Business
Unveiling acquisition overhaul, Hegseth tells industry to get with the program
One expert said the reforms would sweep away Cold War processes—and draw backlash from established primes.
Ideas
The Pentagon must activate this powerful, underused approach to acquisition
The modular open systems approach is already encouraged. It’s just not used enough.
Exclusive
Business
Draft list of attendees for Hegseth acquisition-reform speech shows wide industry interest
The guest list for the Pentagon’s new policy roll-out reveals the rapidly changing face of defense tech.
Policy
Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms
A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech.
Business
Meet the White House pick to conquer the ‘Valley of Death’
James Caggy, a former advisor for the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office, wants companies’ tech to match operational needs.
Threats
Air Force’s 10-year fighter jet report is missing key details, experts say
For example, the congressionally mandated report lacks tables for planned aircraft numbers.
Policy
Marine Corps axes plan for third littoral regiment, ready to move on medium landing ship
Halfway to 2030, the service’s latest Force Design update teases upcoming “capstone concept.”
Ideas
How to foster a warrior ethos in the workforce
Invest in educating future acquisition professionals.
Policy
It took 45 days to rush drone defenses to CENTCOM. That’s no longer good enough: Army vice chief
Agile funding could have cut that down to a few days, Gen. Mingus says.
Policy
‘Stop trying to control every step’ of shipbuilding, senator tells Navy
Focus less on requirements and more on outcomes, says Montana’s Sheehy, and the entire Pentagon might get on board.
Ideas
How Trump can make defense reform stick
It will require sustained presidential attention and unprecendented transparency.
Business
Has Space Force cracked the code on faster acquisition?
Leaders say the service is “disrupting” the Valley of Death, among other innovations.
Defense Systems
Marines press ahead with JLTV purchase after Army quits program
Higher prices are expected once the larger service cancels its contract to buy the Humvee replacement.
Science & Tech
DIU leader exits, leaving behind a blueprint for faster tech
Doug Beck submitted his resignation Friday.
Ideas
RIP, JCIDS. Let’s stop writing requirements and start solving problems
Time to move from procedural compliance to championing ingenuity and results.
Defense Systems
The Army’s giant data deal with Palantir is a harbinger: service CIO
The 10-year, up-to-$10 billion deal is part of a larger effort to consolidate IT contracts and save money, Leonel Garciga told reporters.
Exclusive
Policy
Air Force will buy more KC-46s, skip competition
The service is mulling whether to move away from fixed-priced on the next buy.
Ideas
The White House is looking for savings in the wrong place
The main acquisition challenge isn’t how the military buys weapons, but what it aims to do with them.
Policy
Hegseth halves staff of Pentagon’s testing-oversight office
The move may reduce the quality of DOT&E’s second opinions, but may not affect safety, former officials said.
Business