Acquisition
Saronic’s Corsair autonomously navigating open waters in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo provided by Saronic.)
‘Be uncomfortable’: Navy wants new USV to challenge the ‘status quo’
Justin Katz, Breaking Defense
The U.S. Navy is shifting its approach to developing unmanned surface vessels (USVs) with the new Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) program by seeking industry-proposed solutions rather than overly prescribing design mandates.
- DIU Playbook: Adopting a strategy akin to the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Navy is outlining operational problems in a narrative form rather than issuing strict design requirements. This allows for broader industry solutions and capitalizes on companies' independent research and development.
- Non-Exquisite Focus: A top priority for MASC is the development of "non-exquisite" vessels that adhere to commercial standards, making them easier and quicker to build and repair in large numbers.
Another package from the Revolutionary FAR overhaul — we’ll break down what’s new
Terry Gerton, Federal News Network
Recent FAR overhaul packages have introduced significant changes how procurement will work going forward. Terry Gerton explores some the ramifications in this interview Emily Murphy, Senior Fellow at the Baroni Center for Government Contracting.
- Priority Shift: The overhaul, particularly in FAR Part 8, now mandates that contracting officers prioritize "Best-in-Class" (BIC) contracts as a primary source of supply, requiring a formal determination and findings (D&F) approved by senior leadership if an alternative is chosen. This creates a competitive disadvantage for companies not on these government-wide contracts.
- Oversight Ecosystem: To support this, the General Services Administration (GSA) is exploring a new "procurement ecosystem" to centralize all federal acquisition information for up to 250,000 users, aiming to ensure contracting officers have easy access to approved sources and information.
- Commercial Simplification: FAR Part 12 introduces simplified acquisition procedures up to $7.5 million for commercial items, a substantial increase from the previous $250,000 threshold.
- Market Research: With increased flexibility and less prescriptive rules, contracting officers are encouraged to conduct more thorough market research, utilizing tools like sources sought, RFIs, industry days, and structured conversations to ensure they are fully aware of available solutions.
Defense & Strategy
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage in a floating dry dock at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va., on May 25, 2012.
Bringing Command and Accountability Back to Surface Fleet Maintenance
Capt. John Cordle, USN (ret.) and Capt. Holman Agard, USN
This article examines the U.S. Navy's surface fleet maintenance challenges over the past two decades, highlighting how well-intentioned but flawed initiatives have left a majority of surface ships ill-equipped for combat. The authors point to factors such as increased operational tempo, manpower reductions, the dissolution of Ships Intermediate Maintenance Activities (SIMAs), and insufficient oversight as key factors in the failures of these iniatatives.
- Key Reforms Proposed: Solutions include restoring SIMA as a separate command, empowering shipyards with fiscal authority, splitting overloaded Flag Officer maintenance and modernization roles, and replicating the robust nuclear SUPSHIP model for rigorous oversight.
Get Ready for Wartime Construction in the Western Pacific
Rear Admiral Chuck Kubic, U.S. Navy (Retired), Proceedings
The U.S. Navy's "CNO Navigation Plan 2024" necessitates a revolutionary approach to wartime construction in the Western Pacific. The author proposes a new command-and-control structure to operationalize an integrated engineering and construction capability.
- Seabee Shortage: While historically deploying tens of thousands of personnel, the Navy currently has fewer than 7,000 deployable active and reserve Seabees, making it impossible for them to address infrastructure demands alone.
- Unified Strategy: Contingency construction success relies on a "unity of effort" combining the Seabees' operational capability, NavFac's technical and contract authority, and civilian engineers and contractors.
- New Leadership: A proposed command structure would appoint a Civil Engineer Corps Rear Admiral as Commander, Naval Construction Force, reporting to Commander, Pacific Fleet, to operationalize and lead this integrated engineering and construction capability.
Industry
Metal shavings stand vertically atop a rare earth magnet. Photo by C. Todd Lopez, DOD
These Materials Could Cripple America’s Defense Industrial Base
Macdonald Amoah, Morgan Bazilian, Clarkson Kamurai, and Jahara Matisek, War on the Rocks
In the face of acute vulnerabilities in mineral supply chains - currently dominated by China - the authors offer a framework for identifying and prioritizing the most critical chokepoints.
- Chokepoint Criteria: A material becomes a critical chokepoint when five conditions align: high concentration in mining or refining, direct defense criticality, low substitutability, long capital-intensive build times, and signs of policy leverage like export licenses or price manipulation. Most vulnerabilities lie in mid- and downstream processing, not just raw ore.
- Dual Pathways: Two main strategies are proposed to close supply chain gaps: building domestic capacity for chemistry, processing, and finishing where constraints are not geological, and hedging upstream exposures with allies where ore or primary refining are concentrated abroad.
- Seven Priorities: The authors identify seven priority chokepoints requiring immediate government funding and support.
South Korean Shipbuilder to Invest $5B in Philadelphia Shipyard
Mallory Shelbourne, USNI News
South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha, which acquired Philly Shipyard last year, will invest $5 billion of capital expenditure into the facility. The $5 billion program is dedicated to installing additional docks and quays to dramatically increase capacity. Hanwha aims to boost Philly Shipyard’s annual production from less than two vessels to up to 20, with plans to build LNG carriers, naval modules, and, eventually, naval vessels.
- Broader Pledge: Beyond Hanwha's specific investment, South Korea will commit $150 billion to American shipbuilding to meet obligations under a recently negotiated trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea.
Research
A U.S. flag hangs over the side of the Pentagon to remember lives lost during the 9/11 attack. Photo by Alexander Kubitza/U.S. Department of Defense
Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Reform
RAND
To help inform updates to the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, RAND has investigated 16 international defense organizations and U.S. federal agencies, assembling ideas and recommendations to improve speed, agility, and innovation of the US procurement system.
Joint innovation: What Is and What Could Be
Todd P. Moulton and Joshua A. Pusillo, Aether
Adversaries are deploying new technology faster than DOD's innovation units can keep pace. To maintain US military advantage, the Defense Department must cultivate innovative leaders by establishing a joint office and design thinking school to train them, refining existing efforts and creating new approaches to address evolving threats.
Defense Acquisition Reform: Executive and Legislative Branch Actions
Congressional Research Service
This document from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides an overview of recent efforts by both the executive and legislative branches to reform the Department of Defense's (DOD) acquisition system.
Events
Creative Disruptors by the Lakes
Creative Defense Foundation
11-12 September 2025
Eagan, MN
2025 Undersea Warfare Fall Conference
National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
15-17 September 2025
Groton, CT
Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium (FMMS) 2025
American Society of Naval Engineers
23-25 September 2025
San Diego, CA
28th Annual Systems & Mission Engineering Conference
National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
Tampa, FL
27-30 October 2025
USSOCOM Innovation Foundry
SOFWERX
28-30 October 2025
Chantilly, VA
I/ITSEC 2025: Optimizing Training: Ensuring Operational Dominance
National Training & Simulation Association (NTSA)
1-4 December 2025
Orlando, FL
CCM Institute Academic Symposium 2025
Commerce & Contract Management Institute
2-4 December 2025
Virtual
Creative Disruptors in the Desert
Creative Defense Foundation
20-21 February 2025
La Quinta, CA
One more thing...
Navy foresters Trent Osmon and Rhett Steele from Naval Facilities Engineering Command Midwest's Public Works Department Crane, Production Manager Robert Murphy from the Charlestown Navy Yard, and Cmdr. James Stewart, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Crane, assess a white oak tree set aside for future use in repairing USS Constitution. Photo by William Couch, US Navy.
The Boat Forest
Rebecca McCray
The U.S. Navy manages over 50,000 acres of forest in Indiana, primarily to source specific white oak trees for the continuous restoration of the USS Constitution, the world's oldest warship still afloat.
- Ancient Warship: The USS Constitution, affectionately known as "Old Ironsides," is the last of six frigates commissioned in 1794 by George Washington and requires specific white oak for its continuous maintenance.
- Demanding Dimensions: Trees must meet enormous dimensions: at least 40 inches in diameter at the base, 40 feet long from base to crown, and extremely straight, making procurement a significant challenge.
- Indiana's Role: Since 1976, the U.S. Navy's 50,000-acre forest on Naval Support Activity Crane in Indiana has provided these vital white oak trees.
- DOD Stewardship: Contrary to the perception of military bases as solely "blacktop and buildings," many are enormous and contain rich, diverse ecosystems. As external development pushes species onto DOD lands, military environmental experts become crucial caretakers, balancing conservation needs with the core military mission.
|
