Breaking Defense's Monday Morning Briefing

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead _________________________________________________________________________

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead Connect The Domains Presented by Parsons For decades, Parsons has operated across the all-domain battlespace. Today, we enhance the force's decision advantage by connecting the domains through more intelligent, faster software solutions.   Learn how. Fix Space Force Acquisition Now! By Joshua Huminski; Monday, April 5, 2021 6:01 AM This is the first time in nearly 70 years where the Defense Department can craft a wholly new service with new pathways to buy and field equipment. At its core this means building a culture of risk acceptance and tolerance — not avoidance.   JAIC Seeks Commercial Partners For AI Data Prep By Brad D. Williams; Friday, April 2, 2021 4:03 PM The RFP includes a guide to help startups, small businesses, and non-traditional defense contractors participate. AI ethics and security are focal points.   Space Force To Boost Threat Tracking By Theresa Hitchens; Friday, April 2, 2021 3:43 PM "I want to be able to identify what [the threat] is, I want to be able to attribute it to whomever is the adversary that's taken that shot, as an example, and then, I've got to be able to share that information," says Maj. Gen. Leah Lauderback, who heads the ISR Directorate.   Israeli Defense Ministry Goes Slow On Arab Weapon Sales By Arie Egozi; Friday, April 2, 2021 1:25 PM A senior source here said industry's complaints are exaggerated: "The ministry has to take into account many issues that are not directly connected to the profit line in the annual reports of the companies."   Can Army Triple PrSM Missile's Range ? By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Friday, April 2, 2021 10:21 AM PrSM is preparing for its first 300-plus-mile flight test this year, while the ERCA cannon and hypersonic LRHW head for key tests in 2023.   Gulf Countries Must Boost ISR, Sensors To Better Eye Iran By Chyrine Mezher; Friday, April 2, 2021 4:01 AM Gulf countries must build a centralized command center linked to sub-command centers spread across all countries and able to share and receive data in a synchronized real time way, says Mohamed Al-Kenany, military researcher and defense analyst at the Arab Forum for Policy Analysis in Cairo.   FCC's Carr: Close Chinese Backdoors Into US Networks By Brad D. Williams; Thursday, April 1, 2021 5:19 PM "It's the presence of this insecure gear in our networks that's the threat, not the source of funding used to purchase it," Commissioner Carr said.   Theater Commands OK SDA's Sat Plans: EXCLUSIVE By Theresa Hitchens; Thursday, April 1, 2021 4:22 PM Military operators will be able (at least virtually) to ill be able to (at least virtually) "sit side-by-side, elbow-to-elbow with the SDA test team" as the various satellite "layers" are put through their paces.   Historic Marine Plan to Reinvent The Corps EXCLUSIVE By Paul McLeary; Thursday, April 1, 2021 10:15 AM The document outlines an evolving effort to stand up a series of small, agile units tasked with air defense, anti-ship and submarine warfare, and seizing, holding and resupplying ad hoc bases to support an island-hopping campaign in the Pacific.   Counterspace 2020: All (Pretty) Quiet On The ASAT Front By Theresa Hitchens; Thursday, April 1, 2021 8:44 AM "From the evidence we have available, it sure looks like Russia is a bigger counterspace threat than China, which is contrary to a lot of the public discussion that focuses almost entirely on China," said SWF's Brian Weeden.   Anduril Buys Mini-Drone Maker Area-I By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Thursday, April 1, 2021 8:26 AM The new owners bring venture capital and software expertise to upgrade Area-I's ALTIUS mini-drone, already a favorite in Army experiments with 'Air-Launched Effects.'   AMC Eyes Self-Defense For Cargo, Tanker Planes By Theresa Hitchens; Wednesday, March 31, 2021 6:37 PM "We have hardpoints on the C-17; We have hardpoints on the KC-46. It's not a hard stretch to think that we could put one or two missiles on there for self defense," says AMC head Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost.   IVAS: Microsoft Award By Army Worth Up To $21.9B By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Wednesday, March 31, 2021 4:08 PM Congress is skeptical of the augmented-reality IVAS goggles, which can display everything from cross-hairs for targeting to simulated enemy soldiers for training.   Sen. Young: 'Go On Offense' In China Tech Race; Bipartisan Bill Gathers Steam By Brad D. Williams; Wednesday, March 31, 2021 1:14 PM "Some do not believe this is an appropriate role for the government…" Republican Sen. Young said in an interview. "…[B]ut, simply, the private sector and venture capital community is not up to shouldering this task on its own."   US Must Relearn How To Contain China: Gen. Murray EXCLUSIVE By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Wednesday, March 31, 2021 12:50 PM "The Chinese see competition as a whole of government effort [and] they're actually pretty good at it," the Army Futures Command Chief told us. "We're way out of practice."   Breaking Defense 611 Broadway • New York, New York • 10012 unsubscribe