Defense Commercial Acquisition, OTA Transparency, and Industrial-Base Expansion

The Marine Corps' SteerBridge selection for AI-enabled predictive aircraft maintenance, reportedly completed 34 days after requirement approval, illustrates rapid OTA execution. It joins reported Navy SLCM-N prototype agreements and the Anduril NGC2 selection, reinforcing flexible acquisition and nontraditional-supplier expansion while raising questions about transparency, testing, access, and follow-on production.