This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Army modernization, Air Force trainer aircraft replacements and more.
We start off with a deep dive into the Army's modernization efforts:
Transformation in contact: Army designs roadmap modernization in an evolving world
FT. JOHNSON, LA -- Gen. Randy George, nearly a year into his job as the Army's chief of staff, is working to implement his strategy for modernizing the force, envisioning a process in which weapon system users, developers and testers work alongside soldiers who are training on the ground, and someone rewriting software code if equipment doesn't work.
The Air Force has unveiled plans on how it will replace T-38C trainer aircraft with next-generation T-7s at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi:
Air Force finalizes plan to send 77 T-7As to Columbus Air Force Base
The Air Force last week signed a record of decision to replace all of the T-38C Talons at Columbus Air Force Base, MS with up to 77 T-7A Red Hawk jets, keeping the flight training program there, according to a Federal Register notice issued this week.
In an Aug. 23 memo on planning, programming, budgeting and execution reform, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks directs that the Pentagon comptroller "will act as the lead for the PPBE reform agenda and implementing initiatives across the department, with the components in support":
Pentagon launches new programming and budgeting reform initiatives
The Pentagon comptroller has been charged with building a team to reform the Defense Department's 1960s-era planning, programming, budgeting and execution (PPBE) process, according to a new memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.
Document: Hicks memo on PPBE reform
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft recently taxied, took off, flew to a destination and landed autonomously to deliver cargo during an exercise:
Agile Flag wraps with completion of several test unmanned cargo flights
Joby Aviation and Reliable Robotics performed several autonomous logistics missions during the Air Force's Agile Flag 24-3 exercise earlier this month, demonstrating the kind of flexibility and extended range the service has said is needed to be successful in a fight in the Indo-Pacific, according to an Air Force news release.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin recently spoke with reporters about his service's fiscal year 2025 budget request, amid expectations of a continuing resolution:
Air Force already bracing for possible FY-25 budget delay
The prospect of facing another series of continuing resolutions that would hold back implementation of the fiscal year 2025 defense budget is already piquing concern from the Air Force's top officer.