House defense policy draft: A good first step, but some missed opportunities

House defense policy draft: A good first step, but some missed opportunities
House defense policy draft: A good first step, but some missed opportunities

In this op-ed, Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari of AEI call out what they see as the good and the bad in the HASC NDAA draft.

Army soldiers not impressed with Strykers outfitted with 50-kilowatt lasers, service official says

Army soldiers not impressed with Strykers outfitted with 50-kilowatt lasers, service official says
Army soldiers not impressed with Strykers outfitted with 50-kilowatt lasers, service official says

“They will tell you everything and they’re not worried about your feelings,” said Doug Bush.

If Army’s IVAS doesn’t ace upcoming test, it could become bill payer: Rainey

If Army’s IVAS doesn’t ace upcoming test, it could become bill payer: Rainey
If Army’s IVAS doesn’t ace upcoming test, it could become bill payer: Rainey

“But if [IVAS] does not work, then I think we would have to take a very hard look at whether we continue down that path or use that money for other critical aspects of our night-vision strategy,” US Army Futures Command head Gen. James Rainey said today.

HASC pushes for reciprocity guidance for cloud computing in draft NDAA language 

HASC pushes for reciprocity guidance for cloud computing in draft NDAA language 
HASC pushes for reciprocity guidance for cloud computing in draft NDAA language 

The legislation proposes that if one office in the department officially deems a “cloud-based platform, service, or application” is sufficiently cybersecure to use, then all parts of DoD can accept this ATO.

HASC adds Virginia-class sub, cuts F-35s in $849.8 billion draft defense policy bill

HASC adds Virginia-class sub, cuts F-35s in $849.8 billion draft defense policy bill
HASC adds Virginia-class sub, cuts F-35s in $849.8 billion draft defense policy bill

The bill sticks to budget caps laid out by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Draft House subcommittee NDAA language OKs Pentagon commercial ‘space reserve’ plan

Draft House subcommittee NDAA language OKs Pentagon commercial ‘space reserve’ plan
Draft House subcommittee NDAA language OKs Pentagon commercial ‘space reserve’ plan

The draft FY25 NDAA language would force DoD to create a new pilot project designed to kickstart its nascent plans to create a so-called hybrid space architecture linking national security, commercial, civil and allied satellites into a massive mesh network.

Key Senate appropriators signal push for higher FY25 defense topline

Key Senate appropriators signal push for higher FY25 defense topline
Key Senate appropriators signal push for higher FY25 defense topline

Jon Tester, the Montana Democrat who chairs the subcommittee, and Susan Collins, the ranking Republican from Maine, stated that they are in lockstep that the military needs more money, despite a budget cap imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

House lawmaker hopes to resuscitate DoD’s venture fellowship program

House lawmaker hopes to resuscitate DoD’s venture fellowship program
House lawmaker hopes to resuscitate DoD’s venture fellowship program

Rep. Elise Stefanik criticized the Air Force’s decision to terminate a fellowship program that paired DoD personnel with the private sector as “shortsighted and misguided,”

FY25 out-year budget plans can’t support Space Force ambitions: Experts

FY25 out-year budget plans can’t support Space Force ambitions: Experts
FY25 out-year budget plans can’t support Space Force ambitions: Experts

“The Space Force is not growing in priority as it had been in previous years. The priority is shifting more towards the the Air Force and the Navy in the budget,” said Todd Harrison, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub

More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub
More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub

The letter is the latest sign lawmakers have rejected the Navy’s argument that the cut was a strategic one due to a construction backlog, though some key signatures are missing.

Air Force declares ‘critical’ Nunn-McCurdy cost breach for MH-139A Grey Wolf helo

Air Force declares ‘critical’ Nunn-McCurdy cost breach for MH-139A Grey Wolf helo
Air Force declares ‘critical’ Nunn-McCurdy cost breach for MH-139A Grey Wolf helo

The cost breach is driven by the service’s plan to cut the buy of the helicopter in half, not by any cost overrun in the program itself.

‘Dead on arrival’: Key House appropriators oppose transfer of Guard units to Space Force

‘Dead on arrival’: Key House appropriators oppose transfer of Guard units to Space Force
‘Dead on arrival’: Key House appropriators oppose transfer of Guard units to Space Force

“The states need to be consulted, and need to be full partners moving forward in any major change such as this,” said Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, the defense subcommittee’s top Democrat.

Pass a preemptive CR, deal with inflation and watch the debt limit: 3 tasks for Congress

Pass a preemptive CR, deal with inflation and watch the debt limit: 3 tasks for Congress
Pass a preemptive CR, deal with inflation and watch the debt limit: 3 tasks for Congress

John Ferrari and Elaine McCusker of AEI argue in this op-ed that Congress needs to act quickly to ensure American national security before getting bogged down in election season.

GD chief says Navy’s 1 sub buy won’t impact company short term, but out years less certain

GD chief says Navy’s 1 sub buy won’t impact company short term, but out years less certain
GD chief says Navy’s 1 sub buy won’t impact company short term, but out years less certain

The comments from the General Dynamics chief come on the same day President Joe Biden signed the national security supplemental, which includes billions for the sub industrial base.