Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Pentagon's annual unfunded priorities lists, the Air Force's C-130H Avionics Modernization Program, the emerging Naval Rapid Capabilities Office and more.
A new Government Accountability Office report finds Defense Department components "submitted unfunded priorities [lists] to Congress totaling $134 billion from fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2025, an increase of 73% over the time frame when adjusted for inflation":
DOD unfunded priorities lists surged 73% between FY-20 and FY-25
The Defense Department's annual submission of unfunded priorities lists to Congress totaled $134 billion between fiscal years 2020 and 2025, an increase of 73%, according to the government's top watchdog agency.
Document: GAO report on UPLs
In July, the Pentagon told Congress in its omnibus reprogramming request that the Air Force no longer needed funds for the C-130H Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2 in fiscal year 2025 because developmental flight testing had uncovered problems that must be resolved before the program can advance:
Air Force seeks to shift $22M from C-130H avionics mod after schedule slip
The Air Force is moving to reallocate $22 million from its C-130H Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2 after testing setbacks pushed the effort more than a year behind schedule.
The emerging Naval Rapid Capabilities Office will be led by Vice Adm. Seiko Okano, the assistant Navy secretary for research, development and acquisition:
Navy may increase tech pilot projects under new rapid capabilities office
The Navy is interested in increasing the quantity of technology pilot programs it initiates under its newly established rapid capability office and across its program offices in a bid to accelerate the development of warfighting capabilities, according to Navy Chief Technology Officer Justin Fanelli.
Last but by no means least, the latest cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:
Lawmaker proposes amendment ordering study on National Guard cyber incident response efforts
Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-SC) has proposed an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 defense policy bill to conduct a study on the National Guard's capabilities to respond to cybersecurity incidents and an evaluation of their roles and responsibilities.
CISA 2015 reauthorization faces challenges with contrasting visions for extension as deadline approaches
Legislation from House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) to reauthorize the 2015 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act could create challenges for reaching an agreement before the Sept. 30 deadline, according to stakeholders who also expressed concerns over plans in the Senate.