Breaking Defense's Monday Morning Briefing

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead How Northrop Grumman's Cygnus is Changing Space. Presented by Northrop Grumman Cygnus is an autonomous cargo spacecraft capable of resupplying astronauts with everything from scientific experiments to fresh produce. Thanks to Cygnus, more we're defining what's possible in space. DoD Needs Supply Chain Strategy To Survive Future Crises: Roper By Theresa Hitchens; Friday, July 17, 2020 4:38 PM "We were in a very frenzied state," Air Force acquisition head Will Roper says of DoD efforts to stave off the collapse of key suppliers during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis.   OMFV: Army Wants Smaller Crew, More Automation By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Friday, July 17, 2020 1:51 PM The draft RFP for the Bradley replacement, out today, also opens the possibility for a government design team to compete with private industry.   Sierra Nevada Wins DIU Contract For Experimental Space Station By Theresa Hitchens; Friday, July 17, 2020 7:01 AM "It does raise a lot of questions: namely, what R&D/scientific research did they want to work on that really necessitated this?," says Secure World Foundation's Victoria Samson.   Army Says Long Range Missiles Will Help Air Force, Not Compete By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Thursday, July 16, 2020 4:15 PM The military services are working together on how to use long-range, land-based missiles to destroy enemy anti-aircraft defenses, says the director of artillery modernization at Army Futures Command.   Lockheed's IRST Stealth Detection Pod Passes AF Milestones By Theresa Hitchens; Thursday, July 16, 2020 3:37 PM "The Legion Pod uses an advanced IRST technology that gives 4th generation fighters the ability to 'see' stealth aircraft that traditional radar cannot," says an Air Combat Command spokesperson.    Do Not Change O&M Spending Rules, Say Former Appropriators By Steve Cortese; Thursday, July 16, 2020 10:42 AM Congress appropriates the amount it believes will be required based on the testimony and documents supplied by the Executive Branch to the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate. If Congress were to loosen the restrictions on the use of funds it would only serve to weaken a system which is already far too short of discipline.   Airbus Targets NRO Imagery Sales With New US Corporate Entity By Theresa Hitchens; Wednesday, July 15, 2020 6:14 PM "As you know, from Airbus we have a pedigree  — we're probably the leader in commercial SAR capabilities," says Chris Emerson, CEO of the new Airbus U.S. Space & Defense.    'Zero Trust' Cybersecurity Plan This Year From DISA & NSA By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Wednesday, July 15, 2020 4:52 PM Due out this fall, the Zero Trust Reference Architecture is about upgrading cybersecurity in existing systems, without buying all-new tech. The Army is enthusiastic – mostly.   Boeing Positions F-15EX For ABMS, Digital Century Series By Theresa Hitchens; Wednesday, July 15, 2020 4:23 PM Boeing's "selection, and the fact that the production line and all the technical infrastructure that is supporting the F-15EX will be in place for many years, makes the IAF's decision to procure new F-15s and perform a massive upgrade of the existing fleet easier," one senior Israeli source said.    US & UK Ink Pact On Next-Gen Aircraft, Long-Range Missiles By Paul McLeary; Wednesday, July 15, 2020 1:28 PM Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said the two sides would work to identify "how we could co-develop certain capabilities that can help us get the next generation weapons system, but also to be complimentary if necessary for our forces as we deploy."   Air Force's Roper Sparks Debate On 'Nationalizing Advanced Aviation' Industry By Theresa Hitchens; Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:44 PM The Air Force should field several iterations of improved drones before 2030 — not just to replace the MQ-9 — but to do everything from ISR to strike to counter-air missions.   US Warns Putting China On Law Of The Sea Panel Like 'Hiring An Arsonist' By Paul McLeary; Tuesday, July 14, 2020 3:20 PM In rejecting Chinese claims to the South China Sea, the Trump administration is in the opening throes of a rhetorical offensive, promising more concrete moves   No Wall Funding? House GOP Threaten Trump Veto Of Defense Funding Bill By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Tuesday, July 14, 2020 2:29 PM The Democrats controlling the House Appropriations Committee want to ban further diversion of military funding to build a border wall. Republican members warned this — and other items — could derail the entire bill.   HAC-D Cuts ABMS By $50M; Raps DoD Budget Mismanagement By Theresa Hitchens; Monday, July 13, 2020 6:04 PM "Since the Department has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to disregard congressionally mandated reprogramming procedures, the Committee cannot agree to provide the additional budget flexibility the Air Force requested," the 2021 spending bill says.   US To China: You Do NOT Control South China Sea By Colin Clark; Monday, July 13, 2020 5:46 PM "Beijing's approach has been clear for years," Mike Pompeo says. "In 2010, then-PRC Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told his ASEAN counterparts that "China is a big country and other countries are small countries and that is just a fact.' The PRC's predatory world view has no place in the 21st century."   Breaking Defense 611 Broadway • New York, New York • 10012 unsubscribe