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Army-Led Task Force Issues Guide on Counter-Drone Tech, Privacy Protections
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Drones. JIATF 401 has issued a guide outlining the technologies used to detect drone threats and measures to protect privacy.

The Army-led Joint Interagency Task Force 401, or JIATF-401, has released a guide outlining technologies used to detect drone threats and the legal framework governing their use while protecting individual privacy.

Army-Led Task Force Issues Guide on Counter-Drone Tech, Privacy Protections

As the threat from small drones continues to evolve, the defense community is advancing new counter-drone capabilities to help protect personnel and critical infrastructure. These developments are shaping ongoing conversations about the future of Army operations and emerging technologies. Register now to join the discussion at the 2026 Army Summit on June 18.

Which Sensor Technologies Detect Drone Threats?

The Department of War said Monday the publication, titled “Counter-UAS Operations: Safeguarding Freedoms and Preserving Privacy,” highlights several passive sensor technologies used to identify and track drones while maintaining airspace awareness.

These technologies include radar systems that detect airborne objects; electro-optical and infrared sensors that visually identify drones; acoustic sensors; and radio frequency detection systems that analyze signals emitted by drone communications.

How Do Counter-UAS Systems Protect Privacy?

The guide explains how counter-UAS systems operate in accordance with federal surveillance law.

Col. Scott Humr, deputy director of science and technology for JIATF-401, said the joint force’s approach to counter-UAS technology is designed to safeguard privacy.

“The technologies we are fielding are engineered to be effective while adhering to strict privacy principles. By focusing on data minimization and secure handling processes, we collect only what is necessary to identify a potential threat. This allows us to protect critical infrastructure and public safety without compromising the civil liberties that we are sworn to defend,” Humr added.

What Did Brig. Gen. Matt Ross Say About the Guide?

Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401, the guide reflects the task force’s commitment to transparency as it deploys counter-drone technologies in a responsible manner that respects privacy and maintains public trust.

“Countering drones is not just a battlefield problem — it’s a homeland defense imperative,” Ross said. “Our goal is to integrate sensors, effectors and mission command systems in a distributed network that protects service members and American citizens alike.”

How Does the Guide Support JIATF-401’s Counter-Drone Efforts?

The publication aligns with several initiatives JIATF-401 has launched to accelerate the deployment of counter-drone capabilities across DOW.

The task force recently declared initial operational capability for its Counter-UAS Marketplace, a procurement platform that enables government users to identify and acquire vetted counter-drone technologies through an existing contract vehicle. JIATF-401 also supports broader defense efforts to field scalable counter-small UAS systems, including initiatives tied to installation protection and the Pentagon’s Replicator 2 program.

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DARPA Advances SPRINT Program With Bell-Built X-76 Demonstrator
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DARPA logo. DARPA has advanced development of the X-76 Demonstrator under its SPRINT Program.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has advanced development of the X-76 experimental aircraft under its SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies, or SPRINT, program.

What Is the SPRINT Program?

DARPA said Monday SPRINT is an initiative designed to address the traditional trade-off between high-speed fixed-wing aircraft that require runways and slower vertical-lift platforms capable of operating from austere locations. The program, conducted in partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command, aims to explore technologies that could combine jet-like cruise performance with vertical takeoff and landing capability.

What Is the Role of the X-76 Demonstrator?

The experimental platform, designated the X-76 Demonstrator, joins the lineage of X-planes used to test new aviation technologies. The X-76 is designed to achieve cruise speeds of more than 400 knots while maintaining hover capability in challenging conditions. Additionally, the aircraft is being engineered to operate from unprepared surfaces, reducing the vulnerability associated with fixed airfield infrastructure.

Bell Textron, which is responsible for demonstrator’s design, construction and testing, completed the critical design review for DARPA’s SPRINT X-Plane Program. The company will now proceed with manufacturing, integration, assembly and ground testing of the aircraft. Phase 2, which began with the downselect of Bell Textron, will be followed by a Phase 3 flight test program scheduled for early 2028.

“With SPRINT, we’re not just building an X-plane; we’re building options. We’re working to deliver the option of surprise, the option of rapid reinforcement, and the option of life-saving speed, anywhere on the globe, without needing any runway,” said Cmdr. Ian Higgins, program manager of DARPA SPRINT.

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BAE Systems-Made Missile Tracking Satellites for Space Force Pass Preliminary Design Review
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Space Force logo. The U.S. Space Force announced that the MWT Epoch 2 satellites passed preliminary design review

A 10-satellite missile warning and tracking constellation that BAE Systems is developing for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command has cleared preliminary design review.

SSC said Monday that the System Delta 84’s Resilient Missile Warning and Tracking, or MWT, Epoch 2 program will now transition to the next phase of development.

“Using advanced digital tools allowed us to ensure the design is sound and ready for the next phase, which is the Critical Design Review planned for this summer,” 1st Lt. Sabrina Taylor, chief systems engineer for SYD 84 Epoch 2, shared. “Collectively, we are demonstrating we can move quickly while maintaining technical excellence.”

BAE Systems-Made Missile Tracking Satellites for Space Force Pass Preliminary Design Review

Space Force leaders will share updates and future plans to strengthen U.S. capability to defend assets and the homeland from orbit at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. Secure your tickets today.

What Is the Missile Warning and Tracking Epoch 2 Program?

MWT Epoch 2 is a 10-satellite constellation that will be deployed in medium Earth orbit to track missile threats around the world.  

According to SSC, the constellation will integrate into the broader national missile defense architecture to strengthen resilience and enhance U.S. capability to detect a wide range of threats, including maneuvering hypersonic missiles.

“In today’s world, speed and innovation are essential to our national defense,” Lt. Col. Brandon Castillo, system program manager for SYD 84 Epoch 2, commented. “Our team is delivering to outpace the threat. This expanded constellation will provide the global coverage needed to protect our Nation, service members, Allies, and partners from the most advanced missiles.”

BAE Systems won a $1.2 billion contract in June 2025 to develop the 10 MWT Epoch 2 satellites, with initial deliveries expected beginning in fiscal year 2029. Boeing subsidiary Millennium Space Systems designed Epoch 1 satellites, which are expected to be launched in late 2026.

What Is SYD 84?

System Delta 84 is a Space Systems Command unit responsible for advancing missile warning and tracking capabilities for the U.S. Space Force. The unit was formally activated in July 2025 during a ceremony at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

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DCSA Launches Mentor-Protege Program to Boost Small Business Participation in Defense Supply Chain
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Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency logo. DCSA has joined the Department of War Mentor-Protege Program

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has announced its participation in the Department of War’s Mentor-Protege Program, an initiative that connects small businesses with established defense contractors.

DCSA said Monday that its Office of Small Business Programs and Industry Engagements will manage the agency’s execution of the program. The effort, funded by the Department of War Office for Industrial Base Growth, aims to expand small-business participation in defense supply chains.

How Will DCSA’s Mentor-Protege Program Support Small Businesses?

Through the program, small companies can enter into partnership agreements with experienced defense contractors that serve as mentors.

Protege firms can build technical capabilities, gain business development expertise and improve their ability to compete for federal contracts. Meanwhile, mentor companies benefit by developing new subcontractors to support major defense programs and strengthen supply chain capacity.

Ruby Crenshaw-Lawrence, chief of DCSA’s Office of Small Business Programs and Industry Engagements, said the initiative supports national security priorities.

“DCSA’s participation in the Department of War’s Mentor-Protege Program will expand and enhance our contributions to a national security priority: growing a capable, secure and resilient Defense Industrial Base,” she stated. “By facilitating the industrial partnerships that the program fosters, we are not only developing small businesses but also strengthening our supply chains and ensuring the Department of War has access to the innovative solutions needed to protect our nation.”

How Can Companies Apply for the DCSA Mentor-Protege Program?

DCSA posted a broad agency announcement on SAM.gov outlining program eligibility requirements, application procedures and submission guidelines for companies interested in participating.

The program is structured as a two-phase submission process. In Phase 1, companies interested in participating in the program must submit a white paper summarizing technical and cost information. For Phase 2, selected applicants will submit a full Technical and cost Proposal and Letters of Endorsement.

White paper submissions for Phase 1 are due March 29.

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DOT, FAA Select 8 Projects for Advanced Air Mobility Integration, eVTOL Program
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DOT's Sean Duffy. DOT and FAA unveiled the projects to take part in the AAM and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration have chosen eight projects to take part in the Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, or eVTOL, Integration Pilot Program, an initiative designed to test advanced aircraft operations.

What Is the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program?

The eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, or eIPP, aims to support the integration of advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace, the Transportation Department said Monday. The initiative, outlined in the Unleashing Drone Dominance executive order, seeks to advance testing of emerging aviation technologies and help the FAA develop new regulations to enable these technologies at scale.

“The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation. That means more high-paying manufacturing jobs and economic opportunity. By safely testing the deployment of these futuristic air taxis and other AAM vehicles, we can fundamentally improve how the traveling public and products move,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Which Proposals Were Selected for eIPP?

The eight projects pair state and local transportation authorities with industry manufacturers, including Ampaire, Archer, BETA, Electra, Elroy Air, Joby, Reliable Robotics and Wisk. The initiatives cover a range of operational concepts, including urban air taxi services, regional passenger transportation, cargo and logistics networks, emergency medical response operations and autonomous flight technologies.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will test 12 operational concepts across New England, including eVTOL passenger service at the Manhattan heliport, while the Texas Department of Transportation will develop regional air taxi routes connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and potentially Houston. Other efforts include multistate aircraft testing led by Utah, expanded regional flights from Pennsylvania, offshore cargo and personnel transport trials in Louisiana, a statewide cargo and medical response initiative in Florida, medical and autonomous flight operations led by North Carolina and early autonomous flight testing in Albuquerque.

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NIST Report Examines Barriers to Monitoring Deployed AI Systems
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Artificial intelligence. NIST researchers identify barriers to post-deployment AI monitoring.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a new report examining the difficulties organizations face when monitoring artificial intelligence systems after deployment, an increasingly important issue as AI tools are adopted across government and industry.

Published on Monday, the “NIST AI 800-4: Challenges to the Monitoring of Deployed AI Systems” was developed by the Center for AI Standards and Innovation following practitioner workshops and an extensive literature review aimed at mapping the emerging landscape of post-deployment AI monitoring, an area the agency says remains fragmented despite growing demand for real-world oversight of AI technologies.

NIST Report Examines Barriers to Monitoring Deployed AI Systems

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18 will bring together federal, defense and GovCon leaders to discuss the policies, standards and operational considerations shaping AI adoption across government. Register now to hear keynotes and practitioner-led panels on deploying AI responsibly and scaling emerging technologies in mission environments.

Why Monitoring AI Systems Matters

According to NIST, AI systems behave differently from traditional software because they can evolve, degrade or produce unexpected outputs over time. These characteristics make continuous monitoring essential for ensuring systems operate as intended once deployed.

The report notes that post-deployment monitoring can help organizations detect issues such as performance drift, security vulnerabilities and unintended impacts on users, all of which could undermine trust in AI technologies.

What Are the Key Monitoring Categories?

Researchers identified six major categories of AI monitoring that organizations should consider when evaluating deployed systems:

  • Functionality: Tracks performance to ensure the system consistently executes its intended tasks.
  • Operations: Monitors infrastructure health and service reliability.
  • Human factors: Evaluates user interaction, output transparency and the practical utility of AI insights.
  • Security: Identifies vulnerabilities to adversarial attacks or unauthorized misuse.
  • Compliance: Ensures adherence to evolving regulations, industry standards and internal governance.
  • Societal impact: Assesses the large-scale consequences of AI deployment.

What Challenges Did Researchers Identify?

Despite growing interest in monitoring AI systems, the report identifies multiple obstacles that complicate implementation.

Among the key challenges are limited research on human-AI feedback loops, fragmented system logging across distributed infrastructure and difficulty detecting performance degradation over time.

Researchers also point to broader systemic barriers, including the absence of widely accepted standards for monitoring tools, limited mechanisms for sharing incident information and a shortage of qualified AI specialists.

NIST said the findings highlight areas where further research and collaboration could strengthen oversight practices.

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Gavin Kliger Named Pentagon Chief Data Officer
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Gavin Kliger. The former Databricks technical staff member has been named the Department of War's chief data officer.

The Department of War has appointed Gavin Kliger, a former Databricks technical staff member, as chief data officer to help oversee and execute DOW’s artificial intelligence initiatives.

Gavin Kliger Named Pentagon Chief Data Officer

Attend Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18 to hear from Kliger’s new collaborator in AI innovation at DOW, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer Cameron Stanley. Register today to secure your spot and join fellow leaders for this timely discussion.

How Will Kliger Oversee DOW’s AI Strategy?

In a post on X published Friday, DOW said Kliger will focus on aligning and managing the day-to-day execution of the department’s AI initiatives while working with frontier AI labs to support military operations.

He will also help ensure AI projects maintain strategic direction, secure access to critical defense data and accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities to warfighters.

Kliger said the U.S. is in global competition for military AI leadership and must build on its current capabilities to maintain an advantage over potential adversaries.

“My mission is to integrate the unparalleled innovation of America’s private sector with the Department’s operational expertise to rapidly deliver advanced AI capabilities to our warfighters. By driving pace-setting projects with wartime urgency, we will ensure cutting-edge technology translates into decisive battlefield advantages for the United States,” he added.

In January, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2026 Wash100 winner, issued a memorandum to establish a departmentwide strategy to accelerate AI adoption and experimentation.

Who Is Gavin Kliger?

According to the DOW post, Kliger most recently served on Hegseth’s DOGE DOW team, where he helped launch the department’s enterprise AI platform, GenAI.mil. He also contributed to the department’s Drone Dominance program.

Before joining the Pentagon, he was a senior adviser to the director for technology and delivery at the Office of Personnel Management, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The University of California, Berkeley graduate previously served as a senior software engineer at Databricks.

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Navy Christens 6th Ship in Expeditionary Sea Base Program
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U.S. Navy logo. The Navy christened Military Sealift Command’s sixth ship in the Expeditionary Sea Base program.

The U.S. Navy on Saturday christened USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), the Military Sealift Command’s sixth and final ship in the Expeditionary Sea Base program, during a ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, DVIDS reported. 

Navy Christens 6th Ship in Expeditionary Sea Base Program

The christening of USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. highlights the Navy’s continued investment in flexible maritime platforms and the evolving capabilities that support modern naval operations. Industry and government leaders will explore the latest capabilities and the future of naval strategy at the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27. Sign up today to book your spot!

Family members of the ship’s namesake joined Navy leaders, Marine Corps officials and shipyard personnel to mark the milestone ahead of the vessel’s entry into service.

“We look forward to welcoming USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. into our operational family, where it will play a critical role in how the Navy adapts, innovates, and fights,” said Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Military Sealift Command.

Vice Adm. John F. G. Wade, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, said the ship carries forward the legacy of its namesake and will support missions that strengthen deterrence and reassure allies.

Who Was Hector A. Cafferata Jr.?

The ship honors U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Hector A. Cafferata Jr., who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War’s Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November 1950.

According to his Medal of Honor citation, Cafferata defended his unit against a regimental-sized enemy force during the battle and protected wounded Marines by throwing away a live grenade that had landed among them, sustaining severe injuries.

What Are the Capabilities and Features of ESB 8?

USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. is designed to support aviation mine countermeasure and special operations force missions. The vessel incorporates four primary capabilities: aviation, command and control, berthing and equipment staging area.

The ship features a flight deck and hangar space with two aviation operating spots capable of supporting MH-53E Sea Dragon-equivalent helicopters. It also includes workspaces, accommodations and ordnance storage for embarked forces, along with enhanced command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems. A reconfigurable mission deck allows the vessel to stage equipment such as mine countermeasure sleds and rigid-hull inflatable boats.

What Is ESB Ship?

According to General Dynamics, the ESB ship class is a flexible maritime platform designed to support multiple sea-based missions. These ships serve as mobile bases at sea and are part of the Navy’s access infrastructure that enables the deployment of forces, equipment and supplies while supporting operational capabilities.

Each ESB vessel measures approximately 784 feet in length and includes a 52,000-square-foot flight deck designed to support aircraft such as MH-53, MH-60, H1 and MV-22.

Five ships in the program have already been delivered to the Navy: USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3); USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4); USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5); USS John L. Canley (ESB 6); and USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7).

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Air Force Seeks Industry Input on Stand-in Attack Weapon Missile System
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US Air Force logo. The Air Force issued a sources sought notice for missile systems that could support the SiAW program.

The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry feedback on potential missile systems that could support the Stand-in Attack Weapon, or SiAW, program, as part of market research for a future acquisition effort.

In a sources sought notice posted on SAM.gov on Wednesday, the service said it is seeking companies that can provide an All-Up-Round missile system and associated software and hardware, logistics elements, training systems and verification tools compatible with SiAW launch platforms and infrastructure. Responses are due March 19.

Air Force Seeks Industry Input on Stand-in Attack Weapon Missile System

Leaders from the U.S. Air and Space Forces and industry will gather at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 to examine evolving requirements in the air and space domains. The event will include keynote remarks and panel discussions focused on operational challenges and technology integration. Register now!

What Capabilities Is the Air Force Seeking?

According to the notice, the Air Force is evaluating missile concepts designed to operate in contested environments and strike mobile targets at extended standoff ranges.

Potential systems should feature advanced targeting capabilities, including anti-radiation seekers capable of engaging modern radar systems, such as frequency-agile and low-probability-of-intercept emitters. The service is also interested in weapons capable of engaging ballistic and other non-cooperative targets.

Other requirements include electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities, with anti-jamming protections and the ability to re-attack targets if necessary.

The Air Force said the systems should be compatible with current and future aircraft platforms, including the F-35, F-16, F-47 and B-21, and designed using open architecture standards to enable future upgrades and integration.

Production and Program Timeline

The service is also evaluating the industry’s ability to support production volumes of up to 600 AUR missiles per year, with the anticipated program period expected to run approximately four years from contract award through 2030, supporting Lot 1 production and delivery.

The SiAW program office is executing a middle tier acquisition rapid prototyping phase as it develops next-generation strike capabilities for operations against advanced air defense systems.

What Is the SiAW Program?

The Air Force’s SiAW effort focuses on developing an air-to-surface missile designed to attack relocatable targets in anti-access and area-denial environments.

In December 2025, the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a contract worth up to $100 million to support SiAW subsystem development.

Earlier work on the program includes a $705 million contract awarded to the company in 2023 to use digital engineering approaches to design and deliver SiAW systems.

According to the Air Force’s fiscal year 2024 budget documents, the service plans to procure between 400 and 3,000 SiAW missiles with a projected program value of about $8.4 billion through fiscal 2028.

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DOE Expands Advanced Reactor Programs With Nuclear Energy Launch Pad
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Department of Energy logo. DOE launched a new initiative to accelerate advanced nuclear reactor deployments

The Department of Energy has introduced the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad, a new initiative to speed up the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.

The Idaho National Laboratory said Thursday that the Launch Pad builds on DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Program to expand authorization for nuclear technologies as they move toward commercial deployment. 

“Through this initiative, developers can access infrastructure, expertise and services essential for the siting, construction and operation of their nuclear facilities,” Rian Bahran, deputy assistant secretary for nuclear reactors at DOE.

The Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Program were created to accelerate advanced reactor demonstrations and strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain. To date, DOE has accepted 11 projects into the Reactor Pilot Program and nine into the Fuel Line Pilot Program.

What Is the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad?

The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad provides streamlined pathways for nuclear developers to test and deploy advanced reactor and fuel technologies.

The initiative will support projects involving advanced reactors, fuel fabrication, enrichment, recycling and other nuclear innovations. DOE said the program aims to reduce commercialization risks by offering flexible regulatory frameworks and technical support to developers.

The Launch Pad offers two participation pathways: Launch Pad INL and Launch Pad USA.

Launch Pad INL will provide developers access to INL’s infrastructure, utilities and nuclear expertise. Launch Pad USA will allow companies to demonstrate technologies at other DOE facilities, national laboratories or nonfederal sites.

NRIC plans to release the first request for applications in the coming months.

Why Is the Federal Government Accelerating Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies?

The initiative aligns with a May 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors to support national security.

The order highlights the need for resilient energy sources for critical defense facilities, military installations and national laboratories. Advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors and microreactors serve as reliable power sources capable of supporting energy-intensive, mission-critical capabilities, the White House said.

The initiative also aligns with the Genesis Mission, a national effort to accelerate innovation in energy, discovery science and national security programs. In February, DOE identified nuclear energy as one of the key focus areas of the Genesis Mission.

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