The INSIDER daily digest -- Dec. 1, 2021

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on space-based sensors for missile defense, the Army secretary's speech at CSIS and more.

L3Harris' Spectral Solutions division in Fort Wayne, IN, is parlaying decades of experience in developing tools to monitor the weather to tackle missile defense:

L3Harris wields weather-watching expertise to elbow into missile defense market

Earlier this year, the Defense Department turned to a relative newcomer in the missile defense business to prototype novel technologies the U.S. military is counting on to counter Chinese and Russian hypersonic threats, awarding L3Harris one of two competitive contracts for a Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor.

The Army's top civilian spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies this week:

Army would play critical role in conflict with China, Wormuth argues

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth on Wednesday made a case for her branch's relevance in a potential conflict with China, arguing that a clash with the rising power would require a joint force response with a heavy Army presence.

No mention of armored brigades in Army secretary's speech on future China fight

Infantry and Stryker brigades will play a valuable role in a potential future fight against China, the Army secretary said in a policy speech Dec. 1 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Analysts have been largely positive over President Biden's choice for the Pentagon's acquisition chief:

LaPlante gets nod for DOD acquisition chief

Former Air force acquisition executive Bill LaPlante has been tapped to be the Pentagon's next under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, ending months of speculation that followed the derailed nomination of Michael Brown, the defense innovation official who was President Biden's previous nominee for the job.

The Navy will test Aegis Weapon System Advanced Capability Build 16 Phase 1 and Phase 2 hardware and software baseline upgrades in 2022:

Navy planning cruiser and destroyer Aegis modernization testing in FY-22

The Navy has scheduled operational testing of Aegis Weapon System upgrades on cruisers and destroyers next year, according to a Navy spokeswoman.

Heidi Shyu, under secretary of defense for research and engineering, spoke this week at the Association of Old Crows International Symposium and Convention:

Pentagon's CTO warns of microelectronics supply chain risks

The Pentagon's chief technology officer today warned the microelectronics manufacturing industry could be disrupted by supply chain vulnerabilities and stressed the need for the United States to re-shore its commercial microelectronics capability.

The Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office is offering prize money and potential program funding to companies that propose innovative solutions in eight technological areas:

Army soliciting innovations for rapid technological improvements in eight areas

The Army has announced it will hold its fourth innovation day for technological improvements in areas such as handheld batteries and power electronics between now and April of next year.

Last but by no means least, some cyber defense news from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Pentagon plans to release scoping guides for CMMC assessments, new model in December

The Defense Department is working on several pieces of documentation to support the revamp of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, including scoping guides for the new levels one and two and an overview document describing the CMMC 2.0 model.