Pentagon to lose $110 billion buying power from inflation, defense trade group warns

Pentagon to lose $110 billion buying power from inflation, defense trade group warns
Pentagon to lose $110 billion buying power from inflation, defense trade group warns

“We learned in 2016 that recovering from artificial cuts is more expensive than getting it right in the first place,” David Norquist, NDIA’s president and CEO, told Breaking Defense.

NDIA head David Norquist on Pentagon communications and handling inflation

NDIA head David Norquist on Pentagon communications and handling inflation
NDIA head David Norquist on Pentagon communications and handling inflation

The former No. 2 official at the Pentagon believes the department is going to have to get creative as inflation puts long-term contracts at risk.

Citing routine cost jumps, Senate appropriators add to Middle Tier authority concerns

Citing routine cost jumps, Senate appropriators add to Middle Tier authority concerns
Citing routine cost jumps, Senate appropriators add to Middle Tier authority concerns

“You always have to be careful when we streamline a process,” David Norquist, recently installed as president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association, told Breaking Defense.

Austin Arrives At Pentagon; Votes on State, Treasury Could Come Today

Austin Arrives At Pentagon; Votes on State, Treasury Could Come Today
Austin Arrives At Pentagon; Votes on State, Treasury Could Come Today

The confirmation of the first African American SecDef comes after Avril Haines was confirmed Wednesday as the first woman to serve as Director of National Intelligence

New Navy Ships Plan Finally Ready; On Esper’s Desk Next Week

New Navy Ships Plan Finally Ready; On Esper’s Desk Next Week
New Navy Ships Plan Finally Ready; On Esper’s Desk Next Week

“We built three different future fleets,” Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist said. “We examined the ships and Marine units we have, and those we might build by 2045.”

Navy Plans For Wartime Ship Surge; Looks To Small Commercial Yards

Navy Plans For Wartime Ship Surge; Looks To Small Commercial Yards
Navy Plans For Wartime Ship Surge; Looks To Small Commercial Yards

“We don’t have enough capacity for peacetime” repairs, said Rear Adm. Eric Ver Hage. “We can’t get ships delivered on time with the predictability we need today.”

No Shipbuilding Plan, But Navy Works On New Ships To Counter China

No Shipbuilding Plan, But Navy Works On New Ships To Counter China
No Shipbuilding Plan, But Navy Works On New Ships To Counter China

The Navy and Marine Corps’ vision of a future surface fleet is starting to come together, even if they’re still waiting for the Defense Secretary and Congress to give their blessings.

COVID-19 Spreads To USS Nimitz; DoD Must ‘Operate In A COVID Environment’

COVID-19 Spreads To USS Nimitz; DoD Must ‘Operate In A COVID Environment’
COVID-19 Spreads To USS Nimitz; DoD Must ‘Operate In A COVID Environment’

“I think it is not a good idea to think that the [Theodore Roosevelt] is a one of a kind issue,” vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Hyten said. “To think that it will never happen again, is not a good way to plan.”

McCusker May Stay Acting DoD Comptroller Til October

McCusker May Stay Acting DoD Comptroller Til October
McCusker May Stay Acting DoD Comptroller Til October

McCusker will be able to continue serving in an acting capacity for another seven months, Pentagon spokesman Chris Sherwood confirmed Tuesday. The 210-day clock “began when the nomination was withdrawn.”

EXCLUSIVE SecDef Esper Seeks Detente With HASC; New Navy Plan This Summer

EXCLUSIVE SecDef Esper Seeks Detente With HASC; New Navy Plan This Summer
EXCLUSIVE SecDef Esper Seeks Detente With HASC; New Navy Plan This Summer

The letter, sent late Thursday to House Armed Services chair Rep. Adam Smith, underscores Esper’s goal of building a 355-ship fleet: “I personally believe the force structure we need is even larger,” he writes.

SecDef Eyeing Moving Billions By Eliminating Offices, Legacy Systems

SecDef Eyeing Moving Billions By Eliminating Offices, Legacy Systems
SecDef Eyeing Moving Billions By Eliminating Offices, Legacy Systems

The Pentagon is about to pitch Congress on a plan to move $5.7 billion from legacy programs to new modernization efforts. Some offices are going to feel some pain.

Hill To Griffin: No Moving The SCO; Shifts It to DepSecDef Norquist

Hill To Griffin: No Moving The SCO; Shifts It to DepSecDef Norquist
Hill To Griffin: No Moving The SCO; Shifts It to DepSecDef Norquist

Congress worried that the SCO’s ability to act fast would be stymied by layers of bureaucratic approval required for any decisions. Under DARPA, it would have been bumped four reporting levels down.

Pentagon, NATO Warn European Union About Defense Spending

Pentagon, NATO Warn European Union About Defense Spending
Pentagon, NATO Warn European Union About Defense Spending

As the EU releases plans for new ships, drones, and missile defense systems, Washington and NATO worry the organization’s new weapons may not work seamlessly with the alliance’s.

Norquist Pledges To Shakeup Budget; Sharp Eye On R & D

Norquist Pledges To Shakeup Budget; Sharp Eye On R & D
Norquist Pledges To Shakeup Budget; Sharp Eye On R & D

Presumptive Deputy Defense Secretary Norquist pledged to “revise budget review timelines and data collection standards to maximize senior leader decision-making quality and timing.”