The INSIDER daily digest -- Sept. 2, 2016

Possible money troubles for a new Army engine, a radar upgrade for the venerable F-16, and a huge contract issued by the Marine Corps start off this pre-Labor Day INSIDER.

Army officials are worried that government budget issues could affect a new engine program:

Funding uncertainty could pose schedule risk to ITEP

The Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program is “on schedule,” but fiscal uncertainty poses some risk, according to program officials.

The competition for a new F-16 radar is explained:

Air Force pursuing 'limited competition' for F-16 AESA radar upgrade

The Air Force confirmed this week it has initiated a limited-source competition to procure new advanced electronically scanned array radars for a portion of its F-16 fleet.

Northrop got a big-money contract:

Marines award Northrop multimillion-dollar contract for nine G/ATOR systems

The Marine Corps last week awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to Northrop Grumman for the first-ever gallium nitride-based Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radars the service will have in its inventory, according to a service official.

A rocket explosion is being looked at by the Air Force:

Air Force monitors SpaceX explosion investigation

SpaceX has invited the Air Force to participate in its investigation into the cause of a Sept. 1 explosion that occurred on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Boeing has been rewarded for its work on a missile defense program:

Lawsuit letter discloses Boeing fees for GMD

Boeing received $1.8 billion in award fees for its work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program between 2001 and 2015, according a Missile Defense Agency letter settling a lawsuit with the Los Angeles Times.

Some business news this week:

LMI acquires FourWinds

LMI said this week it has agreed to acquire FourWinds in a deal that will nearly double the size of its intelligence team.

The Air Force's top lab is hosting technology forums:

New AFRL directorate to host Third Offset technology forums with industry

The Air Force Research Laboratory's 10th Technology Directorate -- established in May to focus on Third Offset Strategy technology -- has been meeting with industry this summer and is planning two classified engagements in 2017.