/
FCC Denies Huawei’s Request for Review of National Security Threat Designation
Published on
FCC Denies Huawei’s Request for Review of National Security Threat Designation

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decided to uphold its designation of Huawei Technologies as a national security threat after it voted to deny the company’s request for a review of FCC’s order in June 2020.

The denial of Huawei’s application for review of the order by the commission's public safety and homeland security bureau suggests that organizations may no longer use FCC’s Universal Service Fund to buy, maintain, modify or support any services or equipment from the company, the commission said Thursday.

“In denying that application, the Commission today recognized the overwhelming evidence of Huawei’s close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China’s military and intelligence apparatus, and affirmed the Bureau’s determination that Huawei poses a threat to the security and integrity of the nation’s communications networks or the communications supply chain,” the FCC notice reads.

/
Chris Cleary to Serve as Navy Dept’s Principal Cyber Advisor
Published on
Chris Cleary to Serve as Navy Dept’s Principal Cyber Advisor

Chris Cleary, chief information security officer at the Department of the Navy (DON), has been named DON’s principal cyber adviser. Cleary will oversee multiple functions relevant to the implementation of the Department of Defense’s Cyber Strategy across DON, DON said Wednesday.

He will provide advisory on multiple cyber-relevant topics such as cyber workforce building, cyber technology procurement and cybersecurity evaluations.

The executive will perform this advisory service for the secretary of the Navy, the chief of naval operations and other senior-level officers within DON. Cleary has been DON’s CISO over the past year and contributed 16 years of active-duty military service.

//
DoD Intends to Appoint Michael Pillsbury, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty to Defense Policy Board
Published on
DoD Intends to Appoint Michael Pillsbury, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty to Defense Policy Board

The Department of Defense (DoD) eyes the appointment of Michael Pillsbury, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, as chair of the Defense Policy Board (DPB). DoD said Wednesday that it also plans to name Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, formerly an administrator at the National Nuclear Security Administration, as a member of DPB.

Once appointed, they will help DPB advise on defense policy matters and issues associated with DoD's strategic planning efforts. DPB members are also tasked to provide insights on the potential policy implications of force modernization initiatives.

Pillsbury currently serves as a consultant at DoD. His career also includes time as a senior research adviser at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Prior to NNSA, Gordon-Hagerty led Tier Tech International as president.

/
DHS Demos Situational Awareness Tech for Border Security
Published on
DHS Demos Situational Awareness Tech for Border Security

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate and U.S. Border Patrol have invested in a commercial satellite communications technology that provides portable situational awareness. 

“The focus of S&T's investment is threefold. First is to add security controls into the already-available commercial product so that it can be approved for transmitting and receiving official DHS data,” said S&T program manager Shawn McDonald.

DHS said Wednesday it demonstrated the Somewear-made Global Hotspot in June to evaluate the device's operational performance. Global Hotspot facilitates chat and location data transmissions via satcom links. 

The technology's operational testing took place in Montana and demonstrated ease of use. A border security agent who participated in the test said he was able to use the device despite being the least technical person in his team.

S&T selected Somewear to develop the device under the Long-Range Broad Area Announcement solicitation. The company underwent a preliminary analysis alongside other satcom technology makers.

“In less than six months this product is showing tremendous potential to fill a communications gap across many of our DHS components, and at a price-point that allows for wide deployment,” added McDonald.

/
NASA Unveils Members of ‘Artemis Team’; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
Published on
NASA Unveils Members of ‘Artemis Team’; Jim Bridenstine Quoted

NASA has named the 18 astronauts that will serve as part of a team responsible for helping the agency prepare for Artemis deep-space missions including the planned moon landing in 2024.

NASA said Thursday that Vice President Mike Pence unveiled the Artemis Team members during this year’s National Space Council meeting at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The astronauts, which were selected based on eligibility for initial moon missions, will help NASA and its industry partners develop hardware requirements, crew training activities and technologies such as the human landing system.

The team will also engage with the public in support of the Artemis program and future NASA missions.

“We are incredibly grateful for the president and vice president’s support of the Artemis program, as well as the bipartisan support for all of NASA’s science, aeronautics research, technology development, and human exploration goals,” said NASA Administrator and former Wash100 Award recipient Jim Bridenstine.

NASA plans to add more members to the team as needed and announce fight missions for the team members at a later date.

The team members are:

  • Joseph Acaba
  • Kayla Barron
  • Raja Chari
  • Matthew Dominick
  • Victor Glover
  • Warren Hoburg
  • Jonny Kim
  • Christina Hammock Koch
  • Kjell Lindgren
  • Nicole Mann
  • Anne McClain
  • Jessica Meir
  • Jasmin Moghbeli
  • Kate Rubins
  • Frank Rubio
  • Scott Tingle
  • Jessica Watkins
  • Stephanie Wilson
/
Col. William Young: Air Force’s Spectrum Warfare Unit to Focus on Software-Defined Tech
Published on
Col. William Young: Air Force’s Spectrum Warfare Unit to Focus on Software-Defined Tech

Col. William Young, incoming commander of the U.S. Air Force's 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, has said the new component will focus on expanding the use of software-defined technologies for electronic warfare applications, C4ISRnet reported Wednesday. The electromagnetic spectrum warfare wing is slated to go live in March under the Air Force Warfare Center’s oversight.

Young told attendees at a recent  Air Force Association virtual event that he envisions the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing to rapidly deploy capabilities without disrupting battle plans or altering hardware or underlying forces.

He cited new approaches to electronic warfare such as exploiting open architectures and software features as well as satellite-driven, edge-level capabilities to piece disparate technologies together.

“The power of that competitive advantage is not merely in the technology,” Young said. Rather, the forces at the edge innovate by looking at the capabilities available to them and string them all together, he explained.

The Air Force first announced plans to establish the wing in November.

//
Patrick AFB, Cape Canaveral Redesignated as Space Force Bases; Gen. John Raymond Quoted
Published on
Patrick AFB, Cape Canaveral Redesignated as Space Force Bases; Gen. John Raymond Quoted

Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral AF Station have been respectively renamed as Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a recent ceremony in Florida.

The redesignation ceremony took place at Cape Canaveral and saw Vice President Mike Pence unveil the two U.S. Air Force bases’ new names in line with their operational transition to the U.S. Space Force.

“Today their titles will reflect the space missions that the 45th Space Wing and its mission partners execute with precision, passion, and pride every day,” said Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, during the ceremony.

Also in attendance are David Norquist, deputy secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) and fellow 2020 Wash100 Award winner, Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown, the Air Force’s chief of staff, Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a two-time Wash100 Awardee and USAF Secretary Barbara Barrett.

The ceremony comes shortly after the Space Force surpassed one year of operations.

"Today we make history with the first two installations in the history of the United States Space Force to bear the name of this new branch of the service,” Pence said. 

/
NUWC Newport Wraps Up USS Ford Sensor Accuracy Test
Published on
NUWC Newport Wraps Up USS Ford Sensor Accuracy Test

Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport completed a two-phase sensor accuracy test for the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.

“The expertise and professionalism of the dozens of ship’s force personnel aboard CVN 78 who supported data acquisition and planning, particularly the systems test officer, was amazing,” said test director Mark Gelzinis of Division Newport’s Ranges, Engineering and Analysis Department.

The initial phase of the test took place dockside at Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia while at-sea tests ran at the Bahamas-based Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

The test was intended to assess the range, bearing and heading accuracy of the vessel’s navigation equipment, electronic warfare systems, radars, sonars, gyrocompasses, electro-optical and laser tracking tools.

NUWC Newport checked USS Ford a year ahead of the demonstration to determine how the test equipment will be installed as well as the systems that needed testing. NAVSEA noted it requires all newly-built vessels to undergo sensor accuracy tests.

“The success of the test also proved the value of beginning the planning process as early as possible, maintaining detailed documentation through the planning process and involving the right people from the earliest stages,” Gelzinis added.

/
ECS Recognized as CAP Federal Services Preferred Employer; Aaron Burciaga Quoted
Published on
ECS Recognized as CAP Federal Services Preferred Employer; Aaron Burciaga Quoted

ECS has been recognized as the first Certified Analytics Professionals (CAP) Preferred Employer in the federal services space, the company reported on Thursday. CAP is operated by the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS), and is certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

“We are thrilled to be named a CAP Preferred Employer,” said Aaron Burciaga, senior director of analytics and artificial intelligence at ECS. “This recognition furthers the investments that ECS makes in its employees.”

ECS specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with over more than 20 years’ experience in delivering advanced data and IT solutions across the government and commercial industries. 

The company has supported its clients by managing information at the enterprise level, and has continued to deliver information at scale. ECS has also provided end-to-end solutions in digital readiness through agile processes, domain experts and novel technologies.

“We are excited to see how our analytics professionals will grow with CAP and to build our team with new CAP and aCAP recruits—all part of our program to continue delivering top tech and ever more impactful AI/ML solutions for our clients,” Burciaga added. 

About ECS

ECS, a segment of ASGN, delivers advanced solutions in cloud, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), application and IT modernization, science, and engineering. 

The company solves critical, complex challenges for customers across the U.S. public sector, defense, intelligence, and commercial industries. ECS maintains partnerships with leading cloud, cybersecurity, and AI/ML providers and holds specialized certifications in their technologies. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, ECS has more than 3,000 employees throughout the United States.

/
CAE Names Ben Nicholson VP of Washington Operations; Ray Duquette Quoted
Published on
CAE Names Ben Nicholson VP of Washington Operations; Ray Duquette Quoted

CAE has appointed Ben Nicholson as vice president of Washington Operations, effective December 14, 2020, the company reported on Thursday. He will bring experience in government and legislative relations as well as public policy. 

“He has an extensive background in government relations and a thorough understanding of national security businesses and will be an important addition to the CAE team," said Ray Duquette president and general manager of CAE. 

Nicholson will bring more than two decades of experience across the political and corporate environment. He has expertise in government operations, programs and contracting, including congressional operations, economic development and the federal appropriations process for national defense, aerospace, security and intelligence programs.

In his new role, Nicholson will serve as the senior executive for CAE's government relations in Washington, D.C., and will be responsible for representing the company with the U.S., Congress, federal agencies, foreign governments and industry associations. 

Nicholson will also guide U.S. government foreign policy and national priorities related to the defense and security, civil aviation and healthcare sectors, including their impact on CAE pursuits and objectives in the U.S. and international markets.

Prior to joining CAE, Nicholson served as  vice president of Global Government Relations for Honeywell International, where he led government relations efforts in aerospace, defense and other national security businesses. Nicholson also served as vice president of Government Affairs at L3 Technologies. 

"Nicholson will strengthen CAE's relationship with the U.S. government, Department of Defense and government agencies, as well as develop closer relationships with OEMs, suppliers and partners," Duquette added. 

1 … 1,217 1,218 1,219 1,220 1,221 … 2,605