The INSIDER daily digest -- Sept. 27, 2023

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a prototype long-range missile system being developed for Marine Corps attack helicopters, the Space Force's new space domain awareness collaboration hub, domestic supply chain production and more.

We start off with the Marine Corps looking to develop a long-range missile system that its attack helicopters can carry:

Marine Corps seeks new long-range munition for VTOL fleet

The Marine Corps is looking for contractors capable of rapidly prototyping a new, long-range precision weapon system to arm its fleet of AH-1Z Viper helicopters and other vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.

The Space Force's new Tools Application and Processing Lab is designed to encourage government, industry, academia and allies to work closely with the service and Space Systems Command:

Space Force opens second TAP center in Colorado to solve SDA challenges

The Space Force has opened a collaboration center in Colorado Springs, CO, to find solutions to space domain awareness challenges, according to an announcement issued Monday.

With tensions rising on many supply chains being overseas, particularly when it comes to possible Chinese cyberattacks, the Defense Department is pushing for more domestic supply chain production:

DOD establishes munitions pilot program to foster domestic supply chains

The Pentagon's Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization office launched a munitions campus pilot project today intended to assist emerging U.S. businesses through a shared facility intended to decrease costs and lower entry barriers.

The Defense Department's top acquisition official spoke this week during a discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies:

LaPlante: 'Production diplomacy' is coming via new deals with U.S. allies

Pentagon acquisition chief Bill LaPlante, fresh from a meeting last week with NATO's top armaments directors, said defense contractors should expect the United States to soon announce more multinational procurement deals -- involving co-development, co-production and co-sustainment -- with its closest allies, including Ukraine.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks recently sent a memo on the Defense Innovation Steering Group:

Pentagon memo details Replicator implementation process

A Defense Department memo details the Pentagon's Replicator implementation mechanism, outlining the structure and process that the internal "Defense Innovation Steering Group" will use to fill pressing operational gaps through 18-month innovation sprints.