The Insider

The Army ordered 103 more Mack Defense heavy dump trucks last Thursday as part of a $296 million contract from 2018, according to a Mack Defense press release.

The Army had already bought 446 trucks as part of the seven-year contract, which allows up to 683. The new order, first reported by Shephard News, specifies the Army is buying 74 M917A3 HDTs using presidential budget funds and the Army National Guard is securing 29 of its own. The trucks help maintain infrastructure at places like airfields, roadways and landing strips, according to the release.

“Our military continues to field Mack HDTs into various operations around the world, so these vehicles have been put to the test and continue to meet demanding requirements,” Dave Hartzell, president of Mack Defense, said in a statement. “For that reason, the Army, Army Reserve and the Army National Guard continue to invest in these modern HDTs to ensure our soldiers have the right truck with the highest level of capabilities needed to ensure mission success.”

The HDTs are based on the commercial model the vendor produces, the Mack Granite model, with a few exceptions for required features like “heavier-duty rear axles,” all-wheel drive, more suspension and others, according to the release. The trucks also have “user-friendly” control interfaces, Anti-lock Braking Systems and other active safety systems.

HDT production began in 2021 in Allentown, PA, after standing up a $6.5 million production line at the Mack Experience Center. The line produces the M917A3 variants required for the contract, according to the release.

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as defense secretary by a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote that was needed when three Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) voted against him.

Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also voted against Hegseth, joining the chamber’s Democrats in opposition.

McConnell, the former Senate minority leader who now chairs the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, released a statement wishing Hegseth the best of luck as defense secretary but also said the nominee, who is an Army National Guard veteran, lacked the experience to garner his vote.

“Effective management of nearly 3 million military and civilian personnel, an annual budget of nearly $1 trillion and alliances and partnerships around the world is a daily test with staggering consequences for the security of the American people and our global interests,” he said. “Mr. Hegseth has failed, as yet, to demonstrate that he will pass this test.”

McConnell also said Hegseth during his confirmation hearing failed “to articulate in any detail a strategic vision for dealing with the gravest long-term threat emanating from” China and provided “no substantial observations on how to defend Taiwan or the Philippines against a Chinese attack, or even whether he believes the United States should do so.”

The tight vote puts Hegseth in the job of defense secretary by the narrowest margin in modern history. The nominees for the post are typically approved by bipartisan consensus.

The closest comparison to Hegseth’s vote is that of Chuck Hagel, who was confirmed 58-41. Lloyd Austin, meanwhile, was confirmed by 93 votes, Mark Esper with 90 and Jim Mattis with 98.

Hegseth has come under fire for a variety of misconduct allegations, including sexual assault, excessive drinking, financial mismanagement and -- most recently -- domestic abuse. Hegseth has denied all the allegations.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) released a statement touting his support of Hegseth.

“Peace through strength is back under President Trump and Pete Hegseth,” Wicker said. “Through my many meetings with Mr. Hegseth and his hearing performance, I have found him to be a true patriot, a top-shelf communicator and a prospective change agent who will bring much-needed reform to the Pentagon.”

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the committee’s ranking member, released a statement vowing to watch Hegseth “like a hawk.”

“This is who President Trump handpicked and 50 Republicans supported, knowing full well of his past misconduct,” Reed said. “Now he is assuming one of the most consequential jobs in the world, and I fervently hope he is up to the task and will be a responsible, effective leader at the Pentagon.”

A nominee from Trump’s previous term, Betsy DeVos for education secretary, also needed a vice presidential tie-breaking vote, making her in 2017 the first cabinet nominee to ever require one. Hegseth is now the second.

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Army oversight of certain contracts for Ukraine aid, artificial intelligence and more.

A new Defense Department inspector general's report determines "whether Army contracting officials properly managed undefinitized contract actions (UCAs) awarded to assist Ukraine by obligating funds and definitizing actions within the required limits and adjusting profit for costs incurred, or properly waiving the requirements in accordance with Federal and DOD policies":

Audit finds Army mismanaged undefinitized contracts to Ukraine

The Army failed to properly oversee certain contracts for Ukraine aid, causing the Defense Department to take on most of the incurred costs and risk paying even more, a recent Pentagon inspector general audit found.

Document: DOD IG audit of Army's management of UCAs awarded for Ukraine assistance

A DOD official was asked this week if the United States has the energy necessary to support $500 billion worth of new AI and computer infrastructure:

DOD official says U.S. can't power new 'Stargate' AI investment

The United States doesn't have the energy to support the new joint venture proposing investments of up to $500 billion worth of infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence, Jeff Waksman of the Defense Department's Strategic Capabilities Office said Thursday.

The Army this week revealed the existence of Task Force Strategic Integrated Kinetic Effects (STRIKE):

Army's TF STRIKE to test LRHW and MRC's ability to dis-integrate adversary defenses

The Army is looking to begin as soon as 2026 to start coordinated testing of its newest deep strike systems to assess the ability of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Mid-Range Capability to dis-integrate complex defense systems in the opening salvos of a major fight against an adversary such as China.

The Defense Science Board this week released the executive summary an October 2024 report on "Commercial Provision of Navigation Signals for Operational Use":

DSB says Pentagon needs commercial PNT purchasing function

Although there are no existing commercial satellite navigation services that meet the Defense Department's position, navigation and timing needs, a Defense Science Board task force recommends in its latest report that a purchasing function be established to position DOD as an agile adopter when such solutions are available.

Document: DSB executive summary of commercial provision of navigation signals for operational use study

A recent Army request for information asks vendors to describe how their solution "enables" human-machine integration:

Army issues RFI for IVAS Next

The Army has issued a request for information seeking industry capabilities to develop and manufacture the next planned variant of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, known as IVAS Next.

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and several others have resigned from influential defense advisory boards amid the return of President Trump, who in the waning days of his first term used the bodies to reward loyalists and exile perceived political opponents.

Bloomberg, long a political foe of Trump, has resigned as head of the Defense Innovation Board, along with former House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, internet entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen.

Hoffman resigned Dec. 1. Thornberry resigned Jan. 13, while Bloomberg and Mullen resigned Jan. 14 and Jan. 17, respectively.

Six members remain on the DIB and no new members have been appointed at this time.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon also said Defense Business Board Chairwoman and former Air Force Secretary Deborah James resigned Jan. 20, along with former U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Joeseph Votel as well as board members Sally Donnelly, Oscar Munoz and Safroadu Yeboah-Amankwah. Patricia Zarodkiewicz resigned from the board Dec. 31.

The Pentagon said board vice chair Linnie Haynesworth would serve as acting chairwoman until a successor to James is appointed.

There have been no changes in the Defense Policy Board.

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon program, a recently released Defense Science Board report on commercial provision of navigation signals and more.

The Army this week revealed the existence of Task Force Strategic Integrated Kinetic Effects (STRIKE) in a public notice seeking industry interest in supporting a four-year testing campaign of the two new weapon offensive missiles systems -- including a hypersonic glide body as well as guided ballistic and cruise missiles:

Army's TF STRIKE to test LRHW and MRC's ability to dis-integrate adversary defenses

The Army is looking to begin as soon as 2026 to start coordinated testing of its newest deep strike systems to assess the ability of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Mid-Range Capability to dis-integrate complex defense systems in the opening salvos of a major fight against an adversary such as China.

The executive summary released this week of an October 2024 Defense Science Board report on "Commercial Provision of Navigation Signals for Operational Use" examines "whether commercial services could be used to fill the needs it identified, either as a short-term gap filler or a continuous complement to the Global Positioning System (GPS)":

DSB says Pentagon needs commercial PNT purchasing function

Although there are no existing commercial satellite navigation services that meet the Defense Department's position, navigation and timing needs, a Defense Science Board task force recommends in its latest report that a purchasing function be established to position DOD as an agile adopter when such solutions are available.

Document: DSB executive summary of commercial provision of navigation signals for operational use study

A new Army request for information asks vendors to describe how their solution "enables" human-machine integration -- one of the modernization priorities Gen. James Rainey, head of Army Futures Command, has championed in recent years:

Army issues RFI for IVAS Next

The Army issued a request for information today seeking industry capabilities to develop and manufacture the next planned variant of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, known as IVAS Next.

The Air Force is continuing its effort for the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program, which could result in the engines for several modernization efforts including Collaborative Combat Aircraft, the Next Generation Air Dominance platform and a Next Generation Air-refueling System:

Air Force wants to 'overcome blind spots' in advanced propulsion development

The Air Force has begun questioning industry about existing and maturing advanced propulsion capabilities to support future aircraft requirements, according to two recently released requests for information.

A Government Accountability Office report released this week recommends the Defense Department "improve how it uses modular open systems approaches":

Pentagon says MOSA Implementation Guidebook 'expected to be released soon'

The Defense Department is developing a method for program offices to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the pursuit of a modular open systems approach (MOSA) on weapon systems in a wide-ranging MOSA Implementation Guidebook DOD expects to release soon.

Document: GAO report on modular open systems approaches

The Space Development Agency is seeking proposals for capabilities that could "enable leap-ahead improvements" for future tranches of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

Businesses with new architecture concepts, systems and technologies that could be used with or expand on the existing plans for SDA's low-Earth orbit constellation of satellites can submit proposals in response to a broad agency announcement posted last week.

Focus areas for the Systems, Technologies and Emerging Capabilities solicitation include optical communication terminals; advanced tactical data links and waveforms; advanced or alternate position, navigation and timing; infrared missile warning and tracking; sensor fusion; automated target recognition; cyber defense of space data networks; and radiation-hardened or -tolerant advanced processing.

SDA is beginning source selection for its Tranche 3 of operational transport and tracking satellites. The demonstration constellation Tranche 0 is on orbit, T1 is awaiting launch and T2 is in development.

The Defense Department, in response to executive orders from President Trump, will send 1,500 additional U.S. troops to the southern border, provide military airlift to deport more than 5,000 people and begin construction of physical barriers to prevent illegal crossings, according to a statement from acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses.

“President Trump directed action from the Department of Defense on securing our nation’s borders and made clear he expects immediate results,” Salesses said. “That is exactly what our military is doing under his leadership.”

Salesses, who said he convened a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the commanders of U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Transportation Command as well as the chief of the National Guard Bureau, has established a special task force to “oversee expedited implementation” of Trump’s executive orders.

NORTHCOM will be the operational lead, supported by TRANSCOM, the military services and NGB working to assist the Department of Homeland Security.

Salesses said he is sending 1,500 U.S. troops to the southwest border, along with helicopters, crews and intelligence analysts “to support increased detection and monitoring efforts.”

“This represents a 60% increase in active-duty ground forces since President Trump was sworn in Monday,” he said.

The department will also provide military airlift for DHS deportation flights for “more than five thousand illegal aliens” detained by Customs and Border Protection agents in San Diego, CA, and El Paso, TX.

“DHS will provide inflight law enforcement, and the State Department will obtain the requisite diplomatic clearances and provide host-nation notification,” Salesses said.

The department will also begin “assisting in the construction of temporary and permanent physical barriers to add additional security to curtail illegal border crossings and illicit trafficking,” he said.

“This is just the beginning,” Salesses said. “In short order, the department will develop and execute additional missions in cooperation with DHS, federal agencies and state partners to address the full range of threats outlined by the president at our nation’s borders.”