DSEI 2023 recap: From drones to GCAP, views from either side of the pond

DSEI 2023 recap: From drones to GCAP, views from either side of the pond
DSEI 2023 recap: From drones to GCAP, views from either side of the pond

Breaking Defense’s European Bureau Chief Tim Martin and naval warfare reporter Justin Katz chat about the biggest DSEI news from London this week.

Army reorganizing program offices for network and cyber ops, UAVs may be next: Officials

Army reorganizing program offices for network and cyber ops, UAVs may be next: Officials
Army reorganizing program offices for network and cyber ops, UAVs may be next: Officials

The way the historic PEO organizations were initially set up was “for a reason,” but now the Army is modernizing, and the shift is needed to support its unified network, Young Bang said.

‘Like Netflix’: After slow start, Army aims to ‘drastically’ accelerate software updates

‘Like Netflix’: After slow start, Army aims to ‘drastically’ accelerate software updates
‘Like Netflix’: After slow start, Army aims to ‘drastically’ accelerate software updates

Today, just nine of the Army’s 540 acquisition programs use the streamlined Software Pathway, but senior officials told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview they aim to “exponentially” increase that number by the end of next year.

Army acquisition chief ‘not uncomfortable’ with US stockpiles, considers multi-year deals

Army acquisition chief ‘not uncomfortable’ with US stockpiles, considers multi-year deals
Army acquisition chief ‘not uncomfortable’ with US stockpiles, considers multi-year deals

Doug Bush laid out multiple avenues for keeping US stockpiles intact while keeping Ukraine armed for its battle against Russia, including potential industry incentives and getting help from America’s friends.

Army ‘encouraged’ by IVAS test despite ‘challenges,’ FLRAA decision may come in October

Army ‘encouraged’ by IVAS test despite ‘challenges,’ FLRAA decision may come in October
Army ‘encouraged’ by IVAS test despite ‘challenges,’ FLRAA decision may come in October

“I think there’s further work to do to improve the system. But we saw a lot of positive things as a test,” the Army’s top acquisition official said of IVAS, before separately noting a potential delay in a major future helicopter program contract.

House lawmakers ask Army: Who’s in charge of massive modernization program?

House lawmakers ask Army: Who’s in charge of massive modernization program?
House lawmakers ask Army: Who’s in charge of massive modernization program?

After a directive confused some lawmakers, a provision in the NDAA threatens to nullify a potential shake-up of the Army’s acquisition bureaucracy if representatives don’t receive additional information about who’s doing what.

EXCLUSIVE: New Army directive shakes up modernization enterprise

EXCLUSIVE: New Army directive shakes up modernization enterprise
EXCLUSIVE: New Army directive shakes up modernization enterprise

A new directive from Army leadership shifts some acquisition authority from Army Futures Command in order to clear up “ambiguity” about roles, a service spokesperson said.

From software to AR goggles: 4 takeaways from Army’s new acquisition chief

From software to AR goggles: 4 takeaways from Army’s new acquisition chief
From software to AR goggles: 4 takeaways from Army’s new acquisition chief

“I see promising signs of success, but there is a lot more work to do,” Bush told reporters. “My focus is on cooperation, coordination and unity of effort across the whole Army.” 

Army modernization programs need to put ‘points on the board’: Acquisition chief

Army modernization programs need to put ‘points on the board’: Acquisition chief
Army modernization programs need to put ‘points on the board’: Acquisition chief

“I am very comfortable with almost every program right now in terms of its general direction of travel, the requirements seem reasonable, and that our cost estimates are pretty good,” said Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, in his first media roundtable since being confirmed by the Senate last week.

Wormuth Defends Army Budget, Missile Programs

Wormuth Defends Army Budget, Missile Programs
Wormuth Defends Army Budget, Missile Programs

The nominee for Army Secretary also aims to end “friction” between civilian acquisition officials and Army Futures Command, she told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Army Briefs Industry On Future Air & Ground Standards

Army Briefs Industry On Future Air & Ground Standards
Army Briefs Industry On Future Air & Ground Standards

“Modular open systems architecture… is the foundation of all our future modernization,” said Brig. Gen. Glenn Dean. The Bradley replacement, OMFV, will be the test case.

REARMM: Army Holds Modernization ‘Rehearsals’

REARMM: Army Holds Modernization ‘Rehearsals’
REARMM: Army Holds Modernization ‘Rehearsals’

How do you get 35 new technologies into combat units without overwhelming them? Army Futures Command, Forces Command, Materiel Command, and other HQs are trying to figure that out.

Replacing Spatulas With Robots At Army Ammo Plants

Replacing Spatulas With Robots At Army Ammo Plants
Replacing Spatulas With Robots At Army Ammo Plants

A worker died in 2017 scooping up explosive tetrazene by hand with a spatula. The Army and Congress agree an upgrade is long overdue — but it won’t be cheap.

Army Study Asks: How Much Modernization Can We Afford?

Army Study Asks: How Much Modernization Can We Afford?
Army Study Asks: How Much Modernization Can We Afford?

The Army’s drive to modernize by 2035 is too big for traditional five-year spending plans, acquisition chief Bruce Jette said. So he’s reviving long-term economic forecasting used in the Cold War.