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Mark Esper: AI Could Transform Every Aspect of Battlefield
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Mark Esper: AI Could Transform Every Aspect of Battlefield

Mark Esper, secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said he believes artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the battlefield and the country that is first to deploy AI will gain a significant advantage over its adversaries, DoD News reported Wednesday.

"History informs us that those who are first to harness once-in-a-generation technologies often have a decisive advantage on the battlefield for years to come," Esper said Wednesday at the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) virtual symposium. "Unlike advanced munitions or next-generation platforms, artificial intelligence is in a league of its own, with the potential to transform nearly every aspect of the battlefield, from the back office to the front lines.”

Esper also discussed how Russia and China are advancing AI, DoD’s adoption of ethical principles for the use and development of AI and how JAIC accelerates the delivery of AI capabilities in support of warfighters.

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.

In addition to Jackson’s keynote address, ArchIntel’s AI in Competitive Intelligence Forum will feature a full panel of the most respected and knowledgeable executives in the federal sector to discuss the ways that artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data and other emerging technologies have transformed how competitive intelligence is used in the GovCon industry.

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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Defense Innovation Board to Virtually Host Advisory Meeting This Month
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Defense Innovation Board to Virtually Host Advisory Meeting This Month

The Defense Innovation Board (DIB) will administer a virtual meeting on Sept. 15 to discuss progress, recommendations and efforts regarding innovation across multiple military aspects.

The meeting will tackle future challenges and various topics prioritized by defense leaders, the Department of Defense (DoD), said in a Federal Register notice published Tuesday.

Topics to be discussed include technical workforce trends, autonomous systems and certifications for software procurement and development under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

For example, the board's subcommittee for workforce, behavior and culture made recommendations on hiring technical and digital practitioners in DoD with regard to COVID-19-driven workforce trends. The board will vote on recommendations given by its subcommittees regarding these topics.

Navy Eyes Industry Partnerships, Expanded Integration Operations for RAIL Unmanned Vessel Hub
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Navy Eyes Industry Partnerships, Expanded Integration Operations for RAIL Unmanned Vessel Hub

The U.S. Navy is working to establish budget allocations and program requirements for its recently established laboratory for developing and testing unmanned underwater and surface vehicles.

Capt. Pete Small, program manager for unmanned maritime systems at the Navy, said at an Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International event that the Navy is looking to implement a strategy for the Rapid Integration Autonomy Lab’s (RAIL) programs beyond fiscal year 2022, National Defense Magazine reported Tuesday.

The RAIL effort, first announced in July, is slated to include an expanded integration facility to support the deployment of USV and UUV technologies such as sensors and autonomous payloads through software-in-the-loop as well as modeling and simulation assessments.

Small noted that he envisions the lab as a collaborative space encompassing a network of software tools and cloud-based environments.

“We will rely heavily on industry to bring those tools to the RAIL to do the testing that we require,” he said.

RAIL currently houses testing activities for the prototype Overload autonomous vessel which is scheduled to undergo experimentation in FY 2021, according to the report.

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Space Force, NOAA Operate Reassigned Weather Satellite System
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Space Force, NOAA Operate Reassigned Weather Satellite System

The U.S. Space Force and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have begun to jointly operate a weather satellite that has been reassigned for military use. The Electro-optical Infrared Weather System Geostationary (EWS-G1) satellite will collect space-based environmental data under a partnership between USSF and NOAA, Peterson Air Force Base said.

The satellite originally functioned to gather weather data over the country's East Coast under the former name Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-13). This original assignment ran over 10 years beginning in 2006.

EWS-G1 now works to characterize clouds and produce weather imagery for the U.S. military's operations in the Indian Ocean area.

"This effort demonstrates speed by allowing the spacecraft to be moved and operated in the Indian Ocean region far earlier than a new satellite could be produced and fielded,” said Charlotte Gerhart, low Earth orbit division chief at the production corps of USSF's Space and Missile Systems Center.

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SMC’s Brig. Gen. D. Jason Cothern on Continuing Partnerships With Heavy-Lift Launch Providers
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SMC’s Brig. Gen. D. Jason Cothern on Continuing Partnerships With Heavy-Lift Launch Providers

Brig. Gen. D. Jason Cothern, vice commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), said the U.S. Space Force will continue working with launch providers after selecting two contractors for a national security mission.

The Space Force previously awarded contracts to SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) to utilize the former’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy vehicles as well as the ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket for the second phase of the National Security Space Launch mission, SpaceNews reported Tuesday.

As part of Phase 2, ULA and SpaceX’s respective vehicles will launch satellites for national security missions from 2022 to 2027.

Cothern told attendees at a virtual RAND event that the Space Force is not planning to fund program competitors like Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman but will continue to work with them for vehicle certification efforts “at their expense.”

“We believe the current providers address the plans we have today for the near future,” he said. “We start with requirements and architectures, understanding the threats and determining what the requirements and architectures are to meet those threats.”

Cothern’s comments come after RAND released a report earlier this year stating that the U.S. needs at least three domestic providers of heavy-lift launch services through 2023 to ensure space dominance.

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Catherine Koerner Named Orion Program Manager at NASA
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Catherine Koerner Named Orion Program Manager at NASA

Catherine Koerner, formerly director at Johnson Space Center’s human health and performance directorate, has been tapped to serve as program manager for NASA’s Orion initiative.

Koerner has succeeded Mark Kirasich, who has been assigned to lead NASA’s advanced exploration systems division, the agency said Wednesday.

She will oversee the development and operation of the Orion spacecraft as part of her new capacity. Koerner previously served as a flight director and held the role of space shuttle manager at NASA’s missions operations directorate.

She also worked at the agency’s vehicle office as deputy manager and led the International Space Station (ISS) program’s transportation integration office as manager.

“Next year we’ll be launching the Artemis I test flight – a major milestone – and the first of the Artemis mission series on our way to putting the first woman and the next man on the Moon,” said Koerner.

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FCC Unveils Draft Proposal for 5G Spectrum Availability; Ajit Pai Quoted
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FCC Unveils Draft Proposal for 5G Spectrum Availability; Ajit Pai Quoted

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a draft proposal regarding a spectrum considered for use with commercial 5G. The proposal highlights efforts to have the 3.45-3.55 gigahertz spectrum ready for 5G implementation across the country, FCC said Tuesday.

“We are moving forward quickly, in coordination with the executive branch, to ensure that this mid-band spectrum is available for commercial 5G deployment," said FCC chairman Ajit Pai

Pai's proposal supports FCC's planned 5G implementation alongside other efforts such as an upcoming auction for the C-Band spectrum scheduled for December 2020. 

FCC's 5G implementation aligns with Congress' MOBILE NOW Act that aims to have a certain amount of megahertz available for broadband use by the end of the year. “Our 5G FAST Plan is in full swing," Pai added.

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Maria Roat: Zero Trust, Quantum Concepts Key to Fortifying Federal Systems
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Maria Roat: Zero Trust, Quantum Concepts Key to Fortifying Federal Systems

Maria Roat, deputy federal chief information officer and a 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, has said that federal agencies need to evolve their systems to ensure their capacity to handle quantum technologies and withstand emerging threats.

Roat told attendees at the Billington Cybersecurity Summit that agencies should consider investing in zero-trust architecture efforts to support system configuration updates while capitalizing on emerging concepts such as quantum computing. 

She said the recent transition to telework operations saw a significant increase in cyber attacks that tested the security of systems used by the public and private sectors.

“Even as I’m modernizing some of our old systems, our legacy systems, I have to make sure that our current systems as well are keeping up,” noted Roat. “How the federal government operated around cybersecurity is really a testament to the maturity of the federal government around networking and its modernization over the last several years," she added.

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Thomas Zelibor, US Navy Veteran, Named to DIB Space Advisory Council
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Thomas Zelibor, US Navy Veteran, Named to DIB Space Advisory Council

Thomas Zelibor, CEO of Space Foundation and retired U.S. Navy flag officer, has been appointed to the Defense Innovation Board Space Advisory Council (DIB SAC). On the board, he will provide independent advice and recommendations to Mark Esper, secretary of defense and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, as well as other senior Department of Defense (DoD) leaders on emerging space technologies. 

“I spent the first 34 years of my career in the U.S. military. It is where I discovered my passion for space-based technologies and all of the advantages they present to improve our armed forces’ strategic, as well as tactical operations. With my appointment to the DIB SAC, I can serve my country once again, bringing new ideas and the latest technologies to the table,” said Zelibor. 

Zelibor has a broad leadership and entrepreneurial background. On the DIB SAC, Zelibor will help provide innovations that support national technological and military dominance.

He has previously served as chairman and CEO of Lightwave Logic, a publicly traded corporation that conducts research and development (R&D) and production of advanced, high-speed organic electro-optic materials for use in devices in the telecommunications, data center and high-speed computing markets.

Zelibor was also president and CEO of Flatirons Solutions, a high-tech IT professional services and systems engineering company, where he was responsible for the overall strategic guidance and direction of business operations. As vice president for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), he supported the company’s growth and strategy.

The DIB parent board is composed of leaders from across the national security innovation base, who provide insights on the DoD’s challenges. The Space Advisory Committee has produced recommendations on topics such as artificial intelligence, software, data, digital modernization, and human capital.

Zelibor was selected for the committee based on his established military career as well as his contributory work in furthering space innovation. He was recently sworn in as a member of the DIB SAC to serve a four-year appointment. Zelibor is uniquely qualified to identify and assess emerging space technologies that could benefit the DoD and all who are under its watch.

“I am honored to join the DIB SAC and look forward to sharing the innovations taking place across the entire space ecosystem with our Department of Defense,” said Zelibor.

Potomac Officers Club will host its 2020 Navy Forum on September 30th. Click here to register for the event. 

James Geurts, Assistant Secretary for Research, Development, and Acquisition with the U.S. Navy and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient will serve as a keynote speaker during the event. Geurts will discuss how the U.S. Navy has continually worked to decentralize, differentialize and digitize the service branch’s work as well as develop its talent in the field. 

The Navy has also accelerated acquisition channels, modernized emerging technologies and increased research and development to become more effective in warfare. As the Navy continues to evolve to meet the growing demands, challenges still remain. 

Join Potomac Officers Club’s 2020 Navy Forum to hear notable industry and federal leaders discuss the initiatives, efficiencies and challenges the service branch faces as well as how to join together to improve the future of warfare. 

Click here to register for the 2020 Navy Forum.

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Boeing Names Ed Dandridge to Senior Leadership Team, Succeeding Greg Smith; David Calhoun Quoted
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Boeing Names Ed Dandridge to Senior Leadership Team, Succeeding Greg Smith; David Calhoun Quoted

The Boeing Company has appointed Ed Dandridge to succeed Greg Smith as senior vice president and chief communications officer, effective Sept. 28. Dandridge will report to Boeing president and CEO, David Calhoun, and will serve on the company's Executive Council. 

"I am deeply grateful for Greg's continued leadership as we navigate this company through the current challenges, transform our business, and position to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever," Calhoun said. Smith has served as interim chief communications officer since July 2020 in addition to his role as executive vice president of Enterprise Operations and chief financial officer (CFO).

"Ed is an exceptional communications executive, strategist and global leader with a track record of developing and leading high-performing teams that enable businesses to deepen their engagement with customers and drive outcomes," Calhoun added.

Dandridge is a seasoned global executive and recognized industry leader with more than 25 years of experience in corporate reputation, issues management and public policy, and business transformation.

In his new role, Dandridge will oversee all aspects of Boeing's communications, including business unit communications, corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, leadership communications, employee engagement and corporate branding, as well as channel and content marketing.

Prior to joining Boeing, Dandridge was with AIG, where he served as global chief marketing and communications officer of AIG General Insurance since April 2018. At AIG he worked on the executive leadership team of the property and casualty business. 

Previously, Dandridge  was chief marketing  and communications officer for Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC). In addition to his corporate portfolio, he also served as chief marketing and communications officer for MMC's Risk and Insurance Services businesses.

Before his tenure with MMC, Dandridge was president and CEO of the National Association of Investment Companies, an industry trade group representing middle market private equity and venture firms. 

His other leadership roles include chief marketing officer of Collective; chief communications officer of Nielsen, managing partner of BrandSphere, and vice president of Disney’s ABC Television Network.

Dandridge is a member of the Economic & Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; a member of the Executive Leadership Council, where he also serves on the board of directors; and a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. 

"I know Ed will continue to build on our unwavering commitment to engaging our associates and stakeholders with transparency as we confront these challenging times as an industry and company," Calhoun concluded. 

About Boeing

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries. 

Boeing employs more than 160,000 people worldwide and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

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