Acquisition
Here are key acquisition provisions in 2025 NDAA
Anastasia Obis, Federal News Network
The 2025 defense policy bill includes several key provisions designed to enhance the speed and efficiency of defense technology development and deployment. These include codification of the middle tier Pathway, revision of the Software Pathway, and streamlining milestone A and B approvals.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) speaks to the press on January 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
Incoming SASC leader outlines plans for acquisition reform
Anastasia Obis, Federal News Network
Senator Roger Wicker, the incoming Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) head, has proposed sweeping acquisition reforms. His plan, outlined in a report and accompanying legislation called the Fostering Reform and Government Efficiency in Defense (FORGED) Act, aim to improve the efficiency of the Pentagon, speed up the process of fielding new weapons, and increase competition in the defense industry.
Full Report
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GAO Report on DoD Acquisition Reform
U.S. Naval Institute Staff, USNI
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the Department of Defense (DOD) is not fully implementing iterative development practices in its acquisition of weapon systems, despite the potential benefits for speed and innovation.
Full Report
Hanwha closes $100M deal to take over Philly Shipyard
Justin Katz, Breaking Defense
Hanwha, a South Korean conglomerate, has finalized a $100 million deal to take control of Philly Shipyard, marking a significant step in its efforts to expand its presence in the American defense industry. The acquisition reflects a push for foreign investment to enhance domestic capabilities and address the challenges of building and maintaining a modern naval fleet.
Innovation
Marine Corps Lt. Col. Benjamin Pimentel, a senior technical research analyst with Combat Development and Integration, talks about the use of 5G network infrastructure connected to the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar to provide aviation command and control during Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 5, 2024. US Marine Corps Photo
Marine Corps Refine Tactical 5G for Expeditionary Operations, Plan New Tech Lab
Gidget Fuentes, USNI News
The Marine Corps is experimenting with 5G technology to enhance communication and operations in expeditionary environments, addressing the need for secure and reliable networks in contested areas. This initiative aims to develop deployable, mobile 5G networks that can support various missions and integrate with existing military systems.
- NPS Expertise: Capt. Lucas Vancina, who is working with Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) program manager Scott Hoesly to establish a new lab for 5G capabilities, recently graduated with a master’s degree in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).
- Data at the Edge: Vancina notes that 5G networks are critical to support the joint force across the battlespace because the joint cloud computing environment depends on seamless data sharing, “and all of that requires data to be collected at the edge of the network."
Industry
A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Biden launches new Chinese chips trade probe, will hand off to Trump
David Lawder, Reuters
The Biden administration has initiated a trade probe into Chinese-made "legacy" semiconductors, which are used in a wide range of everyday products. This investigation, launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act, will be handed off to the Trump administration in January and may result in increased tariffs on Chinese imports.
- Defense Implications: Research from the Department of Commerce research found that half of U.S. companies did not know the origin of their chips - including some in the defense industry.
The next defense reform must fully bring the US tech sector on board
Ellen Lord & Tyler Sweatt, Defense News
The authors argue that the U.S. needs a significant reform that fully integrates its tech sector into the defense industrial base by establishing a marketplace that promotes innovation, streamlining regulatory processes, and assigning clear leadership to drive this effort.
Army Awards Contract for First Domestic TNT Production in 38 Years
Allyson Park, National Defense
The U.S. Army has awarded a contract to Repkon USA to establish the first domestic production facility for trinitrotoluene (TNT) since 1986.
- National Security: This initiative is part of a broader effort to rebuild the U.S. industrial base for critical defense components, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and enhance national security.
Preparing the industrial base for when the Army’s FLRAA tiltrotor is built at scale
Barry Rosenberg, Breaking Defense
The Army's Future Long Range Attack Aircraft (FLRAA) is the first new developmental aircraft type to be introduced by the Army in decades. FLRAA Project Manager Col. Jeffrey Poquette discusses how the program is preparing its industrial base, establishing a resilient supply chain, and ensuring long-term production capabilities.
Research
US Army Privates 1st Class Danica Sasakura and Dean Werner, 1-1 Air Defense Artillery, Charley Battery Patriot Missile operators, perform pre-launch checks on a Patriot missile launcher as part of a field training exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan. Kadena hosts the largest combat wing in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Maeson Elleman)
US, allies must rebuild air forces, invest in drones to counter China’s missile threat to runways: Stimson
Colin Clark, Breaking Defense
A Stimson Center report warns that the US and its allies must rebuild their air forces and invest in drones to counter China's missile threat to runways in the Indo-Pacific, which could cripple air operations for up to 12 days. The report suggests that the US should focus on long-range drones and missiles, rather than relying on fighters and bombers, as well as encourage allies to take on more responsibility in early combat.
Full Report
Frameworks for a Common Operating Procedure for Supply Chain Risk Management Over the Acquisition Life Cycle
Elvira N. Loredo, Jeremy M. Eckhause, et al.
The U.S. Army lacks a comprehensive system for supply chain risk management (SCRM) and therefore has a limited ability to proactively identify and manage supply chain risks throughout a weapon system's life cycle. To address this, the authors of this report propose adopting three interconnected frameworks for managing SCRM across a weapon system's life cycle.
Full Report
Europe and the United States need to revolutionize their defense industrial bases—and how they cooperate
Rob Murray, Atlantic Council
This report from the Atlantic Council argues that the transatlantic defense industrial base needs a revolution to address modern security challenges. This transformation should include a new vision for cooperation encompassing not only military hardware but also economic stability, environmental sustainability, and rapid technological advancements. The report suggests a shift from a purely transactional model to one that fosters deeper, more collaborative relationships among NATO allies.
Policy & Strategy
The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital released its investment strategy for fiscal 2025, which focuses on technology areas like biomanufacturing and microelectronics. (Josep Lago/AFP)
Pentagon’s 2025 industry investments target space, biochem and more
Courtney Albon, Defense News
The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) is directing its 2025 investments towards critical technology areas to bolster U.S. national security, focusing on sectors like space, microelectronics, and biochemicals. These investments are intended to provide the United States and its allies a competitive advantage.
- Incentivizing Capital: The goal is to encourage capital markets to invest more in critical technology areas by improving the return profile for investors.
- Time Horizon: The OSC aims to reduce dependencies and supply chain "chokepoints" in the short-term, scale up production in the mid-term, and help commercialize technologies for long-term sustainability.
- Financial Impact: The OSC's financial products aim to accelerate the growth of nascent industries by lowering the cost of capital, particularly in technology areas that require patient capital.
Notice of Funding Availability
The Department of the Navy Releases Inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Strategy
US Navy
The Department of the Navy (DoN) has released its inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Strategy to enhance readiness and capabilities by integrating cutting-edge technologies into its processes. The strategy focuses on leveraging advanced manufacturing to rapidly deliver lethal and affordable capabilities to the warfighter.
- Three-Pronged Approach: The strategy has three lines of effort: leveraging commercial capabilities, expanding organic capabilities, and strengthening warfighter self-sufficiency.
Defense
Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China.
What the Pentagon’s New Report on Chinese Military Power Reveals About Capabilities, Context, and Consequences
Andrew Erickson, War on the Rocks
The Pentagon's 2024 China Military Power Report reveals that China is undergoing a rapid and comprehensive modernization of its military, with a focus on achieving global power projection and securing its interests, particularly concerning Taiwan. This involves advancements across multiple domains, including nuclear capabilities, missile technology, naval and air power, and information warfare.
- Naval Growth: China's navy has grown to over 370 ships and submarines, and it is continuing to expand, with projections of 395 ships by 2025 and 435 by 2030, including significant advancements in nuclear submarine capabilities.
- Corruption: Despite endemic corruption and investigations into high-ranking officers, China's military modernization continues rapidly, suggesting that these issues are more of a speedbump than a showstopper for its overall goals.
- Global Ambitions: Beyond Taiwan, China is pursuing a "world-class" military capable of global reach and operations. This includes developing a larger defense budget and being a major arms supplier. China's pursuit of bases and access points globally, such as its base in Djibouti, demonstrates its ambition to project power beyond its immediate region.
‘Navy wasted $1.84 billion’: GAO slams cruiser-rehab effort
Bradley Peniston and Meghann Myers
The Navy's cruiser modernization program, mandated by Congress despite the Navy's objections, resulted in $1.84 billion being wasted on refitting four ships that were ultimately decommissioned without further deployment, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
The Navy concurs with recommendations issued by GAO, but Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argues that the GAO report overlooks a central issue in the program's poor performance.
Full GAO Report
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The Navy’s never-ending quest for 355 ships: 5 Navy stories from 2024
Justin Katz, Breaking Defense
The US Navy's quest to reach a fleet of 355 ships faced numerous challenges in 2024, as highlighted by a number of stories, including shipbuilding delays, tensions between the Navy and industry, and innovative strategies to boost submarine production. The Navy's struggle to achieve its mandated fleet size have been a subject of concern, particularly in light of China's growing military power and 2027 target for a potential invasion of Taiwan.
Congress
USS William P. Lawrence in dry dock at Pearl Harbor Navel Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility
What’s In The Bill That Aims To Revitalize America’s Decaying Naval Industry
The War Zone, Geoff Ziezulewicz
The Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) Act is a bipartisan proposal to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry, which has fallen behind China in shipbuilding capacity. The act is a response to China's growing dominance in shipbuilding and includes provisions to strengthen supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign vessels, create jobs, and support the Navy and Coast Guard.
Senators call for investigation of DOD’s comms following Chinese telecom breach
Edward Graham, Nextgov
Following a breach of U.S. telecom networks by a Chinese state-backed hacking group, Senators Eric Schmitt and Ron Wyden are urging the Department of Defense Inspector General to investigate the DOD's failure to secure its unclassified communications.
Congress approves 2025 NDAA with important cyber provisions
David DiMolfetta, NextGov
The 2025 NDAA includes cybersecurity measures such as providing aid to foreign allies, enhancing cyber defenses, and addressing domestic concerns. The bill also mandates that the DOD conduct an assessment into the cybersecurity of mobile devices used by service members, including the use of anonymizing technologies.
Following delay, congressional panel on future US Navy can start work
Justin Katz, Breaking Defense
A congressional commission focused on the future of the U.S. Navy is finally beginning its work after a year of delays, with the goal of recommending the optimal size and composition of both ships and naval aviation. The panel, which was established in 2023, has now filled all eight of its member positions.
Events
WEST 2025 AFCEA
28-30 January 2025
San Diego, CA
NCMA Nexus
9-12 February 2025
Long Beach, CA
Mapping the U.S. DOD Acquisition Ecosystem
11 February 2025
Washington DC or Virtual
39th Annual National Logistics Forum
11-13 February 2025
Orlando, FL
Creative Disruptors in the Desert
21-22 February 2025
Indian Wells, CA
2025 Munitions Executive Summit
18-19 March 2025
Parsippany, NJ
22nd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit Creating Synergy for Informed Change
Transitioning Technology
7-8 May 2025
Monterey, CA
DLA Supply Chain Alliance Conference & Exhibition
11-12 June 2025
Richmond, VA
One more thing...
PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 31, 2019) Quartermaster 3rd Class Luke Farley, from Springfield, Ill., writes the New Year deck log entry on the bridge of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62). Chancellorsville is forward-deployed to the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Graham)
How Sailor Poets Take Over U.S. Navy Deck Logs On New Year’s Day
Geoff Ziezulewicz, The War Zone
On New Year's Day, a longstanding U.S. Navy tradition allows watch standers to use poetry to record their ship's activities in the deck log during the mid-watch, offering a unique blend of naval procedure and creative expression. This tradition, which reached its height during the Vietnam War, has been declining, but it continues to be a cherished custom for many in the Navy.
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