* The US Office of Management and Budget [OMB] published a list of innovative contracting case studies [PDF] that include rapid prototyping, milestone-based competitions, challenges, and other contracting schemes. Both contractors and government employees are invited to join a Google group for further discussion. There is encouraging self-awareness in there: “transaction costs related to mandates unique to the government can add an 18 to 20% cost premium.”
Space Acquisitions
* The USAF has been working on a draft RFP for its Consolidated Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) Modifications, Maintenance and Operations (CAMMO) acquisition. An industry day is scheduled on Sept. 3-4 at Peterson AFB, CO. The draft won’t be made available on the FBO website, only in the separate CAMMO bidder’s library [PDF].
* Nitrous oxide-rubber hybrid rocket motors have lost [Parabolic Arc] 2 key spaceflight customers: Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo and SNC’s Dream Chaser shuttle. Instead Dream Chaser will use a liquid engine.
Middle East
* The US launched new strikes in Iraq despite the Islamic State’s threats against the lives of hostages. The reaction from Western politicians to the video of James Foley’s execution may seem odd – as gruesome as it is – given the Islamic State’s prior filmed advertisement [Long War Journal] of its mass killings. But what is new here is direct blackmail against the US. And there’s a twist: the killer may well be [NYT] a British citizen, given his accent.
* Turkish officials are rethinking the idea [Hurriyet] of designing a TF-X fighter from scratch. It certainly has the potential to be a huge time and money sink, but in the end, it’s a political decision. An opening for the KF-X, perhaps?
Europe
* Hungary has signed an agreement [MTI] to upgrade its soldier-portable MBDA Mistral missiles to M3 status by 2018.
Asia
* Several Indian industrial firms have high expectations [Reuters] that Modi’s government vows to accelerate defense procurement and buy locally will indeed turn into booming business.
* Today’s video shows Singapore’s bombastic action-packed armament display during its national day parade: