Acquisition
A Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) successfully launches from the flight deck of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) while operating in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 16 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kayla Mc Guire)
Can a New Bridge Finally Save the Pentagon’s Best Ideas?
Isobel Porteous, War on the Rocks
Beginning in fiscal 2028, the Pentagon will require every Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) to include an innovation insertion increment in their budget, so they have flexible transition capital available to bridge the valley of death and insert matured technologies into portfolios at speed. But without guardrails, portfolio acquisition executives are likely to direct their new flexible capital toward existing programs of record, merely creating a slush fund and defeating the mechanism's intended purpose.
- The Transition Gap: The "valley of death" persists because research funds are typically designated for exploration, while massive program budgets are locked years in advance, leaving no natural funding home for scaling validated prototypes.
- Proving Ground: Unlike exploratory research grants, the innovation insertion increment requires innovators to present functional, de-risked prototypes rather than just pitches, ensuring the technology is ready for immediate deployment.
- Historical Proof: History demonstrates that transformative leaps — from nuclear-powered submarines to reusable rockets — often succeed only after aggressive prototyping proves operational readiness to skeptical institutional leadership.
- Capability-First Mindset: Long-term success requires leaders to define their missions by desired effects—such as "positioning"—rather than remaining tethered to the specific hardware systems they currently own, like GPS.
Expanding Other Transaction Authority to Support the Pivot to a More Commercially Focused Warfighting Acquisition System
Jeff Kwastel and Colleen Murphy, MITRE
The U.S. government is pushing the Pentagon to increase use of other transaction agreements (OTA) to obtain commercial capabilities. However, a new MITRE report warns that existing regulations restrict the use of OTAs and calls on the Pentagon to utilize the rulemaking process and rescind a section of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that imposes limitations and creates protest risk.
Department of the Navy Creates Portfolio Aqcuisition Executive-Marine Corps to Accelerate Modernization
Cathleen Close, Marines.mil
The Marine Corps has established the Portfolio Acquisition Executive - Marine Corps (PAE-MC) to replace legacy structures and unify acquisition efforts.
- Streamlined Structure: PAE-MC replaces the Program Executive Office Land Systems and incorporates programs from Marine Corps Systems Command.
- Stovepipe Elimination: Capability Portfolio Managers will oversee the entire lifecycle of military assets — from initial concept to final divestment — to ensure coherence and break down traditional organizational barriers.
Industry
Two F/A-18 Super Hornets launch from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of the Operation Epic Fury on March 3, 2026. (U.S. Navy)
US Navy should rely on allies to boost maritime industrial base, report says
Cristina Stassis, Defense News
A new report from the Center for Maritime Strategy argues that the U.S. Navy must revitalize its atrophied maritime industrial base by leveraging international partnerships and adopting more efficient shipbuilding practices. As the Navy faces increased operational strain from the ongoing war in Iran, experts suggest that deep collaboration with allies is essential to meet fleet size goals and counter global threats.
Full Report: Pier Review: Leveraging the Allied Maritime Industrial Base for U.S. Shipbuilding
JUST IN: AUKUS Doubts Put to Rest, Allied Reps Say
Stew Magnuson, National Defense
The trilateral AUKUS partnership has successfully moved past a period of political uncertainty, with the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia reaffirming their "all-in" commitment to the nuclear-powered submarine program. The initiative is now firmly on track to begin construction by the end of the decade, aimed at securing the Pacific against emerging threats and protecting critical undersea infrastructure.
Government Reports
Navy and Army launch the common hypersonic missile. (Navy photo)
The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW): Dark Eagle
Congressional Research Service
DOD Financial Management: Navy Needs to Fully Address Strategic Planning and Systems Migration Leading Practices
Government Accountability Office
Artificial Intelligence Acquisitions: Agencies Should Collect and Apply Lessons Learned to Improve Future Procurements
Government Accountability Office
Technology Transfer: Funding Recipients Keep Most Federally Funded Inventions, but Some Cited Reporting Challenges
Government Accountability Office
Navy Contracting: Sea Systems Command Actively Manages Labor Cost Increases for Professional Support Services
Government Accountability Office
Audit of Naval Supply Systems Command Management of Inventory Items with No Demand for 5 Years or More
DOD Office of the Inspector General
Research
Marines conduct a squad attack during the 3d Marine Division's rifle squad competition at Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12, 2021. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)
A Cost Effectiveness Analysis of a Three Pattern Family of Uniforms for the USMC
Stephen Sulentic, Naval Postgraduate School
The camouflage uniform aids service members in signature management by offering physical concealment. The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) currently has a two-pattern family for camouflage: woodland and desert. However, the USMC has no pattern for transitional environments that exist on a 21st century battlefield. This thesis provides a cost-effectiveness analysis to fielding a three-family pattern of camouflage to the USMC. It establishes an objective, logical evaluation model pitting warfighter effectiveness against cost in five courses of action. The results of this analysis find that any of the proposed courses of action result in increased effectiveness for the warfighter while costs vary above and below the status quo.
Arsenal in Transition: Lessons from World War II Industrial Conversion
Chad Wanek, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA)
This research study explores how the United States can address a modern deficiency in industrial capacity by analyzing historical precedents from the Second World War. By examining how the automotive industry successfully repurposed commercial infrastructure to manufacture tanks, the author identifies strategies for overcoming regulatory friction and design challenges during a crisis. The text argues that relying on the current defense base is insufficient for high-intensity conflict, necessitating a shift toward scalable mass production models.
2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength
Robert Peters, Daniel R. Green, PhD, and Wilson Beaver
Using the two-war force as its benchmark, the 2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength measures whether the U.S. military is able to deter and, if necessary, succeed in two major conflicts simultaneously. By providing a single-source reference on force capacity, modern equipment, readiness, and regional challenges, the Index equips policymakers and citizens with a clear understanding of whether America’s military is up to the task of defending our national interests.
Events
Sea-Air-Space
Navy League of the United States
19-22 April 2026
National Harbor, Maryland
2026 Digital Transformation Summit
Potomac Officers Club
22 April 2026
McLean, VA
Modern Day Marine
28 - 30 April 2026
Washington, DC
Army Demand Signal Forum
Distinctive Edge
28 April 2026
Palo Alto, CA
Xponential USA
11-14 May 2026
Detroit, MI
ONR Innovation Industry Day (I2D): Power & Energy
Office of Naval Research
14 May 2026
Arlington, VA
Offset Symposium 2026
Second Front
14 May 2026
Washington, DC
Inside the Dome: Future of Missile Defense
Tectonic/Payload
14 May 2026
Washington, DC
Converge @ NPS
Naval Postgraduate School Foundation
22-24 July 2026
2026 Air and Space Summit
Potomac Officers Club
30 July 2026
One more thing...
The oldest and newest submarine warfare qualified sailors cut the cake at a birthday ball honoring the submarine force in Mashantucket, Conn., Apr. 11, 2026. (Lucas J. Hastings/U.S. Navy)
US Navy’s Submarine Force celebrates 126th birthday
Stars and Stripes
The U.S. Navy Submarine Force recently marked its 126th anniversary, celebrating a storied history that began with the experimental USS Holland and evolved into a modern, all-nuclear fleet of 69 vessels.
- Experimental Roots: The force traces its origins to the April 11, 1900, purchase of the USS Holland, which was initially used for research before submarines became a primary component of American maritime power during World War II.
- Birthday Celebration: The 126th anniversary was celebrated on April 11 with a birthday ball in Mashantucket, Conn., featuring an ice sculpture and a traditional cake-cutting ceremony performed by the oldest and newest submarine warfare qualified sailors.
- NPS Birthday Event: A secondary celebratory ball is scheduled to be held at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, on Saturday, April 18.
- Nuclear Dominance: The current fleet consists of 69 nuclear-powered submarines, including 14 ballistic missile boats that form the essential seaborne leg of the United States' nuclear triad.
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