This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning national defense, cybersecurity, weapons systems, military commitments, and the Army, Navy and Air Force. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-08 to 2026-03-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Reforming America’s Defense Sales: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on "Reforming America’s Defense Sales" in Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2172) on March 17 at 2:00 PM. Scheduled witnesses include senior officials from the Department of War and State Department.
• FY27 Strategic Forces Posture Hearing: The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces will conduct a hearing on FY27 Strategic Forces Posture in Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2212) on March 17 at 7:30 PM.
• U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in North and South America: House Armed Services will convene a meeting on March 17 at 2:00 PM in Rayburn 2118 to discuss military posture and security challenges in North and South America.
• DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics: PRC AI and Robotics Risks: A Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing will review risks related to PRC artificial intelligence and robotics on March 17 at 2:00 PM in Cannon House Office Building (Room 310).
• U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in Europe: The House Armed Services Committee will meet March 18 at 9:00 AM in Rayburn 2118, covering European defense posture and regional security challenges.
• Posture and Readiness of the Mobility Enterprise: The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces will hold a hearing on mobility enterprise posture and readiness in Rayburn 2118 on March 18 at 3:00 PM.
• U.S. Special Operations Forces and Command – Resource Priorities for FY 2027: A House Armed Services Subcommittee hearing will address Special Operations Forces' resource priorities for fiscal year 2027 on March 18 at 3:30 PM.
• Member Day: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense: House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense will hold Member Day in Capitol (Room H-140) on March 19 at 9:30 AM.
• Senate Armed Services Committee Reviews Northern and Southern Command Posture: Senate Armed Services Committee will review posture of U.S. Northern and Southern Commands and Defense Authorization Request for FY 2027 in Dirksen G50 on March 19 at 9:30 AM, followed by a closed session.

Federal Government News

Operation Epic Fury Targets Iran's Military Capabilities

The Trump administration unveiled Operation Epic Fury, aimed at dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile production capacities and neutralizing its navy. U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlined mission goals to eliminate Iran’s missile systems, disrupt its support for terrorist proxies, and prevent the development of nuclear weapons. U.S. forces are conducting targeted actions on Iran’s defense infrastructure, focusing on permanent degradation of military assets. The operation is designed to increase security for U.S. interests and regional partners, with objectives centered on precision engagements to curtail Iran’s capacity for destabilizing activities.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Defense Production Act Executive Order Adjusts Agency Delegations

An executive order issued March 13 revises Executive Order 13603, permitting both the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy to independently exercise delegated authority under the Defense Production Act. Modifications ensure agency heads need only recommend actions to the President when authority is solely vested in the President. The order maintains existing legal authorities, complies with applicable regulations, and does not establish enforceable rights for private parties. Costs for publication are assigned to the Department of Energy.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Federal Acquisition Regulation Threshold Adjustment Announced

Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01, effective March 13, amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to adjust trade agreement thresholds. The changes apply formula-driven modifications for thresholds set by the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and U.S. Free Trade Agreements. The updated FAR aims to align procurement rules with new thresholds as determined by the United States Trade Representative. The circular is jointly issued by OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Navy Cancels Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Carrier Homeport Facilities

The Department of the Navy has canceled its Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for improvements to homeport facilities for three NIMITZ-Class aircraft carriers. The decision, effective February 13, was made because the proposed actions for Naval Air Station North Island are no longer necessary. This cancellation follows the original intent announced in June 2023 to update prior environmental analyses. Questions regarding the change can be directed to the Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Submission for OMB Review: Request for DoD Production Assistance

The Department of Defense has submitted a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget for clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This initiative covers DD Form 3205, titled "Request for DoD Production Assistance" (OMB Control Number 0704-0682), used to evaluate eligibility and coordinate military support for productions seeking DoD assistance. The submission is voluntary for the public, with 195 respondents averaging a 45-minute completion time. Annual burden is estimated at 146.25 hours. Comments are invited by April 13 via www.reginfo.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Romania signs deal with Ukraine on joint defence production including drones: Romania and Ukraine enter agreement to jointly produce defense equipment, including drones.
• Italy's Leonardo steps up digital defence drive and lifts targets: Leonardo increases digital defense efforts and updates financial projections.
• 'A shell of our former self’: How Trump and Musk’s spending cuts are hampering US government readiness amid the Iran war: Analysis of U.S. government defense capability amid recent budget adjustments during Iran conflict.
• Opinion | It’s High Time to Restock U.S. Munitions: Discussion on U.S. munitions resupply needs in the current strategic environment.
• Opinion | How to Protect Ukraine and the Middle East: Perspective on alliance strategies to support Ukraine and stabilize the Middle East.
• Opinion | A Good Ally Can Deploy Its Forces: Consideration of alliance force deployment and national readiness.
• The Economics of Shooting Down Drones: Review of financial and operational implications for counter-drone systems.

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