DoD’s first industrial strategy seeks to bolster weapons production ‘speed and scale’

DoD’s first industrial strategy seeks to bolster weapons production ‘speed and scale’
DoD’s first industrial strategy seeks to bolster weapons production ‘speed and scale’

“The current and future strategic environment requires immediate, comprehensive, and decisive action in strengthening and modernizing our defense industrial base ecosystem to ensure the security of the United States and our allies and partners. As this strategy makes clear, we must act now,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks writes in a forward to the new National Defense Industrial Strategy. 

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.

Pentagon’s first industrial base strategy meant to ‘catalyze generational change’

Pentagon’s first industrial base strategy meant to ‘catalyze generational change’
Pentagon’s first industrial base strategy meant to ‘catalyze generational change’

There are four key areas the strategy focuses on: having resilient supply chains, workforce readiness, flexible acquisitions and a focus on economic deterrence and economic security. 

Rep. Joe Courtney: US undersea supremacy is only growing stronger

Rep. Joe Courtney: US undersea supremacy is only growing stronger
Rep. Joe Courtney: US undersea supremacy is only growing stronger

In a new op-ed, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-CT., makes the case for why America’s submarine capabilities are still robust.

US, partners meeting on Sept. 28 on industrial strategies for arming Ukraine

US, partners meeting on Sept. 28 on industrial strategies for arming Ukraine
US, partners meeting on Sept. 28 on industrial strategies for arming Ukraine

The meeting “will include a call for production support for things like gun barrels, ball bearings, and steel casings,” as well as obsolescent parts and microchips, a senior defense official said.

From shipyards to semiconductors, watchdog warns of Defense Industrial Base risks

From shipyards to semiconductors, watchdog warns of Defense Industrial Base risks
From shipyards to semiconductors, watchdog warns of Defense Industrial Base risks

GAO raps Pentagon for relying on a strategy cobbled from four old documents.

Laura Taylor-Kale officially nominated as DoD industrial policy chief

Laura Taylor-Kale officially nominated as DoD industrial policy chief
Laura Taylor-Kale officially nominated as DoD industrial policy chief

Taylor-Kale, who has a long history of working on manufacturing issues, is currently a fellow for innovation and economic competitiveness at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ukraine war shows America could be outgunned without investing in energetics

Ukraine war shows America could be outgunned without investing in energetics
Ukraine war shows America could be outgunned without investing in energetics

Energetic materials — critical chemicals that help determine the range, size, and explosive power of missiles and rockets — are in dangerously short supply for American interests, write Nadia Schadlow and Brady Helwig of the Hudson Institute.

These Key Programs Face Real Delays From Continuing Resolution

These Key Programs Face Real Delays From Continuing Resolution
These Key Programs Face Real Delays From Continuing Resolution

Even though a short spending freeze seems mostly harmless, it is clear the US military cannot buy back time.

Want To Solve Supply Chain Security? Do Business Differently

Want To Solve Supply Chain Security? Do Business Differently
Want To Solve Supply Chain Security? Do Business Differently

It’s time to make real changes to the DFARS requirements, writes Stephanie Halcrow.

Microsoft Pushes Urgent Fixes Overnight As Threat Actors Compromise Exchange Servers Worldwide

Microsoft Pushes Urgent Fixes Overnight As Threat Actors Compromise Exchange Servers Worldwide
Microsoft Pushes Urgent Fixes Overnight As Threat Actors Compromise Exchange Servers Worldwide

The cyberespionage campaign is said to be affecting the U.S. defense industrial base, think tanks, and “hundreds of thousands” of organizations globally. Microsoft is implicating China.

Advice For DIU At Five: Don’t Just Grow, LEAD

Advice For DIU At Five: Don’t Just Grow, LEAD
Advice For DIU At Five: Don’t Just Grow, LEAD

“DIU is punching above its weight and having an impact beyond its size,” acquisition guru Bill Greenwalt says. “Still, that will not be enough….  Unless the rest of the Department and Congress learns these lessons, we will continue to fall behind China.”

Hypersonics: ARRW’s Booster Tests This Week – Carefully

Hypersonics: ARRW’s Booster Tests This Week – Carefully
Hypersonics: ARRW’s Booster Tests This Week – Carefully

As the services rush to field hypersonics, OSD’s top expert warns, they must not repeat sloppy mistakes that have marred past tests – and hypersonic cruise missiles may have more tactical value than easier-to-build boost-glide weapons.

DARPA Space Manufacturing Project Sparks Controversy

DARPA Space Manufacturing Project Sparks Controversy
DARPA Space Manufacturing Project Sparks Controversy

“As you surely know, there is a lot of emotion in this on both sides of the argument, making it as much political as it is legal,” said attorney Henry Hertzfeld of the DARPA plans.