Most-read stories of 2021

You read it, we noticed. There was significant reader interest in how the world's largest defense contractor would reorganize post-pandemic, signaling alignment with what appears to be major workforce transformations elsewhere in the U.S. economy. Other top stories focused on competitions for the Next-Generation Interceptor and the Long-Range Standoff weapon, as well as the continuous vetting of Defense Department security clearance holders.

Here, we list our most-read stories of the year:

5. All DOD clearance holders enrolled in continuous vetting program

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has announced all holders of Defense Department security clearances have now been enrolled in a continuous vetting program that replaces the previous practice of periodic reinvestigations every five to 10 years.

4. MDA taps Lockheed, Northrop-Raytheon team for NGI, ousting incumbent Boeing

The Missile Defense Agency has selected Lockheed Martin and a Northrop Grumman-Raytheon team for initial design contracts for a Next Generation Interceptor, bumping Boeing from the race to build a new guided missile intended to protect the United States before the end of the decade from advanced North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles.

3. Lockheed's design performance may have motivated ouster from LRSO program

The Air Force's decision last year to bet on Raytheon to build the multibillion-dollar Long Range Standoff Weapon and later remove Lockheed Martin from the program entirely may have come down to inferior design performance by the latter company.

2. Hicks approves NGI to proceed; contract award imminent for $2 billion, three-year initial design phase

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks has approved the Next Generation Interceptor project to proceed, clearing the way for the Missile Defense Agency to award a pair of contracts as well as seek $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2022 and FY-23 for the new Ground-based Midcourse Defense guided missile, according to a source familiar with the decision.

1. Lockheed readies for new, post-pandemic workforce construct

Lockheed Martin has prepared a plan to move a large percentage of its workforce to a hybrid in-person and telework approach as the pandemic appears to be easing.