The INSIDER daily digest -- Sept. 18, 2018

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest features news on the defense appropriations bill, low-yield nuclear weapons, a cloud database for the Defense Intelligence Agency and more.

The full Senate earlier today passed the FY-19 "minibus" that includes defense spending:

Senate passes defense spending 'minibus'

The Senate voted today 93-7 to pass a final fiscal year 2019 appropriations "minibus" that includes $675 billion for defense.

Low-yield nuclear weapons aren't especially popular with some House and Senate Democrats:

Democrats introduce bill to ban low-yield nuke spending

A team of House and Senate Democrats have introduced legislation that would block research, development, production and deployment of low-yield nuclear warheads for submarine-launched ballistic missiles on the grounds that such weapons risk entering the United States into a nuclear war.

Document: Lawmakers' proposed 'hold the LYNE' bill

The head of the Defense Intelligence Agency spoke this week at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington:

Defense intel chief wants new cloud database within three years

The Defense Intelligence Agency wants to upgrade its legacy database with a machine-assisted, cloud-based system and seeks to hit initial operational capability within the next three years, preferably two, according to DIA Director Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley.

Investments in cloud technology haven't been restricted to the intelligence community, though. In case you missed it:

Spending bill restricts funding for Pentagon's JEDI cloud

The defense spending bill agreed to by conference negotiators limits how the Pentagon can spend its funding for cloud efforts, including the high-profile Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure initiative.

In defense business news this week, SAIC's credit rating has been lowered:

Following Engility deal announcement, Moody's lowers SAIC's rating outlook

Moody's Investors Service said last week it has lowered Science Applications International Corp.'s rating outlook to negative from stable following the contractor's announcement it will buy Engility.

Want defense business news delivered straight to your inbox?

Inside Defense's free weekly feature that went out earlier today, the Defense Business Briefing, offers the latest in defense industry news.

Read and sign up now →