Breaking Defense's Monday Morning Briefing

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead _________________________________________________________________________

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead XQ-58A—the right solution delivered in record time—proves affordability doesn't have to limit capability Presented by Kratos By assuming risk and decreasing costs to the customer, fundamental to our business model, Kratos developed the XQ-58A Valkyrie—a 3,000-mile strike unmanned attritable drone with manned-unmanned, swarm, or solo mission capabilities—from white paper to flight in 30 months. Learn more. SecDef Austin 'very concerned' about Russian aggression toward Ukraine By Valerie Insinna "They've invaded before, and as we look at the numbers of forces that are in the border region, as we look at some of the things that are occurring in the information space, as we look at what's going on in the cyber domain, it really raises our concern," Austin said.   Top Army officer warns of 'terrible impact' from Russian posture near Ukraine By Andrew Eversden The Kremlin could be preparing a multi-front invasion of Ukraine early next year, US intelligence reportedly says.   Missile contract with NATO allies at risk over House spending cuts: Navy By Justin Katz A House bill cuts about $118 million earmarked for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile, a Raytheon-made anti-ship weapon being developed by the US and 10 NATO allies, plus Australia.   A new era of satellite communications is upon us By Breaking Defense [Sponsored] Learn about the new ideas and activities that are going on now to upgrade and pay for the next generation of SATCOM.   Pentagon kicks off spectrum sharing experiments in Utah By Andrew Eversden The experiments will include airborne radar systems and 5G technologies operating on mid-band spectrum.   Seizing the space debris moment from Russia By Joshua Huminski In the destruction of a satellite, perhaps a political opportunity for the US.   Israeli firms hope to cash in on international unmanned ground vehicle market By Arie Egozi Israeli firms are looking to partner with or procure American companies and produce their robot vehicles in the US.   Army Heavy Lift: An enduring capability for the Great Power Competition By Breaking Defense [Sponsored] Heavy lift modernization to help enable all-domain operations needs to progress.   Updated B61 nuclear warhead enters production By Aaron Mehta The new B61-12, with replaced or refurbished components, will be used by the F-15, F-16 and B-2, among others.   With missile upgrade, P-8A Poseidon brings capacity, complexity to China fight: Analysts By Justin Katz Upgrading the P-8's offensive capabilities could add confusion to any Chinese planning, but the Pentagon has struggled to integrate LRASM onto other aircraft.   CEO of EDGE Group: The UAE is no longer only a buyer By Chyrine Mezher Whether it was the F-35 or another platform, EDGE will get involved in various platforms from a supply chain, sub system, or MRO point of views, CEO says.   Israel OKs CH-53K helicopter buy from Lockheed Martin By Arie Egozi Israel plans to install domestically made systems on the American-made helo.   How effective and ethical artificial intelligence will enable JADC2 By Breaking Defense [Sponsored] How can warfighters know when the AI is telling the truth? The answer to that and the roles of AI/ML in all-domain operations are inextricably linked.   Poll: Trust in US military declines as worry over China rises By Andrew Eversden WASHINGTON: A majority of Americans view China has the biggest national security threat to the United States, while trust in the American military continues to erode, according the Reagan Institute's annual National Defense Survey. The poll found that 52% of Americans see China as a top threat, up from just under 40% in the February…   Marines' new warfighting concept focuses on small, agile forces with an eye on China By Justin Katz The "evolving" stand-in forces concept is "applicable globally" but singles out America's chief rival.   Biden administration to propose new global norms for military space By Theresa Hitchens Chiding Russia for its recent ASAT test, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said that "from the Defense Department's perspective, we would like to see all nations agree to refrain from anti-satellite weapons testing that creates debris."   Wormuth: Here's the Army's role in a Pacific fight By Andrew Eversden As "linchpin service," Army sees logistical, communications and, yes, combat roles in possible conflict.   Pentagon IP office lacks support, expertise: GAO By Justin Katz The Pentagon's small IP Cadre office is facing challenges since its establishment in 2019.   Navy defends $80M industrial expansion to fill hypersonic missile gap By Justin Katz Lawmakers say the money is "early to need," but Navy argues cuts could imperil the Pentagon's efforts to ensure its hypersonic weapon programs stay on track.   New White House space framework highlights military resilience amid 'serious threat' By Theresa Hitchens Despite increasing threats to and from space, the new priorities document stresses that "confrontation or conflict" is not inevitable.   Northrop to flight test software-defined SATCOM radio for AFRL By Theresa Hitchens The test will see how well "Freedom Radio" works with third-party communications, as integration is seen as critical for JADC2.   Oshkosh Defense to build another 1,600 JLTVs for the Army By Andrew Eversden The award comes ahead of the Army's $6.5 billion recompete of the contract next year.   Pentagon's innovation steering group mapping existing efforts By Andrew Eversden "Each of the services is clearly working on their own services capability gap so there's a missing piece in terms of when we fight in a conflict," Shyu said. "We don't fight within a single service, we fight jointly."   Navy says congressional cuts would put MARAD sealift plans even further behind schedule By Justin Katz Senate committee takes aim at $300M meant for surge sealift ships that the Navy needs to move troops in case of war.   Senate cut to F-35C will delay 'critical' capabilities: Navy By Theresa Hitchens In response to lawmakers, Navy says budget cuts will add $700 million long-term to retrofit fighters.   Bill LaPlante to be tapped as Pentagon acquisition and sustainment chief By Aaron Mehta LaPlante served as the Air Force's top acquisition official from 2013 to 2015.   Navy warns House cut could delay MQ-25 contract, squadron deployment By Justin Katz A one year delay for the MQ-25 program is certain to have repercussions for the Navy's ongoing strike fighter shortfall.   It's a FOBS, Space Force's Saltzman confirms amid Chinese weapons test confusion By Theresa Hitchens China's recent test of a FOBS/HGV hybrid is "a very forward-edge technology capability," said Space Force's Lt. Gen. Chance (Salty) Saltzman.   Pentagon's Global Posture Review emphasizes China, but lacks major strategic changes By Andrew Eversden Rather than a large shift in resources and plans, the review, which looked at US troop locations and capabilities across the globe, ultimately concluded that no major strategic changes are needed.   Space Force takes first step to establish components in commands from Europe to Asia By Theresa Hitchens Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has given the go-ahead for Space Force components in EUCOM, INDO-PACOM, CENTCOM and US Forces in Korea, but questions remain about Guardians' "global responsibility."   Breaking Defense 611 Broadway • New York, New York • 10012 unsubscribe