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Pentagon

Austin ‘Concerned’ Pentagon Doesn’t Have Permanent Acquisition Chief In Place

By Matthew Beinart

Wednesday, July 21st, 2021

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Austin ‘Concerned’ Pentagon Doesn’t Have Permanent Acquisition Chief In Place

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin holds a press briefing at the Pentagon on Feb. 19, 2021.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday he’s “concerned” the department does not have a permanent acquisition chief in place, adding he’s working with the White House on identifying a candidate to lead the office. Austin’s remarks arrive after Michael Brown, director of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), withdrew his nomination to be the next under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment (A&S). Additionally, media reports have confirmed that Stacy Cummings, who is serving in acting capacity, is planning…

Congress

House Republicans’ Blueprint For Reconciliation 3.0 Includes $60 Billion For Defense

House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a blueprint for a third reconciliation bill that includes $60 billion for defense, a figure slightly below the Trump administration’s request to cover Iran war […]

Congress

Senate Dems Block Consideration Of FY ‘27 NDAA Over Iran War Concerns

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a vote to advance consideration of the chamber’s $1.14 trillion fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization (NDAA). The procedural vote was 46-50, failing to reach […]

Congress

Concerns Raised At SASC Hearing On Unobligated Reconciliation Funds And Lack Of Updates On Iran War Cost

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) raised concerns at a hearing on Tuesday about the majority of funds in the $153 billion first reconciliation bill being unobligated thus […]

Unmanned Systems

CBO Says Upfront Costs To Protect Military Installations From Drones Between $1 Million And $74 Million

The initial costs to acquire and deploy counter-small unmanned aircraft system (C-sUAS) defenses at individual Defense Department installations are estimated at between $1.2 million and $73.6 million depending on the […]