The Insider

By Apurva Minchekar
January 12, 2024 at 11:39 AM

The Space Development Agency has scheduled a virtual industry day from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 to discuss ground segment integration program acquisition, according to a notice posted yesterday.

The agency will provide an overview of the acquisition to primes and subcontractors as well as allow time for one-on-one sessions with potential vendors, SDA said.

Last month, SDA issued a draft request for proposals to inform government requirements for PGI and seek industry inputs on program acquisition.

In the acquisition schedule released yesterday, SDA noted that the final RFP will be issued on Feb. 22 and the award will be announced in June.

By Nickolai Sukharev
January 12, 2024 at 9:56 AM

General Dynamics will deliver additional Booker combat vehicles to the Army, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

In a modification to an earlier contract, the company will build the M10 Booker for approximately $13.1 million by an estimated completion date of June 18, 2025 with the work taking place in Sterling Heights, MI; Anniston, AL; and Lima, OH, the announcement reads.

General Dynamics received an earlier contract in June 2023 for low-rate production of the vehicle, a year after being selected for the low-rate initial production phase.

The Army expects to procure 33 M10 vehicles in fiscal year 2024 and will decide on full-rate production in the second quarter of FY-25 with the first units to be equipped later the same year, according to budget documents.

Armed with a 105mm gun, the M10 is designed to neutralize light armored vehicles, fortifications and dismounted personnel, according to a Defense Department report.

The vehicle will fill an operational shortfall to provide light infantry units with direct fire support, a capability the Army has lacked since the retirement of the M551 Sheridan light tank in 1997, according to Infantry magazine.

During the 1990s, the Army developed and later canceled plans to field the M8 Armored Gun System, a tracked vehicle also armed with a 105mm gun, the magazine adds. In the 2000s, the Army acquired the Stryker M1128 Mobile Gun System but divested from the platform following performance and engineering issues.

Initially called the Mobile Protected Firepower, the Army named the M10 after two fallen soldiers, Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Robert Booker and Distinguished Service Cross recipient Staff Sgt. Stevon Booker.

By Dan Schere
January 11, 2024 at 3:41 PM

(Editor's Note: This story was updated on Jan. 12 to correct a quote from Jennifer Swanson about the status of the TITAN program.)

As the Army continues to make progress on implementing its Unified Data Reference Architecture (UDRA) plan, the service will soon launch its innovation exchange lab to test and refine industry capabilities.

UDRA is the Army’s framework for simplifying data architecture, using a decentralized “data mesh” approach. The lab, which will be at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, was announced last year by service officials as a place for industry vendors to “plug in” and see if their solutions are compatible.

Jennifer Swanson, the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for data, engineering & software, said during an event hosted by the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association in McLean, VA Thursday that there was recently a “soft launch” for the innovation exchange lab.

“It is up, but not completely available to everybody. . . . We want to make sure before we open up to everybody that we have our processes straight, and . . . it's going to be efficient and effective,” she said.

Swanson said that UDRA version 1.0 is now complete, and the Army is more than halfway done in its implementation plan of the architecture. This month, the service will embark on a 100-day plan to “identify specific programs to begin implementing UDRA to the extent possible and will include roadmaps to make significant progress in” fiscal year 2024, an accompanying slide stated.

Swanson also said Thursday that the Army is focusing on data rights for the Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) -- the service’s first intelligence ground station enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning. TITAN will be one of the first programs to be utilized by Project Linchpin, which is the Army’s new initiative to create an AI/ML pipeline.

TITAN has developed an application programming interface (API) to “ensure open architectures,” according to Swanson.

“We want to be able to bring solutions in. But we need to be able to own the pieces, we need to own to change out those solutions over time and TITAN is getting after that in their approach,” she said.

By John Liang
January 11, 2024 at 3:10 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the ongoing political brouhaha over Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization as well as the Pentagon releasing a defense industrial base strategy and more.

We start off with the latest on the ongoing controversy over Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization:

Republican Senators request hearing into communication of Austin's hospitalization

GOP lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee called upon Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) to hold a hearing into the notification procedures surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization.

Senate Republicans seek answers on Austin's medical absence; House GOP launches inquiry

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the top-ranking GOP lawmaker on the Senate Armed Services Committee, led 11 of his fellow Republicans in sending a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin today seeking answers on whether the Pentagon may have broken the law amid the secrecy surrounding Austin’s ongoing hospitalization.

The Defense Department's new industrial base strategy, an early draft of which was first obtained by Inside Defense in December, is to be followed by a classified implementation plan, though parts of that plan, like an executive summary or overview, are expected to be unclassified:

DOD's first National Defense Industrial Strategy targets next three to five years

The Pentagon released its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy today aiming to boost U.S. weapons manufacturing within the next three to five years. Some defense industry advocates, however, say the strategy must be followed up by more detailed investment plans.

The Navy's top civilian spoke at this week's Surface Navy Association’s National Symposium:

Del Toro: At-sea re-arming will be operational in 2-3 years

The Navy is on path to develop and operationalize technology enabling a supply vessel to re-arm a warship's missile tubes while underway at sea within the next two to three years, according to service Secretary Carlos Del Toro.

More SNA symposium news:

Navy launches LSM contract competition

The Navy has officially opened the contract competition for the Landing Ship Medium with a Jan. 5 solicitation seeking industry proposals for the detail design and construction of up to six of the vessels.

(Read our full SNA symposium coverage.)

By Abby Shepherd
January 11, 2024 at 1:44 PM

With the Navy focused on destroyer modernization, a new effort -- DDG-51 Mod 2.0 -- is centered on overhauling aspects of Flight IIA destroyers specifically.

Radars, sensors, a combat system and cooling systems will be updated on four ships before the Navy turns to the rest of the fleet, program head Capt. Tim Moore told attendees at Wednesday’s Surface Navy Association Symposium.

Since DDG-51 Mod 2.0 began in September, the program has completed a SEWIP electronic warfare upgrade to the destroyer Pinckney (DDG-91) and plans the same for the James E. Williams (DDG-95), Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) and Halsey (DDG-97). The SEWIP Block III sensor installation is especially important right now, Moore said.

“This is an enhanced capability to provide electronic attack to complement our ES ability to the ships,” Moore continued. “This is vital to the fight that we’re doing now, what you see happening out there in the Red Sea and beyond.”

Starting in fiscal year 2029, the Navy will complete the DDG-51 Mod 2.0 update in one entire maintenance availability for two ships every year, Rear Adm. William Greene told symposium attendees Thursday.

A new component of the AEGIS combat system and new cooling units will also be installed, then the four ships will be sent out for a trial before returning to the fleet for an ultimate installation of SPY-6 radars, all part of what Moore called a “crawl effort.”

To successfully complete these upgrades, Moore said his team requires innovative acquisition processes, modernization availability and industrial base stability.

“I need the industrial base to be ready, to provide the capability and to do this effort and to provide the ships back to the fleet,” Moore added.

Surface Warfare Division Director Rear Adm. Fred Pyle praised the program during a panel Wednesday, as this initiative is “taking the capability we currently have on our Flight III -- AEGIS baseline, SEWIP Block III,” he said.

The program is still determining what the SPY-6 backfit timeline will be, and Moore declined to provide any specifics regarding upgrades for more destroyers.

“The strategy is to do multiple ships per year,” Moore said. “I’m not going to go into what that number could be right now.”

By Nick Wilson
January 11, 2024 at 12:15 PM

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith could return to duty “in the next several weeks,” according to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, who said Smith’s health is much improved following successful open-heart surgery.

“He's out of the ICU now, he’s in a more lower-level treatment room. Basically, he's walking around, he's in good spirits, he's strong, he's itching to get back,” Del Toro told reporters at the Surface Navy Association’s National Symposium.

“I foresee that there'll be some additional therapy that will be involved over the next two to three weeks to make sure that he recovers completely,” the secretary continued, adding that he has encouraged Smith to the take time to fully recover.

On Monday, the Marine Corps announced Smith had completed a successful surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve in his heart, which caused a heart attack on Oct 29. Smith plans to return to “full duty status as commandant” following his rehabilitation, the announcement states.

Assistant Commandant Gen. Christopher Mahoney continues to perform the duties of commandant while Smith recovers. On Wednesday, Del Toro praised Mahoney and the Marine Corps leadership team and said Smith and Mahoney have been in “constant conversation.”

“We have a great system and Gen. Mahoney has done a great job as the acting commandant,” Del Toro said. “I've expressed my personal opinion to Gen. Smith that he needs to recover, and he shouldn't be ‘in a rush’ to just get back.”

By Georgina DiNardo
January 11, 2024 at 11:16 AM

The Defense Department inspector general's office announced yesterday a new project that will review the notification procedures surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization.

“The objective of the review is to examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions related to the Secretary of Defense’s hospitalization in December 2023-January 2024,” the notice said.

This report follows Austin’s hospitalization in the intensive care unit on Jan. 1 after an “elective medical procedure” on Dec. 22 left him in “severe pain,” according to Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman.

According to Walter Reed Medical Center officials, where the surgery occurred, Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had a “minimally invasive” prostatectomy that left no complications at time of discharge. However, a urinary tract infection caused complications and required Austin to return to the hospital on Jan. 1.

Ryder said that “certain authorities” were transferred to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks on Jan. 2, although Hicks and Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, didn’t find out about Austin’s hospitalization until Jan. 4.

This lack of communication, which Ryder attributes to Kelly Magsamen, Austin’s chief of staff, being sick with the flu and out of office, drew criticism from lawmakers about the chain of command and the delayed notification time.

The department launched a new 30-day review of DOD notification processes pertaining to the assumption of defense secretary duties, according to Ryder, which is a separate review than the IG’s.

The IG said it will “assess whether the DOD’s policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effective transition of authorities as may be warranted due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership.”

By Tony Bertuca
January 10, 2024 at 4:26 PM

Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) became the first congressional Democrat to call for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's resignation today over his failure to notify the White House and Congress for days following his Jan. 1 hospitalization.

DeLuzio, who represents a swing district, is a member of the House Armed Services Committee where Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) has stopped short of calling for Austin’s resignation but has launched a formal inquiry into the controversy surrounding his absence.

“I have lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austin’s leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency about his recent medical treatment and its impact on the continuity of the chain of command,” Deluzio said in a statement. “I have a solemn duty in Congress to conduct oversight of the Defense Department through my service on the House Armed Services Committee. That duty today requires me to call on Secretary Austin to resign.”

Austin has been hospitalized since Jan. 1 with complications from a urinary tract infection following a Dec. 22 prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has said President Biden continues to have full confidence in Austin and would not accept his resignation if he offered it.

Deluzio, whose statement was first reported by Politico, thanked Austin for “his leadership and years of dedicated service” and wished him a speedy recovery.

Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, released a statement today saying Austin is “in good condition” at Walter Reed Medical Center and is in contact with his senior staff, also having received an operational update from U.S. Central Command.

Ryder said the Pentagon does not yet have a specific date for Austin’s release from the hospital but committed to providing daily updates.

By Nickolai Sukharev
January 10, 2024 at 2:59 PM

Army units must "preserve themselves, be resilient and withstand enemy attack," according to an updated doctrine document.

“Effective protection preserves combat power and enables freedom of action,” the doctrine, released on Tuesday, states. “Commanders and staffs must understand their Soldiers, the enemy and the operational environment at each echelon to prioritize protection for applying critical resources and coordinating support in the conduct of combined arms operations.”

“When units are unable to protect themselves, commanders coordinate with higher command for protection support,” the doctrine adds.

Titled “Protection,” the doctrine outlines how Army units must protect themselves to preserve warfighting functions and which capabilities to use in crisis situations, low-intensity conflict, large-scale operations and other scenarios.

Broken into four chapters, the doctrine discusses protection fundamentals, protection during operations, integrating protection capabilities and protection cells.

“Protection determines the degree to which potential threats or hazards can disrupt operations and initiates active and passive measures to prevent and mitigate those disruptions,” the doctrine reads.

The doctrine outlines that protection measures must be comprehensive, integrated, layered, redundant and enduring.

Commanders must understand the operational environment through risks and opportunities as well as protect personnel from environmental and health hazards, it adds.

“The protection function manifests itself differently at each echelon, through competition below armed conflict, crisis and armed conflict,” the doctrine reads.

Theater armies conduct protection operations that secure ports, communication lines, critical facilities and the flow of forces and materials, the doctrine reads, while smaller units implement protection in their existing capabilities.

“Commanders integrate and synchronize capabilities of one warfighting function with other warfighting functions to achieve objectives and accomplish missions,” the doctrine adds.

Units should also collect intelligence, use targeting information, assess risks and manage information, the doctrine states.

The last chapter outlines how larger units should use subunits (called protection cells) to advise, visualize and outline protection requirements to the commander.

The doctrine follows an earlier version, published in 2019.

By Apurva Minchekar
January 10, 2024 at 2:57 PM

The Space Development Agency has scheduled a "top secret sensitive compartmented information level" industry presentation to discuss the Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Gamma variant solicitation, according to an announcement today.

SDA noted the industry day will be held Feb. 7-8 in Chantilly, VA, and will focus on T2TL Gamma Other Transaction solicitation for payload development for space systems to provide fire control solutions.

“The latter portion of February 7 and the entire day of February 8 will be reserved for a series of 1-on-1 sessions for selected offerors who submitted inputs to the request for information or draft solicitation,” the agency said.

Last year, SDA issued a request for information for developing the warlock payload, an advanced warfighting payload capability for the T2TL-Gamma variant satellite constellation.

Additionally, a draft solicitation was issued last month, noting the agency is planning to procure 20 Gamma-variant satellites equipped with unique payloads designed to “close future kill chains” through the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The initial launch capability of T2TL Gamma variant satellites is scheduled for September 2026, as per today’s notice.

By John Liang
January 10, 2024 at 2:25 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news from this week's Surface Navy Association annual symposium plus coverage of the Missile Defense Agency needing a deputy director and more.

We start off with coverage from this week's SNA symposium:

Navy developing 'Global Maritime Response Plan' in preparation for high-end conflict

The Navy is developing a new "Global Maritime Response Plan" that will enable naval forces to rapidly transition from peacetime to wartime operations if a high-end conflict begins, according to Adm. Daryl Caudle, the head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Delay on CVN-82 could have negative effects, Newport News executive warns

A delay in awarding a contract for future aircraft carrier CVN-82 would have negative effects on the supply chain and production of other infrastructure like submarines, a Newport News shipbuilding executive told reporters Monday.

(Read our full SNA symposium coverage.)

The Missile Defense Agency has been mandated by Congress to reinstate a deputy director:

MDA required to reinstate deputy director position, must be two-star uniformed officer

The Missile Defense Agency, which limped along last year without a Senate-confirmed three-star director for an extended period during which some of its top projects were nominated for budget cuts, is reinstating a post eliminated as part of a 2020 organizational overhaul: a deputy director who must be a two-star general or flag officer.

Michael Horowitz, the deputy defense assistant secretary for force development and emerging capabilities, said at a CSIS event this week that Replicator is a great demonstration of how the department is launching initiatives to tackle challenges:

DOD policy official details Replicator update and international AI agreement opportunities

The Defense Department's Replicator initiative appears to be on track to achieve its goals with a defense official expressing optimism at a Center for Strategic and International Studies webcast today that an international political declaration about artificial intelligence responsibility will gain more signatures.

Our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have ongoing coverage of the Pentagon's recently released Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program rule:

Pentagon details process to submit CMMC assessment results as part of information collection request

The Defense Department is asking for input on the process to report assessment results under its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and proposed parameters to address potential gaps.

Powered by Microsoft's HoLoLens headsets, the Integrated, Immersive, Intelligent Environment is an "augmented reality space simulation" that will enable Space Force users to interact in a space-like environment with orbital objects on display in real-time:

SSC renews Microsoft contract to build I3E prototype for Guardians' readiness

Space Systems Command has renewed its contract with Microsoft to develop a new immersive simulated environment to increase Guardians' readiness for current and future space situations, according to a Jan. 5 announcement.

By Georgina DiNardo
January 10, 2024 at 2:04 PM

The head of the Aerospace Industries Association sent a letter to congressional leaders today, calling on them to pass full-year appropriations bills for national security and defense.

Eric Fanning, president and CEO of AIA, addressed the letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

Fanning called on Congress to pass an appropriations package with “topline budget numbers for FY-24” that lawmakers announced on Jan. 7 and the “related side agreement on offsets and additional resources for non-defense programs.”

The aerospace and defense industry, Fanning said, needs consistent “demand signals” from the federal government.

“Unfortunately, with fiscal year 2024 (FY24) funding still in flux, our industry continues to face the harmful consequences of a broken budget process,” he said. “If this impasse is not resolved soon, the country could face severe damage to our defense posture and our ability to enhance aviation safety. The uncertainty could also hinder our progress in developing next-generation space technologies and in supporting a growing commercial space industry.”

The federal government is operating under continuing resolutions that run through Jan. 19 and Feb. 2. The CR covering the Pentagon expires Feb. 2.

By the time the CRs expire, DOD and non-defense agencies will have been operating under CRs for “roughly one-third of the fiscal year,” according to Fanning.

“We cannot ask them to shoulder further delays or additional short-term CRs,” he said.

Fanning laid out two possible scenarios that could occur if the government does not pass full-year appropriations bills soon.

One scenario details what would happen if Congress fails to pass a full-year appropriations bill for the entire government by April 30. In that situation, the White House Office of Management and Budget is required to impose a “sequestration order” which gives agencies a budget that is 1% lower than FY-23. This scenario results in defense spending needing to be cut by $36.5 billion, causing many programs to fail due to lack of funding.

The second of Fanning’s scenarios outlines what he believes will happen if Congress introduces a CR for the entire year, something that has never been done before. This scenario ends with cutting DOD spending by $28 billion below its request, eliminating $5.8 billion for military personnel funding, causing significant health care challenges.

“The current topline agreement would resolve this impasse, provide modest increases to help agencies address urgent priorities and inflationary increases, avoid the worst effects of deep, across-the-board reductions, and allow Congress to turn its attention to the fiscal year 2025 budget, which is due in February,” Fanning said. “We urge you to move these bills as quickly as possible under the framework announced on January 7, 2024.”

By Abby Shepherd
January 10, 2024 at 12:10 PM

The national defense and Navy budget is on an "unsustainable course," Sen. Angus King (I-ME) told attendees gathered at today's annual Surface Navy Association Symposium. The speech follows months of uncertainty around the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act and funding appropriations.

“We’re on an unsustainable course, everyone knows that, not everybody knows how to fix it, but the budget issues are real and there’s not going to be a time where everybody is going to say, ‘Oh, we have an extra $100 million for shipbuilding’ -- I don't think that’s going to happen anytime soon,” King said.

King also called for the modernization of the nuclear triad, including the Air Force’s B-21 strike stealth bomber, the Columbia-class submarine and the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system. Strengthening these programs is necessary for deterrence, he added.

“If we have a nonexistent or weak nuclear deterrent, it invites aggression,” the senator continued.

King also highlighted ongoing industrial base challenges, especially as the Navy develops the DDG(X) next-generation warship, meant to succeed the current Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.

The industrial base “can’t turn off and on,” King said, and cooperation between the Navy and private sector when it comes to design and development of these ships can “be very useful and have positive budgetary outcomes.”

Multiyear procurement is also a tool that proves beneficial for taxpayers and the industrial base, King said.

With President Biden signing the FY-24 NDAA into law in December, no funding has been appropriated yet, with the Pentagon currently operating under stopgap continuing resolutions until Feb. 2.

By Abby Shepherd
January 9, 2024 at 6:48 PM

Warfighting, warfighters and a foundation that supports them are three key priorities for Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, which she outlined for attendees at today's annual Surface Navy Association Symposium.

Franchetti, who was confirmed as CNO in early November, said these three priorities will ensure the Navy is the “most ready, combat-critical force that we can be.”

“We must have the best systems, the best weapons and platforms that will deter or defeat any adversary, anytime, anywhere,” Franchetti said.

Increased partnership with the private sector is necessary to strengthen the defense industrial base, she added, and the Navy is providing industry with a “clear demand signal.” This includes pursuing multiyear contracts, advance procurement timelines, supply chain investments and large-lot procurement of munitions, she said.

Franchetti also discussed the importance of what she called “getting more players on the field,” or increasing the number of operational ships and other platforms at the Navy’s command.

This effort, she said, will involve improving maintenance rates to keep more of the Navy’s existing ships active, fielding new ships on time and utilizing larger numbers of uncrewed platforms. Asked about the impact of this initiative on shipbuilding budgets, Franchetti declined to discuss future budget plans.

“It's about more platforms, getting our platforms that are on contract delivered on time [and] on cost. It's about getting the ships we have in maintenance out on time,” she explained.

“It's about stewardship, which is something a lot of us in this room have a big responsibility for -- how do we get the most out of our platforms as long as we can?” Franchetti continued. “It's also about integrating new and hybrid autonomous, unmanned technology to get more players on the field because again, this gives us more options.”

By Tony Bertuca
January 9, 2024 at 2:49 PM

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who has been hospitalized since Jan. 1, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to a statement from Walter Reed Medical Center officials.

Austin underwent a "minimally invasive" prostatectomy at Walter Reed to “treat and cure prostate cancer” on Dec. 22 and was discharged without complications, the officials said. But Austin experienced complications from a urinary tract infection that led him to be hospitalized on Jan. 1.

“His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent,” according to a statement from Dr. John Maddox, Trauma Medical Director, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, Center for Prostate Disease Research of the Murtha Cancer Center Director, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

Austin was transferred to the intensive care unit on Jan. 2. Doctors later discovered Austin was suffering from “abdominal fluid complications impairing the function of his small intestines.”

“This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach,” the doctors said. “The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement.”

Austin has “progressed steadily” and his infection has cleared.

Doctors said they anticipate Austin will make a full recovery though it can be a lengthy process.

The doctors said Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia.

Prior to now, the Pentagon has not released any specific information about Austin’s condition.

Austin and his staff, meanwhile, have faced criticism from lawmakers for failing to immediately notify the White House and Congress about his condition, with some Republicans calling for his resignation.

Austin has released a statement taking responsibility for the lack of transparency regarding his absence and Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, has apologized for not alerting the public to Austin’s condition shortly after he learned of it on Jan. 2. President Biden was not made aware of Austin's condition until Jan. 4.

Ryder said Austin’s chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, was sick and unable to immediately notify the National Security Council about Austin’s absence.

The doctors, meanwhile, note in their statement that prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer among American men, impacting one in every eight -- and one in every six black men -- during their lifetimes.

“Despite the frequency of prostate cancer, discussions about screening, treatment and support are often deeply personal and private ones,” the doctors said. “Early screening is important for detection and treatment of prostate cancer and people should talk to their doctors to see what screening is appropriate for them.”

Ryder, during a Pentagon press conference, said Austin is in full contact with his staff and continues to monitor U.S. military operations worldwide.

Ryder said the department has launched a new 30-day review of the department’s notification process for assumption of the duties of the defense secretary.