Thursday, April 25, 2024
Thursday, April 25, 2024
This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on using Aegis Ashore as an offensive capability, along with coverage of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 systems as well as the fiscal year 2021 stopgap spending bill.
Adm. Phil Davidson, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, last week broached the possibility of using Aegis Ashore for offense, acknowledging a capability the Defense Department disavowed for years while the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty remained in force:
INDOPACOM chief: Aegis Ashore Guam could one day be armed for strike to counter China
The Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system being eyed to bolster protection of Guam could potentially be armed for strike missions to offset China's current ballistic and cruise missile advantage against U.S. forces, according to the top U.S. military official in the region.
Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, head of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, spoke recently at an online event hosted by Defense News:
Army now wants THAAD/PAC-3 enhancements developed for USFK for other COCOMs too
The Army plans to reproduce for combatant commanders around the world the package of improvements now being fashioned to enhance integration of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 systems in response to urgent requests in 2017 from top brass in South Korea for improved ballistic missile defenses.
With the chances of passing regular appropriations bills at slim-to-none before the presidential and congressional elections, House lawmakers yesterday released a stopgap spending bill that would fund the government through December:
House CR would extend COVID-19 reimbursement program for defense contractors
The House has filed a stopgap continuing resolution that would extend the period by which contractors can be reimbursed for remaining in a "ready state" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
House would grant CR exemption for Columbia-class submarine
House Democrats have crafted a stopgap spending measure that allows the Pentagon an exemption from normal restrictions so it can award contracts for the Navy's first two Columbia-class submarines.
Document: House lawmakers' FY-21 CR
An increased focus on new design methods has led the Air Force to delay releasing a request for proposals for the Stand-in Attack Weapon system:
Stand-in Attack Weapon RFP delayed as Air Force refines design approach
The Air Force is refining its acquisition strategy for the Stand-in Attack Weapon -- an emerging guided missile intended for the F-35 fighter jet -- to place greater emphasis on digital engineering and open-systems architecture.