QUICK HITS
How AI changes plans and preparations: From personal tasks to government systems.
From deals to the C-suite: A 30 year expert talks about what makes some GovCons long-term successes.
NDAA 2026: Big changes for commercial solutions and defense contractors.
CMMC Phase 1 is here: Here’s what defense contractors should do.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Grok, subs, and surprises in defense over the break.
While you were binge-watching holiday movies, DOD was eyeing Grok for AI muscle, North Korea showed off sub-launched missiles, and other defense headlines quietly dropped. If you missed the action, here’s your quick catch-up before the next contract scramble.
Navy truncates constellation frigate buy, launches FF(X) Plan.
The Navy’s Constellation (FFG‑62) program began in FY2020 with plans for at least 20 hulls. So far, six are funded: one each in FY2020–FY2023, two in FY2024, and none in FY2025. Translation: momentum paused, but it seems there’s still room for future sails.
DOD creates Enterprise C2 Program Office to fuse AI and C2 efforts.
The DOD is establishing a new Enterprise Command & Control Program Office to consolidate Maven MSS, Edge Data Mesh, and other AI tools into a unified “Enterprise C2 Suite.” This hub aims to streamline CJADC2 by centralizing authorities, infrastructure, and accountability for real-time targeting.
ICYMI:
[Event] USSO Small Business is hosting an acquisition forum on Feb 18.
DARPA pursues universal translator for quantum computers.
DOD invests $32.7M in solid rocket motor industrial base.
Electra pitches EL-9 as Pentagon’s next sprinter van.
DISA’s push for acquisition accelerators are buoyed by FAR update.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
Defense Job Openings
CHART
GAO. "U.S. Postal Service Primer: Updated Answers to Key Questions about Reform Issues.” GAO-26-107657. December 2025. Page 35. (Source)
INTEL COMMUNITY
GAO rebukes CIA; Markon gets second shot.
GAO sustained Markon’s protest, finding the CIA used unstated, oral instructions to mark up costs on a 10‑year modernization support contract originally awarded to Arcfield (business ops, IT engineering, enterprise modernization).
ICYMI:
NGA Draft RFP: Foundation Sustainment Support, Software and Integration.
CIA operations in Venezuela that are now public.
USSOCOM wants to integrate Starlink and Starshield on AC-130J gunships.
Can ASTS satellites drive future defense communication growth?
Cyviz bagged two classified Mission Critical Visualization Systems contracts from NATO.
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CIVILIAN
NASA preparing crewed Artemis II lunar flyby mission.
NASA is gearing up for Artemis II, its first crewed lunar mission since 1972, launching by early 2026. A four‑astronaut crew aboard Orion and the SLS will complete a 10‑day free‑return mission to validate deep‑space systems.
Watchdog IDs anti-fraud measures some federal programs still need to adopt.
A new GAO report found that federal agencies continue to struggle with waste, fraud, and abuse, losing billions of dollars annually due to improper payments, weak internal controls, and outdated financial systems. Without sustained leadership attention and modernization of oversight tools, agencies will keep falling short.
Lawmakers boost NIST funding after proposed cuts.
Congress just gave NIST a high-five—approving $1.8 billion instead of slashing its budget. That includes a $542 million bump for research, $55 million for AI efforts, and $175 million for manufacturing support.
ICYMI:
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
FCC welcomed its Chief Economist.
Spry has a new COO.
Civilian Job Openings
DOJ wants a Deputy Director.
CMMS needs a Deputy Director.
M&A CORNER
L3Harris sharpens DOD focus with space unit sale.
L3Harris is offloading a majority stake—60% for $845M—in its civil space propulsion unit to AE Industrial, retaining 40% and keeping its RS‑25 rocket engine business. The move funds a pivot toward defense priorities and fits a new three‑segment operating structure.
TransDigm to acquire Stellant Systems for $960 million.
TransDigm signed a definitive agreement to buy Stellant Systems for $960M, expanding its defense electronics footprint. Stellant—an RF/microwave specialist—derives ~50% of revenue from aftermarket and employs ~950 across four U.S. sites; closing is expected in 2026.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Flu cases surge: Flu cases have hit the highest level in 30 years. SOURCE↗︎
Smart Brick: LEGO’s big leap. There’s an entire computer and sensors in a tiny 2×4 brick. This marks Lego’s first major evolution in 50 years. SOURCE↗︎
Why does AI boost creativity for some employees and kills it for others? Employers need to develop employees’ metacognition skills to promote thoughtful use of AI. SOURCE↗︎
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