/
Matthew Graviss Named State Department’s First Chief Data Officer
Published on
Matthew Graviss Named State Department’s First Chief Data Officer

Matthew Graviss, former chief data officer (CDO) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has been appointed as CDO with the State Department. Graviss will succeed acting CDO, Janice deGarmo. Graviss will report to deGarmo, who was recently promoted to director of the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions.

The department said Monday Graviss will lead the analytics center within its Office of Management Strategy and Solution in efforts to help personnel gain insights from data that can support diplomatic missions.

Graviss is a PhD Systems Engineer who has led high-profile operations and technology organizations. He brings deep experience across strategic communication, change management, data management and data analytics. 

He previously  served as director of security threat assessment operations at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before joining USCIS in July 2018. At TSA, he oversaw the adjudication of credential and benefit applications and risk analysis initiatives across the agency.

Graviss previously worked as director of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division responsible for evaluating border surveillance technology from the private sector.

He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, a master’s degree from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. from George Washington University.

/
DHS Tests Ability of Biometric Acquisition Systems in Identifying People With Face Masks
Published on
DHS Tests Ability of Biometric Acquisition Systems in Identifying People With Face Masks

Preliminary test results of the third Biometric Technology Rally held by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) science and technology (S&T) directorate in the fall of 2020 showed that biometric acquisition tools and matching algorithms were up to 96 percent accurate in identifying individuals with protective face masks.

The S&T directorate tested 60 facial recognition systems with 582 test volunteers during the 10-day testing period to evaluate the technologies’ ability to capture images of people with or without wearing masks, volunteer satisfaction and processing time. 

Matching algorithms and biometric acquisition systems showed an identification rate of 77 percent as their median system performance for recognizing individuals who are wearing masks. 

“This isn’t a perfect 100% solution but it may reduce risks for many travelers, as well as the frontline staff working in airports, who no longer have to ask all travelers to remove masks,” said Arun Vemury, director of S&T directorate’s Biometric and Identity Technology Center.

The directorate said it expects to release the 2020 Biometric Technology Rally’s final test results in the next few weeks.

//
Lt. Col. Ryan Rose on Space Force’s Small Satellite Launch Plans
Published on
Lt. Col. Ryan Rose on Space Force’s Small Satellite Launch Plans

Lt. Col. Ryan Rose, chief of the small launch and targets division of the Space and Missile Systems Center’s (SMC) launch enterprise, said the U.S. Space Force plans to assess and work with as many small launch providers as possible and determine how to procure services from such companies to meet future demand, SpaceNews reported Monday.

“Our customers are building more small sats,” Rose told the publication in an interview. “We’re trying to make sure we have contract vehicles available to satisfy those requirements. It’s hard to say how many providers we’ll need.” 

The COVID-19 pandemic and technical challenges pushed back several small satellite launch missions to 2021 and those include launches by Space Vector, Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit.

Rose said Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket for the Space Test Program STP-27RM mission is now projected to lift off by spring or summer of 2021 and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (ARL) sounding rocket mission aboard a vehicle developed by Kratos and Space Vector is now expected to launch in the spring.

She added the first of two Virgin Orbit launches, STP-27VP, is now targeted for summer, while the STP-S28 mission is expected to take off later this year.

/
Bipartisan Law Seeks to Improve FEMA’s Advance Contracting Process; Rep. Bennie Thompson Quoted
Published on
Bipartisan Law Seeks to Improve FEMA’s Advance Contracting Process; Rep. Bennie Thompson Quoted

President Trump signed into law a bipartisan bill to improve the process of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for awarding contracts before disasters strike to ensure readiness, Government Executive reported Monday.

The Federal Advance Contracts Enhancements Act was introduced in Congress to amend the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and incorporate the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recommendations in a 2018 report.

The measure will direct FEMA to provide state and local governments with updated information on available advance contracts, enhance its programs to track major acquisitions, inform specific congressional panels on how it is implementing recommendations from GAO and update acquisition guidance for agency personnel.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, introduced the bill in the lower chamber.

"After years of systemic flaws, it was clear we needed to make necessary reforms to FEMA’s advance contracting process so the country will be able to tackle recovery from future disasters more effectively…I look forward to working with FEMA as they improve their advance contracting," Thompson said.

//
Marine Corps Fields Rifle Suppressors Under Large-Scale Defense Logistics Program; Maj. Mike Brisker Quoted
Published on
Marine Corps Fields Rifle Suppressors Under Large-Scale Defense Logistics Program; Maj. Mike Brisker Quoted

The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has begun the large-scale fielding of rifle suppressors as part of the service’s goal to deploy 30,000 of the small-arms components by fiscal year 2023. The Marine Corps Systems Command said Wednesday the silencers will be fielded to reconnaissance, special operations and infantry units for use on M4A1, M4 and M27 rifles.

MCSC’s Program Manager for Infantry Weapons partnered with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to acquire 6,700 suppressors under the Tailored Logistic Program and was able to purchase over 7,000 more units on the initial delivery order.

Billy Epperson, infantry weapon capabilities integration officer at the Marine Corps Combat Development and Integration unit, said the service conducted Limited User Evaluations to identify commercially available suppressors in 2019.

CWO4 David Tomlinson, infantry weapons officer at MCSC, said the suppressors are meant to improve Marines’ inter-platoon and inter-squad communications while enabling lateral coordination in combat.

“We’ve never fielded suppressors at this scale. This fielding is a big moment for the Marine Corps,” said Maj. Mike Brisker, weapons product manager at PM IW.

MCSC collaborated with the Marine Corps' Fleet Marine Force, CD&I and Plans, Policies and Operations components to organize and optimize suppressor distribution.

/
Air Force Stakeholders Discuss Future Airman Mgmt, Training; Maj. Gen. William Spangenthal Quoted
Published on
Air Force Stakeholders Discuss Future Airman Mgmt, Training; Maj. Gen. William Spangenthal Quoted

Air Education and Training Command (AETC) held a virtual event to discuss efforts on airman development in the age of great power competition.

AETC's Total Force Airmen event gathered stakeholders from active duty, civilian, national guard and reserve components of the U.S. Air Force to discuss how airmen can be improved via data-informed approaches, the service branch said Wednesday.

“These airmen must have agility of thought, understand mission-type orders and be able to execute the mission,” said Maj. Gen. William Spangenthal, deputy commander of AETC.

Col. Raymond Platt, A3/6 deputy director for force development at AETC headquarters, said USAF must use data to develop and understand the force, and match the right airman with the right job. Platt added he seeks to develop an enterprise that integrates and delivers training and education across all devices used by airmen.

“This talks to learning management systems that connect learners, instructors and content, as well as data analytics and advanced technology like artificial intelligence," he stated.

Major USAF commands and Air Force Institute of Technology presented during the two-day event.

Army to Deploy Support Units for Planned Stryker-Mounted Electronic Warfare System
Published on
Army to Deploy Support Units for Planned Stryker-Mounted Electronic Warfare System

The U.S. Army plans to establish electronic warfare groups for brigade combat teams that will be responsible for a proposed integrated electronic-attack system designed for the service branch’s Stryker fighting vehicles, C4ISRnet reported Friday.

Lockheed Martin and Germantown, Maryland-based manufacturer Digital Receiver Technology are producing prototypes of the Terrestrial Layer System Brigade Combat Team platform which is designed for signals intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare functions.

Col. Daniel Holland, capabilities manager for electronic warfare at the Army, told the publication that the service plans to deploy a SIGINT network support teams and electronic warfare platoons that will handle TLS-BCT.

He noted that the Army intends for the platoons to be in place ahead of TLS-BCT’s delivery to warfighters. The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division slated to receive the first system in 2022. 

Most units will continue receiving the platform through fiscal 2027, said Holland. The Army also plans to create electronic warfare companies at the corps- and division-level to operate the TLS-Echelons Above Brigade platform, according to the report.

/
Army’s Standards-Compliant Universal Encryption Chip Enters Final Testing
Published on
Army’s Standards-Compliant Universal Encryption Chip Enters Final Testing

The U.S. Army has commenced final testing for a reprogrammable cryptographic module that works as a universal chip that can support communications for computers, satellites, radios, unmanned aerial systems and ground infrastructure, AFCEA reported Wednesday.

The REprogrammable Single Chip Universal Encryptor (RESCUE) utilizes encryption algorithms from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Security Agency (NSA) to ensure baseline compliance. The Army’s Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center leads the RESCUE program.

Brian Lyttle, chief of the cybersecurity and information assurance division at the C5ISR Center, said RESCUE is designed to support the installation of updates in the field to mitigate the need for depot-level maintenance. The team is concluding initial testing activities for RESCUE and is modifying its design to address potential issues, he noted.

According to Lyttle, RESCUE has dual-use potential and can support industry operations such as power, energy, healthcare and finance. He added that he envisions cooperative research and development or licensing agreements for the encryption technology in the future.

In July, the Army released the draft solicitation for Next-Generation Load Device-Medium program which seeks a technical data package for RESCUE that meets cryptography requirements for the platform’s subcomponents.

//
FAA Celebrates 2020 Record of Licensed Space Operations; Elaine Chao Quoted
Published on
FAA Celebrates 2020 Record of Licensed Space Operations; Elaine Chao Quoted

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved 41 commercial space launches and reentries in 2020, breaking a new record in the area. FAA said Thursday that it expects the number of licensed commercial space activities to reach 50 this year.

“This record-setting year in launches, and the new streamlined launch and reentry licensing regulations, bode well for continued rapid growth of America’s commercial space sector,” said Elaine Chao, secretary of Transportation.

The agency also reorganized its commercial transportation office to update how commercial operations are licensed. Multiple regulatory FAA segments combine into one licensing system for launch and reentry activities.

FAA attributed its 2020 milestones to this organizational change that helped the agency streamline space operations licensing. The Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Council (COMSTAC) will help FAA implement new rules to further boost licensing efficiency.

//
Constellis Names Rick Tye as President of Crisis Mitigation; Tim Reardon Quoted
Published on
Constellis Names Rick Tye as President of Crisis Mitigation; Tim Reardon Quoted

Constellis has appointed Rick Tye as president of Crisis Mitigation within the Crisis Response business, where he will lead the company’s COVID-19 Response, Fire and Emergency Services, Emergency and Disaster Response, and other priority programs, Constellis reported on Monday.

Constellis’ Crisis Response business provides organizations and communities with a full range of response and planning services to reduce risk, prepare for hazards and recover from crises. The business delivers rapid, targeted and adaptable crisis management, communications and response solutions.

In his new role, Tye will oversee Constellis’ Crisis Response business, including services that provide rapid response capabilities to enable business continuity. He will also work to mitigate risks that threaten the safety of personnel, property, critical infrastructure and reputation.

Tim Reardon, CEO of Constellis and 2020 Wash100 Award Winner
Tim Reardon, CEO of Constellis and 2020 Wash100 Award Winner

“Rick’s new position as President, Crisis Mitigation, was established to address the need for rapid crisis response solutions within our customer sets,” said Tim Reardon, CEO of Constellis and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient. “This is an important new role for Rick and a vital service in today’s environment.”

In addition to Tye’s appointment, Constellis named Darryle Conway as the company’s chief growth officer, effective immediately, to drive strategy and growth for the company’s customers.

About Constellis

In an ever-changing and complex world, security enables innovation, leads to opportunity, and drives progress. Constellis provides end-to-end risk management and humanitarian solutions to safeguard people and infrastructure globally. Our team of strategic problem solvers has a steadfast moral compass and unwavering dedication to creating a safer world. Constellis is fiercely committed to the success of our customers and partners.

1 … 1,201 1,202 1,203 1,204 1,205 … 2,607