The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 4, 2017

Conventional prompt strike, the JSF program and more highlight this Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Some previously unreported news on conventional prompt strike:

DOD extends Raytheon, Lockheed hypersonic strike trade studies into 2018

The Defense Department has awarded contracts to keep in place a pair of industrial engineering teams that have been drafting technical proposals for an offensive hypersonic weapon since 2014, extending work on trade studies into early 2018 as part of an analysis of alternatives for a conventional prompt strike capability that DOD aims to codify in a program of record by 2020.

Joint Strike Fighter news:

Pentagon pays Lockheed Martin $60 million for F-35 cost savings projects

The Pentagon is paying Lockheed Martin $60 million for Joint Strike Fighter cost savings projects to reduce the cost of the F-35.

The SECDEF testified on Capitol Hill this week:

Mattis hints at new defense ties with India

The United States and India are expected to finalize decisions soon on ways to strengthen military ties between the two nations, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Mattis wants new contract review board for Afghanistan

Telling lawmakers he shares their concerns about corrupt and incompetent contracting in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday he wants to establish a new review board to prevent the waste, fraud and abuse documented by government audit agencies over the past 16 years of war.

A look ahead at an upcoming SM-3 intercept test:

SM-3 Block IB intercept test, key to full-rate production decision, set for NATO exercise

The Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct a key flight test of the Standard Missile-3 Block IB interceptor this month over the Atlantic Ocean as part of a major NATO-led, live-fire integrated air and missile defense exercise.

Army news:

Army to establish new modernization command

The Army is preparing to stand up a new command charged with overseeing modernization -- a dramatic step for a service that has struggled with such efforts in recent years, according to multiple sources.

Vigor Works awarded MSV(L) contract

Steel fabrication company Vigor Works was awarded a contract Sept. 28 for development of the Maneuver Support Vessel (Light), according to a Defense Department announcement.

Shoffner: Army forging ahead on SHORAD

The Army's "phased approach" to closing capabilities gaps in air and missile defense is "ongoing," with senior leaders still determining the path forward.

Navy and Marine Corps news:

Marines look to industry for fixed-wing Group 1 unmanned aerial system

The Marine Corps is looking to industry for a fixed-wing Group 1 unmanned aerial system that can provide reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition during the day and night, according to a request for information.

GAO: Navy, Marine Corps amphibious operations training is 'limited'

The Navy and Marine Corps' approach to amphibious operations training is lacking in several areas, according to a report published by government auditors.