The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 15, 2020

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a DOD inspector general's inquiry into CARES Act spending, the latest on the Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper program, coverage of the AUSA annual meeting and more.

The Pentagon inspector general is looking into whether the Defense Department misused its CARES Act funding:

DOD watchdog investigating pandemic aid directed to defense contractors

The Defense Department inspector general has begun an investigation to determine whether the Pentagon acted appropriately when it spent hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief aid to prop up defense contractors.

Document: DOD IG memo on CARES Act funding investigation

The Air Force wants to integrate the MQ-9 Reaper with a new open mission system computer:

USAF integrating MQ-9s with Stellar Relay computer for possible JADC2 missions

The Air Force is looking to integrate the MQ-9 Reaper with a new open mission system computer called Stellar Relay that could strengthen the unmanned aircraft's utility for joint all-domain command and control as its traditional role monitoring and striking terrorism targets slows down.

The Army is seeking industry input on using satellite communications services for its logistics network:

Army releases RFI for modernized logistics network design aligned with CS23 efforts

The Army yesterday released a request for information to help inform potential use of satellite communications services to modernize the service's logistics network.

Document: Army RFI for modernized logistics network design

Maj. Gen. John George, commanding general of the Combat Capabilities Development Command under Army Futures Command, spoke this week during the Association of the United States Army's annual online conference:

Team Ignite expanding scope after first year under AFC

Team Ignite, an Army Futures Command organization founded a year ago to help scientists generate new ideas for use in future battles, is working on new ways to bring technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics into the fold.

(Follow Inside Defense's coverage of the AUSA meeting here.)

Lawmakers have approved an Army request to immediately shift $10 million between fiscal year 2020 appropriated accounts to buy several AM General-built Hawkeye Mobile Howitzer Systems:

Army readying pilot program for ultra-mobile, self-propelled howitzer

The Army is preparing to acquire a small set of humvee-mounted cannon prototypes, setting the stage to potentially replace light-tactical-vehicle-towed big guns with a new class of fast and nimble indirect fires to fight peer competitors like Russia and China.

Sikorsky and Boeing's SB-1 Defiant helicopter reached its highest speeds to date:

Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant reaches 232 knots

Sikorsky and Boeing's joint proposal for the Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft effort, the SB-1 Defiant, achieved speeds up to 232 knots using less-than-full engine power during a flight demonstration, according to company officials.

Lastly, some cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Tech industry seeks clarity on rollout of self-assessment under CMMC rule, timing to reach compliance

The Information Technology Industry Council is looking for details from the Defense Department on how the Pentagon will handle the implementation of DOD's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification based on an interim rule currently out for public comment.