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VA Data Breach Compromised Info of 46K Veterans
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VA Data Breach Compromised Info of 46K Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that a data breach involving an online application used to handle medical payments compromised the personal data of approximately 46,000 veterans.

VA’s Financial Services Center (FSC) discovered that unauthorized users used social engineering techniques and authentication protocols to access the online app in order to alter financial information and divert payments from the department to community health providers, VA said Monday.

The department’s Office of Information Technology will conduct a comprehensive security assessment before restoring system access to prevent data modification and unauthorized access.

The FSC has started to notify the affected individuals and deceased retirees’ next of kin of the data breach. VA is also offering free credit monitoring services to people whose Social Security numbers may have been exposed.

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Barbara Barrett Discusses Air Force ‘eSeries’ Weapons System Designator
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Barbara Barrett Discusses Air Force ‘eSeries’ Weapons System Designator

Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett announced Monday the service branch’s “eSeries” classification for digitally engineered weapons systems at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, the service reported.

“To inspire companies to embrace the possibilities presented by digital engineering, today the Department of the Air Force is announcing a new weapons system designator—the ‘e’ series,” Barrett said in her keynote speech. “Aircraft, satellites, weapon systems and more that are digitally engineered will receive an ‘e’ prefix.”

Air Force officials said the digital eSeries acquisition program will help speed up the production of weapon systems by leveraging an end-to-end virtual environment. Boeing’s eT-7A Red Hawk trainer is the first Air Force aircraft to use the eSeries designator.

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Army Launches Competition for Memory Retention Tech Concepts
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Army Launches Competition for Memory Retention Tech Concepts

The U.S. Army has unveiled a competition that invites industry to submit concepts of technologies that can identify and trace learning traits that could optimize memory retention.

The Army said Tuesday it aims to explore the effects of emotion on memory and learning and determine how it can employ brain processing technologies to train warfighters through the xTech Brain Operant Learning Technology competition.

The service branch is specifically looking for neuroimaging technologies such as ear-infrared spectroscopy systems and quantitative electroencephalogram testing methods in an effort to augment military training.

"The xTechBOLT prize is a research topic to help us more fully understand how we can take a novice and turn them into an expert, how an experience turns into a memory, and how that memory is then utilized to perform activities," said Darrin Frye, portfolio manager for the Medical Simulation and Information Science Research Program at the Army Medical Research and Development Command.

Interested parties have until Sept. 15 to submit their concept papers to the Army.

Selected participants will present their ideas at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education virtual event.

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Navy Looks to Leverage MQ-25 Aerial Refueling Drone for Long-Range Missions
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Navy Looks to Leverage MQ-25 Aerial Refueling Drone for Long-Range Missions

The U.S. Navy has completed a force structure assessment and found that the service branch needs to invest in long-range aircraft to support its future carrier air wing operations. 

Rear Adm. Greg Harris, director of air warfare at the Navy, told attendees at a recent virtual event that the service’s procurement of Boeing-built MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial refueling aircraft could help the carrier air wing prevent emerging extended-range threats from adversaries, Defense News reported Sunday.

He added that MQ-25 “adds lethality to the carrier strike group” while supporting teaming operations with fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets.

“We just finished a future naval force structure study that looked very specifically at the carrier air wing, and throughout that study the folks who were working with us challenged us to operate farther and farther away from the threat, with the assumption that threat systems were going to prevent us from being able to operate from inside certain ranges,” said Harris.

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GSA Issues Field Guide for Cybersecurity Risk Prevention
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GSA Issues Field Guide for Cybersecurity Risk Prevention

The General Services Administration’s (GSA) 18F digital services unit has released a field guide to help federal agencies mitigate cyber risks in their systems. The federal field guide covers various topics related to cyber strategy development including planning, acquisition and execution.

According to the guide, agencies must first ensure product owners’ capacity to monitor control over outsourced platforms and services.

Agencies must also involve more government end-users in the Agile software development process, evaluate tradeoffs in commercial off-the-shelf technology implementation and provide personnel access to a standardized set of remote collaboration platforms, the guide states.

Other recommendations include executing incremental technology deployment and developing a budget strategy for risk mitigation prototyping efforts.

“Instead of making large, risky investments in major software programs years in advance, agencies should apply Agile principles to break up those larger, monolithic projects into smaller, incremental budget allocations,” according to the report.

“Taking a modular approach compartmentalizes failures, reduces the risk of failure, and brings the size of projects below the threshold for greater agency oversight.”

GSA Issues Field Guide for Cybersecurity Risk Prevention

GovConWire Events will host the Winning Business and FY21 Opportunities Virtual Forum featuring keynote speaker Brian Barnes, Associate Administrator of the Office of Small Business Utilization with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), on October 20th.

Click here to register for the Winning Business and FY21 Opportunities Virtual Forum.

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Maj. Gen. Michael Groen Nominated to Oversee Joint AI Center
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Maj. Gen. Michael Groen Nominated to Oversee Joint AI Center

Maj. Gen. Michael Groen, deputy chief of computer network operations at the National Security Agency (NSA), has been nominated for assignment as the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center’s (JAIC) next director and promotion to the rank of lieutenant general, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.

If the Senate confirms his nomination, Groen would succeed Nand Mulchandani, who has served as acting JAIC director following Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan’s, a two-time Wash100 Award recipient, departure in June 2020. Shanahan retired Aug. 1 from the U.S. Air Force after more than 35 years of service.

Groen previously led intelligence functions at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Maj. Gen. Michael Groen Nominated to Oversee Joint AI Center

On October 22nd, ArchIntel Events will host the ArchIntel – AI in Competitive Intelligence Forum as its first virtual event featuring August Jackson, senior director of Marketing and Competitive Intelligence for Deltek, as the keynote speaker.

Please join ArchIntel for its first virtual event on October 22nd to hear from some of the most esteemed minds in competitive intelligence on the opportunities and challenges arising from AI technology and how CI professionals can adapt and thrive in a post COVID-19 technological world.

Register here to attend ArchIntel’s first virtual event: AI in Competitive Intelligence Forum

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Rep. Elissa Slotkin Introduces Bill on Leveraging Emerging Tech for Border Patrol Operations
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Rep. Elissa Slotkin Introduces Bill on Leveraging Emerging Tech for Border Patrol Operations

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., has introduced a bill mandating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a strategy for leveraging emerging technologies for monitoring operations at the U.S. northern and southern borders.

Slotkin’s office said Thursday the legislation, known as the Integrating New Technologies to Empower Law Enforcement (INTEL) at Our Borders Act, directs the DHS to create a comprehensive border security strategy to address current gaps in border patrol and situational awareness.

The INTEL at Our Borders Act additionally requires the department to update legacy programs, analyze procurement authorities, report progress on incentivizing industry partners and develop a research and development blueprint.

Slotkin said she is “thankful to have the National Border Patrol Council’s support” for the legislation. The Bipartisan Policy Center also voiced support for the bipartisan bill, according to the press release.

“Emerging technologies present an important opportunity to help secure our border smartly, effectively, and humanely, and we should use them to the fullest extent possible,” she noted.

“In so doing, we’ll also help relieve the strain on understaffed personnel, an issue I heard about directly from border patrol officers during trips to both the Northern and Southern borders.”

The bill’s original cosponsors include Reps. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M., and Van Taylor, R-Texas. 

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Lockheed Martin Awards BAE Systems Contract to Deliver Electronic Warfare Systems
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Lockheed Martin Awards BAE Systems Contract to Deliver Electronic Warfare Systems

Lockheed Martin has awarded BAE Systems a contract to produce and deliver additional electronic warfare (EW) systems for Lot 15, Lot 16 long lead, sustainment spares and retro fit kits for the 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II, BAE Systems reported on Monday. 

“Our goal is to deliver capabilities that provide warfighters with a distinct advantage on the battlefield,” said Deborah Norton, vice president of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems. “This contract underscores our partnership with Lockheed Martin and our collective commitment to deliver affordable, sustainable, and world-class electronic warfare systems to combat evolving threats.”

Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide advanced situational awareness and threat response capabilities that support critical missions in contested airspace. The contract has followed BAE Systems’ production and delivery of more than 500 EW systems for the F-35 as a key system partner, matching Lockheed Martin’s airframe production. 

BAE Systems will support all stages of the product’s lifecycle, from development and production to sustainment. The company will continue to design and develop new capabilities to enhance the system’s offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as maintain its readiness for warfighters under a performance-based logistics sustainability contract. 

BAE Systems has strategically invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing, workforce development and supply chain excellence to ensure that advanced systems are delivered. 

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is a leading systems integrator supporting militaries, governments, and U.S. intelligence community members across the globe. The company’s advanced technologies and services protect people and national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.

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L3Harris Team Wins Task Order to Modernize USAF Flight Simulator; Todd Gautier, Lt. Col. Rick Jaime Quoted
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L3Harris Team Wins Task Order to Modernize USAF Flight Simulator; Todd Gautier, Lt. Col. Rick Jaime Quoted

L3Harris Technologies has announced that the company will lead a team, including CAE, CymSTAR, Dell Technologies and Leidos, to help transform the U.S. Air Force’s flight simulator training used to help develop highly skilled air crews.

“The future of Air Force training is here. The L3Harris team will transform the simulator infrastructure and provide the Air Force with increased cyber security and a common operating environment,” said Todd Gautier, president of Aviation Systems, L3Harris. “The integrated solution will allow the Air Force to grow into multiple platforms and provide crews with a more realistic training environment.”

The L3Harris team will support the Air Force’s Simulators Common Architecture Requirements and Standards (SCARS) program, which will integrate and standardize the service’s aircraft training simulators, as well as help the service branch develop a set of common standards for simulator design and operation. 

SCARS’ stricter cybersecurity criteria will enable the Air Force to link simulators together, perform remote software updates and advance the training environment. There are approximately 2,400 simulators across 300 locations that will be updated with the new common architecture over the next few years. 

“As we move to multi-domain operations, there’s an increased focus on commonality and interoperability for all Department of Defense training efforts,” said Lt. Col. Rick Jaime, Materiel Leader, Operational Training Infrastructure at the U.S. Air Force. “We look forward to working collaboratively with our prime and partners to create a unique approach to synthetic training environments. These are capabilities that will integrate into broader training systems in the future.”

The initial task order covers nine sites and integrates new standards into the A-10 and KC-135 platforms.

About L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. L3Harris has approximately $18 billion in annual revenue and 48,000 employees, with customers in more than 100 countries.

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AFWERX Selects Hexagon US Federal to Build Innovative Under New Challenge; Mark Rowland, Tammer Olibah Quoted
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AFWERX Selects Hexagon US Federal to Build Innovative Under New Challenge; Mark Rowland, Tammer Olibah Quoted

AFWERX has announced that Hexagon US Federal is one of the top 92 participating teams selected from across the globe competing to build the Base of the Future Challenge, the company reported on Monday. 

"The AFWERX Base of the Future Challenge is critical to our mission of increasing collaboration between large businesses and entrepreneurs to accelerate solutions for the Air Force," stated Mark Rowland of AFWERX. “On behalf of AFWERX and the Department of Defense, we congratulate the teams advancing to the next phase. Their contributions are invaluable and have the potential to create game-changing results across the Air Force enterprise,” Rowland added. 

The challenge has focused on six topics, including Base Security, Installation Resilience, Leveraging Technology for Operational Effectiveness, Reverse Engineering, Culture of Innovation and Airman and Family Wellbeing. 

Hexagon US Federal’s proposal has been selected to advance innovative solutions across new base security technology and VR training modules to virtual assistants and apps designed for wellness and leadership development. The company is competing in the Leveraging Technology for Operational Effectiveness Challenge to build the Base of the Future and modernize the Department of Defense (DoD).

The company will leverage artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing and machine learning (ML) to build an innovative Air Force base. The Air Force has planned to integrate state-of-the-art operational technology, automation, AI, digital integration and cybersecurity to ensure that the Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida becomes a premier innovation hub for industry and government.

Hexagon US Federal submitted the solution, "Digital Reality, Digital Twin," that will enable the U.S. Air Force to develop richly detailed 3D models of its bases. This scalable digital reality solution integrates a variety of Hexagon sensor technologies to create a digital twin of Air Force base facilities. The company’s digital reality solution will improve decision-making for on-base emergency management, maintenance, construction and other critical activities.

"It's an honor to be among the solutions selected to move forward," said Tammer Olibah, Hexagon US Federal CEO. "We are proud of our ongoing support of the Air Force through our work, and we are excited for the opportunity to take our support to a new level with our innovative digital reality solutions." 

Chris Reichert, vice president of Strategy with Hexagon US Federal, recently spoke with ArchIntel regarding competitive intelligence (CI), and how the new business model has shaped the government contracting (GovCon) sector. 

“Competition is reliant on the people that you have on your team. There are services and resources that you can pay for and gain access to certain databases and reports, as long as the company’s willing to spend that money. Everyone’s dealing with the same information. It really just comes down to the people that you build around your intelligence cycle,” Reichert said in his interview with ArchIntel. 

To read Chris Reichert’s full interview on how to remain competitive within the marketplace, view ArchIntel’s ‘Competitive Intelligence Spotlight Series’.

About Hexagon US Federal

Hexagon US Federal is part of Hexagon serving the U.S. federal market. Hexagon is a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, and quality across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, safety, and mobility applications. Our technologies are shaping urban and production ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

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