The Insider

Army releases RFI for joint fires trainer, use-of-force capabilities
By Dan Schere
November 10, 2023 at 12:33 PM

The Army has released a request for information with the goal of soliciting feedback from industry on the fulfillment of future joint fires trainer (JFT) and use of force (UoF) capabilities.

JFT and UoF are capabilities that are part of the Soldier Virtual Trainer system, the RFI notes. The Soldier Virtual Trainer System “will increase the quality and quantity of realistic training task repetitions, accelerate and sustaining soldier skill target acquisition and increase soldier lethality and unit readiness.” Awards for the SVT “core,” which is the centralized hardware and software that supports the capabilities, have already been issued, the RFI notes.

The JFT capability will replace the Army’s legacy training device, Call for Fire Trainer III, which is almost at the end of its life cycle. The JFT capability will use “advanced technology while maximizing soldier participation and throughput in joint fires training.”

The UoF capability is needed because the Army Military Police currently do not have a program of record for training the force, the RFI states. The Army is asking for a solution that “is portable and utilizes leading technology to train the soldier in use of force.”

For both capabilities, the service is interested in using both commercial- and government-off-the-shelf products that will include hardware and software solutions, it states.

The Army is asking interested vendors to submit white papers by Nov. 20. The service expects to eventually release a request for solutions that will result in other transaction authority agreement prototype awards, the RFI states.

BAE gets $63M contract for self-propelled howitzers
By Nickolai Sukharev
November 10, 2023 at 9:08 AM

BAE Systems was awarded a $63 million contract to produce self-propelled Paladin howitzers and ammunition carrier vehicles, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

Continuing an earlier contract, the company will build and deliver M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carrier vehicles by an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2027, with work being completed in York, PA.

Earlier this year, BAE received contracts to manufacture the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle.

The M109A7 serves as the Army’s self-propelled 155mm howitzer, designed to provide fire support as well as keep pace with the Bradley fighting vehicle and the Abrams main battle tank.

Each howitzer is paired with the M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked vehicle, which stores and transports the ammunition.

During the Army’s first delivery of the M109A7, BAE sourced parts from the older M109A6 and M992A2 vehicles.

The M109A7 is set to be replaced by the Extended Range Cannon Artillery,which will use the same wheelbase but feature a longer-range cannon.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 9, 2023
By John Liang
November 9, 2023 at 1:59 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the AUKUS program, the Pentagon's counter-drone efforts, delays to two Space Force programs and more.

The U.S., U.K. and Australia aim to begin delivering the new submarines in the late 2030s, following the transfer of at least three Virginia-class submarines to Australia:

Canberra to announce SSN-AUKUS 'shipbuilding partner' within the next year

Within the next year, the Australian government will announce the "shipbuilding partner" that will build the future SSN-AUKUS submarine and help to develop the vessel's requirements, an Australian Navy official said today at the Naval Submarine League Symposium.

A demonstration will take place in New Mexico next June and will involve pitting anywhere from 20 to 50 small UAS, which are meant to simulate enemy aircraft, against candidate counter-drone technologies:

Counter-swarm demonstration next year will incorporate AI, ML

The Pentagon's Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System Office plans to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning into a demonstration planned for next summer focusing on UAS swarms.

The Next Generational Operational Control System for Global Positioning System satellites is now expected to be operational by early summer next year, while the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System, which was expected to be operational by the end of this year, has been delayed until August next year:

Space Force's OCX and ATLAS programs face schedule delays

A top Space Force official has announced new timelines for two of the service's major programs that have been delayed by several months.

The X-37B Mission 7 is a collaboration between the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and the Space Force that will launch on the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center, FL:

X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle to launch next month to expand space domain awareness

The Space Force announced yesterday that the seventh mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle will lift off on Dec. 7 to advance the service's knowledge of the space environment.

Since the beginning of the year, the Army has been increasing its production of 155mm rounds, due initially to the Ukraine war. Service acquisition chief Doug Bush told reporters during a roundtable at the Pentagon this week that as it stands, Congress has given the Army “a path” to produce 75,000 to 80,000 rounds per month:

Bush: Without supplemental funding, U.S. won't reach artillery ramp-up goal

Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said Tuesday that the more than $3 billion designated for increased 155mm artillery production and modernization of production facilities will be required if the service is to meet its goal of producing 100,000 rounds per month by late 2025.

DIU begins monthly meetings for investors interested in U.S. and Indian start-ups
By Tony Bertuca
November 8, 2023 at 3:23 PM

The Defense Innovation Unit, in coordination with the Indian Ministry of Defence, will be establishing a monthly series of meetings between government officials and the private sector to discuss potential business and technology investment opportunities, according to the Pentagon.

The monthly “education series” will be conducted under the auspices of the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem program, or INDUS-X, which was announced in June to expand the defense industrial cooperation between the two countries.

The monthly meetings, called INDUS-X Gurukul Education Series, will bring government officials and private-sector leaders together with U.S. and Indian start-ups “to discuss business and technology development, regulatory regimes and investor pitches,” according to a Pentagon announcement. “The Education Series will inform start-ups of new programs and opportunities available through INDUS-X and be tied to priorities established by both governments, as well as other areas of interest[.]”

The announcement comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are in New Delhi for the fifth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, during which U.S. and Indian defense officials participated in the “first investor strategy session” for INDUS-X.

The session included DIU Director Doug Beck and Innovations for Defence Excellence Chief Operating Officer Vivek Virmani of the Indian MOD.

“Beck addressed investors alongside joined investors and start-ups to discuss harnessing private capital to drive defense innovation and equip both countries' armed forces with the capabilities to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Pentagon said.

The strategy session follows recent collaboration between DIU and iDEX, which have “opened applications for joint challenges that enable start-ups in both countries to develop technological solutions for shared defense challenges,” according to the Pentagon.

“Aligned with the Roadmap for U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation, the challenges will culminate in financial awards for the most promising technology along with potential procurement opportunities,” the Pentagon said.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 8, 2023
By John Liang
November 8, 2023 at 1:55 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on production of 155mm artillery rounds, the Navy planning a service life extension for its Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and more.

Since the beginning of the year, the Army has been increasing its production of 155mm rounds, due initially to the Ukraine war. Service acquisition chief Doug Bush told reporters during a roundtable at the Pentagon Tuesday that as it stands, Congress has given the Army “a path” to produce 75,000 to 80,000 rounds per month:

Bush: Without supplemental funding, U.S. won't reach artillery ramp-up goal

Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said Tuesday that the more than $3 billion designated for increased 155mm artillery production and modernization of production facilities will be required if the service is to meet its goal of producing 100,000 rounds per month by late 2025.

In September, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti said the Navy is prepared to lengthen the lifespan of select Ohio vessels to prevent capability gaps if the Columbia program experiences delivery delays. That appears to be happening now:

Navy planning Ohio service life extension to mitigate risk as Columbia construction continues

The Navy plans to extend the service life of the ballistic missile submarine Alaska (SSBN-732), the first of five Ohio-class boats that could receive life extensions to reduce the risk of gaps appearing in the fleet as next-generation Columbia-class submarines come online.

The Oct. 24 launch of a Standard Missile-6 from a containerized launcher on the deck of the Littoral Combat Ship Savannah (LCS-28) in the Eastern Pacific implied potential for fitting a Tomahawk missile on such a vessel:

Navy thinking about Tomahawk-armed LCS after experimental SM-6 launch success

The Navy is entertaining the idea of increasing the offensive strike capability for Littoral Combat Ships after indirectly demonstrating the ability last month to fire a Tomahawk from the ship class -- a move that would add new punch and relevance for LCS, originally designed for shore-hugging missions, in a fight against a near-peer adversary.

How long will Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) hold on all military nominations last?

Tuberville now holding 452 defense nominations

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks called on the Senate today to work quickly to override Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) monthslong military nomination blockade, which is now impacting 452 nominees.

Defense contractor groups are pointing out problems with the Pentagon's controlled unclassified information rules and how they relate to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

Defense groups raise concerns to ONCD over CUI in push for regulatory harmonization

Industry groups representing the defense industrial base are highlighting inconsistencies across the federal government over regulations addressing the handling of controlled unclassified information and potential impacts from the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, in filings to the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Navy nearing completion of SSN(X) initial capabilities document
By Nick Wilson
November 8, 2023 at 1:06 PM

The Navy is nearing completion of an initial capabilities document for the future SSN(X) submarine and expects to begin conducting an analysis of alternatives for the program in 2024, a senior service official said today.

“We are on plan and nearing completion of the initial capabilities document. It has cleared the Navy and is on its way to the joint staff, with the intent to commence the analysis of alternatives for this platform here in 2024,” Rear Adm. Mark Behning, director of the Undersea Warfare Division (N97), said today at the Naval Submarine League Symposium.

SSN(X) will succeed the Virginia-class submarine program as the next-generation attack boat, bringing improved speed, stealth and sensing capabilities. The Navy plans to begin procurement in the mid-2030s, budget documents indicate.

While the Navy will continue fielding and operating Virginia vessels well into the future, Behning said the service will soon reach the limit of the Virginia hulls’ ability to support “significant modernization and capability insertion.”

The Navy is looking to develop four key attributes in SSN(X), Behning said, “that’s speed, payload capacity, decision superiority and operational availability.”

“We are in the development stage with the next key milestone being research and development and the trade studies to ensure we get the right mix of warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost to ensure our continued dominance,” he added.

The Navy’s fiscal year 2024 budget request includes $362 million in R&D funding for SSN(X), following a $134 million investment in FY-23, according to budget documents.

MDA stops work on Hawaii radar EIS
By John Liang
November 8, 2023 at 11:26 AM

The Missile Defense Agency announced today it has stopped work on an environmental impact statement for the construction and operation of a homeland defense radar based in Hawaii.

In a Federal Register notice issued this morning, MDA said the Defense Department "postponed the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii (HDR-H) in 2019, and no funds have been appropriated for the program since fiscal year 2022. The DOD is not moving forward with the HDR-H. As such, the MDA is terminating preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the construction and operation of an HDR-H."

MDA launched the HDR-H project five years ago to increase the ability of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system to protect the archipelago state by helping to better determine threats at extreme distances to guide Ground-based Interceptors to destroy enemy re-entry vehicles with a higher degree of confidence.

The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2024 budget request marks the fourth consecutive year without funding for the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii, a project lawmakers have kept alive by reinstating funds annually.

In December 2018, MDA awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to build HDR-H to improve the U.S. military's intercontinental ballistic missile defense architecture by adding a ground-based sensor on Hawaii to better defend it against North Korean long-range rockets. The original $585 million contract called for Lockheed to design, develop and deliver the HDR-H for a yet-to-be-identified site.

Three years ago, however, the office of cost assessment and program evaluation completed a "Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii Study" that led to a recommendation to stop funding the project and instead divert money toward space-based sensor projects.

Last year, CAPE initiated yet another study taking a broader look at the defense of Hawaii and assessing options to address the evolved threat, according to a Pentagon spokesman.

The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, in legislation proposed for the FY-24 defense policy bill, would mandate the defense secretary prepare a report within 90 days of the bill's enactment on the integrated air and missile defense architecture for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command with particular focus on the role of Hawaii sensors, Inside Defense reported in June.

If enacted, the provision would require this Defense Department report to identify “investment that should be made to increase the detection of non-ballistic threats and improve the discrimination of ballistic missile threats, particularly with regard to Hawaii.”

In addition, the proposed law would require DOD to outline the costs associated with integrating into the missile defense system any additional sensor to help protect Hawaii.

Army acquisition chief says Iron Dome batteries are 'in transit' to Israel
By Dan Schere
November 7, 2023 at 7:28 PM

Doug Bush, the Army's top acquisition executive, told reporters Tuesday that the Iron Dome batteries the United States has committed to Israel are "in transit."

The Pentagon announced last month that it would be sending two Iron Dome air defense batteries and additional missile interceptors to Israel to aid the country following Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7. The batteries are made by Rafael, an Israeli company.

Bush said during a roundtable Tuesday that the batteries are in transit and “most of the missiles are already there.”

The quickest way to get the batteries and missiles to Israel was by leasing them under a foreign military sale, Bush explained.

“So, it’s not free. But it's a lease for a relatively small amount of money for 11 months, with payback to be determined and status of the units to be determined,” he said.

Bush said after the 11 months are up, Israel could decide to keep the Iron Dome systems and pay for them, or another arrangement might be possible “depending on factors on the ground.”

President Biden’s $106 billion supplemental spending request to Congress includes $1.2 billion for research, development, test and evaluation for Iron Beam -- a laser upgrade to Iron Dome also made by Rafael.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 7, 2023
By John Liang
November 7, 2023 at 1:50 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on an Army prototype directed-energy air-defense system, the newly confirmed Air Force chief of staff's first message to airmen, the Navy's Large Unmanned Surface Vessel program and more.

Epirus, a Los Angeles-based technology company, recently announced delivery of the first of four planned Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave systems to the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, marking the completion of government acceptance testing in Nevada:

Army syncs up directed-energy, counter-swarm prototype weapon with key air defense C2

The Army has validated the ability of a prototype speed-of-light weapon to connect with the service's main air defense command and control system, a key development in an effort to deliver a high-power microwave capable of swatting down small drone swarms to operational units as soon as next summer.

The Air Force's recently confirmed chief of staff sent out his first message to airmen:

Allvin: Air Force 'must now follow through' on transformation goals

The Air Force "must now follow through" on the plans set in motion by previous service leaders, newly confirmed Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told airmen in a letter Monday.

Document: Allvin's letter to airmen

The Navy's Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants is looking to industry to assist in the establishment of specific requirements for LUSV detail, design and construction before beginning procurement in fiscal year 2025:

Navy issues RFI for Large Unmanned Surface Vessel

The Navy has released a request for information for the Large Unmanned Surface Vessel, a future platform intended to carry a variety of modular payloads and provide anti-surface warfare capabilities to the fleet.

More cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Defense groups raise concerns to ONCD over CUI in push for regulatory harmonization

Industry groups representing the defense industrial base are highlighting inconsistencies across the federal government over regulations addressing the handling of controlled unclassified information and potential impacts from the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, in filings to the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Defense primes highlight compliance needs, support for suppliers in reaching CMMC requirements

Stakeholders from large defense prime contractors at an industry event last week emphasized the need for their suppliers to reach compliance with requirements under the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while also highlighting how they are working together to provide resources.

SDA seeking information on optical communications waveform
By Apurva Minchekar
November 6, 2023 at 3:45 PM

The Space Development Agency is asking industry to provide feedback on optical communications waveforms for future Tranche satellites, according to a notice posted today.

According to the notice, the agency is looking for “risk-reduction efforts to support low data rate links and long-range links,” including “space-to-space geometries” of low Earth orbit to medium Earth orbit and LEO to geosynchronous Earth orbit ranges.

“Responses to this [request for information] will specifically inform SDA’s Transport Layer Tranche 3 planning beginning in fiscal year 2024 for subsequent acquisition efforts slated to begin in FY 2025,” the agency noted.

SDA in the RFI has posed questions on “direct-detect waveform extension” for industry, which it expects to receive by Dec. 8.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 6, 2023
By John Liang
November 6, 2023 at 2:42 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, plus a Congressional Budget Office report on a bill to allow the sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia and more.

We start off with some cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Defense primes highlight compliance needs, support for suppliers in reaching CMMC requirements

Stakeholders from large defense prime contractors at an industry event last week emphasized the need for their suppliers to reach compliance with requirements under the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while also highlighting how they are working together to provide resources.

A new Congressional Budget Office report asserts that its estimates of the budgetary effects of a bill that would authorize the sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia "are subject to significant uncertainties":

CBO: U.S. industrial base could see Australian investments in 2025 under AUKUS implementation legislation

The U.S. industrial base could receive a $2 billion investment as soon as 2025 if lawmakers pass pending AUKUS implementation legislation before the end of the calendar year, according to a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate.

Document: CBO cost estimate of AUKUS submarine transfer authorization act

The Army is looking to modernize a pair of digital fires programs:

Army asking for feedback on multivendor approach to digital fires modernization

The Army is asking industry for feedback on its "consortium-like" multivendor approach for the modernization of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) and Joint Targeting Command and Coordination Suite (JTIC2S).

Some Senate Republicans are getting increasingly vocal over Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) continuing hold on military nominations:

All Joint Chiefs now confirmed as senators look to override Tuberville's nomination blockade

Despite the Senate's recent moves to fill the final vacancies remaining on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks yesterday said the blanket hold on nearly 370 other military confirmations and promotions still in place from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is hurting military readiness.

Daniel Hettema, the director of digital engineering, modeling and simulation in the office of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering, chatted last week with Inside Defense about digital engineering:

DOD official talks about the future of digital engineering

A Pentagon official spoke with Inside Defense about the future of digital engineering yesterday, stating the Defense Department is moving toward "model interconnection" as it updates its digital engineering strategy.

Oshkosh lands additional JLTV contract
By Nickolai Sukharev
November 6, 2023 at 9:17 AM

Oshkosh's production of the military's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will continue following another contract from the Army, the Defense Department announced Friday.

Worth $208 million, Oshkosh will produce the JLTV for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force by an estimated completion date of Sept. 25, 2025.

Oshkosh received an earlier $31 million contract for JLTVs in September.

The contract follows a request for information for a Mobile Long Range Precision Strike Missile designed to be carried on the JTLV and Army’s forthcoming electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle.

Intended to replace a portion of the Army’s humvees, the JLTV is a family of four-wheeled trucks designed to transport personnel and payloads across the full range of military operations.

The JLTV has a four-seat combat tactical variant and two-seat combat support variant. The combat tactical variant has subvariants with a machine gun turret and a cargo hold designed to carry heavier weapons. The combat support variant is designed to transport cargo.

To reduce fuel consumption and minimize engine noise, the JLTV will also feature lithium-ion batteries.

Last month, Oshkosh announced a decrease in sales after losing the next JLTV production contract to AM General. Earlier in June, the Government Accountability Office denied Oshkosh’s protest of the Army’s decision.

The Army is slated to procure 2,601 JLTVs in fiscal year 2024, according to budget documents.

The Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force will also procure smaller portions of JLTVs.

The week ahead
By Tony Bertuca
November 6, 2023 at 5:00 AM

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak around the Washington area and elsewhere this week.

Monday

The Atlantic Council hosts a discussion with the Pentagon's principal director for FutureG.

The Association of Defense Communities hosts the Installation Innovation Forum in Orlando, FL.

Tuesday

The Center for a New American Security hosts a discussion with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

Wednesday

The Air and Space Forces Association's Mitchell Institute hosts a discussion with the Air Force's chief technology and innovation officer.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee holds a hearing on U.S. support for Israel.

DefenseOne hosts a conference on the "connected battlespace."

The Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Association of the United States Army host a discussion on strategic land power with Gen. James Dickenson, chief of U.S. Space Command.

Friday

Veterans Day

The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 3, 2023
By John Liang
November 3, 2023 at 1:52 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on senators' efforts to overcome a blanket hold on military nominations, plus a chat with a senior Pentagon official about digital engineering and more.

Some Senate Republicans are getting increasingly vocal over Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) continuing hold on military nominations:

All Joint Chiefs now confirmed as senators look to override Tuberville's nomination blockade

Despite the Senate's recent moves to fill the final vacancies remaining on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks yesterday said the blanket hold on nearly 370 other military confirmations and promotions still in place from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is hurting military readiness.

Daniel Hettema, the director of digital engineering, modeling and simulation in the office of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering, chatted this week with Inside Defense about digital engineering:

DOD official talks about the future of digital engineering

A Pentagon official spoke with Inside Defense about the future of digital engineering yesterday, stating the Defense Department is moving toward "model interconnection" as it updates its digital engineering strategy.

A new Defense Department artificial intelligence document is out:

Defense officials give further insight into the 2023 data, analytics and AI strategy

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks today announced the release of the 2023 Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy, which emphasizes the need for speed and agility in AI adoption.

Document: DOD's 2023 data, analytics and AI adoption strategy

In a request for information, the Army is asking manufacturers to integrate hybrid-electric engines on the Stryker M1126 infantry carrier vehicle:

Army explores hybrid-electric Stryker infantry vehicle

The Army wants to improve the efficiency of its Stryker infantry carrier vehicle with hybrid-electric engines, according to a public announcement.

Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer for missiles and space, said senior Pentagon officials are considering the need for a new guided missile interceptor program:

Pentagon debating FY-25 new start missile project to add layer between PAC-3 and THAAD

The Defense Department, concerned that potential adversaries could exploit seams in air defense coverage provided by the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and the Patriot systems, is debating a new-start program in the fiscal year 2025 budget request called the Lower Tier Future Interceptor (LTFI).

DOD announces $425M aid package for Ukraine, cleaning out long-term assistance fund
By Tony Bertuca
November 3, 2023 at 12:39 PM

The Pentagon today announced a $425 million military aid package for Ukraine, with $125 million accounting for immediate weapons transfers from U.S. stocks and the remaining $300 million exhausting what is left of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative meant for long-term defense needs.

The weapons transfer package funded via presidential “drawdown” authority includes:

  • Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
  • Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
  • 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
  • Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
  • Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
  • More than 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades;
  • Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing;
  • M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions;
  • 12 trucks to transport heavy equipment;
  • Cold weather gear; and
  • Spare parts, maintenance, and other field equipment.

The USAI portion of the package, which includes contracts for “additional laser-guided munitions to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems,” makes use of $300 million provided under a continuing resolution that Congress recently passed and “exhausts the remaining USAI funds currently available to support Ukraine,” according to the Pentagon.

Senior defense officials said the department’s weapons transfer authority is also nearly spent.

“The administration continues to call on Congress to meet its commitment to the people of Ukraine by passing additional funding to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against Russia's brutal war of choice,” the Pentagon said.

Congress, meanwhile, has not yet approved additional aid for Ukraine as some House Republicans oppose it.