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Boeing Names Jinnah Hosein VP of Software Engineering; Dave Calhoun, Greg Hyslop Quoted
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Boeing Names Jinnah Hosein VP of Software Engineering; Dave Calhoun, Greg Hyslop Quoted

Boeing has appointed Jinnah Hosein as vice president of Software Engineering, effective immediately, to strengthen the company’s software engineering across the enterprise. Hosein will report to Greg Hyslop, Boeing chief engineer and senior vice president of Engineering, Test and Technology.

"The continued advances in software makes excellence in software engineering an imperative for our business," said Hyslop. "Jinnah will be charged with defining and leading Boeing's strategy for software engineering, which includes providing capabilities, technologies, processes and secure and accurate systems to meet the needs of all our customers across the entire product life cycle."

Hosein brings extensive experience as a software engineering leader across several innovative, high-tech companies.

With Boeing, Hosein will lead a new, centralized organization of engineers that currently support the development and delivery of software embedded in Boeing's products and services. The team will also integrate other functional teams to ensure engineering excellence throughout the product life cycle.  

Prior to joining Boeing, Hosein served as vice president of Software Engineering for Aurora, a self-driving vehicle company. In the role, he led the company's software organization for the development of vehicles and created Aurora's high-integrity software life cycle to deploy autonomous architecture to on-road vehicles. 

Before his tenure with Aurora, Hosein held leadership roles at SpaceX, where he led software development for Falcon, Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Crew Dragon and other flight vehicles, and at Tesla, where he helped develop autopilot software. 

In addition, he served as Google's director of software engineering for cloud networking and was one of the original members of Google's Site Reliability Engineering team.

"Safety, quality and integrity underpin the mission of our software engineering team, and building on this solid foundation, Jinnah will be a transformational leader for Boeing," said Dave Calhoun, Boeing president and CEO. "Jinnah's broad experience and fresh perspective will elevate our performance and accelerate the important work we've already begun in this area." 

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Maxar Technologies Reports Q3 2020 Financial Results; Dan Jablonsky Quoted
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Maxar Technologies Reports Q3 2020 Financial Results; Dan Jablonsky Quoted

Maxar Technologies has reported financial results for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30th, noting total revenues increased to $436 million from $413 million from the same period of 2019. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the Space Infrastructure segment which was partially offset by a decrease in the Earth Intelligence segment.

“We generated solid year-over-year revenue growth this quarter as demand has remained resilient and our customers continue to rely on us for important national security and commercial missions,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Maxar. 

Maxar closed the acquisition of Vricon Inc. in July 2020 and purchased the remaining 50 percent of ownership interest in the company for $142 million, or $119 million, net of cash at closing. To fund the transaction, Maxar issued $150 million in aggregate principal amount of new senior secured notes due 2027.

“We also enjoyed significant backlog growth on a diversified set of awards with both government and commercial customers across our Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure segments,” added Jablonsky. 

Maxar’s net income from continuing operations was $85 million compared to a net loss of $25 million in the same period of 2019. The increase was primarily driven by an $85 million gain on remeasurement of the previously held equity interest in Vricon and an increase in revenues.

Adjusted EBITDA was $112 million and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of consolidated revenues was 25.7 percent. This is compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $109 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage of 26.4 percent for the third quarter of 2019. 

Maxar’s results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 include the current estimated impact of COVID-19. The company had COVID-19 related EAC growth of $3 million within the Space Infrastructure segment, which negatively impacted its earnings during the three months ended September 30, 2020. 

The changes in the EACs are due to increases in estimated program costs associated with the COVID-19 operating posture and the estimated impact of certain items such as supplier delays and increased labor hours along with actuals realized during the three months ended September 30, 2020.

“We are executing well against our strategic priorities for the year while continuing to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on the protection of the health and safety of our team members, families, customers and communities,” Jablonsky stated.

Maxar had a total order backlog of $2.2 billion as of September 30, 2020 compared to $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2019. The increase in backlog was primarily driven by a $532 million increase in the Space Infrastructure segment due to new contracts and expansion of existing programs with the U.S. government. 

There was also an increase in the Earth Intelligence segment driven by the exercise of the $300 million EnhancedView Contract option, partially offset by revenue recognized during the year. 

 “Our results this quarter further reflect progress on our multi-year strategy to position Maxar for sustained revenue, profit and cash flow growth,” concluded Jablonsky.

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BAE Systems, University of Birmingham Partner to Advance Sensing Technologies; Julia Sutcliffe Quoted
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BAE Systems, University of Birmingham Partner to Advance Sensing Technologies; Julia Sutcliffe Quoted

BAE Systems has collaborated with the University of Birmingham to advance sensing technologies, BAE Systems reported on Friday. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, the organizations have formed an Advanced Sensing Technologies Consortium, which will unite experts across industry, academia and government. 

“As experts in the defense, aerospace and security sector, we know sophisticated sensing technology is absolutely critical in our ambitions to develop intelligent systems that can survive in a complex and congested battlespace environment.,” Julia Sutcliffe, chief technologist for BAE Systems Air Sector, said. 

The collaborative effort will form part of the Government-funded National Quantum Technologies program to drive four UK-based hubs, including a Sensors and Timing hub led by the University of Birmingham.  “Information provides a critical advantage and comes in many forms that sensors can deliver, from navigational aids to situational awareness,” Sutcliffe added. 

The consortium will accelerate the development and application of advanced sensing technology, as well as develop disruptive technologies that will benefit UK industry. The organizations will work to develop navigation systems that do not rely on GPS and cognitive workload measurement. 

 The navigation systems will expand capabilities for resilient navigation in the shipping or defense industries where vehicles are operating in areas where GPS cannot be accessed. Advancing cognitive workload sensors will add benefits to the medical industry when diagnosing conditions as well as industries with critical human operators.

BAE Systems and the University of Birmingham will also enhance situational awareness sensors to deliver innovative capabilities for urban flight or autonomous vehicles. In addition, the partnership will work to advance target detection to sense buried infrastructure in hydrocarbon exploration, mining, construction, transportation and critical national infrastructure.

“This initiative is aimed at accelerating the pace of exploitation of these developing capabilities, enabling us to take technology from a lab environment and apply it quickly in real-world scenarios,” said Professor Kai Bongs, principle Investigator at the UK Quantum Technology Hub Sensors and Timing, and Director of Innovation within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham. 

 The new agreement builds on BAE Systems’ existing strategic partnership with the University of Birmingham, the UK Quantum Technology Hubs and suppliers of sensor systems in an effort to drive breakthrough technologies into a data-rich world. 

“It has the potential to create enormous economic value and change the way we live. Novel sensor capabilities and digital twinning are enabling disruptive innovation in a faster and cheaper way, creating unprecedented benefit to society and the economy,” Bongs added.

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NASA Seeks New Partnerships to Support Artemis Program; Jim Bridenstine Quoted
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NASA Seeks New Partnerships to Support Artemis Program; Jim Bridenstine Quoted

NASA has announced that the agency will develop new partners to support the Artemis program and advance human exploration of the Moon, the agency reported on Thursday. NASA plans to further explore the lunar surface and create a sustainable human presence with Artemis in preparation for future human missions to Mars.

“We’re looking for partners to use advanced technologies, imagery applications and approaches that will go beyond our standard coverage on NASA TV,” said NASA administrator and Wash100 Award recipient, Jim Bridenstine.

Potential proposals could include innovative technologies or hardware, such as cameras or other equipment that a partner might fly on the mission to augment existing NASA imagery.

The agency has requested hardware such as 360-degree field-of-view camera systems, virtual reality and advanced imagery compression to improve image quality over limited bandwidth communication links.

Additionally, NASA will seek 4K and Ultra HD camera systems, robotic “third-person” views, crew handheld camera systems, image stabilization, small portable cameras or other concepts that provide more engaging imagery or deliver a custom viewer experience.

NASA Proposals should outline the public engagement project, potential to enhance public understanding of the Artemis program, distribution mechanisms to reach large audiences, requested support from NASA in the form of existing media or access to facilities and personnel.

Proposals should also include a description of unique video, audio or imaging hardware, software or related technology a partner might seek to place on or in NASA’s Orion spacecraft or other NASA equipment, facilities or infrastructure.

“We want to capture the awe of Apollo for a new generation – the Artemis Generation. Just as people were glued to the TV 50 years ago as astronauts took the first steps on the Moon, we want to bring people along in this new era of exploration,” Bridenstine said.

NASA has released an Announcement for Proposals for submissions of potential partnerships. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. EST, Dec. 11, 2020.

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USAF Fields VR Tech During Experimental Exercise Event
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USAF Fields VR Tech During Experimental Exercise Event

Chaplains from the U.S. Air Force's 366th Fighter Wing took part in an experimental exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base from Oct. 21 to 29 to demonstrate a new lead wing command design in deployed environments.

“In VR, Airmen can meditate, go fishing, fly through space, enjoy walking in nature or (have) hundreds of other engaging experiences,” said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Bean, an airman for religious affairs at the 366th Fighter Wing. 

The Agile Flag 21-1 drill participants employed virtual reality to help combat stress and frustration while in deployed areas, the Air Force said Wednesday. They experienced environments that held sentimental value to boost their morale and strengthen their minds and bodies.

“Solo VR experiences build resiliency and provide an intuitive platform for engagement and interaction which is critical to overcoming ‘the tyranny of distance,’" Bean added.

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VA Details 2020 Digital Transformation, Pandemic Response Efforts; Robert Wilkie Quoted
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VA Details 2020 Digital Transformation, Pandemic Response Efforts; Robert Wilkie Quoted

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a year-in-review report on VA's information technology efforts to help former servicemen better access services.

VA said Wednesday its Office of Information and Technology highlighted major IT investments in service delivery platforms and primary data systems in the report titled “Driving Digital Transformation at VA.”

“By ensuring that VA employees have the tools and technology they need to do their jobs — no matter where they are or what situation they’re in — our nation’s Veterans continue to have access to the care they need and deserve,” said VA secretary Robert Wilkie.

The report also covers digital transformation efforts to cope with and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts. Such efforts include telehealth implementation for 415K staff assigned to VA medical centers across the country, and use of a chatbot to accelerate health care for urgent medical matters.

"The 2020 Year in Review offers real-time examples to veterans and taxpayers of the important benefits of federal modernization efforts, highlighting the results and the achievements we’ve made as an organization so far in 2020," added Wilkie.

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Army Cross-Functional Team Assesses Positioning, Navigation, Timing Systems; William Nelson Quoted
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Army Cross-Functional Team Assesses Positioning, Navigation, Timing Systems; William Nelson Quoted

A U.S. Army cross-functional team (CFT) held a two-week event to evaluate equipment designed to support the military branch's positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) assurance efforts. 

More than 300 representatives from the government and industry demonstrated technology prototypes across different threat scenarios and demonstrated more than 55 static, aerial, dismounted and mounted systems at the second PNT Assessment Exercise, the Army said Thursday.

During the event, members of the 746th Test Squadron and I Corps also assessed how a brigade combat team would operate in an anti-access/area denial environment.

"PNTAX helps the Army inform requirements, validate and refine concepts, address capability gaps and assess solutions for future Army warfighting technologies," said Willie Nelson, director of APNT CFT.

Nelson added that his team offers a live-sky GPS testing environment designed to help military and private sector participants in the annual exercise to manage systems and collect data.

Potomac Officers Club recently hosted its Ensuring PNT Superiority on the Future Battlefield Virtual Event on November 5th, 2020. William Nelson, director of Assured Position, Navigation and Timing (APNT) Cross Functional Team (CFT) with the U.S. Army, delivered the opening keynote address.

“CFT is requirements focused. We are tasked to accelerate the delivery of requirements that are informed with continuous experimentation, prototyping and most importantly, soldier feedback. We work within three signature efforts: Assured Position, Navigation and Timing; Tactical Space; and Navigational Warfare (NAVWAR),” Nelson stated. 

If you missed the live version of Ensuring PNT Superiority on the Future Battlefield, you can still access the OnDemand Event by visiting Potomac Officers Club’s Event Archive. 

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Space Force to Manage X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Ops; Barbara Barrett Quoted
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Space Force to Manage X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Ops; Barbara Barrett Quoted

The U.S. Space Force will oversee the operations of an experimental space plane built by Boeing to demonstrate systems to provide the Space Force with an unmanned space test platform, Military reported Thursday.

Space Force has established the Delta 9 unit to manage the X-37B platform and carry out orbital warfare operations for the service branch.

The orbital test vehicle was launched in May 2020, carrying the FalconSat-8 small satellite for a mission intended to bring experiments from NASA and the Air Force. Barbara Barrett, USAF secretary, said FalconSat-8 carries two NASA experiments. 

One NASA experiment will "study the results of radiation and other space effects on [specific] materials," while the other will research "ambient space radiation" effects on seeds used to grow food, Barrett said.

Delta 9 is comprised of three active-duty squadrons, which are tasked to devise response options for adversary threats and perform protect-and-defend missions in space.

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Army to Field New FLIR-Made Ordnance Disposal Robot
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Army to Field New FLIR-Made Ordnance Disposal Robot

The U.S. Army has announced it will soon field a new robotic system designed to remotely disable explosives, Inside Defense reported Thursday.

The FLIR Systems-built Common Robotic System-Heavy platform would begin fielding this month in an effort to increase the safety of soldiers tasked to dispose of hazardous ordnance.

The company landed a $109 million contract in November last year to produce a maximum of 350 CRS-H units, with a procurement objective of at least 248 units.

The Army intends to implement CRS-H as a replacement to the existing Remote Ordnance Neutralization System. 

Jeremy Howell, deputy robotics team chief at the Army, announced the fielding date at a recent event with the National Defense Industrial Association. “Almost every program we have now leads back to a universal controller,” Howell added.

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VA Names Federal Tech Vets Paul Brubaker, Todd Simpson to Leadership Roles
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VA Names Federal Tech Vets Paul Brubaker, Todd Simpson to Leadership Roles

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently appointed federal technology veterans Paul Brubaker and Todd Simpson as deputy chief information officer in the account management office and deputy assistant secretary for DevSecOps, respectively. 

Both appointees aim to help the VA Office of Information and Technology build up its reputation as a unified customer experience provider to U.S. military veterans worldwide, the department said Wednesday.

Brubaker previously led initiatives at the departments of Energy, Defense and Transportation in various areas such as cybersecurity, research and strategy.

His industry career has included time as senior director of VMware AirWatch's federal business, CEO of Synteractive and head of the North American public sector team within Cisco Systems' internet business solutions group.

Simpson, who has nearly three decades of federal service, is responsible for electronic health record system interoperability efforts at the VA in his current capacity and providing guidance for OIT's DevSecOps transition initiatives.

He previously worked at the Department of Health and Human Services as chief product officer and at the Food and Drug Administration as CIO.

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