The Insider

By Abby Shepherd
April 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM

Last week, President Trump's executive order marked the start of a new push to rejuvenate the domestic maritime industry, but achieving the order's ambitions will require Congress to play a significant role, lawmakers and analysts told Inside Defense this week.

The “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance” order directs the creation of a wide-ranging “maritime action plan” -- including various studies, incentive programs and legislative proposals -- over the next seven months, focused on the mostly dormant commercial maritime industry, as well as military shipbuilding.

Read the full story, now available to all.

By John Liang
April 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Senior defense officials speak at several industry events this week.

Tuesday

Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus speaks at an Association of the U.S. Army Coffee Series event.

Space Systems Command holds its live and virtual 2025 Cyber Expo at Lost Angeles Air Force Base. The event runs through Wednesday.

The National Defense Industrial Association holds a webinar on the Defense Innovation Unit's Digital Onramp.

Wednesday

The Apex Defense Conference takes place and runs through Thursday.

NextGov hosts an "AI in the New Administration" event.

By John Liang
April 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has a deep dive into the implications of the recent executive order on the shipbuilding industry, plus China's growing air power in the Indo-Pacific region and more.

We start off with a deep dive into the implications of the president's recent executive order on the shipbuilding industry:

Trump's restoration of 'America's Maritime Dominance' will require Congress' help, experts say

Last week, President Trump's executive order marked the start of a new push to rejuvenate the domestic maritime industry, but achieving the order's ambitions will require Congress to play a significant role, lawmakers and analysts told Inside Defense this week.

Document: Trump executive order on maritime action plan

Adm. Sam Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, detailed the scale of China’s growing airpower and the operational risk it poses for U.S. and allied forces in the event of a conflict during a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing:

INDOPACOM: China's air power could deny U.S. superiority over Western Pacific

The top U.S. military commander in the Pacific recently warned lawmakers that China's expanding air force is rapidly narrowing America's long-standing aerial advantage in the region and could soon prevent the United States from achieving air superiority across the first island chain -- the crucial expanse of Western Pacific territory that includes Taiwan and parts of Japan and the Philippines.

Document: INDOPACOM, USFK FY-26 posture statements

House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) released a report this week about Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek and the potential national security implications of its latest AI model:

House panel leaders lay out national security concerns about DeepSeek

Lawmakers leading the House committee assessing possible threats posed by China are raising concerns about artificial intelligence company DeepSeek and the potential national security implications of its latest AI model.

Document: House lawmakers' report on DeepSeek

For now, the Army's XM30 vehicle lives only in the ether, and the service is harnessing Duality AI's digital world, called Falcon, to run it through scenarios to stockpile synthetic data that mirrors natural conditions:

Army to workshop XM30 CUAS system in the ether

The Army's first "born digital" ground combat vehicle program, the XM30, needs a system to safeguard crews in a drone-saturated battlefield -- which is why Duality AI is supplying a virtual testing ground for the service to fine tune its counter-drone concept, according to an April 10 company press release.

A new Space Force document released this week "establishes basic principles for the use of military power in pursuit of" achieving space superiority:

Space Force framework pushes 'warfighting' mindset among guardians

The Space Force is pushing the message that it is a full member of the warfighting joint force, not just a supporting service, with today’s release of a new framework for guardians.

Document: USSF's space warfighting framework

Legislation on supply chain security has been introduced in the Senate:

Sen. Cornyn reintroduces supply chain cybersecurity bill with new focus on DOD acquisition

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) is taking the lead on a supply chain security bill with Senate Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI) to require the Defense Department to purchase information technology products directly from original equipment manufacturers and authorized sellers in response to recent cyberattacks.

By Dan Schere
April 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM

The Army conducted a successful launch of a Precision Strike Missile from an M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System for the first time this month, according to the service and prime contractor Lockheed Martin.

The production qualification test was conducted at White Sands Missile Range, NM on April 10, and demonstrated PrSM’s ability to launch from an M270A2, as well as “engage a target with precision and lethality,” according to an Army press release.

According to the Army, the missile’s performance was “nominal for all parameters” while also demonstrating its lethality and readiness. Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, the program executive officer for missiles & space, called the test “another significant milestone for the PrSM program.”

Increment One of PrSM has a baseline range of 400 km, and Lozano told Inside Defense last month that they were through about half of the eight flight tests scheduled in fiscal year 2025. The Army expects a milestone C decision sometime in July, he said at the time.

During the recent test this month, the missile fired at multiple targets that included a radar and rotary wing platform, according to Lockheed. Carolyn Orzechowski, Lockheed’s vice president of precision fires launchers and missiles, said in a statement this week that the test demonstrates PrSM can work “seamlessly” with the tracked 270A2 launcher, which fires the same munitions as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

Additionally, the company noted the short-range flight demonstrated PrSM’s ability to “maneuver and maintain accuracy, even under the most stressful conditions.”

“While PrSM's primary mission is long range fires, Lockheed Martin validates accuracy and reliability of the missile even at the shortest distances before we provide it to warfighters,” Orzechowski said.

By John Liang
April 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Space Force's just-published space warfighting framework, the Army's Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment and more.

A new Space Force document released this morning "establishes basic principles for the use of military power in pursuit of" achieving space superiority:

Space Force framework pushes 'warfighting' mindset among guardians

The Space Force is pushing the message that it is a full member of the warfighting joint force, not just a supporting service, with today’s release of a new framework for guardians.

Document: USSF's space warfighting framework

In a broad agency announcement dated March 26 and released publicly this week, the Army stated it plans to conduct its Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment (CFWE) tentatively in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 at Ft. Huachuca, AZ:

Army C2 experiment in 2026 will include CUAS, high-altitude EW

An Army command and control exercise scheduled for early 2026 will include a host of technologies such as electromagnetic protection, counter unmanned systems, sensor integration, robotics and high-altitude EW.

Document: Army's CFWE BAA

The White House this week released a pair of executive orders that have implications for the Defense Department:

White House to overhaul Federal Acquisition Regulation

The Trump administration is preparing to launch a major re-write of the Federal Acquisition Regulation that governs the annual purchase of about $1 trillion in goods and services, of which the Defense Department is the largest consumer.

Document: White House executive order on FAR overhaul

New order would make it harder to solicit non-commercial items

A new White House executive order mandates contracting officials across the federal government must obtain approval to purchase non-commercial solutions, making the process for such procurements more onerous.

Document: White House executive order on commercial, cost-effective solutions in federal contracts

In an April 15 letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the chamber's Armed Services Committee, cited new tariffs on "virtually every country in the world" as well as duties on steel and aluminum in warning of price increases for the Defense Department -- and their impact on "both DOD's purchasing power and small contractors":

Sen. Shaheen warns of tariffs' impacts on military readiness, defense supply chains

Steep new tariffs imposed and threatened by President Trump will increase prices for goods purchased by the Pentagon, weakening supply chains and stressing military readiness and spending plans, the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee warns.

Document: Shaheen letter on tariffs' effects on Pentagon purchases

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 10, Gen. Xavier Brunson, the senior U.S. commander in South Korea, said a troop drawdown would be “problematic” and would undermine the strategic value of forces long positioned to impose costs on regional adversaries and to uphold security in one of the most volatile theaters in the Indo-Pacific:

Top U.S. brass in Pacific warn against troop reduction in South Korea amid rising threats

Top U.S. military commanders warned Congress that reducing America's military presence on the Korean Peninsula would weaken regional deterrence, complicate warfighting plans, and embolden adversaries including North Korea, China and Russia.

Document: INDOPACOM, USFK FY-26 posture statements

By Shelley K. Mesch
April 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM

The Air Force is already looking for ways to upgrade the E-7A Wedgetail, before the first prototypes are even completed, according to a notice posted by the service this week.

The request for information calls for potential “cutting-edge” technologies that could be incorporated onto what the service called an “advanced E-7A,” such as new sensors, communications systems and electronic-warfare defense systems.

Contracts for such upgrades wouldn’t be awarded until at least fiscal year 2027, according to the notice -- about one year before the first Wedgetail prototype is scheduled for delivery.

Boeing is working on the two rapid prototypes of the Wedgetail -- a modified Boeing 737-700 fitted with a Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array sensor from Northrop Grumman -- with the first scheduled for delivery in FY-28, according to previous Defense Department documents.

“The existing E-7A Rapid Prototyping (RP) program is intended as a speed-to-ramp effort to resolve urgent capability gaps existing within the E-3 Sentry fleet,” the notice states. “The Government intentionally did not include emerging new capabilities in the RP effort.”

E-7A is intended as the Air Force’s next Air Moving Target Indicator and battle management, command and control platform, replacing the aging E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System.

Boeing and the Air Force inked a $2.6 billion contract for the two prototypes last year after a protracted negotiation period.

The Air Force will make a production decision next fiscal year on the two “operationally representative” prototypes, and the service expects to buy up to 26 E-7As by FY-32.

Partner nations Australia, Turkey and South Korea each operate variations of the Wedgetail, with deliveries to those countries starting more than a decade ago. Deliveries of the platform to the U.K. are several years delayed.

By Dan Schere
April 17, 2025 at 11:38 AM

The Army is seeking "Purpose Built Attritable Systems," which are commercially available small unmanned systems that are cost-effective and can be employed at the maneuver small unit level, according to a sources-sought notice posted yesterday.

The drones must be production-ready, reusable and have “unretrievable components” such as uncrewed aircraft platforms, payloads and ancillary equipment, according to the notice.

These drones are meant to “provide the maneuver force a low-cost solution with increased maneuverability, precise lethal payload delivery, and operator concealability.” They are designed to be rapidly reconfigured and have modular payload capabilities to support mission changes “across target acquisition tasks,” such as executing kinetic operations, according to the Army.

The sources-sought notice will be used to evaluate vendor solutions and be followed by a possible invitation for a follow-on demonstration to support the Army maneuver elements, according to the government.

The drones must be compatible with sections in the 2020 and 2023 National Defense Authorization Acts, which prohibit the purchase of drones from “covered” foreign countries that include China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. The notice may be used to fulfill future procurement requirements, it states.

Responses to the notice are due May 8.

By Vanessa Montalbano
April 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM

Lockheed Martin today named 26-year company executive Evan Scott as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately, according to a Lockheed news release.

Scott has previously served as Lockheed’s treasurer and as the CFO in two business areas, including its missiles and fire control unit since January 2024, per his LinkedIn. Scott is succeeding Jay Malave, who “advised the company that he is pursuing other opportunities,” the release states.

"Over his 26 years at Lockheed Martin, Evan has earned the utmost respect as an experienced finance and operations leader, with deep understanding of our business and mission. I am confident he is the right choice to drive our continued growth and lead our finance organization with excellence," James Taiclet, the company’s CEO, said in a statement.

Malave took on oversight of Lockheed Martin’s financial operations in 2022, after serving as the CFO of L3Harris from 2019.

Lockheed Martin will deliver its first-quarter earnings results on April 22. It comes at a moment of interest for investors who will likely want to know the extent to which President Trump’s recent tariff designations are impacting the company’s wallet. Lockheed Martin also recently lost a major bid for the Air Force’s sixth-generation manned fighter to Boeing, potentially putting its future projections in a rocky position.

“James Taiclet and Maria Ricciardone, vice president, treasurer and investor relations, will reaffirm the company's previously issued 2025 guidance,” Lockheed Martin said in the release today, noting their discussion will be “exclusive of the evolving impacts of tariffs and the recent Next Generation Air Dominance announcement.”

By John Liang
April 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a proposed major re-write of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and more.

President Trump wants to re-work the regulations that govern Pentagon procurement:

White House to overhaul Federal Acquisition Regulation

The Trump administration is preparing to launch a major re-write of the Federal Acquisition Regulation that governs the annual purchase of about $1 trillion in goods and services, of which the Defense Department is the largest consumer.

Saronic has bought a Gulf Coast shipyard:

Saronic acquires Gulf Coast shipyard for MUSV fleet

Maritime defense technology provider Saronic has acquired Louisiana-based shipbuilder Gulf Craft, and with it a "strategically located shipyard on the Gulf Coast" that will enable the scaled prototyping and production of its medium unmanned surface vessel fleet, according to a company announcement.

A new four-wheeled robot weighs in at 3,500 pounds with a 1,000-pound payload capacity and tops out at 35 miles per hour. It's built for ripping around tough terrain in GPS-denied areas with all-weather conditions, like deep ditches and thick fog:

Overland AI looks to fill off-road autonomy gap with new tactical vehicle

Overland AI has launched its first tactical vehicle, dubbed ULTRA, integrated with autonomous software geared toward off-road, "brutal environments," Peter Winzeler, director of strategic communications at the company, told Inside Defense.

A new Defense Department inspector general's report determines the roles and processes of DOD leadership prior to the decision to base the U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO:

IG: SPACECOM HQ move to Alabama could save $426 million

Moving U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama would have saved the Defense Department $426 million, according to the latest report from the DOD inspector general.

Document: DOD IG report on SPACECOM basing decision

Once the U.S. military fields an AI-enabled system, there needs to be a plan to make continuous updates just like any other AI software, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, former director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), told attendees during a Center for a New American Security panel discussion last week:

Former AI chief says DOD needs to better test AI weapons

As the White House reviews suggestions for a government-wide artificial intelligence strategy, the former Pentagon official in charge of joint AI efforts is asserting that the department will need to adopt a "full life cycle" approach if it wants to succeed, especially when it comes to test and evaluation.

By Nick Wilson
April 16, 2025 at 11:14 AM

Newly confirmed Navy Secretary John Phelan has tapped Brett Seidle to perform the duties of service under secretary, replacing Victor Minella in the role, according to a Tuesday memo.

Seidle has been serving as the acting assistant Navy secretary for research, development and acquisition, and will continue performing this role in addition to his new position.

Minella, who has served in the Navy in various capacities since 1987, has been performing the duties of acting under secretary since Jan. 22. Minella is voluntarily leaving the position and retiring, a Navy spokesperson told Inside Defense.

"I want to thank Mr. Victor Minella for his service performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. Dr. Brett Seidle will perform these duties until further notice," Phelan wrote in an X post.

The April 15 memo lays out several stipulations for Seidle’s tenure in the roll and retains various authorities for Phelan, who took the helm as Navy secretary a few weeks ago and has cast himself as a business-minded outsider eager to implement acquisition and procedural reforms.

According to the document, Phelan will “reserve the right to exercise any and all of the authorities temporarily reassigned to Dr. Seidle,” and will “retain approval of intelligence, counterintelligence, intelligence-related, special access program and sensitive activity packages.”

In February, President Trump nominated retired Navy Captain and former Virginia Senate candidate Hung Cao to serve as Navy under secretary. The Senate has not yet voted on Cao’s confirmation, and it is unclear when it will do so.

By Dominic Minadeo
April 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM

The Defense Department is tasking Oracle to supply the Army with its cloud infrastructure to help move toward building a "secure, multicloud ecosystem" for the service, according to a company press release from today.

The firm-fixed-price order stems from DOD’s 2022 $9 billion Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract -- awarded to Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft and Oracle -- which is intended to provide cloud services across the department by June 2028.

This latest award follows the largest JWCC order from October 2024, according to the press release, which tasked the company with shifting the service’s Integrated Personnel and Pay System (IPPS-A) to the cloud.

Oracle will provide compute and storage services to the Army’s Enterprise Cloud Management Agency (ECMA) through Oracle Defense Cloud, the company’s system designed to supply “secure and isolated cloud regions” that meet the high-bar requirements for handling all sorts of classified defense “workloads,” according to the release.

“Federal agencies face increasing pressure to modernize their infrastructure while maintaining the highest security standards and controlling costs,” said Kim Lynch, executive vice president for government, defense and intelligence at Oracle.

“Our purpose-built cloud solutions will help ECMA to address these challenges head-on, delivering the performance, security, and efficiencies that Army customers need in order to achieve more with less,” she said.

ECMA lives within the office of the chief information officer of the Army and oversees the service’s cloud processes and activities. Its mission is to provide “a secure, multicloud environment that empowers the Army to achieve its digital transformation goals,” Gabe Chiulli, chief technology officer at ECMA, said in a statement.

ECMA functions in line with the Army’s Digital Transformation Strategy, written in 2021, which called for a complete shift toward onboarding new technology like artificial intelligence and harnessing data.

“The cloud is the foundation for this entire modernization effort,” the strategy says.

By John Liang
April 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system and more.

At least one lawmaker thinks the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system should be based in his state:

Congressman's Golden Dome pitch highlights dilemma in new homeland missile defense plans

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) has a message for the Pentagon: When it comes time to install elements of the Trump administration's "Golden Dome for America," Wisconsin is open for business.

The head of the Space Development Agency is back on the job this week:

Tournear resuming role at SDA this week

Derek Tournear will resume his duties as Space Development Agency director on Thursday following a monthslong stint on administrative leave, according to an Air Force spokeswoman.

The recent relocation of Patriot capability from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to U.S. Central Command required 73 C-17 cargo aircraft sorties:

Patriot shift to CENTCOM raises questions about strategic lift, INDOPACOM priority, more

The Pentagon's decision to shift a Patriot missile battalion from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East has drawn fresh scrutiny over U.S. strategic priorities and highlighted the extraordinary burden such redeployments place on both the strategic airlift fleet and Army missile defense forces.

The Government Accountability Office recently released a report on the Defense Department's Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control system:

DOD tells government watchdog of plans to streamline CJADC2

A process is underway to evaluate the extent to which military investments are aligned with and achieving the goals of Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), and the Pentagon told a government watchdog that data on streamlining the effort will emerge as the review evolves.

Document: GAO report on CJADC2

House Democrats are decrying the Trump administration's announced tariffs -- which currently sit at a minimum 10% rate on the bulk of U.S. imports -- arguing that they impose needless economic pain on U.S. allies and strain military alliances:

Lawmakers, industry brace for tariff impact

Following a chaotic fortnight for international trade, during which President Trump imposed and then partially rescinded wide-ranging tariffs on U.S. trading partners, lawmakers and defense executives alike are trying to make sense of and prepare for the likely effects of these tariffs on their businesses, constituents and international relationships.

By Dan Schere
April 14, 2025 at 2:12 PM

Northrop Grumman has opened a new production facility in Madison, AL to support the Army's air and missile defense modernization efforts, the company announced today.

The facility, known as the “Enhanced Production and Integration Center,” will manage “component integration” for the Integrated Battle Command System, according to a press release.

IBCS is the centerpiece of the Army’s air and missile defense modernization efforts. The system is meant to merge multiple sensors and effectors to allow warfighters the ability to better track and neutralize threats.

The system is made up of the Integrated Collaborative Environment, which is a modular shelter used for mission command, the Engagement Operation Center, which is an integrated fire control center, and Integrated Fire Control Network Relay, which provides the “interface for the adapted sensors and weapons” while also relaying communications across the battlespace.

The new facility will allow production capacity for the IBCS command and control system to up to 96 Engagement Operation Centers, 96 Integrated Collaborative Environments and 192 Integrated Fire Control Network relays each year, according to Northrop Grumman.

By John Liang
April 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the strategic lift required to transport a Patriot missile battalion from one region to another, plus the Pentagon's Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control program and more.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's top officer told lawmakers recently that the recent relocation of Patriot capability to the U.S. Central Command theater required an eyepopping 73 C-17 cargo aircraft sorties -- a major draw on the Pentagon’s limited strategic lift capacity:

Patriot shift to CENTCOM raises questions about strategic lift, INDOPACOM priority, more

The Pentagon's decision to shift a Patriot missile battalion from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East has drawn fresh scrutiny over U.S. strategic priorities and highlighted the extraordinary burden such redeployments place on both the strategic airlift fleet and Army missile defense forces.

A new Government Accountability Office report recommends the Defense Department "(1) develop a framework for [Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control] that helps guide investments and measures progress; (2) devise a mechanism for sharing lessons learned; and (3) identify and address key challenges in achieving its CJADC2 goals":

DOD tells government watchdog of plans to streamline CJADC2

A process is underway to evaluate the extent to which military investments are aligned with and achieving the goals of Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), and the Pentagon told a government watchdog that data on streamlining the effort will emerge as the review evolves.

Document: GAO report on CJADC2

Before they left for recess last week, House Democrats decried the Trump administration's announced tariffs -- which currently sit at a minimum 10% rate on the bulk of U.S. imports -- arguing that they impose needless economic pain on U.S. allies and strain military alliances:

Lawmakers, industry brace for tariff impact

Following a chaotic fortnight for international trade, during which President Trump imposed and then partially rescinded wide-ranging tariffs on U.S. trading partners, lawmakers and defense executives alike are trying to make sense of and prepare for the likely effects of these tariffs on their businesses, constituents and international relationships.

A war over Taiwan would cause a 25% downturn in gross domestic product in Asia, which in turn would plunge domestic GDP by 10% to 12% and spike unemployment by seven to 10 points -- causing 500,000 "excess deaths of despair," which is a metric that measures deaths induced by economic decline:

Taiwan conflict would upend economy, hurt U.S. partnerships, INDOPACOM leader says

Adm. Sam Paparo, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, recently warned the Senate Armed Services Committee that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would strike an instant blow to the world economy and deal long-term damage to the web of allies and partners the U.S. has built over the years.

Senior Michigan state officials recently met with the Trump administration's cabinet to discuss several of the state's priorities, including the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base:

Trump pledges fighters for Selfridge ANG Base after meeting with Michigan governor

President Trump yesterday said he will work with Michigan's bipartisan leadership to keep Selfridge Air National Guard Base "open, strong, thriving" after its fleet of A-10 Warthogs begins to retire in 2026.

By John Liang
April 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the effects of the Trump administration's tariffs on the U.S.-Australia-U.K. submarine agreement, plus what a potential war over Taiwan would cost and more.

In Congress this week, House Democrats decried the Trump administration's announced tariffs -- which currently sit at a minimum 10% rate on the bulk of U.S. imports -- arguing that they impose needless economic pain on U.S. allies and strain military alliances:

Lawmakers, industry brace for tariff impact

Following a chaotic fortnight for international trade, during which President Trump imposed and then partially rescinded wide-ranging tariffs on U.S. trading partners, lawmakers and defense executives alike are trying to make sense of and prepare for the likely effects of these tariffs on their businesses, constituents and international relationships.

A war over Taiwan would cause a 25% downturn in gross domestic product in Asia, which in turn would plunge domestic GDP by 10% to 12% and spike unemployment by seven to 10 points -- causing 500,000 "excess deaths of despair," which is a metric that measures deaths induced by economic decline:

Taiwan conflict would upend economy, hurt U.S. partnerships, INDOPACOM leader says

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would strike an instant blow to the world economy and deal long-term damage to the web of allies and partners the U.S. has built over the years, Adm. Sam Paparo, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee this week.

Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican state House Speaker Matt Hall met with the Trump administration's cabinet this week to discuss several of the state's priorities, including the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base:

Trump pledges fighters for Selfridge ANG Base after meeting with Michigan governor

President Trump said he will work with Michigan's bipartisan leadership to keep Selfridge Air National Guard Base "open, strong, thriving" after its fleet of A-10 Warthogs begins to retire in 2026.

The Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program will have eight companies working on it:

DOD selects eight companies for nuclear power systems at military installations

The Pentagon's innovation arm announced today the selection of eight companies for a Defense Innovation Unit-led program enabling the design and build of "fixed on-site microreactor nuclear power systems on select military installations.”

Starting in calendar year 2026, the Army will begin deploying an initial set of six Modular Open Systems Architecture Instrumentation Containers (MOSAIC) to ships:

Army will soon deploy containerized, long-range missile test capabilities to ships

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Inside the Army's Redstone Test Center at Redstone Arsenal here, the service is testing out a series of containers that will be able to collect long-range missile test data including telemetry, flight safety, satellite communications and weather data.

In November, the KC-46A Program Office, Air Mobility Command and Boeing determined that incidents of fuel system leaks on the aircraft’s fuel manifold have been mostly resolved:

Air Force, Boeing making progress on remaining KC-46 category 1 deficiencies

The Air Force downgraded two of seven category 1 deficiencies on the KC-46A Pegasus, Inside Defensehas learned, but five problems that could result in death of an operator or significant damage to the tanker remain.

The Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor -- made by L3Harris under a Missile Defense Agency contract -- can be built at a "continuous, high-volume" rate:

L3Harris: HBTSS ready to go for Golden Dome

L3Harris is ready to up production of its fire-control space sensor that was named in President Trump’s executive order for greater homeland defense, a company official said yesterday -- it’s just waiting for the order.

A new executive order requires Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to within 60 days develop a list of "priority partners" for U.S. arms sales and "prioritize end-items for potential transfer to those partners":

White House looks to streamline U.S. arms exports with phased plan

President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at reforming the U.S. foreign military sales process, requiring the phased implementation of a new plan intended to accelerate the process and create new accountability metrics.

Document: White House executive order on FMS