* Defense industry needs to improve cost, weight, and energy efficiencies in new weapons systems, US defense officials tell US Navy League conference.
* Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace says DoD should be in charge of US cybersecurity, not the Department of Homeland Security.
* Microsemi and Anaren are competing to acquire AML Communications, a Camarillo, CA-based defense electronics supplier (e.g., for Raytheon’s MALD decoys). With a bid of $28 million, Microsemi is the front runner.
* Meanwhile, Forbes is predicting a wave of consolidation in the defense electronics market.
* Lockheed Martin, URS, and InDyne team to bid on USAF Launch and Test Range System Integrated Support Contract (LISC), which is a follow-on to the Spacelift Range Systems contract currently held by ITT. LISC is expected to be awarded in 2012 for an estimated value of between $2 billion and $3 billion.
* ATK gets $49.9 million contract option to supply LW30mm M789 HEDP ammunition [PDF] for the M230 chain gun mounted on the US Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.