The Insider

Rebels With A Cause
By Tony Bertuca
September 12, 2014 at 6:47 PM

The Pentagon believes the $500 million it has requested from Congress to begin training Syrian rebels in Saudi Arabia would be enough for 5,000 fighters over the course of one year, according to Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Defense Department's top spokesman.

"That would be in phases; it wouldn't all be all at once," he told reporters today at the Pentagon. "The training itself would not take a full year, but we think that we could get more than 5,000 done in more than one year."

Kirby noted, however, that the Pentagon must first locate, vett and recruit moderate members of the Syrian force opposed to the regime of Bashar al Assad and the Islamic State of Iraq in Syria.

"Nobody is underestimating the challenge of having that done and done well," he said. "The Syrian opposition is not a monolithic group. It's not a recognized military force. There is no single recognized leader of the opposition. . . . There's no easy answers here."

Kirby added that the vetting process would likely take “a number of months” before training could actually begin.

Meanwhile, the CIA estimates that the ranks of ISIS have swollen to approximately 31,000.

As previously reported by InsideDefense.com, the Pentagon remains focused on getting Congress to appropriate the $500 million necessary to train the Syrian rebels.

Fighting Boko Haram
By John Liang
September 12, 2014 at 5:54 PM

The Pentagon has officially asked for congressional approval to shift $45 million to help several African nations fight the Boko Haram terrorist group as well as help Ukraine defend itself from pro-Russian separatists, according to an Aug. 5 reprogramming request recently posted onto the Defense Department comptroller's website.

"This reprogramming action provides funding in support of higher priority items based on unforeseen military requirements, than those for which originally appropriated; and are determined to be necessary in the national interest," the request states.

If approved by lawmakers, the money would be shifted from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency's coffers into the Global Security Contingency Fund. Any single member of the congressional defense committees can veto the request.

The Pentagon needs $30 million to help the governments of Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger "develop institutional and tactical capabilities to enhance their respective efforts to counter Boko Haram, and to lay the groundwork for increased cross-border cooperation to counter Boko Haram," according to the reprogramming request.

The remaining $15.2 million would go to help Ukraine, "through the provision of technical expertise, training, and equipment, to develop four Ukrainian National Guard companies for one tactical headquarters capable of conducting internal defense operations," the request adds.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel originally notified Congress of the request in a pair of letters sent in early July, Inside the Pentagon reported last month.

Space Weather
By John Liang
September 12, 2014 at 5:05 PM

The Air Force is already taking steps to make its spacecraft less susceptible to their environment, Inside the Air Force reports today. Michael Starks, the principal investigator for the center's space particle hazard specification and forecasting program, told Inside the Air Force in a Sept. 10 email that the vehicles the service flies are built using "the most up-to-date tools and standards available." Further:

"They are inherently resistant to the space environment," Starks said. "When impacts do occur, the Air Force's professional satellite operators quickly and effectively address them to avoid interruptions of space services. In close partnership with the prime and supporting contractors, the root causes are routinely identified and addressed."

In the design stage, engineers can increase resiliency in the way they design to radiation belt specifications and by working to closely simulate the space environment. Starks said that once in space, users can establish certain commands and software patches that help improve a spacecraft's service life.

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Weather Center of Excellence issued a broad agency announcement on space weather in the spring. ITAF further reports:

The studies that result from this BAA will focus on enhancing [space situational awareness] for DOD satellite operators, Starks said, noting that they could feed into next-generation techniques that build on what operators are doing today.

"As AFRL executes a combination of applied research and advanced technology development, it is expected that scientific and engineering advancements will be transitioned into the community through journal articles, conference participation, and improved standards thereby enhancing our collective understanding of space environmental impacts," Starks said.

Reprogramming Request
By John Liang
September 11, 2014 at 8:42 PM

InsideDefense.com recently posted a couple of stories about a new Pentagon reprogramming request:

Pentagon Wants $404M In OCO Reprogramming For 21 Apache Helos

The Pentagon has asked Congress to move $404 million in overseas contingency operations money to pay for 21 additional AH-64E Apache attack helicopters set to replace OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, according to new Defense Department documents.

The DOD reprogramming request -- signed by Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord on Sept. 8 and obtained by InsideDefense.com -- states that the 21 Apaches will replace 21 Kiowas "as the Apache now assumes the Armed Scout role previously filled by the Kiowa Warrior." The additional aircraft also "will help the Army reach its acquisition objective earlier, contribute to manned-unmanned teaming, and reduce overall unit costs by increasing production efficiencies," according to the document.

Pentagon Wants To Use Wartime Dollars For F-35 Program

The Pentagon and the Office of Management and Budget are asking Congress for permission to use wartime funding to replace six AV-8B Harriers lost in Afghanistan with new F-35B Joint Strike Fighters, according to a congressional source and a reprogramming request obtained by InsideDefense.com.

The reprogramming request, signed Sept. 8 by Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord, includes $852 million for six F-35B short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing variants to replace the AV-8B Harriers that were destroyed during a terrorist attack in September 2012 at Forward Operating Base Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. The production line for the McDonnell-Douglas-built AV-8B is closed. The F-35B is the replacement aircraft.

We can now share that document:

Document: DOD's OCO Reprogramming Request

In a Sept. 8, 2014, reprogramming request signed by Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord, the Defense Department seeks congressional approval to shift $1.9 billion from overseas contingency operations funds to pay for various programs, including attack helicopters, combat aircraft, munitions and special operations forces.

R&D Plan
By John Liang
September 11, 2014 at 6:49 PM

Shawn Brimley, an executive vice president at the Center for a New American Security, recently said Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work could have a tough time garnering support to carry out a truly transformational Pentagon research and development plan. As Inside the Pentagon reports today:

"The challenge for him is will he get the top-cover he needs to do the things he wants to do," Brimley said during an Aug. 26 interview. "He's looking inside the defense R&D budgets, the [internal research and development] budget for defense contractors, and I don't think he's seeing the kind of unified strategy he wants. He is trying to put together a sort of enterprise-wide, DOD-wide strategy for we think about technological offsets and innovation."

Brimley, who co-authored a paper with Work in January on the future of defense innovation, said the deputy secretary may have arrived at the precisely the right time.

"I think he's going to play a much more active role in assuring that the pot of money that exists on general, defense-wide R&D is thought of as a strategic lever," he said. "He wants to see a strategic frame for how that money is spent; communicate those priorities and hold people accountable for budget submissions that communicate those priorities."

No Action On CR Yet
By John Liang
September 10, 2014 at 9:42 PM

Doesn't look like there will be any action this week on the fiscal year 2015 continuing resolution introduced yesterday by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY).

Jen Hing, communications director for the committee, just tweeted out the following:

For those that haven't heard: No action tomorrow on CR. Postponed to next week 4 time to consider new WH request on Syria.

Defeating ISIL
By John Liang
September 10, 2014 at 4:36 PM

With President Obama set to outline his strategy to defeat the Islamic State on national television tonight, congressional Republicans have ideas of their own.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) released a fact sheet today that includes "five elements he believes are essential to any strategy designed to defeat and destroy ISIL":

1. Recognizes the Immediate Threat to US National Security

• ISIL is more than a regional threat, it poses a clear and certain threat to the United States, our interests, and our allies and partners across the globe.

• Waiting until a terrorist organization is planning an “imminent” attack will cost American lives, as we learned 13 years ago on September 11th.

• ISIL also poses an imminent and existential threat to our allies in a critical region within the world.  Their assistance is key to comprehensively and sustainably handling this threat.

2. Calls for Swift Action with a Clear Objective to Destroy ISIL

• The window for targeting ISIL while it is still operating largely in the open and has not yet fully blended in with the populace is closing.

• A go-slow strategy gives ISIL the space and time to defeat potential partners, attract more foreign fighters, secure additional funding, and plot and plan for future attacks against the United States, Europe, and our interests in the region.

• Our allies recognize that now is the time to act and are seeking US support and leadership. Missing the opportunity presented by this coalition will make the job harder in the long run and will not lead to a sustainable solution.

3. Embraces Simultaneous Operations In Iraq and Syria

• An Iraq first, or Iraq only strategy cannot sufficiently erode ISIL. Decisive simultaneous action in Iraq and Syria is required to deny ISIL a safehaven.

• Waiting until the political situation in Iraq becomes more clear fails to create the space for moderate Sunnis to reject ISIL. Rather it allows ISIL to further radicalize the population and foment sectarian tensions.

• Actions in Syria can be tailored to reduce the risk that operations embolden Assad or Jahbat al-Nusra and other al Qaeda affiliates.

4. Establishes the US as a Leading Coalition Partner

• The US is uniquely able to build, lead, and support coalition operations. There are military options available to us that leverage the capabilities of regional allies on the ground, with the US in a supporting role.

• It is misleading to suggest that the use of any American forces on the ground is akin to “serial occupation.”

• There is a narrow opportunity to defeat ISIL that will not require American boots on the ground in “surge” level numbers, but anyone who suggests a minimalist approach will be successful is not being clear-eyed about the challenge and resiliency of ISIL.

5. Does Not Rely On a Counter Terrorism (CT)-Only Approach

• Air strikes alone will not defeat ISIL, or meaningfully degrade them.

• Our allies are willing to lead the fight, but they will not be able to succeed on the ground without US support in areas like command & control, intelligence, refueling, and special operations.

• A strategy that closely resembles the CT centric standoff operations of the last 5 years is one that cannot prevent this threat from growing. Nor can it sufficiently roll ISIL back as a threat.

McKeon will expand on this in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute tomorrow morning.

International Acquisition
By John Liang
September 9, 2014 at 4:04 PM

Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall has authorized the expansion of a career specialization in international acquisition.

In a Sept. 2 memo, Kendall writes:

The role international acquisition plays as an integral part of DOD's overall acquisition efforts has never been more critical. Increasingly, acquisition officials in many fields are involved in and have major responsibilities for international acquisition. The identification of all International Acquisition (Int Acq)  positions will ensure that acquisition workforce personnel -- regardless of position category -- will receive priority for training for successful performance. I hereby authorize the coding of Intl Acq Specialty positions in any functional areas.

Consequently, personnel engaged in "implementing or providing support to international cooperative research, development, engineering, test and evaluation, acquisition, life-cycle logistics, foreign military sales, direct commercial sales, building partner capacity transfers, and exportability integration" should have their job description categories include international acquisition, Kendall states.

IG Report On EKV
By John Liang
September 8, 2014 at 8:24 PM

The Defense Department inspector general's office recently performed a "quality assurance assessment" of the Missile Defense Agency's Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle.

In a report released today, the IG found that while most of MDA's EKV quality management systems managed by prime contractor Boeing and subcontractor Raytheon were in compliance, "some areas need improvement." Specifically:

A. Boeing and Raytheon were not ensuring that software development processes and testing were sufficient, which could result in reliability issues.

B. Boeing and Raytheon did not ensure all quality assurance and technical requirements for mission-critical assemblies flowed down to the supply chain and were verified. Therefore, it is uncertain that all supplier products will meet system, performance, and reliability requirements.

C. Boeing and Raytheon were not adhering to configuration management processes, specifically with respect to management of change processes for design requirements. This leads to some uncertainty in fielded configurations.

D. Missile Defense Agency, Boeing, and Raytheon were not ensuring that all quality management systems were in compliance with the AS9100C standard. We identified a total of 48 nonconformances that were violations of the AS9100C standard. These nonconformances could result in the production of nonconforming hardware and software which could effect mission success.

Consequently, the IG recommends the MDA director do the following:

A. Ensure software development processes are fully documented, implemented, and enforced throughout the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle supply chain.

B.1 Ensure all suppliers of critical items are identified as critical suppliers, receive the necessary contractual requirements, and requirements are verified throughout the supply chain.

B.2 Ensure fielded hardware affected by an insufficient Hardware Acceptance Review Checklist process is assessed for risk.

C. Ensure design and configuration changes do not circumvent the Missile Defense Agency Assurance Provisions for configuration management.

D. Conduct an effective root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for all 48 nonconformances including assessing the risk to fielded hardware.

GD Consolidation
By Ellen Mitchell
September 8, 2014 at 7:15 PM

General Dynamics will consolidate its Advanced Information Systems and C4 Systems groups to create a new business unit, General Dynamics Mission Systems, according to a Sept. 8 company announcement.

The conversion will take effect January 2015, "following a comprehensive review of the structure," according to the GD statement. The restructuring will make the company "more efficient, cost-effective and responsive to our customers," and combining the organizations "will leverage their complementary capabilities and further enhance performance," David Heebner, executive vice president of GD's Information Systems and Technology group, said in the statement.

Chris Marzilli, the current president of GD C4 Systems, will lead the combined organization, which will be headquartered in Fairfax, VA.

NATO And Cyber
By John Liang
September 8, 2014 at 4:44 PM

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association praised a decision by NATO to explicitly include major cyber attacks under the collective defense article of NATO's charter, meaning a cyber attack on one member state could be considered an attack on all, Inside Cybersecurity reports this morning:

"Cybersecurity is a top priority for the financial services industry, which is dedicating significant resources to protect the integrity of the financial markets and the millions of people who use financial services every day," SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth Bentsen said in a statement.

"We commend NATO for acknowledging the increasing threat that cyber attacks pose to the security and prosperity of its member nations and for taking action to enhance the collective defense effort," he said, noting SIFMA still believes cooperation between the public and private sectors to be the most effective way to mitigate cyber threats. "We hope NATO's action will encourage greater international cooperation on cybersecurity."

Inside Cybersecurity further reports:

"Cyber attacks can reach a threshold that threatens national and Euro-Atlantic prosperity, security, and stability," states NATO's declaration, issued at last week's summit in Wales. "Their impact could be as harmful to modern societies as a conventional attack. We affirm therefore that cyber defence is part of NATO's core task of collective defence."

Staying Grounded
By John Liang
September 5, 2014 at 5:31 PM

The 83 F-16s grounded in early August due to the discovery of cockpit cracks will remain grounded until the Air Force develops and implements a permanent fix, Inside the Air Force reports today:

A service spokeswoman told Inside the Air Force in a Sept. 4 email that a near-term solution that would have installed a high-strength fastener on the aircraft to allow them to return to flight while a more permanent repair is developed was deemed too risky. One aircraft based at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, received the temporary fix, but it has not yet flown. The service expects the parts associated with the repair will cost approximately $6,000 per aircraft, not including the associated manpower costs.

ITAF reported last month that the problem was brought to light in late July by a foreign F-16 customer who discovered the cracks while performing an unrelated inspection:

On Aug. 1, the service issued an immediate action time compliance technical order (TCTO) to inspect all F-16D aircraft. At that time, all of the service's 157 F-16Ds were grounded as the service conducted inspections. Unaffected aircraft, 75 in total, returned to flight between Aug. 3 and 15 as they were cleared.

"No cracked USAF aircraft have been released for flight," Cassidy said. "Aircraft that have passed the immediate action TCTO with no evidence of cracks have been returned to operational status."

The Air Force announced the grounding in an Aug. 19 press release in which Lt. Col. Steve Grotjohn, deputy chief of the weapon system division of the F-16 systems program office, noted that structural cracks often develop on an aircraft as a result of years of heavy use.

"As aircraft accumulate flight hours, cracks develop due to fatigue from sustained operations," Grotjohn said. "Fortunately, we have a robust maintenance, inspection and structural integrity program to discover and repair deficiencies as they occur."

Shipbuilder Tour
By John Liang
September 4, 2014 at 7:29 PM

Five House lawmakers -- four from Virginia -- plan to tour Huntington Ingalls Industries subsidiary Newport News Shipbuilding's facilities this week.

House Armed Services Committee Vice Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), seapower and projection forces subcommittee Chairman Randy Forbes (R-VA), readiness subcommittee Chairman Rob Wittman (R-VA), and Reps. Scott Rigell (R-VA) and Robert Scott (D-VA) will host a press conference Friday after a company tour, according to a statement from Rigell's office:

"Newport News Shipbuilding employs some of the hardest working men and women I have had the privilege to meet in my service to Virginia's Second Congressional district," said Congressman Scott Rigell, whose district includes parts of Newport News. "These good Americans equip the world's most powerful Navy, and it's an honor to introduce Congressman and Mrs. Thornberry to some of them. We must maintain a robust shipbuilding program in order to keep our nation safe and to keep jobs for Americans right here in Hampton Roads."

"As we have seen over the last several months, the world is not getting any safer," said Congressman Mac Thornberry. "The first job of the federal government is defending the country. And this shipyard plays a critical part in meeting that responsibility. I appreciate the chance to tour the facilities with my Armed Services colleagues from this area who are at the forefront of seeing that Congress fulfills its duties to help protect the nation."

"Vice Chairman Thornberry has long been an important voice in favor of a strong U.S. military," Congressman Randy Forbes said. "All of us who understand the necessity of a powerful, well-resourced United States Navy have an ally in Congressman Thornberry and I look forward to continuing to work with him in support of our men and women in uniform."

"The work done by the great folks at Newport News Shipbuilding is absolutely critical for maintaining and preserving the strength of our Navy," Congressman Rob Wittman said. "I'm pleased that Vice Chairman Thornberry will be joining us tomorrow to see firsthand the expertise and contributions of our shipbuilding community."

"I am pleased to welcome Congressman Thornberry to Newport News to showcase the hard work of the world's best shipbuilders," said Congressman Bobby Scott. "Shipbuilding is the backbone of our nation's Navy and I look forward to working with Congressman Thornberry and my colleagues in the Virginia delegation to support this critically important industry."

The Navy last month awarded the company a $25 million contract modification to complete 40 design and construction changes to the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). As Inside the Navy reported Aug. 18:

The modifications are "routine in nature," Navy spokesman Lt. Rob Myers told Inside the Navy last week, but normally they would be executed individually. In this instance, the changes were "bundled" in order to save time and resources, Myers explained.

The changes are "fairly benign" and include things like structure and outfitting construction, as well as installation and integration of government furnished equipment, Myers added.

"The 40 headquarters modification requests for changes are routine in nature, and of the type to be expected on any CVN construction effort," Myers said. "They would normally be adjudicated individually; however, these changes were bundled to gain efficiencies in the negotiation and award process."

The modifications do not add new capability to the ship and do not impact the timeline of construction, he said. "None of the changes adds new capability to the ship nor do they represent an increase to established requirements," Myers told ITN. "Rather, they resolve issues identified during construction."

Radar Questions
By John Liang
September 4, 2014 at 4:50 PM

With the Missile Defense Agency having issued a draft request for proposals last month for the Long Range Discrimination Radar program, potential contractors have been submitting questions to clarify some of the portions of the RFP. To wit, MDA released several answers this week, including to this question:

Since this is part of the US missile defense system, there could be catastrophic third party liability in the event of product malfunction or failure resulting in injury or death. This potential catastrophic third party liability is considered an unusually significant hazardous risk by the Contractor. The potential impact of this is well beyond any insurance coverage that the Corporation can take out. It is being requested that the MDA consider an application for indemnification under Public Law (PL) 85-804 for this work. Would MDA consider inserting clause 52.250‐1, Indemnification Under Public Law 85-804?

To which the agency responded:

MDA does not consider the performance of sensors program requirements to involve an unusually hazardous risk.

As Inside Missile Defense reported last month:

In its fiscal year 2015 budget request, MDA asked Congress for $79.5 million to begin developing the LRDR system, including a dedicated $50.5 million project line that would cover a $13 million effort to study potential radar sites and $37.4 million for product development, according to Pentagon briefing charts. Funding for the project line would total $615 million across the future years defense plan, with $136 million in FY-16, $152 million in FY-17, $145 million in FY-18 and $132 million in FY-19.

"The new LRDR is a midcourse tracking radar that will provide persistent sensor coverage and improve discrimination capabilities against threats to the homeland from the Pacific theater. This new radar also will give the Sea-Based X-band (SBX) radar more geographic deployment flexibility for contingency and test use," MDA's budget documents state.

As for where the new radar would be based, agency Director Vice Adm. James Syring said during a March 4 Pentagon briefing on MDA's budget request that "we've talked about Alaska, but we're going . . . to do the due diligence and evaluate all the possible alternatives in the Pacific."

Those alternatives appear to have been whittled down to Alaska, with the Aug. 8 cover letter attached to the draft RFP stating that "For planning purposes, offerors should consider both Eareckson Air Station and Clear Air Force Station, Alaska as possible site locations for the LRDR."

AUSA On Sequestration
By John Liang
September 4, 2014 at 4:41 PM

The head of the Association of the United States Army is calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to end sequestration.

In a letter sent to Reid today, retired Army Gen. Gordon Sullivan writes:

Is this too hard? I cannot speak for 300 million Americans, but I will speak for myself. I have been in or around the U.S. Army for almost 60 years, and I am very concerned that our enemies, potential and current, don't see us as a rock-steady nation. They think we cannot act in a collaborative, efficient manner. Some of our closest friends are left scratching their heads wondering what is going on in America that makes us seem so indecisive and weak.

Those who know us best can see that we have lost our edge. Our forces are less ready, and we are taking apart a magnificent, combat-honed force based on a great American myth that when we need defense we can just create it. Let me be clear, it is a myth. A lesson we should have learned by now is that the cost of being unprepared is paid in lives and spilled blood.

Hope is the anchor of our souls, but success requires creating a vision and making it happen so our nation believes it and our allies and friends perceive us as serious and our enemies know we have placed ourselves where we belong, on center stage.

We don't have a year to fix what ails our national defense. We must stop sequestration now. We must cease downsizing now. We must rely on the elected, appointed and uniformed leaders of this nation to structure forces capable of ensuring our security. We have precious little time to show the world how good we are.