This midweek INSIDER Daily Digest takes a look at how U.S. weapons transfers are leaving some bare shelves in INDOPACOM, the Navy is taking another step toward a new nuclear weapon, the Pentagon comptroller expects a bigger defense budget for the next administration, and the Army is beginning the process of acquiring a new radar.
The head of INDOPACOM talked about how weapon shipments to Israel and Ukraine are affecting his command:
Transfer of high-end weapons to allies is eating into stocks needed for INDOPACOM, commander says
The transfers of munitions and missiles to Israel and Ukraine is beginning to deplete the United States' own supply of high-end capabilities that will be needed if conflict breaks out with China, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said today.
The Navy is getting serious about a new sea-launched nuke:
Navy advances SLCM-N development with request for industry help
As the Navy aims to reach a critical milestone for its nuclear-armed sea-launched missile program by fiscal year 2026, the service is reaching out to industry members to help develop and integrate the weapon system as an All Up Round onto Virginia-class submarines, according to a recent notice.
The current DOD comptroller has some views on the incoming administration:
Outgoing DOD comptroller predicts budget boost, sees risk in Ukraine weapons work when Trump team arrives
Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord, who will be leaving the Defense Department when President-elect Trump is sworn-in in January, said today he believes Congress will increase the fiscal year 2025 defense budget and noted that the Biden administration, had it remained in power, was preparing to seek topline growth in FY-26.
The Army wants industry to think about a new precision radar:
Army asking for white papers as it moves toward prototyping multifunction precision radar
The Army aims to field up to four multifunction precision radar prototypes “integrated onto a government furnished property wheeled-vehicle platform” by late fiscal year 2027, according to a new request for white papers issued Monday.