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USAF Cyber, ISR Unit Eyes Open-Systems ABMS Tech; Lt. Gen. Mary O’Brien Quoted
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USAF Cyber, ISR Unit Eyes Open-Systems ABMS Tech; Lt. Gen. Mary O’Brien Quoted

The U.S. Air Force’s new office for cyber as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations is continuing work to establish the service branch’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS).

“We’ve got to streamline the speed and accuracy of repetitive tasks,” Lt. Gen. Mary O’Brien, deputy chief of staff for A2/6 said. “We’ve got to free up and shift human intention and cognition toward those higher-level reasoning and judgment problem sets.”

The A2/6 unit is working on efforts to deploy modular software-defined mesh network capabilities and other open-architecture systems such as radios to support communication and translation across disparate platforms, National Defense Magazine reported Wednesday.

The unit is also working on operations across the electromagnetic spectrum including information warfare to support the joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) concept.

“Their mission is to defend and ensure electromagnetic spectrum access for the Air Force and DoD activities in support of our national policy objectives and global operations,” she noted.

“We will need to embrace modern technologies, especially those from our industry partners, to deliver the operational networks and threat information our joint warfighter needs to generate combat power,” O'Brien added. 

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FCC Changes Policy on Infrastructure Modifications to Support 5G Adoption
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FCC Changes Policy on Infrastructure Modifications to Support 5G Adoption

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revised policy that governs the approval of wireless infrastructure modifications under the Spectrum Act of 2012. The revision allows infrastructure modifications to remain qualified as long as transmission equipment is not deployed at areas exceeding 30 feet beyond site boundaries, FCC said Tuesday.

The commission executed this revision to support accelerated 5G implementation and facilitate equipment collocation. FCC aligned the revision with the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of Wireless Antennas, policy that prevents these excavation efforts from requiring federal historic preservation reviews.

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FMG Announces Efforts to Bolster Federal Mobile Security
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FMG Announces Efforts to Bolster Federal Mobile Security

The Federal Mobility Group (FMG) has launched efforts to help agencies protect mobile devices operating in environments that lack security.

FMG evaluated and improved data reporting aspects of the Federal Information Security Management Act, published guidance for teleworking, assessed threat defense ecosystems and educated agencies on credential management, the Chief Information Officer Council said Wednesday.

These efforts aim to help government agencies understand mobile security threats, implement credential management techniques and identify device configuration robustness.

The group also advises agencies to analyze threats that may affect mobile devices and backend systems, leverage enterprise mobile security tools, trial then implement a mobile device management system and update mobile security and operating systems frequently.

These efforts support and align with the nearly concluded National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. FMG works to tackle issues that challenge mobile device security, 5G implementation and other related matters.

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NASA, ESA Sign Agreement for Artemis Gateway Modules
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NASA, ESA Sign Agreement for Artemis Gateway Modules

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed an agreement with NASA to provide updated communications tools, habitation and refueling modules for an orbital outpost designed for the Artemis mission. ESA will also operate elements of the Artemis Gateway and deliver European Service Modules for the Orion spacecraft as part of the agreement, NASA said Tuesday.

The habitation module will contain Gateway’s Environmental Control and Life Support System, accommodate science experiments and feature additional crew work and living space for the team. The Japanese government will also contribute parts and docking ports for the module.

“The Gateway is designed to be supplemented by additional capabilities provided by our international partners to support sustainable exploration,” said Kathy Lueders, NASA associate administrator for the human exploration and operations mission directorate.

NASA will assemble Gateway within the lunar orbit as a staging point for missions to the moon. The outpost will also serve as a rendezvous point for the Space Launch System. Gateway will also handle testing technologies for human missions to Mars.

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GSA Looks to Add CMMC Requests in Alliant 2 IT Contract’s Replacement
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GSA Looks to Add CMMC Requests in Alliant 2 IT Contract’s Replacement

The General Services Administration (GSA) is planning to incorporate requirements under the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program into a governmentwide contract that will replace the Alliant 2 vehicle.

GSA previously included CMMC language in a previously issued request for proposals and is looking to add the requirements in the Polaris small business contract for information technology support, FCW reported Wednesday.

Carlton Shufflebarger, acting director of the Office of IT Category at GSA, said at a recent AFCEA event that his office seeks to renew focus on cybersecurity as emerging concepts like 5G are being rolled out.

“DoD is one of our most valued customers,” he said. “We place great importance and priority on meeting their needs. So we wanted to insure that our contracts meet DoD's needs today and in the future, as well as other agencies."

GSA Looks to Add CMMC Requests in Alliant 2 IT Contract's Replacement

Katherine Arrington, chief information security officer (CISO) for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition (OUSDA) for the Department of Defense (DoD) and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, will be featured as the keynote speaker for the Fall 2020 CMMC Forum. Click here to register for the Fall 2020 CMMC Forum.

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John Sherman: DoD Extends Commercial Virtual Remote Capability to June 2021
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John Sherman: DoD Extends Commercial Virtual Remote Capability to June 2021

John Sherman, principal deputy chief information officer at the Department of Defense (DoD), said DoD has moved to extend to June 2021 the use of the commercial virtual remote environment to support employees who are teleworking, DoD News reported Wednesday.

The Pentagon created the CVR environment in March 2020 to support remote employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sherman said Wednesday during the Cybercon 2020 conference that over a million users are adopting the capability to perform calls, teaming and video conferences.

Sherman noted that DoD is working on a new Office 365-based platform that would replace CVR by June and operate at Impact Level 5, which covers controlled unclassified information and mission critical data.

“We are currently working on a more enduring Office 365-based capability,” he said. “CVR is what we call ‘impact level two’ or IL2…We’re moving to an IL5 solution. IL2 was fine for where we [are] in telework. But we know we need a more enduring solution that keeps the same functionality of CVR, which allows us to talk to people at IL2, talk to people not on the Department of Defense Information Network.”

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Leidos Wins $75M OUSD Contract to Provide Technical Services; Dan Voce Quoted
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Leidos Wins $75M OUSD Contract to Provide Technical Services; Dan Voce Quoted

Leidos has been awarded a potential $75 million time and materials (T&M) contract by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to provide services and support for the Defense Civilian Human Resource Management System (DCHRMS), the company reported on Thursday. 

“By leveraging this technology, the speed and efficiency of DCHRMS will increase, while lowering costs. These benefits flow down to the people who rely on this system each and every day – the DoD HR professionals and managers, as well as the civilian employees they service,” said Dan Voce, Leidos senior vice president of enterprise cyber and solutions.

Under the single award, firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract, Leidos will provide technical services and support for DCHRMS, a cloud-based human resources system that provides a single civilian personnel service capability. 

In addition, Leidos will work to integrate six different databases into one to increase flexibility within DCHRMS. After integration, the system will be able to share information between components while standardizing and streamlining personnel processes.

"We are excited to leverage our world-class cloud technology for the Department of Defense," Voce added. "Leidos takes pride in our dedication to agility and excellence. 

The contract includes a one-year base period of performance with four additional one-year option periods. Work will be performed primarily in San Antonio, Texas.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. 

The company's 38,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020.

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Accenture Partners with The Alan Turing Institute to Research Emerging Tech; Adrian Smith, George Marcotte Quoted
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Accenture Partners with The Alan Turing Institute to Research Emerging Tech; Adrian Smith, George Marcotte Quoted

Accenture has collaborated with The Alan Turing Institute, under a five-year strategic partnership, to develop a new data and AI engagement forum, conduct research and create applications, Accenture reported on Thursday. 

“Our new five-year partnership will build on this relationship and deliver cutting-edge research, innovation and impact for the benefit of the wider UK economy,” said Adrian Smith, director and chief executive of The Alan Turing Institute.

The partnership will be led by Accenture Applied Intelligence. Under the collaboration Accenture will conduct AI and data science research across the UK. The organizations will direct their focus on developing regional strengths and new project opportunities in the UK, including Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle. 

The partnership will conduct joint research in data science and AI, as well as engagement activities to help transform business tools. Under previous work together, Accenture and The Alan Turing Institute have conducted joint research projects into new techniques for network analytics for use in fraud detection. The organizations have also researched the fairness in algorithmic decision-making. 

Under the current strategic agreement, Accenture and The Alan Turing Institute will create tools for the generation and management of synthetic data, as well as tools in other Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) for safe and secure data sharing.

Additionally, the organizations will develop interoperable software tools with focus on advanced modeling techniques to create complex digital twins, as well as applications of AI to help quantify uncertainty and design systems. 

“We’re excited to continue our collaboration with The Alan Turing Institute as a Strategic Partner, building skills and fuelling growth in an area that is critical for the future of the UK economy,” said George Marcotte, Applied Intelligence Lead for Accenture in Europe.

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Northrop Grumman Wins $91M Contract to Upgrade US Army, Navy Radar Receiver; Ryan Tintner Quoted
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Northrop Grumman Wins $91M Contract to Upgrade US Army, Navy Radar Receiver; Ryan Tintner Quoted

Northrop Grumman has won a $91 million contract to produce AN/APR-39D(V)2 digital radar warning receivers (RWR), the company reported on Thursday. 

“As the radio frequency threat grows worldwide, the protection the AN/APR-39D(V)2 provides has become essential for our warfighters and international partners,” said Ryan Tintner, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman will deliver small and lightweight systems that protect rotary and fixed wing aircraft from modern radio frequency (RF) threats, such as radar-guided missiles and anti-aircraft artillery. The APR-39D(V)2 RWR will feature an all-digital, multichannel monitor with a 360° spherical coverage area to detect threats. 

The company’s receivers will also determine identity, bearing and lethality. The system is able to automatically initiate optimal defensive measures and has an immediate growth capability for RF countermeasures.

Northrop Grumman will leverage its next generation electronic warfare architecture, which will increase value and agility. The company has integrated this architecture across proven electronic warfare systems that are currently in production. The AN/APR-39D(V)2 is planned for integration on the AH-1Z, AH-64E, ARL-E, MV-22, UH-1Y and CH-53E/K.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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SAIC Wins $737M AFMS3 Contract to Support Modeling, Simulation; Michael LaRouche Quoted
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SAIC Wins $737M AFMS3 Contract to Support Modeling, Simulation; Michael LaRouche Quoted

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has been awarded the potential $737 million U.S. Air Force Modeling and Simulation Support Services (AFMS3) 2.0 contract to implement, integrate and develop modeling and simulation (M&S), the company reported on Thursday. 

“The Air Force and DoD rely on M&S for operational readiness and mission preparedness. As part of this new work with the Air Force, we will provide live virtual constructive simulations to prepare airmen and other users for real-life situations,” said Michael LaRouche, executive vice president and general manager of SAIC’s National Security Customer Group.

SAIC will also drive M&S training and analysis standards for the Air Force, Department of Defense, and other federal organizations. SAIC will work with the Air Force Agency for M&S (AFAMS) and the M&S communities to deliver innovative solutions that support global operations for the warfighter. 

“By bringing exceptional experience and understanding of the complex DoD M&S operational environment, SAIC will support the Air Force’s transition to future warfighting capability like Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) for better battlespace awareness and decision-making across all domains,” LaRouche added. 

Under the terms of the contract, SAIC will help AFAMS develop policies, architectures and standards to support emerging technologies. Additionally, the company will prepare warfighters for readiness across all domains. SAIC will deliver M&S support for the Air Force medical, analytical, test and evaluation and acquisition communities.

SAIC will leverage its expertise in integrated training, data analytics, and cybersecurity for its winning solution. The award aligns with the company’s focus on command and control, IT modernization, digital engineering, and digital transformation. The single award contract was released by General Service Administration (GSA) FEDSIM on the GSA OASIS contract vehicle. 

About SAIC

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation’s digital transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, IT modernization, and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective, and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.

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