initiative will focus on countering small uncrewed aerial systems, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo released Monday.

Document: Austin memo on Replicator 2 direction and execution

The Air Force wants the Army to do more on helping to defend air bases:

Army, Air Force draw lines over air base defense while questions about funding loom

As the Air Force envisions a future in which a network of small bases in austere locations allows airmen to swiftly plug in and out of operations, service officials are calling on the Army to bulk up its portion of air base defense.