The Insider

Several senior defense officials speak at a number of industry events this week.

Tuesday

Gen. Timothy Haugh, commanding general of U.S. Cyber Command and National Security Agency director and other senior defense officials speak at the 2024 Intelligence and National Security Summit that runs through Wednesday.

Wednesday

Senior U.S. Space Command leaders speak about the organization's fifth anniversary at an online Mitchell Aerospace Power event.

The Hudson Institute hosts a discussion on AUKUS Pillar 2.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a virtual book discussion on weapons in space.

Thursday

The Center for Security and Emerging Technology holds a half-day conference on "Building the Tech Coalition."

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a Pentagon inspector general report on Navy F/A-18 aircraft radars, a multimillion-dollar Army spy plane contract and more.

A new Defense Department inspector general's report finds the Navy "did not obtain fair and reasonable pricing for repair of the AN/APG‑65 and AN/APG‑73 radars on the F/A‑18 Hornet":

Navy overpaid for radar systems repairs on F/A-18 Hornets, Pentagon IG says

The Navy has overpaid defense contractors nearly $4 million to repair radar systems on its F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, according to a Defense Department inspector general report released Wednesday.

Document: DOD IG report on F/A-18 Hornet radar repair pricing

In a May 15 memo publicly released this week, Pentagon research and engineering chief Heidi Shyu calls on the Defense Science Board "to develop a product summarizing the key findings, observations, advice and recommendations developed by the DSB in the past decade":

DOD tech chief seeks decade of DSB's advice to 'optimize' future investments

Pentagon technology chief Heidi Shyu is directing the Defense Science Board to provide her with all of its key findings and recommendations from the past decade to help guide the Defense Department's investments in the coming years.

Document: DSB terms of reference memo for priority focus areas product

More DSB news, in case you missed it:

DSB: Digital engineering not a magic pill for flawed T&E efforts

Digital engineering can become a critical component in the Pentagon's test and evaluation efforts but only in the context of a sound T&E infrastructure, a Defense Science Board task force argues in a recently published report.

Document: DSB report on digital engineering

DSB urges Pentagon to adopt 'strategic shift' in test and evaluation

The Defense Science Board is calling for a "strategic shift" in the Pentagon's test and evaluation efforts, according to a report published this week.

Document: DSB report on T&E

The E-6 Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalization Program (E-XX) is set to replace the aging E-6B aircraft currently used by the Navy, with the C-130J-30 Super Hercules under consideration:

Milestone for E-XX program planned for first quarter of FY-25

The Navy's program for airborne nuclear command, control and communications is now set to transition to a major capability acquisition pathway in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, according to a Navy spokesperson -- a minor delay compared to the timeline projected by the Government Accountability Office in its recent weapon systems assessment.

Sierra Nevada Corp. will produce the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) carried aboard a Bombardier Global Express 6500, a 99-foot, twin-engine aircraft used as a business jet in the civilian sector:

Army picks Nevada-based company for spy plane contract that has $1B ceiling

A Nevada-based company will build the Army's newest spy plane for $94 million, a program with the potential of reaching about $1 billion to enhance its aerial surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, the service announced Thursday.

Last but by no means least, here's the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Lawyers highlight major aspects of CMMC proposed rule for acquisition purposes

Lawyers from two major law firms are flagging key aspects of the Pentagon's latest proposed rule to implement its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, with a focus on new requirements and other considerations for contractors.

Palantir Technologies has tapped former Wisconsin GOP congressman Mike Gallagher to lead its defense business, the company announced today.

“We are thrilled to welcome former Congressman @RepGallagher to help lead our defense business as we enter the next stage of growth as a software prime,” the company said in a statement posted to social platform X.

Gallagher left the House in April, having declared he would do so in March after previously announcing he would not seek re-election. He joined the House in 2017 and spent his last year leading the newly minted House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He also served on the House Armed Services Committee

Gallagher, one of Congress’ best-known China hawks who has signaled support for Taiwan’s independence, was sanctioned by Beijing in May.

Since leaving Congress, Gallagher has become a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute and chair of the Midwest Defense Forum at the Sagamore Institute.

“Mike’s unique talents have helped to shape U.S. policy towards our adversaries. I am delighted he is joining Palantir, and I am certain he will play an invaluable role for Palantir and our mission partners,” CEO Alex Karp said in a statement announcing Gallagher’s hiring.

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.

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.

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.

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.