The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 28, 2024

This Monday INSIDER starts with the Army revamping its industrial base, a missile defense radar may be in for some changes, a new Space Force contract, the White House releases a memo on artificial intelligence, and more.

The Army is looking to beef up its industrial base in part due to the Ukraine war:

Army reprioritizing organic industrial base modernization as Ukraine war rolls on

In the spring of 2022, the Army was in the process of rolling out its 15-year organic industrial base modernization plan. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was also beginning around the same time, recalled Richard Martin, Army Materiel Command's executive director for supply chain management last week during an interview at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual trade show.

An Army missile defense radar may see some production cuts:

Army braces for LTAMDS procurement cut and production milestone review in FY-25

The Army is bracing for the possibility that its plans to acquire a full-battalion set of its next-generation Patriot radar as part of the inaugural purchase could be significantly tripped up if lawmakers don't reinstate the Pentagon's full funding request in fiscal year 2025 for the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor program.

The Space Force is adding millions to an existing satellite contract:

Space Force expands Millennium Space Systems contract to replace RTX on Epoch 1

The Space Force awarded Millennium Space Systems an additional $386 million for another six satellites for the Epoch 1 Missile Track Custody program, expanding the company's work to fill the space left when the service canceled RTX's contract.

President Biden issued a new memorandum on the use of artificial intelligence:

Biden signs new natsec memo to boost AI procurement; Sullivan says U.S. must start 'upping our game'

President Biden signed a first-of-its-kind national security memorandum today directing new U.S. efforts to harness the power of artificial intelligence and streamline its procurement to maintain a competitive advantage over China.

Several new systems were demonstrated in a recent U.S.-Australia exercise:

Autonomous vessels, balloons and network systems tested during AUKUS maritime experimentation series

The United States, United Kingdom and Australia are wrapping up three weeks of maritime experimentation using uncrewed systems and a variety of other emerging technologies, Pentagon officials said Wednesday, describing the event as an important step toward collaboratively developing and operating capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II.