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NRO Launches R&D Demonstrator Payload
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NRO Launches R&D Demonstrator Payload

The National Reconnaissance Office has deployed a research and development demonstrator from Space Launch Complex-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on March 15.

Launching Payloads Via Rideshare Mission

NRO said Saturday the payload was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-13 rideshare mission. This marked the second Second R&D mission launched by NRO in 2025. The Otter R&D payload was launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission in January.

The R&D demonstrator includes two 6U CubeSats intended for an NRO experimental technology research mission. It was designed and operated by the agency’s Advanced Systems & Technology directorate.

Aaron Weiner, director of NRO’s AS&T, remarked, “The NRO’s commitment to demonstrating experimental technology in orbit allows us to stay at the forefront of innovation. Through efforts like this, AS&T is posturing the NRO to maintain its advantage in delivering space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems that are responsive to future national security challenges.”

The agency has consistently fulfilled the needs of the U.S. intelligence, military, civil and allied partners for over 60 years. This includes space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, systems. NRO is developing advanced systems to safeguard data and expedite its delivery.

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Army’s C2 Initiative Demonstrates Capabilities at Project Convergence
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Army’s C2 Initiative Demonstrates Capabilities at Project Convergence

The U.S. Army’s Next Generation Command and Control, or NGC2, has managed to integrate advanced capabilities into realistic scenarios at Project Convergence Capstone 5, a.k.a. PCC5, an experimentation event at the National Training Center.

What Is the Next Generation Command and Control?

NGC2 is an Army initiative designed to deliver an integrated information network that would enable commanders and soldiers to access more comprehensive battlefield data for rapid communication and enhanced decision-making, the Army said Monday.

The initiative aims to provide tactical units an advantage over enemy forces by utilizing a lighter and more mobile network and C2 equipment to operate more rapidly and more dispersed.

The results of a year-long PCC5 lab and field experimentation have allowed the Army to evaluate the initiative’s progress to move forward to the prototyping phase. Some of the technologies being experimented at PCC5 include the use of applications, data infrastructure, software and hardware like tablets and mobile phones. These experimental technologies were integrated into tactical vehicles and evaluated.

Those involved in PCC5 have stressed that the technologies showed promise as they provided faster communications, more complete data transition and smaller form factors.

“What we’re trying to do is take these emerging technologies where we can get this data better and faster to execute,” said Lt. Col. Tad Coleman, commander of the 2-37 Armor Battalion. “The technology in Next Generation C2 is the stuff a majority of people are seeing and already doing (in their daily lives). It’s just that now, it’s at the fingertips of the commander,” he added.

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LANL’s Project GeoForce Approved for Military Marketplace
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LANL’s Project GeoForce Approved for Military Marketplace

A consortium led by Los Alamos National Laboratory received pre-approval from Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace for its Project GeoForce.

The LANL said Monday the Project GeoForce is now primed for rapid deployment on U.S. military bases. The national laboratory collaborated with Anthem Energy Partners, New Era Advisors, Homestead Resources, Texas A&M University and Power Planet on the project, which is intended to deliver readily available geothermal energy services to the government.

What Technologies Underlie GeoForce?

LANL is responsible for the project’s modeling software, the Geothermal Design Tool. The GeoDT streamlines prospecting and evaluation of geothermal sites while enabling users to assess their potential economic viability.

“Our team is deploying Los Alamos’ GeoDT and Fracture Caging technology to generate no less than 25 megawatts at a price less than 8 cents per kilowatt-hour from unconventional hot dry rock geothermal resources,” said Luke Frash, Project GeoForce lead at Los Alamos. “This opportunity allows us to help a wider audience secure access to affordable energy.”

“The U.S. Air Force leveraged the Tradewinds solicitation process to quickly collaborate with innovative American companies to build resilient, next-generation geothermal technologies at our bases, using private capital instead of taxpayer dollars,” said Kirk Phillips, director of the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance.

Geothermal energy is a cost-effective energy resource that remains underutilized as it comprises only 0.4 percent of the country’s total energy output in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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AFWERX, SpaceWERX Launch Manufacturing Challenge to Boost DIB
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AFWERX, SpaceWERX Launch Manufacturing Challenge to Boost DIB

AFWERX shared on LinkedIn Friday that it has collaborated with SpaceWERX to launch a Manufacturing Challenge aimed at accelerating the development of technologies and bridging gaps in the defense industrial base.

Enhancing National Security Through Innovative Partnerships

The innovation arms of the Department of the Air Force and the U.S. Space Force intend to bolster national security and meet evolving operational demands by encouraging partnerships between small businesses and the defense manufacturing ecosystem.

The initiative will involve a couple of two-day workshops intended to address challenges in aerospace production. The first workshop will be held from April 1 to 2 and will focus on advanced materials, additive manufacturing, composite structures, semiconductor innovations and other physical components of aerospace production. The second workshop, held on April 3 to 4, will involve systems integration, electronic subsystems, radiation-tolerant electronics and space power and propulsion.

The Manufacturing Challenge aims to support the U.S. industrial base and strengthen national security by enhancing transitions between commercial and defense manufacturing. It utilizes the Small Business Innovation Research program to fund innovative projects.

“We need to rethink how we manufacture, how fast we produce and how quickly we can pivot,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and DAF chief commercialization. “We can’t just go to war with a few hundred advanced systems — we need thousands, even tens of thousands. The ability to produce at scale is critical,” he added.

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Stephen Feinberg Takes Oath as Deputy Defense Secretary
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Stephen Feinberg Takes Oath as Deputy Defense Secretary

Billionaire financier Stephen Feinberg was sworn in as the 36th deputy secretary of defense on Friday hours after the Senate confirmed his nomination for the Department of Defense position in a 59-40 vote, DOD News reported.

In this capacity, Feinberg will oversee the implementation of the DOD secretary’s priorities and management of the Pentagon’s budget.

“Congratulations to Stephen Feinberg, our new deputy secretary of defense. His appointment is well-deserved, and he’s the right man for the job, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Let’s get to work,” Pete Hegseth, secretary of DOD and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, said in a social media post.

Stephen Feinberg’s Career Highlights

Feinberg is the co-founder and CEO of Cerberus Capital Management. With his confirmation as deputy DOD secretary, Frank Bruno, a 27-year Cerberus veteran and co-CEO since 2018, will lead the alternative investment firm as chief executive.

During President Trump’s first term, the newly appointed deputy defense secretary chaired the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University.

Senate Confirmation Hearing

In February, Feinberg appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing and testified on issues related to DOD’s financial management and the defense industrial base.

In response to a question about strengthening the industrial base, the New York native cited the need for workforce improvement. He noted that people who know how companies in the private sector work should be involved in the military’s materiel procurement efforts.

“A big piece of improving our supply chain is working more closely with our private sector. We need people inside of government [who] understand their issues, understand what drives their boards, [and understand] what drives the pressure they get from shareholders,” he said at the hearing.

Trump Signs 6-Month Continuing Resolution Into Law
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Trump Signs 6-Month Continuing Resolution Into Law

NBC News reported that President Donald Trump on Saturday signed into law a continuing resolution, or CR, to prevent a government shutdown and keep agencies operational through the end of September.

The Senate on Friday voted 54-46 to pass the six-month stopgap measure just hours ahead of a midnight deadline. Earlier in the day, 10 Democrats joined Republicans to clear a procedural vote, allowing the measure to defeat a filibuster through a 62-38 vote.

The measure’s passage in the upper chamber came three days after the House approved the six-month CR by a 217-213 vote.

Slight Increase in Military Spending

Breaking Defense reported that unlike a typical CR that funds government operations at current funding levels, the stopgap measure proposes a defense topline of $892.5 billion for fiscal year 2025, slightly higher than FY 2024 levels.

Key Defense Provisions

According to Breaking Defense, the full-year CR allows the Department of Defense to begin new programs, provides $8 billion in general transfer authority and contains a multiyear funding authority for CH-53K heavy lift helicopters, USS Virginia-class submarines and T408 engines.

The legislation also includes updated funding totals for Navy shipbuilding programs, providing additional funding for a third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and additional ship-to-shore connectors.

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Antoine McCord Appointed Homeland Security CIO
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Antoine McCord Appointed Homeland Security CIO

Antoine McCord has been selected as the next chief information officer at the Department of Homeland Security, Nextgov/FCW reported Thursday.

The new CIO was appointed by President Donald Trump and assumed duties on Monday. He replaced Eric Haysen, who served under the Biden administration.

Driving DHS’ IT Efforts

In his latest capacity, McCord is responsible for an IT budget of around $11 billion that can be utilized for directing DHS’ enterprise-wide IT strategy, cybersecurity operations and digital modernization initiatives. He is also tasked with overseeing efforts to address threats against the department and has expressed excitement about the potential of artificial intelligence.

With nearly two decades of experience in intelligence, cyber operations and national security, McCord brings a proven track record in threat detection and technology integration.

The DHS executive previously served in the U.S. intelligence community, where he was responsible for conducting cyber operations to counter advanced threats. McCord also held an advisory role on national security. Before that, he served in the Marine Corps.

McCord also joined the private sector, particularly in the field of cybersecurity and defense technology. In his previous work, he was mainly involved in safeguarding critical assets and empowering the public and private sectors to collaborate in driving infrastructure security.

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Hegseth Orders Changes to Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment
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Hegseth Orders Changes to Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment

The Department of Defense is disestablishing the Office of Net Assessment, or ONA, under the orders of Pete Hegseth, secretary of defense and a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient. In a memo obtained by Breaking Defense, Hegseth directed the performance improvement officer and director of administration and management to reassign all civilian employees under ONA to other positions across the DOD while military personnel will receive new billets. 

What Is ONA?

ONA is in charge of providing highly classified comparative assessments of trends, risks, opportunities and competitions of the U.S. military. Established in 1973, the office conducts and delivers these assessments to support the secretary of defense and deputy secretary of defense.

It also carries out shorter, less formal studies on the behest of senior DOD officials and congressional leaders. 

What Is Happening to ONA?

As part of ONA’s disestablishing, Hegseth also ordered the termination of all contracts awarded to support the office. 

DOD spokesperson Sean Parnell explained in a public statement that the disestablishment of ONA will ensure that “resources are focused on the most pressing national security challenges while maintaining accountability and efficiency.”

Parnell also confirmed that ONA will be rebuilt. The memo for the deputy secretary of defense to draft a plan for the office to be recreated in a manner consistent with Hegseth’s priorities.

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Commerce Department Seeks Proposals to Enhance Space Traffic
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Commerce Department Seeks Proposals to Enhance Space Traffic

The Department of Commerce is soliciting white papers that could lead to proposals and research projects to enhance space situational awareness, or SSA, and space traffic coordination technologies, or STC.

Seeking Proposals on SSA Data, STC Technologies

In a broad agency announcement issued on Friday, the Office of Space Commerce said it seeks white papers on SSA data, STC capabilities, and conjunction and risk assessments. The proposals should support the government’s technology research and development efforts for the Traffic Coordination System for Space program.

Under the program, OSC intends to fund R&D projects across multiple technology readiness levels, such as conducting basic research to inform future space policy decisions and building tech prototypes relevant to improve SSA and STC.

Virtual Community Day

To advance the BAA, OSC will host a virtual community day on April 3 and interested businesses are advised to review the announcement and submit questions before the online event. Further concerns and questions after the community day will be entertained and can be submitted no later than April 17.

The effort’s initial phase will limit the submission process to white papers, which must be sent in before May 30, as formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only.

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US Navy Taps V2X for $2B WEXMAC 2.0 Logistics Vehicle
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US Navy Taps V2X for $2B WEXMAC 2.0 Logistics Vehicle

The U.S. Navy has awarded V2X a position on the service’s Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract, or WEXMAC, 2.0 logistics contract vehicle.

This multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has an initial five-year period worth as much as $1.2 billion, with an option to extend up to 10 years for a total of $2.4 billion, the company announced Monday. V2X was selected to support 22 regions and will leverage its global footprint to deliver services and logistical capabilities that sustain and set the theater.

Improving Global Logistics

WEXMAC 2.0 aims to simplify procurement processes and integrates technology to improve logistical support for federal agencies and joint forces worldwide. This contract vehicle was developed to bolster military operations across the world through a faster and more efficient supply chain infrastructure.

WEXMAC 2.0’s requested services and supplies include humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, lodging and logistics, and contingency.. These services, critical to operations, include everything from medical and force protection services to base operations and life support.

Rapid response and planning are emphasized in WEXMAC 2.0. Participating companies are expected to integrate their capabilities into plans and operations within a 72-hour time period.

V2X said March 11 it was awarded a new $100 million firm-fixed-price contract to support the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Ashore missile defense facilities in Poland. The company on February 26 announced it received a $100 million contract from the FBI’s  Critical Incident Response Group to provide aviation maintenance and support services.

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