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Budhu Bhaduri Named ORNL Chief Data Officer
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Budhu Bhaduri. The ORNL Corporate Research Fellow has been named the lab’s first chief data officer.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has appointed Budhendra “Budhu” Bhaduri, most recently director of science, programs and partnerships at ORNL’s National Security Sciences Directorate, as its first chief data officer.

Budhu Bhaduri Named ORNL Chief Data Officer

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ORNL said Friday the creation of the new executive role seeks to unify the lab’s enterprise data strategy and support mission delivery across energy, open science and national security programs.

“Establishing a Chief Data Officer underscores ORNL’s commitment to treating data as a strategic asset for science and operations,” said Susan Hubbard, ORNL’s deputy for science and technology. “Budhu’s proven leadership in complex, data-intensive programs will help unify our enterprise data strategy, modernize our architecture and governance, and accelerate responsible, AI-enabled discovery.”

What Are Bhaduri’s Responsibilities as ORNL Chief Data Officer?

Bhaduri will report to the deputy for science and technology within the laboratory director’s office and work with the chief information officer and associate lab directors to align data infrastructure, governance and enterprise strategy across ORNL’s facilities and organizations.

In this capacity, he will help execute initiatives to accelerate research and improve operations. He will also chair the ORNL Data Governance Council and collaborate with leaders of facilities and AI-intensive projects, including those supporting the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission.

Who Is Budhu Bhaduri?

Bhaduri is an ORNL Corporate Research Fellow who joined the national lab in 1998 as a research scientist.

He led ORNL’s Geospatial Science and Human Security Division from 2018 to 2024. He also founded and directed the lab’s Urban Dynamics Institute, where he advanced data-driven research on complex urban systems.

He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Association of Geographers. He holds a master’s degree from Kent State University and a doctorate from Purdue University.

What Is DOE Genesis?

The Genesis Mission is a DOE-led national initiative that aims to develop a scientific platform to drive energy innovation, accelerate discovery science and strengthen national security.

Formed through a November executive order, the mission seeks to connect leading supercomputers, AI systems, experimental facilities and unique scientific datasets to double the research productivity and impact of U.S. research and innovation within 10 years.

To support the mission, ORNL established the Next Generation Data Centers Institute to help address AI energy demands.

DOE recently announced 26 science and technology challenges intended to advance the Genesis Mission and accelerate AI-enabled innovation.

In December, the department signed agreements with NVIDIA, Accenture, Amazon Web Services, Google, Oracle, Microsoft and 18 other organizations to advance the Genesis Mission and announced a $320 million investment to accelerate the development of AI capabilities in support of the initiative.

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Linux Foundation Launches OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation
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6G. The Linux Foundation launched the OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation to drive AI-RAN innovation and support 56 and 6G services.

The Linux Foundation has launched the Open Centralized Unit Distributed Unit, or OCUDU, Ecosystem Foundation to drive open source artificial intelligence-radio access network, or AI-RAN, innovation and accelerate 5G and early AI-native 6G deployments.

Linux Foundation Launches OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation

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LF said Sunday the foundation will operate as an open collaboration hub focused on developing, scaling and sustaining open source software for the centralized unit and distributed unit layers of Open RAN architectures while establishing a foundational reference platform that incorporates AI-based algorithms to support software-defined RAN deployments.

Arpit Joshipura, general manager of networking, edge and IoT at the Linux Foundation, said the effort aligns global stakeholders under an open, trusted and secure framework to power the next decade of wireless innovation.

What Are the Objectives of the OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation?

The OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation seeks to establish a public-private ecosystem to develop and sustain an open source CU and DU software stack within Open RAN. It will host the OCUDU project and related initiatives under a collaborative governance model while promoting global coordination across RAN domains and end-to-end platforms. The foundation also plans to support documentation, testing, integration and other resources to facilitate development, deployment and adoption of the open source project.

OCUDU originated from an investment by the National Spectrum Consortium and the Pentagon’s FutureG Office, which awarded funding to DeepSig and Software Radio Systems to develop the initial software stack for 5G, 6G and AI-RAN in collaboration with the Linux Foundation.

Who Are the Industry Members of the OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation?

The founding industry leaders are AMD, AT&T, DeepSig, Ericsson, Nokia, NVIDIA, SoftBank, SRS and Verizon.

The 21 general industry members are:

  • 1Finity
  • Aalyria
  • Abside Networks
  • Airspan
  • Altio Labs
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Cirrus360
  • Cisco
  • Cohere Technologies
  • ISCO International
  • JMA Wireless
  • Keysight Technologies
  • Marvell
  • ORAN Development Company
  • Radisys
  • Raycom Wireless
  • Red Hat
  • Sempre.ai
  • Skylark Wireless
  • T-Mobile
  • Viavi

Chris Christou, senior vice president of edge and NextG at Booz Allen’s chief technology office, commented on the company’s participation in the OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation in a LinkedIn post.

“The Linux Foundation initiative will drive the future of open source AI-native 5G/6G RAN software. We’re proud to collaborate across industries to advance innovation, security and scalability, shaping a more connected future,” he added.

Who Are the Participating Universities & Research Institutions?

  • Georgia Tech Applied Research Corporation
  • Idaho National Laboratory
  • Iowa State University of Science and Technology
  • MITRE
  • Mississippi State University
  • North Carolina State University
  • Northeastern University
  • Rice University
  • SRI International
  • Texas A&M University
  • UC San Diego
  • UNH Interoperability Labs
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Texas at San Antonio
  • University of Utah
  • VT Research Contracting Services

The foundation said university participation will strengthen the research-to-production pipeline, support applied experimentation and validation in real-world environments, and help develop the next generation of open source RAN engineers. Research areas include next-generation PHY and MAC development, AI-driven RAN optimization, security and resilience, testing methodologies and energy efficiency.

What Did Pentagon FutureG Director Thomas Rondeau Say About the Foundation?

Thomas Rondeau, principal director of the Pentagon’s FutureG Office and a 2026 Wash100 awardee, said the initiative brings the open source model to a critical layer of future wireless infrastructure.

“By shifting the maintenance of these common components to a collaborative, open-source project, under neutral governance at the Linux Foundation, we enable our industry partners to focus their resources on the innovative and monetizable technologies that are most effective for the nation,” Rondeau said. “We are building a foundation that enables shared success and accelerates progress for the entire ecosystem. We are looking forward to seeing this approach provide a vital platform for strengthening our relationships and collaboration with our allies and international partners.”

DefenseScoop reported that the Pentagon plans to publish the initial version of the OCUDU open source software stack on GitHub in April, making the codebase publicly accessible to military and commercial developers to support innovation in current 5G and emerging 6G networks.

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Navy Begins Enterprise Review of Civilian Workforce Structure
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John Phelan. The Navy has launched a review of its civilian workforce.

The Department of the Navy has initiated a departmentwide organizational assessment that could lead to adjustments in how its civilian workforce is structured and staffed, Federal News Network reported Friday.

A Navy official said the review is intended to align the department’s structure with National Defense Strategy priorities and improve support to warfighters. The effort follows War Secretary and 2026 Wash100 awardee Pete Hegseth’s Workforce Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative, which directed military departments to assess their organizational frameworks and identify opportunities for reform.

Navy Begins Enterprise Review of Civilian Workforce Structure

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According to a Feb. 17 memo from Navy Secretary John Phelan, a fellow Wash100 awardee, the review builds on earlier consolidation efforts and may inform future workforce shaping decisions in fiscal year 2026. 

Navy leaders have been instructed to analyze potential staffing reduction scenarios ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent in certain areas, particularly within the Navy Secretariat and Budget Submitting Organizations across multiple echelons.

An initial status report is due in March, with a planned implementation timeline of Sept. 30, 2026.

How Could Workforce Data Challenges Affect the Review?

The review comes as the Navy continues to face data accuracy challenges in tracking portions of its civilian workforce — particularly in cyber roles.

A 2024 Government Accountability Office audit found that Navy civilian cyber workforce data are stored in two separate systems with inconsistent information, leading to inaccurate vacancy rates and unreliable workforce visibility. GAO noted that reconciling those systems is essential for effective workforce planning and staffing of critical technical roles.

Navy officials told GAO they are working to reconcile the data and address accuracy gaps. The watchdog has also reiterated a prior recommendation that the Department of War fully review cyber work roles and position descriptions for accuracy.

Reliable workforce data will likely be central to any decisions emerging from the organizational review.

Phelan said he “directed the establishment, consolidation and streamlining of DON organizations, including the Offices of the Chief of Naval Intelligence, Chief of Naval Policy, Director of Administration, and Chief of Information. Further efforts are underway within the Secretariat, Navy and Marine Corps to redefine existing organizational structures and optimize the civilian workforce.”

What Broader Workforce Reforms Are Under Consideration?

The review also unfolds amid wider discussions across the War Department about modernizing civilian hiring practices. 

Defense leaders previously advocated for skills-based hiring approaches to speed recruitment and better align talent with mission needs. 

Jane Rathbun, the Navy chief information officer at the time, called for reducing lengthy hiring timelines, which currently average roughly 80 days to fill civilian vacancies.

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NASA Adds 2027 Mission, Annual Lunar Landing Under Revised Artemis Plan
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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. NASA has unveiled a revised exploration schedule for its Artemis program.

NASA has unveiled a revised exploration schedule for its Artemis program, as part of efforts to return U.S. astronauts to the Moon and sustain long-term operations.

NASA Adds 2027 Mission, Annual Lunar Landing Under Revised Artemis Plan

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The agency said Friday that it aims to increase mission frequency, add a new Artemis mission in 2027 and conduct at least one lunar landing per year beginning in 2028. 

What Changes Are Planned for Artemis Missions?

Under the updated plan, Artemis III mission will shift to 2027 and focus on validating systems in low Earth orbit, setting the stage for a planned lunar landing on Artemis IV in 2028. The flight could include rendezvous and docking with commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, along with in-space testing of life support, propulsion, communications and the Extravehicular Activity spacesuits. The agency will also cancel previously planned upgrades to the Space Launch System, according to SpaceNews. NASA intends to maintain a consistent SLS and Orion configuration to reduce technical risk and preserve lessons learned from earlier missions.

How Will NASA Support the Accelerated Schedule?

According to NASA, the workforce directive is central to advancing the accelerated schedule. The directive is designed to reinforce core civil service competencies and deepen integrated development efforts with Artemis industry partners to enhance safety and reliability while increasing launch cadence.

“NASA must standardize its approach, increase flight rate safely, and execute on the President’s national space policy. With credible competition from our greatest geopolitical adversary increasing by the day, we need to move faster, eliminate delays, and achieve our objectives,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Standardizing vehicle configuration, increasing flight rate and progressing through objectives in a logical, phased approach, is how we achieved the near-impossible in 1969 and it is how we will do it again,” added the 2026 Wash100 Award winner.

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Army Continues Shift From PEOs With Capability Program Executive Enterprise Software & Services Activation
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Miranda Coleman, acting capability program executive. Coleman will lead CPE ES2 in an acting capacity

The U.S. Army has redesignated the Program Executive Office Enterprise as Capability Program Executive Enterprise Software and Services, or CPE ES2. Leaders of the former PEO unveiled its new name, logo and colors during an activation ceremony held on Feb. 25.

Army Continues Shift From PEOs With Capability Program Executive Enterprise Software & Services Activation

Gain a better understanding of ongoing and upcoming changes across the Army at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 12. The 11th annual edition of the Army Summit will enable industry to learn about the capabilities that the service needs to deliver on its 2030 goals through keynote speeches, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Secure your tickets here.

The move follows the Army’s redesignation of the PEO Simulation, Training and Instrumentation as CPE Simulation, Training, Test and Threat in February.

As part of the transformation, the Army also unveiled the renamed portfolios under CPE ES2:

  • Project Manager Integrated Personnel and Pay System–Army now operates as PM Human Resources and Force Management, or PM HR-FM.
  • PM Enterprise Business Systems and Convergence now operates as PM Logistics and Finance, or PM LOG-FIN.
  • PM Defense Integrated Business Systems now operates as PM Acquisition, Training and Readiness, or PM AT&R.
  • Project Director Enterprise Services now operates as PD Business Technology Solutions, or PD BTS.

What Is CPE ES2?

CPE ES2 is one of the Army’s 13 newly designated capability program executives. It will provide software and services that support operational readiness and mission-critical warfighting systems. CPE ES2 will also collaborate with the Office of the Chief Information Officer on technology initiatives, according to the Army.

Miranda Coleman, who serves as the acting capability program executive for CPE ES2, said the organization will focus on operationalizing low-code and no-code tools, accelerating delivery timelines, maturing Agile practices, and strengthening talent management in fiscal 2026.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m confident we’re off to a fantastic start,” Coleman commented.

Why Is the Army Transitioning From PEOs to CPEs?

The transition is part of the Army’s broader acquisition overhaul launched in November meant to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate capability delivery. The restructuring consolidates oversight under newly empowered portfolio acquisition executives, replacing PEOs with a framework that aligns programs under broader capability portfolios. PAEs will oversee different capability areas, each headed by a CPE.

Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said the model is intended to better align acquisition strategies with operational concepts and ensure that soldiers receive capabilities without delay.

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War Department Issues Cyber Developmental Test & Evaluation Manual
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DOW seal. The Department of War has issued the Cyber Developmental Test and Evaluation manual.

The Department of War has released DOW Manual 5000.103, establishing policy and procedures for cyber developmental test and evaluation, or cyber DT&E, across all department systems.

War Department Issues Cyber Developmental Test & Evaluation Manual

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According to the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, the Cyber DT&E manual was approved by Under Secretary Emil Michael, effective Feb. 25.

What Does the Cyber DT&E Manual Require?

The guidance directs DOW components to plan, fund, execute and report cyber DT&E activities across a system’s lifecycle, from science and technology through production, fielding, sustainment and post-deployment updates. It applies to pre-acquisition efforts, major acquisition programs, adaptive pathways and systems in sustainment.

Cyber DT&E evaluates a system’s ability to prevent, detect, analyze and recover from cyber events, generating data to inform risk decisions, design trades and production approvals. It requires programs to obtain Risk Management Framework authorization decisions and integrates testing into mission engineering, prototyping and operations.

What Is the Manual’s Impact on the DOW Cyber Community?

The manual institutionalizes mission-focused cyber testing across acquisition, sustainment and technology efforts, requiring cyber validation before operational reviews and tying performance directly to production, fielding and risk decisions. Cyber DT&E now measurably informs Risk Management Framework determinations, including interim authority to test and authorization to operate decisions.

The guidance formalizes the use of cyber ranges, digital engineering, and adversarial testing, and expands the focus on attack surface and supply chain risk. It also increases workforce and funding requirements for qualified personnel, tools and infrastructure to support lifecycle testing.

How Are Responsibilities Assigned?

The USW(R&E) oversees implementation and approves cyber test plans for select programs. The under secretary for acquisition and sustainment, chief digital and AI officer, and DOW chief information officer align the policy with cybersecurity, intelligence and AI strategies.

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OpenAI Reaches Classified AI Deployment Deal With DOW
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Artificial intelligence. OpenAI reached an agreement with DOW to deploy AI models on classified networks.

OpenAI said it has reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy advanced artificial intelligence models on classified networks, outlining what it described as a multi-layered safeguard structure governing the use of its systems.

The company made the announcement on Saturday after President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to cease using Anthropic’s AI tools and War Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient, indicated Anthropic would be designated a “supply chain risk.”

OpenAI Reaches Classified AI Deployment Deal With DOW

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OpenAI said the agreement allows deployment of its models in classified environments while maintaining three core “red lines:” no use of its technology for mass domestic surveillance, directing autonomous weapons systems and high-stakes automated decision-making without human approval.

In a post on social media platform X, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said the DOW “agrees with these principles.” He noted that the DOW “displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome.”

What Guardrails Govern the Classified OpenAI Deployment?

OpenAI said the deployment will be cloud-only and will retain the company’s full safety stack, including technical safeguards designed to prevent misuse.

It reiterated that it will not provide models without guardrails or deploy systems on edge devices, citing concerns that edge deployment could create pathways for autonomous lethal weapon use. Cleared forward-deployed engineers and safety researchers will remain involved in the deployment to help ensure compliance with agreed-upon safeguards.

The contract language, according to OpenAI, permits lawful military use consistent with U.S. law and DOW policy and references existing legal authorities governing intelligence activities, including restrictions on domestic surveillance and use involving U.S. persons.

What Happened With Anthropic?

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei rejected what the department described as its “best and final offer,” citing concerns about removing guardrails related to domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons systems.

OpenAI said it does not believe Anthropic should be designated a supply chain risk. According to Altman, his company asked the DOW to offer the same contractual framework to all AI companies.

“We have expressed our strong desire to see things de-escalate away from legal and governmental actions and towards reasonable agreements,” he wrote.

How Does This Fit Into the Pentagon’s Broader AI Rollout?

The classified agreement follows the DOW’s recent partnership with OpenAI to integrate a custom version of ChatGPT into the GenAI.mil enterprise AI platform for unclassified work.

According to the department, GenAI.mil has surpassed 1 million unique users within its first two months and provides access to large language models across the agency’s approximately 3 million personnel.

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CISA Names Nick Andersen Acting Director
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Nick Andersen. The CISA executive assistant director for cybersecurity has been named the agency’s acting director.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has named Nick Andersen, executive assistant director for cybersecurity, acting director as Madhu Gottumukkala moves to a new position at the Department of Homeland Security, ABC News reported.

CISA Names Nick Andersen Acting Director

Leadership transitions at agencies like CISA highlight ongoing developments across the federal cybersecurity community. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21 will convene federal and private sector leaders for discussions on key cybersecurity issues. Register now!

In January, the White House renominated Sean Plankey, former director for cyber policy at the National Security Council, to serve as director of CISA. He has yet to receive a Senate confirmation hearing.

What Will Be Madhu Gottumukkala’s New Role at DHS?

Gottumukkala, who has been serving as acting CISA director and deputy director, will transition to the role of director of strategic implementation at DHS, according to a department official.

A DHS official said Gottumukkala “has done a remarkable job in a thankless task of helping reform CISA back to its core statutory mission” and “will continue his work to save taxpayer money” in his new position.

Who Is Nick Andersen?

Andersen serves as CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity. In that role, he leads efforts to address cyberthreats and vulnerabilities and strengthen the security and resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure.

The U.S. Marine Corps veteran previously served as principal deputy assistant secretary and performed the duties of assistant secretary for the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response.

He has also held leadership roles in the private sector, including president and chief operating officer at Invictus and chief information security officer for the public sector at Lumen Technologies.

Earlier in his career, he served as federal cybersecurity lead and senior cybersecurity adviser to the federal chief information officer at the White House, as well as chief information security officer for the state of Vermont. Andersen holds graduate degrees in cybersecurity and information security and assurance, as well as a certificate in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

What Is CISA?

CISA is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that defends national, digital and physical infrastructure from cyberthreats.

CISA has taken several recent actions to address urgent cyber risks across federal networks, including issuing an emergency directive to mitigate critical Cisco SD-WAN threats; releasing a guide to advance secure operational technology communications; issuing a directive to strengthen edge device security; and publishing guidance to address insider threats.

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NASA Appoints Interim Heads for Space Operations, CCP
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Joel Montalbano and Dana Hutcherson. Montalbano and Hutcherson stepped into interim leadership roles at NASA.

NASA has appointed Joel Montalbano as acting associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate and Dana Hutcherson as acting Commercial Crew Program manager.

The agency said Thursday the leadership changes follow the previously announced retirement of Kenneth Bowersox as SOMD associate administrator. Both Montalbano and Hutcherson had been serving as deputies in their respective roles.

“Strong leadership is essential to advancing NASA’s mission, and Joel Montalbano and Dana Hutcherson are exceptionally well-qualified to serve in these acting roles,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. He added that their experience will support U.S. objectives in low Earth orbit and future deep space efforts.

SOMD oversees a broad portfolio that includes CCP, the Commercial LEO Development Program, the International Space Station Program and the Human Research Program.

Who Is Joel Montalbano?

Joel Montalbano previously served as ISS program manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where he led the overall management, integration and operation of the orbiting laboratory. The ISS program represents a multibillion-dollar, multinational effort involving 15 partner nations.

Earlier in his career, Montalbano served as deputy ISS program manager, director of NASA’s Human Space Flight Program in Russia and a NASA flight director. He began his aerospace career at Rockwell in 1988 and was inducted into the Senior Executive Service in 2008.

Montalbano is a recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and multiple NASA Exceptional Service Medals. He also received the Astronaut’s Silver Snoopy award.

Montalbano holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Iowa State University.

In his new role, he focuses on advancing a commercial LEO economy as NASA prepares for the eventual retirement of the ISS while maintaining U.S. leadership in space operations.

Who Is Dana Hutcherson?

Dana Hutcherson previously served as deputy program manager for systems engineering and integration within CCP, managing certification efforts for Boeing and SpaceX crew transportation systems. She also led the program’s Launch Vehicle Systems Office and earlier served as a NASA flow director in the Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate.

Before joining NASA, Hutcherson worked at United Space Alliance as an airframe engineer and later served in an engineering leadership role.

Her recognitions include the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, NASA’s Space Flight Awareness Leadership Award and the Outstanding Leadership Medal.

Hutcherson earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Central Florida.

In her new role as acting program manager, she will oversee efforts with industry partners to ensure safe, reliable and cost-effective crew transportation to LEO destinations, including the ISS.

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Pentagon to Phase Out Anthropic’s Claude After Trump Blacklists AI Firm
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Pentagon. The Department of War will begin a six-month phased rollback of Anthropic's AI platform Claude.

President Donald Trump has directed all federal agencies to immediately cease use of Anthropic’s artificial intelligence technology, escalating a high-stakes dispute between the Pentagon and the AI firm over military guardrails.

“I am directing every federal agency in the United States government to immediately cease all use of Anthropic’s technology. We don’t need it, we don’t want it and will not do business with them again!” Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social.

The order includes a six-month phase-out period for the Department of War and other agencies currently using Anthropic’s Claude models, according to coverage by The Wall Street Journal.

The decision follows weeks of mounting tension between the Pentagon and Anthropic over whether the company would lift safeguards limiting how its models can be used in military contexts.

For the latest intel on how the Department of War is using AI, attend Chief Digital and AI Officer Cameron Stanley’s keynote at Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18!

Why Did the Pentagon Move Against Anthropic?

At the center of the dispute is a Pentagon demand that Anthropic allow its AI models to be used for all lawful military purposes, without restrictions embedded in the company’s terms of service.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei publicly rejected what the War Department described as its “best and final offer,” stating that the company could not agree to remove guardrails related to mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons systems.

According to Axios, the Pentagon plans to designate Anthropic as a “supply chain risk,” a label typically applied to companies tied to adversarial nations. The move would sever a contract reportedly valued at up to $200 million and bar Anthropic from future government work. Contractors working with the War Department may also be required to certify that they are not using Claude in covered workflows.

Defense officials have argued that once the military procures a tool, it must retain full discretion over lawful use cases without negotiating operational boundaries with a private vendor.

The clash intensified amid broader national security sensitivities following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, an operation in which Claude was reportedly used within classified systems.

What Does This Mean for Military AI Operations?

Claude is currently the only AI model deployed in the military’s classified systems, according to Axios. Defense officials acknowledged disentangling it will be complex, particularly as AI has become embedded in sensitive planning and operational workflows.

The phase-out raises immediate questions about replacement providers. Elon Musk’s xAI recently signed an agreement enabling the use of its Grok model in classified environments, though sources told Axios it may not serve as a like-for-like substitute. Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT are available in unclassified systems, and discussions are underway about expanding access in classified settings.

The decision also complicates matters for Palantir, which integrates Claude into some of its defense work and may now need to pivot to alternative models.

In a statement, Amodei said that if the Pentagon chooses to offboard Anthropic, the company will work to ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruptions to ongoing military operations.

Pentagon to Phase Out Anthropic’s Claude After Trump Blacklists AI Firm
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