The Insider

By John Liang
August 21, 2024 at 2:35 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a GAO report that discusses military aid to Ukraine, plus coverage of missile defense radars and more.

A new Government Accountability Office report recommends "U.S. agencies should improve tracking of authorized U.S.-origin defense article transfers requested by foreign donors" for Ukraine:

Watchdog: DOD and State need to improve oversight of foreign weapons transfers to Ukraine

The Pentagon and State Department need to do a better job of tracking foreign transfers of U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Document: GAO report on military aid to Ukraine

Speaking Tuesday at the TechNet Conference in Augusta, GA, Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Command-and-Control Programs (G-6) Lt. Gen. John Morrison said brigades will not have the time to do "heavy analytics to try and figure out what the enemy is doing" during large-scale maneuver warfare:

G-6: Army brigades should focus on maneuvering and fighting, not data analytics

The Army wants its brigades to focus on maneuvering and fighting while divisions will analyze data as the service fields new network and mission command systems, according to the deputy chief of staff.

The Missile Defense Agency recently issued a request for information stating it is "conducting market research to determine if sources capable of satisfying the agency’s future production requirements for the Missile Defense System (MDS) Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control Model 2 (AN/TPY-2) radar exist":

MDA asks for production contractor for key ballistic missile warning radar

Contractors are being asked if they can produce one of the key ballistic missile warning radars for the Missile Defense Agency, a program that is being given a significant boost in the agency's fiscal year 2025 budget.

Here's the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

Pentagon considers alternative approaches to establishing CMMC requirements in contracts

The Defense Department's proposed rule for acquisition purposes proposes alternative approaches to implement its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while explaining why the Pentagon is moving forward with its preferred option.

Senate appropriators, in a report accompanying their version of the fiscal year 2025 defense spending bill, pointed to reviews from the Defense Department inspector general and the Government Accountability Office that reveal shortfalls in government systems used to track contracts and grants, impeding oversight into DOD-funded research activities that "could benefit Chinese defense entities":

Lawmakers want DOD to show its work on blocking R&D contracts to Chinese entities

The Senate Appropriations Committee wants to know what actions the Pentagon has taken to mitigate concerns that U.S. defense research and development funding is being exploited by China.

By Nickolai Sukharev
August 21, 2024 at 2:29 PM

The Army will entertain the creation of a warrant officer position specializing in data as part of its effort to transform combat echelons, according to a top training officer.

After delivering a morning keynote address Wednesday at the TechNet Conference in Augusta, GA, Army Gen. Gary Brito, the commanding general of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), said the service will need to examine the organization of its data capabilities within units and echelons to determine where a specialized warrant officer position would be most useful.

“We need to do the proper analysis on the capabilities that we need within the respective echelons of our transforming Army,” Brito said, responding to an audience question on the service’s plans to retain data experts.

In 2021, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth unveiled a plan to modernize the service’s data capabilities and information technology infrastructure at all levels, including both combat and non-combat uses.

Brito did not get into details but said the Army would need to make sure the capabilities can be linked at the division, corps and service component commands.

Currently, the Army has a Data Operations Warrant Officer position (MOS 255A) which focuses on maintaining data networks and related software.

TRADOC is currently conducting a mission analysis to determine the training requirements and whether the position should be included as an additional skill identifier, career management field or entirely new branch, Brito said.

He noted the exact type of position would need “to be determined” which “comes with some complexity.”

“I kind of sense yes, but I’m not going get ahead of the analysis that’s ongoing,” Brito added.

By Nickolai Sukharev
August 21, 2024 at 1:08 PM

Oshkosh will continue producing the Army's heavy tactical trucks for the next five years at a cost of $1.54 billion, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.

"We are extremely honored that the U.S. Army continues to invest in the proven Oshkosh Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV),” Pat Williams, chief programs officer at Oshkosh Defense, said in a company statement. “Our continued collaboration with the Army ensures that we deliver exceptional, high-performance vehicles with the latest technologies and active safety features.”

Issued as a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract, the Wisconsin-based company will build the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles by an estimated completion date of Aug. 19, 2029, with the work locations and funding to be determined with each order, the Pentagon announcement reads.

Oshkosh intends to make “cost-effective and targeted upgrades to modernize the fleet, extend vehicle life, and reduce operating costs,” the company statement adds.

Designed to conduct the Army’s large-haul missions, the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles consists of the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), Palletized Load System (PLS), Palletized Load System Trailer and the Heavy Equipment Transporter, the latter of which is designed to transport the Abrams main battle tank.

The vehicle’s architecture allows for a “seamless integration of additional features, such as drive-by-wire capability, Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), electrification, export power, fuel efficiency and demand reduction modifications,” according to the company statement.

For fiscal year 2025, the Army intends to spend $98.9 million to procure 195 vehicles within the heavy tactical truck program with the amount decreasing to 99 vehicles for $65.5 million by FY-2029, according to service budget documents.

"The evolution of the FHTV through technical insertions and recapitalization is a testament to our innovation and focus on increased capabilities,” Williams added. “By integrating new technologies into the FHTV fleet, we are not only enhancing operational efficiency but also future proofing our vehicles to meet the evolving needs of the Warfighter.”

Currently, the Army is testing initial prototypes of the Common Tactical Truck (CTT), a potential replacement for the HEMTT and PLS featuring drive-by-wire capabilities, fuel efficiency and predictive maintenance.

The initial prototype testing will inform the program requirements for an expanded competition culminating in a production contract in 2026.

Oshkosh is competing against Navistar, Mack Defense, as well as a joint bid from American Rheinmetall and GM Defense in the CTT program.

By John Liang
August 20, 2024 at 1:22 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Defense Department's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, Senate appropriators wanting DOD to show its work on blocking R&D contracts to Chinese entities and more.

We start off with the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

Pentagon considers alternative approaches to establishing CMMC requirements in contracts

The Defense Department's proposed rule for acquisition purposes proposes alternative approaches to implement its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while explaining why the Pentagon is moving forward with its preferred option.

Senate appropriators, in a report accompanying their version of the fiscal year 2025 defense spending bill, pointed to reviews from the Defense Department inspector general and the Government Accountability Office that reveal shortfalls in government systems used to track contracts and grants, impeding oversight into DOD-funded research activities that "could benefit Chinese defense entities":

Lawmakers want DOD to show its work on blocking R&D contracts to Chinese entities

The Senate Appropriations Committee wants to know what actions the Pentagon has taken to mitigate concerns that U.S. defense research and development funding is being exploited by China.

The Office of Strategic Capital, according to a new Federal Register notice, "must collect comprehensive information from entities seeking funding" through a new loan program via an application process:

OSC seeks tech company applicants for new loan program

The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital, which aims to catalyze private investment in emerging defense technologies, is formally requesting information from companies seeking to participate in OSC's new loan program.

The Air Force is taking an idea used during the Cold War and repurposing it for a future conflict in the Indo-Pacific:

Air Force unveils REFORPAC exercise for summer 2025

The Air Force's plan to test its new organizational structure in a large-scale, multicombatant command exercise in the Indo-Pacific next summer now has a name: REFORPAC.

York Space Systems and Terran Orbital subsidiary Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems will each build and operate 10 prototype Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Gamma variant satellites, which are expected to launch by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027:

SDA awards $424 million to two companies for Tranche 2 Gamma satellites

The Space Development Agency today awarded a total of $424 million to two non-traditional defense contractors for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Gamma variant satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

By John Liang
August 20, 2024 at 9:59 AM

Autonomous defense technology company DZYNE Technologies today announced the hiring of retired Navy Vice Adm. Collin Green as head of its Strategic Defense Solutions unit.

Green most recently served as deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and previously as head of Naval Special Warfare Command.

Green's previous experience "will provide DZYNE with unique insights and perspectives as the company continues to develop and deploy its autonomous solutions, which include disruptive technologies in counter-UAS and a variety of autonomous aircraft, ranging from launched effects technologies to long endurance ISR platforms such as the ULTRA," the company said.

By Shelley K. Mesch
August 20, 2024 at 9:40 AM

The Air Force awarded Palantir an $8 million, one-year contract to see if current commercial artificial intelligence mission control software and services can be used to support the 7th Air Force in South Korea, according to a Defense Department announcement earlier this month.

The contract is a pilot project using existing software capabilities “to accelerate combined dynamic targeting missions and processes by providing software tools that introduce automation into existing workflows,” the announcement states.

“The objective of this pilot is to evaluate the feasibility of extending Palantir software capabilities, currently leveraged by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, for reuse in Seventh Air Force’s combined U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force operational environment,” service spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said.

The 607th Air and Space Operations Center -- which runs command and control for the INDOPACOM and U.S. Forces Korea -- will run the pilot through Aug. 4, 2025.

By Tony Bertuca
August 19, 2024 at 4:45 PM

The State Department has approved a possible $3.5 billion foreign military sale of AH-64E Apache helicopters to South Korea, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice.

The deal, which DSCA says may require economic offsets, would include up to 36 helicopters and a variety of other related equipment and logistics support.

The primary contractors would be Boeing in Mesa, AZ, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, FL.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” DSCA said.

The agency also announced several other potential FMS contracts, including a possible $305 million deal with the Netherlands for CH-47 and AH-64 helicopter training, a possible $100 million deal with Australia for Javelin missiles, and a possible $70 million deal with Finland for M1156A1 precision guidance kits.

Today’s announcements follow large potential FMS deals that DSCA notified Congress about last week, including a potential $19 billion sale to Israel.

By Theresa Maher
August 19, 2024 at 4:16 PM

The Defense Department awarded $20 million to Electra Battery Materials Corp. to help expand domestic production of cobalt sulfate, a key material for large capacity batteries, according to an announcement today.

The award, made via the Defense Production Act Investments (DPAI) office, will allow the company to complete an industrial scale hydrometallurgical plant and establish cobalt sulfate production at its Ontario, Canada facility.

“This award will develop North American production of a key precursor material for large capacity batteries, helping to create a more robust industrial base capable of meeting growing demand across both the defense and commercial sectors,” Laura Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, said in a DOD press release today.

By establishing the mineral’s production at the Canada facility, the award also supports the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy’s goal to expand domestic production of critical minerals, according to the press release.

With the investment, using funds from the 2022 Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, Electra’s facility will be the first North American refinery aimed at producing cobalt sulfate, according to DOD.

“This will lead to a sustainable domestic processing facility capable of producing commercial-scale levels of a critical precursor material for large capacity batteries, which are used in many DOD systems,” DOD said.

It’s the most recent of 35 awards the DPAI program has made since the beginning of fiscal year 2024, totaling $445 million, and the third such award using DPA funds granted to a Canadian company, according to DOD.

By John Liang
August 19, 2024 at 1:46 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on an upcoming multicombatant command exercise in the Indo-Pacific, prototype satellites, uncrewed underwater vehicles and more.

The Air Force is taking an idea used during the Cold War and repurposing it for a future conflict in the Indo-Pacific:

Air Force unveils REFORPAC exercise for summer 2025

The Air Force's plan to test its new organizational structure in a large-scale, multicombatant command exercise in the Indo-Pacific next summer now has a name: REFORPAC.

York Space Systems and Terran Orbital subsidiary Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems will each build and operate 10 prototype Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Gamma variant satellites, which are expected to launch by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027:

SDA awards $424 million to two companies for Tranche 2 Gamma satellites

The Space Development Agency today awarded a total of $424 million to two non-traditional defense contractors for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Gamma variant satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency officials spoke last week about Navy uncrewed underwater vehicles:

Unmanned systems and AI large part of Navy's current focus, officials say

The Navy is aiming its focus on successfully fielding unmanned systems -- particularly unmanned underwater vehicles -- officials said Thursday, with another demonstration of the Manta Ray program potentially planned soon.

A new report to Congress "provides a summary of congressional additions to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 President's Budget Request of the Department of Defense":

Congress added $22.7B in unrequested funds to boost DOD's budget in FY-24

Congress provided $22.7 billion in unrequested funding to the Defense Department in fiscal year 2024, with most of the additional cash going toward weapons procurement and development, according to a new report from the Pentagon comptroller.

Document: DOD report on congressional increases to FY-24 budget

The latest industry responses to the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program are out:

PSC calls for Pentagon to focus on making CMMC program 'executable' as rulemaking process continues

The Professional Services Council wants the Defense Department to focus on making its upcoming Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program "executable" for government contractors and the Pentagon, according to PSC president and CEO David Berteau, as the major initiative reaches a new milestone with the publication of a second rulemaking focused on acquisition.

In case you missed it, Inside Defense visited Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, AL earlier this month. Here's our story, now available to all:

Austal poised to expand submarine module work as legacy programs sunset

MOBILE, AL -- As production of the Navy's Littoral Combat Ships and Expeditionary Fast Transports nears completion, Austal USA is entering a transition period that sees the historically aluminum-focused shipbuilder beginning production of multiple steel vessels and positioning itself to become an essential piece of the submarine industrial base.

By Nick Wilson
August 19, 2024 at 1:26 PM

MOBILE, AL -- As production of the Navy's Littoral Combat Ships and Expeditionary Fast Transports nears completion, Austal USA is entering a transition period that sees the historically aluminum-focused shipbuilder beginning production of multiple steel vessels and positioning itself to become an essential piece of the submarine industrial base.

Read the full story.

By John Liang
August 16, 2024 at 2:17 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a just-released Pentagon report to Congress on how much unrequested money lawmakers added to the defense budget, plus the latest on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and more.

A just-released report to Congress "provides a summary of congressional additions to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 President's Budget Request of the Department of Defense":

Congress added $22.7B in unrequested funds to boost DOD's budget in FY-24

Congress provided $22.7 billion in unrequested funding to the Defense Department in fiscal year 2024, with most of the additional cash going toward weapons procurement and development, according to a new report from the Pentagon comptroller.

Document: DOD report on congressional increases to FY-24 budget

The latest industry responses to the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program are out:

PSC calls for Pentagon to focus on making CMMC program 'executable' as rulemaking process continues

The Professional Services Council wants the Defense Department to focus on making its upcoming Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program "executable" for government contractors and the Pentagon, according to PSC president and CEO David Berteau, as the major initiative reaches a new milestone with the publication of a second rulemaking focused on acquisition.

The Army will now send a delegation to the facilities of interested howitzer manufacturers to observe the capabilities of existing cannon systems:

Army changes approach to howitzer capability demonstrations, will travel to vendor facilities

Interested howitzer manufacturers will now host Army representatives to demonstrate the capability of their existing systems, a change from previously scheduled consolidated demonstrations hosted by the service in an effort to acquire a new self-propelled cannon.

Some F-35 Joint Strike Fighter news:

Pentagon may consider a performance-based contract for some aspects of F-35 sustainment but not all

The F-35 Joint Program Office will not pursue a performance-based logistics contract with Lockheed Martin next year, but "the [Defense] Department will continue to assess and seek to award the best contracting strategy for F-35 sustainment, to include PBL type arrangements where advantageous," according to a defense official.

The F-35 won't be the only fighter to pair with the next-generation Collaborative Combat Aircraft:

Air Force official: CCAs to team with 'all fighters,' 'joint assets' and 'international partners'

The Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft will not only pair with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Next Generation Air Dominance platform, but also the F-15EX Eagle II, F-22 Raptor and platforms from other services or allies, according to a top Air Force official.

The State Department is scheduled to issue an "interim final rule" this week amending International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) to allow export licensing exemptions for defense trade between and among the United States, Australia and the U.K.:

U.S. announces new defense trade exemptions for Australia and U.K.

The United States has announced new export licensing exemptions for Australia and the U.K. meant to allow the AUKUS partners to substantially increase their flow of weapons sales and transfer some classified military technologies.

By Tony Bertuca
August 16, 2024 at 10:54 AM

The State Department has approved a potential $5 billion foreign military sale of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors to Germany, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement.

Germany seeks to buy up to 600 of the Lockheed Martin-made missiles, according to a notice DSCA sent to Congress.

The proposed FMS would help restock the German military, which has been supplying Ukraine with Patriot systems and interceptors.

“The proposed sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats and increase the defensive capabilities of its military,” DSCA said. “It will support Germany’s goal of improving national and territorial defense as well as interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces.”

Lockheed’s unit located in Dallas, TX, will be the prime contractor on the deal, with DSCA noting that Germany typically requests economic “offsets” to balance FMS deals.

“There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” DSCA said.

DSCA also announced a proposed $738 million FMS of MQ-9 block 5 aircraft to Italy.

The prime contractor will be General Atomics in San Diego, CA.

DSCA also announced a potential $85 million FMS to Denmark for up to 5,832 M1156 Precision Guidance Kits.

By Vanessa Montalbano
August 15, 2024 at 5:09 PM

Archer Aviation has delivered its first Midnight mobility platform to the Air Force for evaluation as part of the company's up to $142 million contract with AFWERX agility prime, according to a notice issued today.

"Archer's Midnight aircraft has the potential to significantly enhance our operational capabilities," Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and the Air Force’s chief commercialization officer, said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our work with our industry partners as we explore the ways that this advanced aircraft can contribute to the mission."

The aircraft displays a mix of capabilities the service has deemed critical for success in a potential fight in the Indo-Pacific, including electric vertical takeoff and landing, large payload, low noise output and an electrically powered engine.

The delivery of the zero-emission aircraft comes after the Defense Department last month granted Archer military airworthiness to begin flight testing on the Midnight to eventually validate the platform for specific mission concepts.

Air Force pilots and the Archer team have so far collaborated on various simulated operations out of Archer’s flight test facility in Salinas, CA, including medical evacuation, cargo and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, according to the company.

"This delivery represents a pivotal moment not only for Archer but for the future of military aviation," Adam Goldstein, Archer’s CEO, said in a statement. "Together, our goal is to prove Midnight’s potential and ensure the United States continues to lead the way with the world’s most advanced technology.”

The company may deliver as many as six Midnights to the Air Force, per the contract approved last August. The platforms can also be leveraged by other services if their interest is piqued, but the Air Force has said Midnight is “expected to provide a much safer and quieter alternative to helicopters while being more cost-effective for the U.S. military to transport, operate and maintain in the field.”

By Shelley K. Mesch
August 15, 2024 at 2:51 PM

The Air Force is looking to modernize its live-fire test and evaluation systems by incorporating satellite communications, command and control, according to a request for information posted today.

The service’s Aerial Targets Branch wants to expand its Targets Control System -- which runs C2 for aerial targets that hold electronic attack payloads that enable realistic air-to-air and surface-to-air tests for advanced weapon system development -- by integrating a proliferated low-Earth orbit SATCOM.

“The targets C2 system must support future [fifth- and sixth-generation live-fire test and evaluation] requirements and be range agnostic to control and track targets in multiple locations without large amounts of physical infrastructure to be built and maintained,” the request states. “There is a need to modernize the TCS and reduce the reliance on range infrastructure to support the rapidly advancing [Defense Department] weapon systems requirements.”

The TCS can currently track and control up to six unmanned aerial targets as well as track four shooters, four missiles and, when applicable, four airborne platforms and two support aircraft, according to the request.

The Air Force is specifically requesting “current or planned service offerings, not hypothetical possibilities nor services that require substantial investment on the part of the government,” the request states.

Considerations for such a service would include:

  • When and where a business will begin offering services.
  • Whether the service supports user terminal mobility, both “at the halt” and “on the move.”
  • Whether the system can automatically adjust power, modulation and coding to achieve the best data rates.
  • The types of terminals would be compatible.
  • The target data rate per user terminal.
  • The maximum number of users in a given area that the system can support.
  • The types and costs of service packages.
By John Liang
August 15, 2024 at 2:28 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Defense Department's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program plus Navy shipyards and unmanned underwater systems.

We start off with the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

DOD provides definition for CUI, addresses flow-down in CMMC proposed rule

Stakeholders in the defense industrial base are gaining more clarity into the Defense Department's upcoming acquisition requirements for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program in a proposed rule published today in the Federal Register.

Pentagon issues proposed rule to put in place CMMC requirements for acquisition purposes

The Defense Department has issued a long-awaited proposed rule to establish acquisition requirements for version 2.0 of the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, with details on the implementation timeline and supply chain flow-down to subcontractors.

Document: DOD's proposed rule on CMMC requirements for acquisition purposes

Inside Defense recently got a chance to visit Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, AL:

Austal poised to expand submarine module work as legacy programs sunset

MOBILE, AL -- As production of the Navy's Littoral Combat Ships and Expeditionary Fast Transports nears completion, Austal USA is entering a transition period that sees the historically aluminum-focused shipbuilder beginning production of multiple steel vessels and positioning itself to become an essential piece of the submarine industrial base.

The autonomy baseline manager's primary responsibility is developing and managing the autonomy baseline -- an archive of software and hardware satisfying requirements like UMAA, which sets an interface standard for vendors to ensure different autonomy software packages are interoperable:

Navy advances industry-led effort to establish an autonomy baseline

Earlier this year, the Navy officially selected its autonomy baseline manager, launching a new industry role tasked with creating a "baseline" of the commercially available and technically viable software and hardware for autonomous surface and undersea systems to help the Navy select and pair the best capabilities for its varying needs.

A new Defense Science Board report recommends "a strategy for anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate change and provide investment priorities for new systems and technology":

Defense Science Board urges Pentagon to create 'climate planning cell'

The Pentagon’s best chance at guaranteeing properly informed decision-making in the face of climate threats would come from creating a “climate planning cell” to provide “situational awareness, modeling and decision-support,” according to a new Defense Science Board report.

Document: DSB report on climate change and global security