Brian Bradley
NS&D Monitor
09/18/2015
The Air Force on Sept. 11 issued its second request for information for the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, sending the acquisition effort closer to liftoff.
The RFI notes the Air Force is seeking a “modular systems architecture, within the constraints of nuclear surety and cybersecurity.” Pentagon acquisition brass are pursuing integration of modularity into new weapon systems as a core element of Better Buying Power 3.0, an initiative launched in April 2014 with the aim of strengthening DoD’s buying power, improving industry productivity, and providing a more affordable warfighter. “Modularity is seen as a key feature at all levels of the GBSD system architecture,” the RFI states. A key feature of modular architectures is their flexibility, as they allow greater interchangeability of weapon components.
The second RFI seeks more industry input on acquisition elements, including potential contracting vehicles, Air Force-Navy ballistic missile commonality opportunities, and survivability of modern command and control technologies. The RFI response deadline is 30 days after the release date.
“We believe the questions represent the huge gravity/implications of this procurement,” one industry official said, adding that his company’s response to the RFI will seek to help the Air Force outline “a strategy that will deliver the best value” to the service. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the executive is not authorized to speak on the record.
As Congress’ fiscal 2016 defense spending bill lies dormant in the Senate, GBSD’s timeline could be delayed by a continuing resolution, passage of which would presumptively require DoD to request a funding anomaly to finance the first-year program. While the first budget line for the GBSD – $75 million—appeared in President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2016 funding request, the Air Force has not officially confirmed whether the $62 billion program is a new start. Such acquisitions cannot be funded through a CR. The Air Force did not respond to a request this week for confirmation.
Questioned during yesterday’s Minot Task Force 21 conference in Washington about the chances of Congress passing a fiscal 2016 defense authorization and appropriation by Oct. 1, House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) roasted a few unnamed GOP colleagues: “Have you met my conference?” he said. He joked about when he rose from subcommittee ranking member to chairman after Republicans won the House majority in the 2010 elections. “It was a sea-change election, and we had 89 freshmen Republicans. … I went from Ranking Member Rogers to Chairman Rogers, and I was thrilled. Until I met those folks,” he said. “Have you met them? About half of them are… crazy.”
Hill Air Force Base in Utah will host the next GBSD industry day from Sept. 24-25.
