The Biden-era Pentagon makes its case for continued industrial base funding in new plan

The Biden-era Pentagon makes its case for continued industrial base funding in new plan
The Biden-era Pentagon makes its case for continued industrial base funding in new plan

“Our aim is not merely to maintain America’s edge, but to sharpen it and lay the foundation for continued U.S. leadership in critical technologies and capabilities that will define the battlespace of the future,” Pentagon acquisition executive Bill LaPlante wrote in a foreword to the new National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan.

Pay the PIPIR: DoD launching new Indo-Pacific partnership for buying, sustaining weapons

Pay the PIPIR: DoD launching new Indo-Pacific partnership for buying, sustaining weapons
Pay the PIPIR: DoD launching new Indo-Pacific partnership for buying, sustaining weapons

The new Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience will “work through common acquisition and sustainment issues, whether it’s co-development, co-production [or] co-sustainment,” said Pentagon acquisition czar Bill LaPlante.

Vacant chairs popping up at Pentagon’s space policy shop

Vacant chairs popping up at Pentagon’s space policy shop
Vacant chairs popping up at Pentagon’s space policy shop

Vipin Narang, who was tapped as acting assistant secretary following Plumb’s departure, is due to exit back to MIT within a few months; Travis Langster, who has been shepherding the transition of DoD’s commercial space monitoring mission to the Commerce Department, has joined DoD’s acquisition office.

‘No alternatives’: Pentagon doubles down as new Sentinel ICBM’s cost jumps to $141 billion

‘No alternatives’: Pentagon doubles down as new Sentinel ICBM’s cost jumps to $141 billion
‘No alternatives’: Pentagon doubles down as new Sentinel ICBM’s cost jumps to $141 billion

The Air Force revealed today that it has embarked on a restructuring of the troubled but critical long-range missile program, which is now expected to cost 81 percent more than initially estimated.

Senator raises defense industry concerns over Boeing’s potential Spirit buy

Senator raises defense industry concerns over Boeing’s potential Spirit buy
Senator raises defense industry concerns over Boeing’s potential Spirit buy

Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., says defense primes need more clarity about what happens to their programs if Boeing buys Spirit.

Pentagon finally approves F-35 for full rate production after 5-year delay

Pentagon finally approves F-35 for full rate production after 5-year delay
Pentagon finally approves F-35 for full rate production after 5-year delay

The “Milestone C” decision is a crucial moment signifying the department’s confidence in the performance of the F-35 and maturity of Lockheed Martin’s production system, though the plane has been in service for years.

‘A crime’: Air Force’s Kendall blasts congressional budget dysfunction

‘A crime’: Air Force’s Kendall blasts congressional budget dysfunction
‘A crime’: Air Force’s Kendall blasts congressional budget dysfunction

“This is just crazy,” agreed Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante.

B-21 Raider stealth bomber in production, Pentagon says

B-21 Raider stealth bomber in production, Pentagon says
B-21 Raider stealth bomber in production, Pentagon says

The Air Force recently confirmed the secretive plane was continuing flight testing out of Edwards Air Force Base.

Pentagon ‘beginning to pivot’ to rebuilding Ukraine’s industrial base: LaPlante

Pentagon ‘beginning to pivot’ to rebuilding Ukraine’s industrial base: LaPlante
Pentagon ‘beginning to pivot’ to rebuilding Ukraine’s industrial base: LaPlante

“Logistics really matters, sustaining really matters and we are doing that right now with Ukrainians and learning a lot because it’s interesting what you have to do when you can’t send your own US citizens into the country to keep the equipment going,” William LaPlante said.

Government shutdown: How it could impact the military, civilians and defense industry

Government shutdown: How it could impact the military, civilians and defense industry
Government shutdown: How it could impact the military, civilians and defense industry

Bill LaPlante, the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer, noted that China doesn’t have to deal with this kind of budget chaos. “We can teach them how to do that. That would be helpful,” he said.

For DoD microelectronics, invest more in data-centric approach: report

For DoD microelectronics, invest more in data-centric approach: report
For DoD microelectronics, invest more in data-centric approach: report

“To stay ahead of our competitors, the Department of Defense needs access to the commercial supply chain of microelectronics,” William LaPlante, USD A&S, said. “It is absolutely essential, but it comes with inherent risks. The independent panel review is helping us better understand the risk-based approach we need to take.”

DoD approves next step for GPI to defend against hypersonic missiles

DoD approves next step for GPI to defend against hypersonic missiles
DoD approves next step for GPI to defend against hypersonic missiles

“Industry has told us that they they think they can go faster, and we’re hopeful that we can accelerate the program,” said Laura DeSimone, Missile Defense Agency executive director.

‘Up our game’: The Pentagon’s 3 strategies to shore up munitions stockpiles

‘Up our game’: The Pentagon’s 3 strategies to shore up munitions stockpiles
‘Up our game’: The Pentagon’s 3 strategies to shore up munitions stockpiles

With the war in Ukraine raging, missile and other munition production seems like a sure bet. But the Pentagon knows industry is wary of getting burned should attitudes change and is trying to offer novel reassurances.

LaPlante pokes Silicon Valley ‘tech bros,’ calls for increased munitions production for Ukraine

LaPlante pokes Silicon Valley ‘tech bros,’ calls for increased munitions production for Ukraine
LaPlante pokes Silicon Valley ‘tech bros,’ calls for increased munitions production for Ukraine

“We’re not fighting [in] Ukraine with Silicon Valley right now, even though they’re going to try to take credit for it,” said Pentagon acquisition czar Bill LaPlante.