The Pentagon's contract obligations grew 13 percent between fiscal years 2015 and 2017 -- but the five largest defense contractors reaped most of that benefit, according to new analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The U.S. Strategic Command Strategic Advisory Group is slated to meet this week, according to a Federal Register notice. The purpose of the Nov. 29-30 meeting is "to provide advice on scientific, technical, intelligence, and policy-related issues to the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, during the development of the Nation's strategic war plans," the notice states. Discussion topics, according to the notice, will include: "Policy Issues, Space Operations, Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Assessment, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Intelligence Operations, Cyber Operations, Global Strike, Command and Control, Science and Technology, [and] Missile Defense."

The Commerce Department is seeking input on how to best identify emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, that are essential to national security and could be subject to export controls.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis advised U.S. senators in a Nov. 28 closed-door meeting to continue military support and the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, despite the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, noting that "we are seldom free to work with unblemished partners."

Lofty goals in the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy were brought down to earth by a pair of Defense Department advisers, who told a Senate panel this week that a lack of funding will hinder execution of the plan, which deeply incorporates cybersecurity in the consideration of malign actions by nation-states and individuals.

As the Pentagon drives the Air Force and Navy to bring key fighter aircraft to an 80 percent mission-capable rate, the head of the Pacific Air Forces said Nov. 26 he is working with his wing commanders to better understand what they need to increase aircraft availability.

United Technologies' plan to spin off Otis and Carrier into separate entities following its acquisition of Rockwell Collins means the company will need an adapted capital structure as well as new capital allocation policies, according to a new Moody's Investors Service report.

Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems said Nov. 25 it has completed its acquisition of IMI Systems for about $495 million with a potential additional payment of about $27 million if performance goals are met.

In a new letter to a top acquisition official, the Professional Services Council is calling on the Pentagon to take steps to clarify how to use lowest price, technically acceptable contracting, a controversial strategy that has attracted significant attention in recent years.