Inside the Army highlights

Some must-reads from this week's edition of Inside the Army:

1. Following delays in "characterization" of the non-developmental active protection systems for Bradley and Stryker, the effort would receive $42.3 million in fiscal year 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funding that was not planned for last year.

Full story: Iron Fist, Iron Curtain time lines adjusted from FY-19 request

2. The Army's effort to provide an interim short-range air defense capability to Europe is proceeding as planned, according to service officials.

Full story: M-SHORAD efforts progressing, but funding challenges persist

3. The Army's Rapid Equipping Force has been touted as a potential model for efforts to expedite acquisition, but its outgoing director highlighted the challenges inherent in that approach.

Full story: Retiring REF director warns against one-size-fits-all approach

4. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) said Feb. 28 he is confident Congress will honor a bipartisan budget commitment to spend $716 billion on defense in fiscal year 2019, but added that lawmakers will likely grapple over a variety of "adjustments" in funding to specific programs, like shipbuilding.

Full story: Thornberry: Congress to make 'adjustments' to Trump's FY-19 defense budget