Acquisition
U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released
DoD Modernization Exchange 2025: Navy’s Justin Fanelli, Brandon Wehler and Matthew Rambo on unified endpoints
Jared Serbu, Federal News Network
The Navy is launching a new initiative focused on unified endpoint management to streamline IT services for sailors by centralizing device management.
IT Simplicity: The Navy aims to reduce the complexity of current IT by consolidating various one-off solutions that have been developed to meet individual, communications requirements. The ultimate aim is to make IT seamless and transparent for users.
- Centralized Management: The Navy plans to centralize procurement, distribution, maintenance, and application management of end-user devices.
- Program Impact: Program offices will be affected as they will rely on centrally provided infrastructure, allowing them to focus on software and capability development, rather than managing devices and security.
- Continuous Evolution: Common platforms will enable rapid feedback integration and deployment of solutions. The selected "best-of-breed" solutions will not be static but will continue to evolve, with a focus on outcomes rather than inputs.
B-21 “Bomber on a Budget”
Rebecca Grant, Real Clear Defense
The B-21 Raider bomber program has demonstrated a successful model for advanced aircraft procurement by effectively controlling costs and maintaining a predictable schedule, providing confidence for future sixth-generation aircraft investments. The B-21 program has stayed under budget, a notable first for a stealth aircraft program.
FAR overhaul: The challenges in tackling federal procurement’s 5,000-page beast
Nick Wakeman, NextGov
The Trump administration is planning a major overhaul of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) with the goal of streamlining the procurement process, reducing compliance burdens, and fostering greater competition and efficiency in the federal marketplace. However, given the immense scale and complexity of the FAR, significant challenges remain in achieving substantial simplification.
The government confirms its rights to certain contractor intellectual property
Tom Temin, Federal News Network
A recent legal dispute has affirmed the government's rights to certain intellectual property, specifically data necessary for operation, maintenance, installation, and training (omit data), even when developed at private expense.
Managing Space Acquisition as a Warfighting Capability
Stephanie Young, Cynthia R. Cook, et al., Defense Acquisition Magazine
The U.S. Space Force (USSF) is actively transforming its acquisition processes to operate as a key warfighting capability, emphasizing agility, speed, and resilience against increasingly sophisticated adversary threats. This evolution requires a significant shift from traditional acquisition approaches towards a more integrated and threat-informed system that leverages commercial innovation and fosters strong partnerships across various stakeholders.
Innovation
US military could soon get new affordable hypersonic vehicles with Mach 5 speed. (Representational image) iStock/Olena Bartienieva
US students to 3D print affordable hypersonic vehicles for military
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering
US students at the University of Arizona are using advanced 3D printing and novel metallic alloys to develop affordable hypersonic vehicles for the military, aiming to create aircraft capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5. This research, funded by the U.S. Army, is a strategic effort to enhance national security and could eventually benefit commercial aviation.
- 3D Printing: Researchers will use metal 3D printers to consolidate metallic powders into novel alloys.
- Affordability Focus: The project aims to make hypersonic vehicles more affordable. A key goal is to understand the costs and tradeoffs of materials and processes for 3D printing hypersonic components.
- Commercial Spin-off: Researchers believe the developed materials and protocols will eventually be used in space travel and commercial aviation.
Experts warn Pentagon to embrace software-defined warfare to counter China’s military advantage
Carley Welch, Breaking Defense
A new report from the Atlantic Council emphasizes the urgent need for the Pentagon to embrace software-defined warfare as a critical differentiator to counter China's growing military capabilities by leveraging America's commercial software advantages and its wealth of data.
The Army wants simple, cheap unmanned tech—here are some options
Meghann Myers, Defense One
Facing modern warfare realities, the U.S. Army is actively seeking simple and affordable unmanned and counter-unmanned technologies to complement its high-end systems.
- Hellhound: This turbojet-powered drone is designed for rapid, inexpensive manufacturing with inexpensive materials and can be repaired on the battlefield using 3D printers potentially located in forward operating bases. Payloads can be swapped in under five minutes without tools, minimizing logistical burdens.
- Countering Drone Swarms: The Army is exploring solutions like the Blue Halo counter-drone laser which offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive missiles for downing drones, with tests showing it can effectively engage drones in seconds.
Defense & Strategy
Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, testifies before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C. March 21, 2024. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)
NORTHCOM commander: ‘Strong concern’ spectrum auctioning could jeopardize Golden Dome
Carley Welch, Breaking Defense
The potential auctioning or sharing of the 3.1-3.45 GHz electromagnetic spectrum band is generating significant worry within the US Northern Command and among members of Congress. The Defense Department, which considers the band essential for military radar, satellite communications, and navigation, has argued for years with commercial entities eager to utilize it for high-speed wireless services.
- Security Risks: Vacating the band poses national security risks, some classified, and could jeopardize Golden Dome, President Trump's missile defense initiative.
Air Force Picked Boeing for NGAD Based on ‘Best Overall Value.’ Here’s What It Means
John A. Tirpak, Air and Space Forces Magazine
The Air Force selected Boeing over Lockheed Martin for the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program to develop the F-47 fighter, citing "best overall value" as the determining factor for this sixth-generation air superiority platform.
- Value Over Price: The "best overall value" determination signifies that Boeing's proposal was deemed superior to Lockheed Martin's not necessarily due to the lowest cost, but because it was considered more realistic or offered greater value through factors like superior technical performance or reduced long-term maintainability costs.
Industry
Strength in Unity. Sgt. Lonnie Poore, an Armor Crewman with the 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Calvary Regiment, ground guides a M109 Paladin off the Liberty Pride deep water container ship at the port of Gdansk in Gdansk, Poland August 29, 2018
Taiwan’s Biggest Limitation in Defense Isn’t Spending, It’s Late Deliveries from U.S. Defense Companies
Kevin Ting-Chen Sun and Howard Shen, War on the Rocks
Despite its willingness to increase defense spending, persistent delays in receiving contracted arms from the United States, its main supplier, undermine Taiwan's defense planning, erode public and legislative confidence, and leave the island reliant on outdated equipment.
- Budget Erosion: Repeated delays in arms deliveries undermine public and legislative trust in defense spending, making it harder to justify budget increases.
- Legislative Caution: Taiwan's legislature has become more cautious with budget reviews, freezing funds for delayed U.S. arms sales to track project execution.
- Systemic Issues: The root causes of delays include U.S. industrial base limitations in some cases, but also contradictory information and a fragmented U.S. government approval process.
Office of Strategic Capital Receives $8.9 Billion in Financing Requests for First Domestic Manufacturing Loan Program
DOD Press Operations
The Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) has received overwhelming interest in its inaugural domestic manufacturing loan program, highlighting a significant need for federal support to bolster U.S. manufacturing in critical technology sectors. The program aims to address the lack of long-term, cost-effective capital that has hindered domestic production and allowed strategic competitors to gain ground.
Space Force Awards First Commercial Reserve Contracts
Greg Hadley, Air & Space Forces Magazine
The Space Force has initiated its Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) program by awarding initial small contracts aimed at leveraging commercial space capabilities to enhance military operations in space. The program aims to establish the contracting mechanisms needed to ensure commercial capabilities are readily available when required.
Congress & Government
2015 photo of a segment of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) being moved into place at Newport News Shipbuilding. Newport News Shipbuilding
Shipbuilders swarm Capitol Hill to lobby for aircraft carrier funding
Lauren C. Williams, Defense One
The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC) is urgently lobbying Congress for $600 million in advanced funding for the delayed CVN-82 aircraft carrier in order to safeguard the nation's capacity to project power globally.
- Production Risk: Suppliers face imminent work stoppages and production line closures without orders, while potential layoffs threaten loss of skilled shipbuilding labor.
- Funding Stability: Predictable funding is essential for industrial base stability and planning.
Research
Photo by Dithira Hettiarachchi on Unsplash
Analyzing Factors That Contribute to Cost Overruns on Department of Defense (DoD) Contractor Programs
Dawn Funches Allen, The George Washington University
This research analyzes contributing factors to DOD cost overruns and applies machine learning models to predict their likelihood.
The Modern Iron Mountain
Capt R. Campbell German, Marine Corps Gazette
The Marine Corps is evolving its logistics strategy to meet the demands of modern warfare, shifting from reliance on centralized storage towards agile, self-sufficient units supported by advanced technologies. The author cautions that that technology alone is insufficient to ensure readiness and must be integrated with established logistical practices.
Military Mobility Depends on Secure Critical Infrastructure
Annie Fixler, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Rory Lane, CSC 2.0
The ability of the U.S. military to project power rapidly hinges on the security and resilience of critical infrastructure sectors like maritime, aviation, and rail, which are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, particularly from near-peer adversaries like China. Strengthening the cybersecurity of these commercial assets and improving public-private collaboration are deemed essential for ensuring effective military mobilization and deployment in times of conflict.
Risk Management of Strategic Readiness
Dwight Phillips, et al, RAND
This RAND research analyzes the Department of Defense's (DOD) initial efforts to implement its 2023 strategic readiness policy, highlighting challenges in definition, risk management, and data utilization, and offering recommendations for improvement. This research aimed to ensure DOD decision-making regarding strategic readiness is coherent, objective, and data-informed.
Opportunities
Advance Underwater Communication for the Future of Naval Operations
Defense Innovation Unit
As part of the AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge 2025, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking commercial solutions to develop cutting-edge underwater communication technologies and enhance naval operational capabilities in the undersea domain.
Solicitation
Events
Sea Air Space
6-9 April 2025
National Harbor, Maryland
APEX
23-24 April 2025
National Harbor, Maryland
DARPA Discover DSO Day
23-24 April 2025
Chicago, IL
2025 State of the Space Industrial Base Conference and SSIB Workshops
29 April - 2 May 2025
Albuquerque, NM
Building Critical Mineral Security for a Sustainable Future
30 April 2025
Washington, DC or Virtual
Creating Synergy for Informed Change: Transitioning Technology to the Warfighter
NPS 22nd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit
7-8 May 2025
Virtual
2025 ASNE Intelligent Ships Symposium
12-14 May 2025
Philadelphia, PA
DLA Supply Chain Alliance Conference & Exhibition
11-12 June 2025
Richmond, VA
Training & Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) 2025
17-18 June 2025
Orlando, FL
MTO Spark Tank
24-25 July 2025
Aurora, CO
MODSIM World 2025
18-20 August 2025
Norfolk, VA
2025 Emerging Technologies for Defense
27-29 August 2025
Washington, DC
I/ITSEC 2025: Optimizing Training: Ensuring Operational Dominance
1-4 December 2025
Orlando, FL
One more thing...
Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) pose at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington County, VA, for photos with surviving veterans from the Battle of Iwo Jima during the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Isaac Rodriguez)
A Legacy of Honor and Valor: The 80th Annual Reunion of Honor & 250 Years of the Marine Corps
2nd Lt. Taiyo Tatara & Lance Cpl. Jennifer Le, Marines News
The 80th Annual Reunion of Honor was held on March 29, 2025, at Iwo To, Japan. The event served as a tribute to the veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima and highlighted the enduring alliance between the United States and Japan.
- Significant Milestone: The 80th Reunion of Honor coincided with the Marine Corps' 250th year.
- Veteran Reunion: Marines and Japan Self Defense Forces members from different generations attended. Japanese dignitaries honored the fallen with a water ceremony.
- Alliance Highlighted: The event showcased the transformation of former enemies into allies. The U.S.-Japan Alliance is crucial for Indo-Pacific stability.
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