Saturday, April 20, 2024
Saturday, April 20, 2024
This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest features a new Center for Strategic and International Studies report on defense spending, a Defense Science Board report on U.S. military superiority, a Government Accountability Office report on the W87-1 warhead obtained by Inside Defense and more.
A new Center for Strategic and International Studies report identifies a cyclical, historical pattern in the ratio of spending on procurement compared to research and development:
CSIS report finds decline in ratio of procurement spending to R&D spending
A new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies finds the ratio of spending on procurement compared to research and development is on the decline, a discovery it notes could have "business-altering dynamics."
After nearly two years of work, the Defense Science Board has completed its study on "The Future of U.S. Military Superiority," though only an executive summary was publicly released this week:
Science advisory group wants DOD to boost focus on 'Gray Zone' conflicts
An influential Pentagon advisory board is recommending the United States be "more aggressive" with adversaries like China and Russia in non-military "Gray Zone" conflicts that require new capabilities, especially in the cyber realm.
Document: DSB executive summary of a report on the future of U.S. military superiority
A prototype Navy effort called the Rapid Autonomy Integration Lab is in the news this week:
RAIL will create 'plenty' of opportunity for industry, says Navy unmanned program manager
The officer leading a prototype effort designed to incorporate new autonomy behaviors on unmanned vehicles says he envisions multiple opportunities for industry to get involved as integrators, testers and network providers.
The assistant deputy commandant for combat development and integration at Marine Corps Development Command said this week that ground robotics systems are going to play a role in the force design process for the new Marine Littoral Regiment:
Marine Corps looking at high-level requirements for ground robotics
The Marine Corps is examining top-level requirements for ground robotics programs, Maj. Gen. Kevin Iiams said Tuesday.
A Government Accountability Office repor obtained by Inside Defense has found that the National Nuclear Security Administration is not properly studying the potential cost impacts of choosing optional yet expensive safety and security feature upgrades for the W87-1 warhead program:
GAO calls out NNSA's subpar planning for W87-1 design, plutonium needs
The Government Accountability Office has raised concerns that the National Nuclear Security Administration's W87-1 program -- potentially the most expensive warhead modernization effort since the end of the Cold War -- is neglecting best management practices when considering future design options and plutonium pit availability, according to previously undisclosed details from a classified report the watchdog completed in February.
Document: GAO report on NNSA's W87-1 design, plutonium needs
Navy acquisition chief Hondo Geurts spoke with reporters yesterday following his speech at Modern Day Marine, which was held virtually this year:
Geurts says Navy has spent $300 million in DPA funding on supply chain issues
The Navy has spent $300 million in Defense Production Act funding over the past three months to strengthen its supply chains, according to the service's acquisition executive.