The Insider

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Army modernization, Air Force trainer aircraft replacements and more.

We start off with a deep dive into the Army's modernization efforts:

Transformation in contact: Army designs roadmap modernization in an evolving world

FT. JOHNSON, LA -- Gen. Randy George, nearly a year into his job as the Army's chief of staff, is working to implement his strategy for modernizing the force, envisioning a process in which weapon system users, developers and testers work alongside soldiers who are training on the ground, and someone rewriting software code if equipment doesn't work.

The Air Force has unveiled plans on how it will replace T-38C trainer aircraft with next-generation T-7s at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi:

Air Force finalizes plan to send 77 T-7As to Columbus Air Force Base

The Air Force last week signed a record of decision to replace all of the T-38C Talons at Columbus Air Force Base, MS with up to 77 T-7A Red Hawk jets, keeping the flight training program there, according to a Federal Register notice issued this week.

In an Aug. 23 memo on planning, programming, budgeting and execution reform, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks directs that the Pentagon comptroller "will act as the lead for the PPBE reform agenda and implementing initiatives across the department, with the components in support":

Pentagon launches new programming and budgeting reform initiatives

The Pentagon comptroller has been charged with building a team to reform the Defense Department's 1960s-era planning, programming, budgeting and execution (PPBE) process, according to a new memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

Document: Hicks memo on PPBE reform

A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft recently taxied, took off, flew to a destination and landed autonomously to deliver cargo during an exercise:

Agile Flag wraps with completion of several test unmanned cargo flights

Joby Aviation and Reliable Robotics performed several autonomous logistics missions during the Air Force's Agile Flag 24-3 exercise earlier this month, demonstrating the kind of flexibility and extended range the service has said is needed to be successful in a fight in the Indo-Pacific, according to an Air Force news release.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin recently spoke with reporters about his service's fiscal year 2025 budget request, amid expectations of a continuing resolution:

Air Force already bracing for possible FY-25 budget delay

The prospect of facing another series of continuing resolutions that would hold back implementation of the fiscal year 2025 defense budget is already piquing concern from the Air Force's top officer.

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on reforming the planning, programming, budgeting and execution (PPBE) process, plus the Air Force's fiscal year 2025 budget request and more.

In an Aug. 23 memo on planning, programming, budgeting and execution reform, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks directs that the Pentagon comptroller "will act as the lead for the PPBE reform agenda and implementing initiatives across the department, with the components in support":

Pentagon launches new programming and budgeting reform initiatives

The Pentagon comptroller has been charged with building a team to reform the Defense Department's 1960s-era planning, programming, budgeting and execution (PPBE) process, according to a new memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

Document: Hicks memo on PPBE reform

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin recently spoke with reporters about his service's fiscal year 2025 budget request as Democrats and Republicans hold razor thin majorities in both chambers ahead of the 2024 presidential election:

Air Force already bracing for possible FY-25 budget delay

The prospect of facing another series of continuing resolutions that would hold back implementation of the fiscal year 2025 defense budget is already piquing concern from the Air Force's top officer.

A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft recently taxied, took off, flew to a destination and landed autonomously to deliver cargo during an exercise:

Agile Flag wraps with completion of several test unmanned cargo flights

Joby Aviation and Reliable Robotics performed several autonomous logistics missions during the Air Force's Agile Flag 24-3 exercise earlier this month, demonstrating the kind of flexibility and extended range the service has said is needed to be successful in a fight in the Indo-Pacific, according to an Air Force news release.

Christopher Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, spoke at a recent Defense Writers Group discussion:

Special ops serving as 'proof of concept' for some Replicator systems in INDOPACOM

The senior Pentagon official who oversees U.S. military special operations forces said today that the Replicator program is likely to become a key enabler in the Indo-Pacific region for SOF operators, who, in some cases, are working and training in small enough groups to serve as a "proof of concept" for what is being envisioned for the new arsenal of rapidly procured, autonomous drones.

A recent Pentagon 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.

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

The Army is expected to begin fielding the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) "this year," and will field it "in a larger way" in 2025, an executive from prime contractor Northrop Grumman said today.

IBCS is the Army’s air and missile defense modernization platform that aims to connect sensors and effectors into one command-and-control system that utilizes multiple radars for threat detection.

The IBCS program underwent initial operational test and evaluation in 2022, and in 2023 it was approved by the Defense Department and the Army to go into full-rate production, Bill Lamb, Northrop Grumman senior programs director for global mission command and control, said during a media briefing today.

Fielding of IBCS to the initial Patriot battalions is expected to occur in mid-2025, the company has said.

Lamb said Monday that the Army will invest about $1 billion annually in IBCS over the next five years.

“And that’s not just in production. That’s into future research, development and test around new sensors and new effector capabilities,” he said.

Additionally, IBCS has been fully fielded to the first squadron of Polish Armed Forces, with more than 100 officers and soldiers having been trained on the system, Lamb said. The system is expected to reach initial operational capability for the Polish military “sometime this year.”

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.