Breaking Defense's Monday Morning Briefing

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead _________________________________________________________________________

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead It's Impossible To Connect The Joint Force As One. Until It's Not. Presented by Northrop Grumman We provide powerful, scalable networks and capabilities that enable the joint force as one across every domain, service and mission. Learn more. DARPA Space Manufacturing Project Sparks Controversy By Theresa Hitchens; Friday, February 12, 2021 5:06 PM "As you surely know, there is a lot of emotion in this on both sides of the argument, making it as much political as it is legal," said attorney Henry Hertzfeld of the DARPA plans.   CMMC: Stopping Cyber Espionage Like Chinese Theft of F-35 Data By Kelsey Atherton; Friday, February 12, 2021 3:00 PM CMMC 1 is "what you've got to have to make sure your neighbor is not in your Netflix," quipped Stacy Bostjanick, director of CMMC. "It's very easy, and commensurate with basic cyber hygiene. I recommend that everyone get there, but as a COTS provider, you don't have to."   Why Nuclear Force Modernization Must Happen: Maj. Gen. Lutton By Michael Lutton; Friday, February 12, 2021 9:55 AM Some critics cite a growing nuclear stockpile as another indicator of a looming arms race. But the size and age of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile is at the lowest level of warheads since the late 1950s, with the average warhead age being older than at any other time in history.   Operational Comms, Missile Tracking Sats Up In 2024: SDA By Theresa Hitchens; Thursday, February 11, 2021 5:24 PM The next group of satellites, "Tranche 1 is going to be a big deal," says SDA Director Derek Tournear, ensuring troops have "persistent regional access" to comms and missile warning/tracking data.   China Supply Chain, Backdoor Money 'Huge Priority' For Biden Pentagon By Paul McLeary; Thursday, February 11, 2021 4:17 PM "What is clear is that this issue of technology competition is of increasing importance in the US / China relationship" SecDef advisor Ely Ratner said, and it is "a huge priority for the administration."   Who's Who in Defense: Adam Smith, Chairman, House Armed Services Committee By Breaking Defense (pha); Thursday, February 11, 2021 10:35 AM Part of a special Breaking Defense reference series profiling key defense decision-makers in the new administration and Congress.   Culture, Not Tech, Is Obstacle To JADC2: JAIC By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Thursday, February 11, 2021 10:02 AM "This is not a panacea," the deputy director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center says. "You can't just sprinkle AI on all these legacy systems and expect them to work and talk together….That's not how it works."   The Pacific Cloud: Deterrence, Collaboration, & Security By Barry Rosenberg; Wednesday, February 10, 2021 4:12 PM [Sponsored] The Great Power competition demands that the U.S. and its allies regain an advantage through secure networks built on cloud computing.   Costs Of Cruise Missile Defense May Top Benefits, Suggests CBO By Theresa Hitchens; Wednesday, February 10, 2021 4:11 PM "We're not going to be able to defend every acre of North America," Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), says bluntly.   Biden Briefed On Pentagon Reassessment Of China Policy By Paul McLeary; Wednesday, February 10, 2021 3:57 PM President Biden said at the Pentagon today that the review will "chart a strong path forward on China-related matters."   OSD, Joint Staff Double Down On DoD-Wide Data Standards By Theresa Hitchens; Wednesday, February 10, 2021 12:16 PM "We even had representation at our [first] data summit from NATO," said Army Brig. Gen. Rob Parker, JG deputy director and head of the JADC2 Joint Cross-Functional Team (CFT).   They're Back: US Subs To Carry Harpoon Ship-Killer Missiles By Paul McLeary; Wednesday, February 10, 2021 11:41 AM The effort falls in line with Pentagon efforts to deploy more punch at longer ranges, a clear recognition of the growing ability of China and Russia to keep American and forces at a stand-off distance    Navy's Gilday Signals Service 'In Good Place' For 2022 Budget By Paul McLeary; Tuesday, February 9, 2021 4:51 PM The Navy is "in a good place," CNO Adm. Mike Gilday says, "as we present that analysis to senior decision makers, and we really re-litigate, if you will, the '22 budget submit — which was very heavily in the Navy's favor with respect to shipbuilding."   Hypersonic Debates Shaped By Politics: Aerospace By Theresa Hitchens; Tuesday, February 9, 2021 3:41 PM "In some ways, it's too early to say 'game changer,' or 'nothing.' And I would say, just to put it starkly, each of those positions is probably likely to be untrue or inaccurate," CSBA's Tom Mahnken says.   Oshkosh Hits 10,000 JLTVs By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.; Tuesday, February 9, 2021 1:28 PM Building 10,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles in five years – at less than the original projected price – improves Oshkosh's odds to win a re-competition for the program next year.   Breaking Defense 611 Broadway • New York, New York • 10012 unsubscribe