Army

The House is poised to pass legislation that gradually ramps up "Buy American" requirements on the Defense Department's largest programs of record, but industry representatives and analysts say the "arbitrary" rules could trip up important weapons developments and hurt international cooperation on defense programs.

In a new letter sent to the Pentagon this week, eight of the largest defense contractors say they are preparing their estimated costs related to COVID-19 relief legislation and warn the Pentagon will need additional funding to cover these expenses.

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord says the United States should "re-shore" the production of key capabilities like microelectronics after the COVID-19 crisis exposed weaknesses in the Defense Department's supply chain.

The Missile Defense Agency is mandating a single specific milestone only for the Next Generation Interceptor program -- emplacement of a new ballistic missile defense interceptor in the ground at Ft. Greely, AK, in 2028 -- and is otherwise allowing bidders to propose developmental milestones on the way to initial fielding.

The House Armed Services Committee is directing the Army to submit a briefing on virtual training and simulations through legislation passed yesterday.

The Pentagon is seeking congressional permission to shift $2 billion between budget accounts as part of an annual reallocation of funds the U.S. military has in hand, launch five new-start projects and shift funds the Defense Department says are required immediately to achieve U.S. Space Command "critical mission capability."

The Defense Department has reworked its weapons technology development priorities, elevating microelectronics to the No. 1 position -- a move that bumps maneuvering hypersonic technology development from the top to the No. 3 post, with 5G technology development pulling into the No. 2 billet between them, according to a senior Pentagon official.

Senate authorizers are concerned about the Army's move to reduce funding across its tactical wheeled vehicle fleet in favor of developing next-generation systems, as they feel it could negatively impact the industrial base as well as readiness.

The Senate Armed Services Committee is proposing legislation that would withhold support for adopting ballistic missile defense systems originally designed for regional missions to protect the U.S. homeland in a new "layered" architecture.