Sunday, October 19, 2025
Sunday, October 19, 2025
This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on how the Trump administration plans to handle the looming government shutdown, plus continuing coverage of the AFA Air, Space and Cyber conference and more.
As lawmakers remain gridlocked over spending and potential cuts to healthcare, it's unclear how the Defense Department would be impacted by a potential shutdown or the "reduction in force" guidance laid out in a new OMB memo distributed across the federal government:
DOD receives shutdown guidance; White House sees 'opportunity' for federal layoffs
The White House Office of Management and Budget has sent the Defense Department and other federal agencies guidance for a possible government shutdown on Oct. 1, threatening the mass layoff of federal employees.
Some shipbuilding news:
Trump's shipbuilding office is active within OMB after relocation and leadership change
The Trump administration's shipbuilding office is up and running within the White House Office of Management and Budget after a leadership change this summer and is now working to promote investments and implement policies to boost domestic production capacity for commercial and military vessels, according to the administration.
Continuing coverage of this year's AFA Air, Space and Cyber conference:
L3Harris 'locked and loaded' for SBI competition and broader Golden Dome project
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- L3Harris Technologies' leaders say the company is ready to deliver a space-based interceptor, arguing that propulsion, sensing and connectivity technologies developed across its portfolio can be rapidly integrated into an offering for the Pentagon's new competition, a centerpiece of the Golden Dome for America project.
Air Force to award CCA increment two concept refinement contracts in early FY-26
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- The Air Force will narrow a large pool of vendors to develop airframe design analysis for the second increment of Collaborative Combat Aircraft within the next few months, top program officials said today.
Anduril bets on surface-launched version of autonomous cruise missile
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- Anduril Industries, responding to government demand signals to expand the U.S. munitions industrial base, has unveiled a new variant of its Barracuda family of software-defined, low-cost and mass-producible cruise missiles -- a surface-launched version of the Barracuda-500.
Space Force Victus Haze delayed due to launch contractor anomaly
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- The Space Force's next tactically responsive space demonstration has been delayed due to the launch service provider's anomaly early this year that failed to place a satellite in orbit, according to the head of Space Systems Command.
The Army finally has its new under secretary:
Obadal steps into Army under secretary role, sheds Anduril stocks
The Army has quietly sworn in former Anduril Industries executive Michael Obadal to the service's No. 2 civilian role a month after he promised to give up all equity in his old company.