Andrew Glenn

Matt and Pete nail the analysis of Congress-DoD budgeting activity again. But they might have under-examined one key trend... This budget markup shows serious concern about #ContestedLogistics. Although the Navy took serious cuts to many programs, budget lines for logistics platforms tell a different story. Logistics platforms that received plus ups: - CH-53 (Heavy Lift Helo) - KC-130J (Tanker) - V-22 Osprey (Troop Transport) - Fleet Oiler - Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship - Ship to Shore Connector Non-Logistics platforms that received plus ups: - F-35 Missiles and surface combat capabilities received severe cuts. To me, the essence of how we do logistics is very important. Our proficiency, culture, and experience will serve us well. But there is no substitute for sheer mass. The House Appropriations Committee clearly recognizes that we need more ships. #Logistics #Congress #DoD #Budget #Defense #DefenseTech #DefenseTechnology #Acquisitions #Shipbuilding #Ships

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Fully agree with Pete Modigliani and Matt MacGregor in their analysis of winners and losers in the House Appropriations Committee's FY25 Defense Appropriations Bill. Pay raises for service members are great, but prioritizing aircraft (many which are already delayed) over missiles is a poor signal to industry. "Yet at a time when our aircraft, ships, and munitions inventories are at historic lows, while the CCP churn out massive quantities of new systems, this is the worst time to cut procurement budgets. This does not enable production at scale. This does not incentivize new entrants into the industrial base to compete for production contracts." "Aircraft are undoubtedly important assets but at a time when munitions are acknowledged as being in critically short supply, the cuts to those accounts are not encouraging." https://lnkd.in/exu7Y337 #defenseindustry #defensebudget

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Can the Joint Force do without a specialist in the littoral? I'm recommending an addition to the existing operational-level, functional component-based organizational design, and different command and control options for operations in the littoral. I'm proposing a full-time, ready, responsive, and venturesome Joint Littoral Operations Component Commander.    The littoral is a geographic locale with higher than elsewhere rates of change in momentum, tempo, and maneuver, from seaward to hundreds of miles inland. U.S. forces must continually compensate for this, as well as with the dense interconnectedness of things, people[1] and information in time and space, by employing a wide range of means, including, but beyond, conflict-necessary kinetics, by organizations other than those oriented on spatial domains and warfare expertise. In the littorals around the world, synthesized and synchronized multi-domain expertise is more important than is proficiency by individual components or the services. The Nobel Prize-winning economist Herb Simon used an aphorism in a lecture he once gave: “There is a saying in politics that ‘you can’t beat something with nothing.’ You can’t defeat a measure…simply by pointing to defects and inadequacies. You must offer an alternative.” Okay, Professor Simon, you're right: I'm proposing this addition, rather than just point out that our littoral operations ability is sub-optimized with a long journal article pointing out this degradation. This new component commander would coordinate force interoperability capabilities and actions for littoral access, collection, persistent endurance, influence, and combat. He would have the technical / technological means and the skilled personnel and procedures to leverage low observable technology, long-, medium-, and short-dwell multiple sensor fusion, and advanced integrated networks of manned and unmanned capabilities. And the JLOCC would be trained and become experienced in a non-trivial, key set of characteristics: warfighting in the littoral obtains fighting into it, fighting in it, fighting from it, and, potentially, fighting out of it. [1] Including density of settlements: estimates of populations in the littorals range from 40 to 70 percent of the earth’s humans living within 60 miles of coasts. Want to know more? Contact me at alelkins@sonalysts.com

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A great study on how the national defense #innovation ecosystem is growing rapidly with innovation efforts within and outside the #DepartmentofDefense, there still exist several internal barriers that prevent innovation from scaling at speed. This is a great study to help #military members and #industry understand where DoD stands.

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Today the ISR Task Force partnered with WTOP News, the Federal News Network, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, United States Space Force, and Planet Federal to discuss the critical topic of Broad Area Management and its impact on the safety and security of our nation. In the round table discussion, we touched on the imperative of #teamwork in Integrated Deterrence while also discussing some of the more tangible ways the services are investing in solutions to deliver enhanced situational understanding around the world. The US Army Intelligence enterprise, under the direction of Lieutenant General Tony Hale, is working hard to deliver horizontally integrated capabilities at a pace and scale that matches the tempo of the modern operational environment. To optimize these systems, we’ve been directed to develop strategies for wide-adoption and implementation of Artificial Intelligence capabilities into human-centric workflows. Soon the world currency will be measured in TPUs and GPUs. #Data centricity is a thing, and embracing it is what separates visionary leaders from everyone else. We wrap up this week with a conversation with Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) - a partner on Capitol Hill who is “all in” on AI investments.

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The funding is there, now it's the question of what the Pentagon will do with it. As reported by Courtney Albon, The Defense Innovation Unit is looking to spend its $1 billion fiscal budget to "accelerate existing projects and add new ones in technology areas like counter uncrewed aerial systems and space transport." A barrier? A shortened time window. As they work to get moving quickly, the overarching goal will be to address "operational capability gaps with the focus, speed, and scale required to help us deter major conflict or win if forced to fight." Are there any potential gaps that should be met with this 2024 funding? Is that within scope of the funding and even feasible? #DefenseNews #Innovation #Deterrence

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VC investors are more interested than ever in the defense industry and defense technology. It could mark a proper sea change moment for investing in global security. Jason Rathje from Office of Strategic Capital leads the DoD's focus "on strategic capital needs where public support is required to attract private investment..." and "we hope to license our first funds ... where we provide loans to investors to increase early-stage investment in these very difficult technology areas." Katherine Boyle general partner at Andreessen Horowitz has said, "I don't think I've ever seen such excitement, enthusiasm for investing in defense tech across a wide variety of investment firms. I think it's something that pretty much every serious … traditional Silicon Valley investment firm has at least one partner who's focused on aerospace or defense." Not that there aren't challenges. Nick Beim , partner at Venrock: "You'll have to deal with an existing set of economic players who kind of don't want a lot of competition and may be more interested in doing something themselves and partnering with a company that's got a ready solution. So, there are a lot of risks." #defensindustry #defensetech Tholus Capital Ajax Defense https://lnkd.in/eqN68VKV 

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Anduril’s Lattice for C2 played an integral part in Ex Valiant Shield and shows the pace at which we can provide joint C2 across modern and legacy systems, services and mission partners. This article talks through some of the key aspects of the exercise and how our Lattice for C2 system delivered crucial interoperability to our warfighters to enable them to achieve their mission. https://lnkd.in/eeFYTrx5

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"Data is our lifeblood – everything we do is about data," emphasizes Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach at the AFCEA Hampton Roads Maritime IT Summit. Commander, Naval Information Forces leaders highlight the crucial role of information warfare in modern naval operations, integrating it across all domains to ensure superior battlespace awareness and command control. #InformationWarfare #NAVIFOR #DefenseInnovation #DataDrivenDecisions Read more below:

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The U.S. Army aims to finalize its multidomain task force (MDTF) structure by fiscal year 2028, as outlined in an internal document obtained by Defense News. While subject to change, the document details the Army's recent Total Army Analysis and proposed force structure plans. The MDTFs, operating across land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace, serve as critical components of the Army's Multi-Domain Operations concept. These units integrate all-source intelligence for targeting purposes, enhancing joint force capabilities. Over the next five years, the Army plans to consolidate capabilities, convert brigade support companies, and complete stationing decisions for all MDTF formations. By FY28, five MDTFs will be fully operational, strategically positioned to support theater-specific requirements and enhance joint force readiness. #USArmy #ForceStructure #JointOperations #DefensePlanning #SanDiego #OmicronVis #UnitedStatesOfAmeric

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Stepping into the future with #DISANext - a comprehensive 5-year blueprint from the Defense Information Systems Agency. Spearheading industry change through its 4 fundamentals: Secure Capabilities, Strategic C3, Modernization, and Data. Hear from the visionary himself, Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner about the strategic imperatives of this plan: https://bit.ly/3WcCrb2. Paving the way for advanced #Cybersecurity and #strategy!

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My take: CSO and CDR U.S. Space Command are emphasizing the immediate need for mission command, and have empowered one 3-star (Lt Gen Schiess) and two O6 commanders (Deltas 5 & 15; CSpOC & NSDC) for all operational space authorities to flow through, with our Company Grade Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers commanding tactical ops from their host squadrons. The rest of us in Delta command positions now focus our efforts to acquire, generate, and sustain forces to present to these two O6 commanders. We must close the gap on what they need to effectively C2 and synchronize space operations into joint power projection. It’s on us as the Force Generation commanders to get the “who” and “how” right — trained, sustained, and integrated — so that the operational commanders can focus on the “why,” “what,” and “when.” It’s a major shift for many of us; however, it’s the right thing to do to drive mission command to the lowest levels, enabling agility and flexibility with those who know the mission best.

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This is probably an unpopular opinion: SOCOM/SOF should not be doing innovation investment, here’s why: First, background, context, caveats: I'm a former 18B/11A, spent 5+ years trying to transition tech from DARPA to SOCOM, and I 100% believe that SOF folks are some of the most innovative and creative minds in the DoD, this is not the issue, in my view the issues are: 1. SOF is nearly always focused on 25M targets, which are inherently always changing, hard to do anything other than innovation theater in short time frames 2. SOCOM is not a monolith, it's a tribe of tribes with all the accompanying tribalism, hard to build a solid TAM for industry when SEALs and long tabbers want different everything 3. The budget is just too small, and most of it goes to upgrades to current PLATFORMS, a few million sprinkled here or there doesn't move the needle 4. MFP11, finding actual innovations that are actually SOF-unique is getting harder in the post-GWOT/JADC2 world, sure some SOF SEAD capes here or there, but what else? So you're left having to try and steer MFP-2 money, which is no easy task

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𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆'𝘀 𝗠𝗗𝗧𝗙𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 The U.S. Army is on a strategic trajectory to finalize its multidomain task force (MDTF) structure by fiscal 2028, a significant step toward enhancing its operational capabilities. This ambitious initiative, as outlined in an internal document, reflects the Army's commitment to modernizing its force structure to meet evolving threats and challenges. The MDTFs, designed to operate seamlessly across land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace, represent a paradigm shift in the Army's operational approach. With the completion of these task forces, the Army aims to strengthen its readiness and effectiveness in conducting multidomain operations. Each MDTF is equipped with cutting-edge capabilities, including long-range precision fires, showing the Army's emphasis on staying ahead of technological advancements. Moreover, the integration of Mid-Range Capability and Long-Range Hypersonic batteries under a unified Long-Range Fires Battalion headquarters signifies a concerted effort to optimize firepower and protection. The establishment of MDTFs in strategic locations such as Europe, Hawaii, and Colorado show the Army's global posture and commitment to supporting regional theaters. Furthermore, the inclusion of Fort Liberty, North Carolina, as a hub for MDTF operations highlights the Army's holistic approach to addressing diverse operational requirements. As the Army moves forward with its MDTF initiative, it remains focused on enhancing joint force capabilities and rapid response capabilities. This comprehensive restructuring highlights the Army's adaptability and readiness to meet the challenges of a dynamic and evolving security landscape. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Claudio Tejada/Army

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