The Insider

House Armed Services leaders call for continued Virginia-class sub procurement
By Abby Shepherd
January 18, 2024 at 4:29 PM

Leading members of the House Armed Services Committee are calling for the continued procurement of two Virginia-class submarines per year in a letter to President Biden Wednesday.

The letter -- signed by House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), seapower and projection forces subcommittee Chair Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Ranking Member Joe Courtney (D-CT) -- referenced AUKUS and the Navy’s fiscal year 2024 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan, that outlined the Virginia-class goal.

“The AUKUS partnership relies on our nation to sustain a consistent build rate for attack submarines required to fulfill our obligation to successfully transfer, via sale, Virginia-class submarines to Australia while meeting our own force structure requirements,” the letter states. “It is imperative to maintain a steady two-per-year procurement rate to assure our partners in our ability to meet commitments and address concerns about our nation’s undersea capabilities.”

Increased submarine production in the U.S. in 2023 is “promising,” the letter adds, and notes Navy and congressional investments in the supply chain and workforce.

“That commitment has driven suppliers to make critical capital investments and expand capacity based on a predictable forecast in expected work,” the letter said. “It has also driven metal trades workers, designers, and engineers to choose shipbuilding as promising careers in record numbers.”

The FY-25 budget, expected in the coming months, will outline future steps regarding Virginia-class production.

“Any deviation from the planned cadence of the construction and procurement of two submarines per year will reverberate both at home and abroad, with allies and competitors alike,” the letter adds.

Senate approves latest stopgap funding measure
By Tony Bertuca
January 18, 2024 at 2:43 PM

The Senate has voted 77-18 to pass a stopgap continuing resolution that will temporarily extend funding for the federal government past tomorrow's midnight deadline through March 1 and March 8.

The two-tiered CR, which extends funding for the Defense Department through March 8, now advances to the House where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faces opposition from GOP hardliners, necessitating the support of congressional Democrats to pass the bill.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 18, 2024
By John Liang
January 18, 2024 at 2:07 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the effect of the continuing resolution on the Navy's budget, the classification of space-related efforts, the Air Force's top research areas and more.

Navy Comptroller Russell Rumbaugh spoke about the effects of the current continuing resolution during a virtual industry event this week:

Navy will be forced to make costly adjustments if spending legislation isn't passed soon, comptroller warns

If Congress doesn't pass fiscal year 2024 spending legislation soon, the Navy will have to "start taking actions" to adjust for funding misalignments that could amount to almost $30 billion if the current continuing resolution stretches to a full year, the service's comptroller warned Wednesday.

The Pentagon's No. 2 civilian signed a classified memo at the end of last year that overwrites decades-old policy on classification for space-related efforts:

Hicks addresses space 'overclassification' problem in memo

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks recently signed a memo removing some classification barriers, which one top official said could help address classification roadblocks that are hindering collaboration on space throughout the department.

In its 2024 Air Dominance broad agency announcement released this month, the Air Force Research Laboratory is asking for input into whether any companies are qualified to engineer or design several breakthrough technologies, from artificial intelligence to advanced missile propulsion devices:

Air Force reveals top research areas for this year

The Air Force is looking for industry partners to conduct research on 13 priority areas, mainly within the scope of munitions, according to a recently published market survey.

Document: AFRL's 2024 air dominance BAA

Northrop Grumman announced this week it would team up with Mitsubishi Electric Corp. for a joint missile defense effort, led by Masahiko Arai, group senior vice president of defense & space systems at Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and Northrop Grumman's Ian Reynolds, vice president of the C4 missile defense business unit in Huntsville, AL:

Northrop teams with Mitsubishi Electric in what appears to be first move toward IBCS Japan

A pair of U.S. and Japanese defense contractors announced a new teaming agreement to "collaborate" on integrated and missile defense capabilities for Japan's ground-based systems, in a move that could be a first step toward exporting to a Pacific ally the U.S. Army's new "game changing" Integrated Battle Command System.

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

Tech group looks to upcoming defense acquisition rulemaking for details on incorporating CMMC requirements into contracts

The Information Technology Industry Council anticipates details on incorporating acquisition requirements for contractors under the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program will come in the next rulemaking for the initiative, which will focus on making changes to the Defense Department's acquisition regulations.

Antal joins Leidos as general counsel
By John Liang
January 18, 2024 at 10:43 AM

Leidos this week announced it has hired Dan Antal to be the company's general counsel, effective April 1.

Antal, who currently serves as general counsel for Rolls-Royce Defense and North America, will succeed Jerry Howe, who announced his planned retirement from Leidos, according to a company statement.

Howe will continue as general counsel until March 31 and remain in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition through March 15, 2025, Leidos said.

Before joining Rolls-Royce in 2021, Antal had a long career at Leidos in a variety of legal positions. His last position at Leidos was senior vice president, general counsel-Civil Group.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 17, 2024
By John Liang
January 17, 2024 at 5:03 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a joint U.S.-Japanese missile defense project, the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, unmanned surface vessels participating in a number of exercises and more.

Northrop Grumman announced this week it would team up with Mitsubishi Electric Corp. for a joint missile defense effort, led by Masahiko Arai, group senior vice president of defense & space systems at Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and Northrop Grumman's Ian Reynolds, vice president of the C4 missile defense business unit in Huntsville, AL:

Northrop teams with Mitsubishi Electric in what appears to be first move toward IBCS Japan

A pair of U.S. and Japanese defense contractors announced a new teaming agreement to "collaborate" on integrated and missile defense capabilities for Japan's ground-based systems, in a move that could be a first step toward exporting to a Pacific ally the U.S. Army's new "game changing" Integrated Battle Command System.

The latest Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Tech group looks to upcoming defense acquisition rulemaking for details on incorporating CMMC requirements into contracts

The Information Technology Industry Council anticipates details on incorporating acquisition requirements for contractors under the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program will come in the next rulemaking for the initiative, which will focus on making changes to the Defense Department's acquisition regulations.

Unmanned surface vessels participated in the Navy Large Scale Exercise in August, as well as a Royal Australian Navy autonomous exercise in November:

Navy completes medium/large unmanned vessel exercise

After traveling nearly 50,000 nautical miles, four unmanned surface vessels returned to Naval Base Ventura County on Monday, marking the end to another Navy unmanned capabilities exercise.

A recent test of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System "subjected MADIS to actual battlefield scenarios, where it detected, tracked, identified and defeated unmanned aerial threats" using Stinger missiles and a 30mm cannon:

MADIS air defense system intercepts drone targets in live-fire test of LRIP unit

The Marine Corps has successfully test-fired a low-rate initial production model of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, using MADIS to shoot down multiple drone targets during a December live-fire test held at the Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.

A new report issued this week by the Atlantic Council states the United States must face Russia's acute threat and the longer-term threat posed by China as this is the first time in history the U.S. is facing "two revisionist powers armed with nuclear capabilities and detrimental territorial ambitions":

Report urges DOD to adopt emerging technologies more quickly to counter Russia and China

A report released today from the Atlantic Council's Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption contends that the Defense Department needs to efficiently adopt emerging technology to deter China and Russia, citing steps the department should take to face challenges abroad.

The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture will be getting more satellites:

L3Harris, Lockheed and Sierra win $2.6 billion to make SDA Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites

The Space Development Agency announced today it awarded up to $2.6 billion to three vendors to produce 54 total satellites for the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

Mercury announces corporate reorganization, names new COO
By John Liang
January 17, 2024 at 4:48 PM

Mercury Systems today announced a reorganization of the company's corporate structure.

Mercury will go from having two divisions to one unified structure that incorporates multiple business units and supporting functions, according to a company statement.

With this change, Roger Wells has been appointed as the company's chief operating officer, effective Jan. 22. He will report to Mercury Chairman and CEO Bill Ballhaus.

Wells was previously in charge of the company's microelectronics division.

“Consolidating into a single, simplified organization is an important step toward converting our strong pipeline and bookings to deliver results for all stakeholders, and we expect to further optimize our structure in the year ahead,” Ballhaus said in the statement. “This integrated approach will clarify accountability, eliminate redundancy and leverage our unique, end-to-end Mercury Processing Platform for growth.”

The simplification of Mercury’s structure also means that Chief Growth Officer Christine Harbison and Executive Vice President of Execution Excellence Allen Couture are leaving the company.

"They will stay on for a short period to help ensure a seamless transition to the new organizational structure," the statement reads.

HII taps new leader for Australian business and AUKUS efforts
By Abby Shepherd
January 17, 2024 at 3:52 PM

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Australian business efforts are now being led by Michael Lempke, former president of HII's Nuclear and Environmental Services business group.

In this new role, Lempke will focus on unmanned systems, C5ISR operations, artificial intelligence and machine learning and nuclear shipbuilding expertise for AUKUS, according to an HII news release Wednesday.

“I look forward to working with the Australian, U.S. and United Kingdom governments, and HII’s Australian business and academic partners to use HII expertise to make AUKUS Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 a success and to strengthen the security alliance between our nations,” Lempke said.

HII also highlighted in its release recent moves to strengthen its Australian ties, including the formation of an AUKUS Workforce Alliance with defense company Babcock Australasia, which will partner with Australian universities to prepare an AUKUS-supportive workforce.

“This is an important next step in our international growth initiative, enhancing coordination between AUKUS Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 efforts, enabling an efficient in-country operating model, and providing a unified business approach in Australia,” HII Mission Technologies President Andy Green said of Lempke’s new role. “2024 will be a pivotal year for the AUKUS program, for the Commonwealth of Australia, and for HII, and I am proud of our team and the commitment we have shown in supporting this important global strategic initiative.”

The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 16, 2024
By John Liang
January 16, 2024 at 2:05 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on strategic deterrence, the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and more.

The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision that requires the defense secretary by the end of March to contract a university-affiliated research center with expertise in strategic deterrence "to conduct research and analysis on multipolar deterrence and escalation dynamics":

DOD to solicit independent assessment of multipolar strategic challenges

The Defense Department is looking for help thinking through the complexities of deterrence and escalation dynamics in a world with more than two major nuclear-armed powers, fulfilling a statutory mandate to seek outside expertise in thinking anew about strategic deterrence with the advent of China as a second near-peer strategic competitor.

The Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program is at a virtual standstill, with Congress being so far unable to reach a long-term deal to fund the federal government since the fiscal year ended in September:

Congressional spending debate may cause CCA experimental unit progress to stall

Congressional back and forth over the annual appropriations bill is stalling progress on a key experimentation effort led by the Air Force to field autonomous fighter platforms.

The latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Professional Services Council raises concerns over implementing CMMC program through contracting supply chain

The Professional Services Council is supportive of the Pentagon's plans to allow self assessment for less sensitive information held by defense contractors under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while recognizing that contracting officers could still decide to choose a higher level of security than needed to ensure adequate protection of the information on nonfederal systems.

A new Defense Department inspector general's report determines "the extent to which the DOD conducted enhanced end-use monitoring (EEUM) of designated defense articles to Ukraine in accordance with DOD policy":

DOD says sensitive weapons sent to Ukraine were not 'diverted'

The Defense Department inspector general says that the U.S. military has failed to comply with enhanced tracking requirements for thousands of technologically sensitive weapons sent to Ukraine, but the Pentagon asserts there is "no credible evidence" that the unaccounted-for weapons have been stolen or diverted elsewhere.

Document: DOD IG report on EEUM to Ukraine

Rocket Lab National Security is a third vendor joining the team of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, who were previously awarded a total amount of $1.5 billion to build 72 T2TL Beta variant satellites in August last year:

Rocket Lab to build additional 18 T2TL Beta space vehicles for SDA

The Space Development Agency announced Monday it has awarded a $515 million contract to Rocket Lab National Security to build 18 additional Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta variant satellites, an increase in the size of the constellation from 72 to 90 space vehicles.

Army partners with Axnes on equipping M88 with wireless intercom system
By Dan Schere
January 16, 2024 at 1:29 PM

Axnes, a company specializing in wireless intercommunication solutions, is partnering with the Army to equip 105 M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicles with its PNG Wireless Intercom System, the company announced today.

Axnes is headquartered in Norway and has a U.S. office in Colorado Springs, CO.

Under the collaboration, the Army’s Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems will conduct field testing and evaluation of the intercom system on the vehicles, according to a Monday press release from the company. The 105 vehicles comprise three brigades.

The M88A2 is based on the chassis to the Patton tank is designed to recover vehicles that weigh up to 70 tons. In November, BAE Systems won a contract to continue producing the vehicles for the Army.

The intercom system will “provide secure and reliable communication between mounted and dismounted crew members,” and will improve safety and situational awareness, according to Axnes.

The intercom system is hands free and “increases the situational awareness, safety and efficiency while empowering crew members to make informed decisions, optimizing mission outcomes,” according to the company. It features advanced integration into radios and intercom systems, noise and echo-cancelling technology, ultra high frequency “incorporated with a very robust range,” secure communications with an advanced encryption standard, “multiple handset integration and configurations,” enabling soldiers to switch between platforms and more than 10 hours’ worth of battery life at continuous use (30 hours standby).

Cecilie Dybo, Axnes’ director of military business development, said in a statement Tuesday that through this partnership with the Army, the intercom system will “revolutionize the way crew members communicate during recovery missions, ensuring enhanced situational awareness and operational efficiency.”

New proposal extends DOD funding through March 8
By Tony Bertuca
January 16, 2024 at 11:16 AM

Lawmakers have released another short-term proposal to fund the federal government through early March in the hopes of averting a Friday deadline that would trigger a partial shutdown.

The two-part stopgap continuing resolution would fund federal agencies through March 1 and March 8, with funding for the Defense Department expiring March 8.

The proposed CR keeps the previous structure of an earlier measure and includes authorization for procuring long-lead items related to the Columbia-class submarine.

The Senate has scheduled a cloture vote on the measure today.

Under the current CR, DOD’s funding deadline is Feb. 2. Funding for other government agencies is slated to expire Friday, which includes appropriations for military construction.

The week ahead
By Tony Bertuca
January 16, 2024 at 5:00 AM

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak around the Washington area this week.

Monday

Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Tuesday

Defense News hosts a webcast with the Air Force's chief data and artificial intelligence officer.

The Atlantic Council hosts a discussion with the Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption on the release of its final report.

Friday

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a conference on "tactically responsive space."

The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 12, 2024
By John Liang
January 12, 2024 at 2:22 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a proposed shipbuilding challenges analysis, Fincantieri Marine facing a labor shortage, the "indispensable role" of satellites in modern warfare and more.

We start off with more coverage from this week's Surface Navy Association symposium:

SECNAV orders shipbuilding assessment, citing concern for Columbia and frigate programs

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has directed an analysis of shipbuilding challenges, according to a Thursday announcement that cites concern for the Columbia-class submarine and Constellation-class frigate programs.

Fincantieri several hundred workers short, has yet to begin construction of second frigate

The Constellation-class frigate program has a labor shortage of several hundred workers and is facing schedule challenges, with construction of the second vessel yet to begin, according to a program official.

Navy Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who chairs the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, said this week that "recent conflicts" -- alluding to Ukraine's war with Russia -- have underscored the "indispensable role" of satellites in modern conflict:

Top Pentagon requirements boss: Space 'most essential' U.S. warfighting domain

Space has emerged as the U.S. military's "most essential" warfighting domain, integral to all other aspects of combat power, according to the Pentagon's top requirements officer.

In case you missed it, here's the latest on the ongoing controversy over Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization:

Republican senators request hearing into communication of Austin's hospitalization

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

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

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

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

BAE delivers first full-rate production ACV-C
By Nick Wilson
January 12, 2024 at 12:13 PM

BAE Systems has delivered the first full-rate production Amphibious Combat Vehicle Command and Control variant to the Marine Corps, the company announced today.

The ACV-C -- designed to serve as a mobile command center for data collection, communications and battle management -- is the second ACV mission role variant in production at BAE’s Pennsylvania facility, following a personnel carrier version the Marine Corps began fielding in early fiscal year 2021.

“ACV-C provides true open-ocean and ship-to-objective amphibious capability, land mobility, survivability and ample growth capacity and flexibility to incorporate and adapt future technologies,” BAE’s release states.

The ACV-C is expected to achieve initial operational capability in March 2024, a program official said last year.

After procuring 72 ACVs in FY-23, the Marine Corps’ FY-24 budget request includes $557.5 million for 80 more of the vehicles and predicts procurement will exceed 100 vehicles in FY-25.

However, the program has experienced readiness challenges, with a series of waterborne training accidents in 2023 prompting the establishment of a new operation and maintenance training program within the Marine Corps’ Assault Amphibian School. More recently, a Marine was killed in December when an ACV rolled over during land-based training.

In addition to the ACV-P and ACV-C, BAE is building production-representative test vehicles for a third variant, the ACV-30, which is armed with a 30mm remote turret system.

The ACV Recovery variant (ACV-R), the fourth and final variant currently on contract with BAE, has completed phase one of the design process with test vehicle deliveries expected to begin in 2025, BAE’s announcement states.

“Through previous studies with the Marine Corps, BAE Systems has proven that the ACV is truly customizable and has the built-in growth capacity to integrate future mission critical technologies, including new battle management capabilities, advanced communications, multidomain targeting management, beyond-line-of-sight sensors and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) with autonomous and unmanned systems,” the company announcement adds.

SDA to hold industry day for ground segment integration program
By Apurva Minchekar
January 12, 2024 at 11:39 AM

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

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

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

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

General Dynamics gets $13M contract for Booker combat vehicles
By Nickolai Sukharev
January 12, 2024 at 9:56 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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