The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 20, 2023

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest kicks off with House members asking for more information of the Pentagon’s Replicator unmanned program, government and industry prospects for space systems programs, a new strategy for countering weapons of mass destruction, the Pentagon’s new China military report, and more.

Several House members this week said they want more details on DOD’s Replicator program:

House lawmakers want to hear more from Hicks on Replicator following analyst skepticism

House lawmakers said today they want to hear from Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, following testimony from defense analysts and industry experts citing concerns about the department’s new Replicator initiative.

Government and industry are strengthening efforts to produce space systems programs:

SSC introduces renewed partnership between the government and industry partners

U.S. Space Systems Command introduced a “renewed partnership between the government and the industry partners” to deliver resilient capabilities to “win a race” against adversaries, according to a senior official of the command.

The Pentagon has rolled out an updated strategy for defending against weapons of mass destruction:

DOD to implement updated strategy for countering weapons of mass destruction

The Defense Department is working to implement its updated strategy for countering weapons of mass destruction that was publicly released last month, according to a top DOD official yesterday.

The Defense Department is pointing out several differences in its new China military report:

DOD flags new focus areas in annual China Military Power Report

The Defense Department is highlighting several “notable updates” to the annual China Military Power Report released today, including heightened focus on Beijing’s “growing nuclear and strategic capabilities” and the “possible development of conventionally armed intercontinental range missile systems.”

A top space command is bolstering its efforts to compete against China:

Top SSC official says command is prepping big shifts to compete with China in 2026

U.S. Space Systems Command is accelerating its activities to compete with China in 2026, according to a top official, who referred to the year as a “real challenge.”