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Battelle Wins Task Order to Support Defense Supply Chain; Tom Bergman Quoted
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Battelle Wins Task Order to Support Defense Supply Chain; Tom Bergman Quoted

Battelle has been awarded a $16.6 million task order contract under the Microelectronics and Embedded Systems Assurance (MESA) IDIQ contract vehicle to mitigate risk within the national defense supply chain, the company reported on Thursday. Battelle will serve as a prime contractor and the task order will continue through 2022.

“We’re excited to continue our collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Sensors Directorate developing innovative trust and assurance solutions to enhance the security and reliability of DoD systems,” said Tom Bergman, cyber program manager at Battelle.

Battelle will leverage its expertise in cyber hardware trust and assurance to develop and validate quantifiable assurance tools and approaches to reduce the threat of counterfeit and untrustworthy integrated circuits and embedded systems within the military’s supply chain. 

Under the task order, Battelle will develop and validate techniques for quantifiable assurance of microelectronics devices and systems to accelerate technical activity for the customer, including new lines of effort supporting verification and validation tool development and demonstration.

The contract builds on Battelle’s experience in conducting basic and applied research on technologies designed to address the threat of counterfeit microelectronics and integrated circuits, as well as untrusted fabrication of critical microelectronics. 

All modern defense weapon systems are inherently reliant on microelectronic devices and embedded systems for their operation. Threats to the integrity of these components could result in significant harm to operations, people and systems.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. 

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries.

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STS Partners with Google to Enhance US Navy Modernization; Mike Daniels, Aaron Kilinski Quoted
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STS Partners with Google to Enhance US Navy Modernization; Mike Daniels, Aaron Kilinski Quoted

Google Cloud and Simple Technology Solutions (STS) will work with the U.S. Navy to modernize the maintenance and repairs inspection process for Navy vessels and facilities, STS reported on Thursday.

“The manual inspection of Navy ships and vessels is a time-intensive, costly process that can drive up costs and slow down deployment,” said Mike Daniels, vice president of Global Public Sector for Google Cloud. “We’re proud to work with the U.S. Navy and empower them with Google Cloud technology to transform corrosion inspections for greater efficiency and safety.”

The work was awarded to STS as a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project due to the technology innovation and potential for commercialization. Under the agreement, STS will leverage Google Cloud artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies on inspection drone-captured images to detect, prioritize and predict maintenance requirements.

“We selected Google Cloud AutoML because it allows our engineers to train and test high-quality models quickly. Google Cloud provides an unrivaled degree of specification to meet tough business objectives in compliance with FedRAMP High,” said Aaron Kilinski, chief technology officer for STS.

Under the project, STS will train Google Cloud AI and ML models on images to identify corrosion as part of the first phase with the Navy. Using imagery and Google AI/ML technologies, STS will reduce the labor and safety risk associated with maintenance inspections.

STS will utilize public domain and inspection drone images to build a high-quality AI/ML model using Google Cloud AutoML, which has enabled organizations to build custom vision models. The company will collaborate with the U.S. Navy corrosion subject matter experts to train data using Google Cloud’s AI Platform Data Labeling Service.

In addition, STS will iteratively train and validate the model using custom inspection drone flight data, which will be uploaded using Google Cloud Storage for processing. The models will continually improve and update themselves based on the newly ingested data.

“The initial goal for Phase I is to build a model that detects corrosion in drone images with a very high degree of accuracy. The ultimate goal, however, is to move from detection to prediction by expanding the subjects and sensors, and eventually integrating with Navy systems,” Kilinski added.

STS Partners with Google to Enhance US Navy Modernization; Mike Daniels, Aaron Kilinski Quoted

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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CommScope’s Chris Collura: Federal Agencies Should Prioritize Network Modernization
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CommScope’s Chris Collura: Federal Agencies Should Prioritize Network Modernization

Chris Collura, vice president of Federal Sales at CommScope, wrote in a commentary published Wednesday that federal agencies seeking to advance information technology modernization should upgrade their network infrastructure supporting internet-connected devices.

He said the systems of wireless access points, multigigabit ethernet switches and routers and converged cables serve as the “backbone” of five next-gen technologies: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Citizens Broadband Radio Service spectrum, internet of things and cloud.

Collura said 5G networks could support artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual and augmented realty, IoT and other next-gen capabilities. “5G is expected to make its true roll-out later this year after radio spectrum and 5G-enabled devices become more available,” he said. 

He noted that agencies could leverage large datasets they maintain and store with faster internet speeds and increased bandwidth that Wi-Fi 6 could bring.

“There are no lack of options when it comes to IT budgets, but by prioritizing modernization, including these five technologies, federal agencies will be investing in solutions that can be used for years to come,” Collura wrote.

“That said, in order to take full advantage of these capabilities, agencies need to modernize their IT and network infrastructure. In doing so, government agencies will be in a better position to adjust to new and emerging requirements.”

Join Potomac Officers Club for its 5G Summit on Oct. 27, 2020 to learn about the impact that innovative technologies and 5G integration have on the private and public sectors, the steps the federal agencies have taken to remain up to speed with the rapid advancement of technology, and the future programs, plans and priorities as the nation aligns with emerging technology.

Don’t miss out on this must see event! Click here to register for the 5G Summit on October 27th.

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CBO: Nuclear Forces Expansion in Response to New START Pact’s Expiration Could Cost DoD Up to $439B
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CBO: Nuclear Forces Expansion in Response to New START Pact’s Expiration Could Cost DoD Up to $439B

A new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report says the Department of Defense (DoD) could incur $410 billion to $439 billion in onetime costs if the U.S. government decides to expand its strategic nuclear forces to the START I treaty levels in response to the expiration of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia.

CBO said in the report published on Tuesday that such a move could generate between $24 billion and $28 billion in additional annual costs to operate and sustain new delivery systems and warheads.

CBO’s estimates are based on its use of a more flexible approach, which seeks to procure “enough delivery systems to reach the desired total numbers of warheads while maintaining (as nearly as possible) the current number of warheads allocated to each missile and bomber.”

New START between the U.S. and Russia is set to expire in February 2021. The treaty limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads each country may deploy to 1,550. Each country is allowed to field up to 800 bombers and missile launchers as delivery systems.

“If the New START treaty expired, the United States could choose to make no changes to its current plans for nuclear forces, in which case it would incur no additional costs,” CBO said in the report. “If the United States chose to increase its forces in response to the expiration of the treaty, modest expansions could be relatively inexpensive and could be done quickly.”

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Four Agencies Issue Cyber Alert on Bank Robbery Scheme Linked to North Korea’s BeagleBoyz Group
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Four Agencies Issue Cyber Alert on Bank Robbery Scheme Linked to North Korea’s BeagleBoyz Group

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and three other agencies have released a joint alert about the FASTCash bank robbery campaign carried out by a group of North Korean government-linked cyber threat actors called BeagleBoyz.

The group has initiated cyber-enabled ATM cash outs and fraudulent money transfers in several countries through its FASTCash scheme, CISA said Wednesday. CISA issued the alert with the FBI, Department of the Treasury and U.S. Cyber Command.

“North Korean cyber actors have demonstrated an imaginative knack for adjusting their tactics to exploit the financial sector as well as any other sector through illicit cyber operations,” said Bryan Ware, assistant director of cybersecurity at CISA.

“CISA and our interagency partners work closely with industry to provide actionable, specific and timely cyber threat information, like today’s alert. Our aim is to disrupt and defeat malicious cyber campaigns and help government and industry partners prioritize resources to highest risk to stay one-step ahead of adversaries,” Ware added. 

The alert said North Korea through the group BeagleBoyz has resumed its bank robbery scheme since February targeting financial institutions in several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Japan, South Korea and Turkey.

BeagleBoyz threat actors have used spearphishing, watering holes and other tools and techniques to compromise financial institutions and the joint alert listed some of the publicly available malicious files the group has used to conduct job application-themed phishing attacks.

The alert also provided information on how the cyber threat group executes its scheme, uses persistence mechanism and credentials and avoids detection.

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AFRL Issues RFI for Quantum R&D Strategy Dev’t Support
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AFRL Issues RFI for Quantum R&D Strategy Dev’t Support

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is looking for potential sources that can help the lab create a blueprint for quantum information science (QIS) research and development initiatives.

AFRL said in a notice posted Monday on the beta SAM website that the successful offeror will assist the lab in creating the Air Force’s QIS science and technology strategy focused on developing, demonstrating and fielding quantum systems.

According to the request for information, interested entities must have experience in technology development, production and testing efforts in the public and private sectors. Ideal offerors must also have a diverse background in engineering, physics, computer science and mathematics, the lab noted.

AFRL also said in the performance work statement that contract services include supporting the establishment of an investment plan for key research areas including computing, sensing communications and networking and positioning, navigation and timing.

The contractor will additionally help AFRL drive quantum research across the service branch and the Department of Defense in addition to supporting the lab’s engagement efforts with a “variety of customers” in the defense, intelligence and national security sectors.

Responses to the solicitation are due on Sept. 4.

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NASA Completes Ground Segment Test for James Webb Space Telescope; Amanda Arvai Quoted
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NASA Completes Ground Segment Test for James Webb Space Telescope; Amanda Arvai Quoted

NASA has concluded ground segment testing activities for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to demonstrate its capacity to respond to commands from space.

The agency said Monday it relayed maneuvering and operational commands from the Mission Operations Center at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Md., as well as data from Northrop Grumman’s Deep Space Network emulator in Redondo Beach, Calif., during the assessment.

The ground systems test is meant to help NASA validate JWST’s components before sending the observatory to space where it will handle complex communication commands and data downlinks.

Amanda Arvai, deputy division head of mission operations at STScI, said the recently completed test serves as the first time the team tested both JWST’s flight hardware and ground system.

“This was also the first time we’ve demonstrated the complete cycle for conducting observations with the observatory’s science instruments,” she noted.

The recent milestone comes a month after NASA completed initial full-systems assessments for JWST and announced plans to launch the telescope within the March to October 2021 window.

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Marine Corps to Open Wargaming Center in Virginia; Lt. Gen. Eric Smith Quoted
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Marine Corps to Open Wargaming Center in Virginia; Lt. Gen. Eric Smith Quoted

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) plans to establish a wargaming center for simulated training exercises in Quantico, Va., over the next four years.

USMC said Tuesday that the agency is working with industry on the proposed Marine Corps Wargaming and Analysis Center that will be located within Marine Corps Base Quantico and house over 12 wargames annually.

The 100K-square foot facility will contain gaming classrooms, meeting rooms and other spaces to support wargaming operations such as remote virtual activities that simulate real-life scenarios on the battlefield.

Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, deputy commandant for combat development and integration at USMC, said establishing the wargaming center at Quantico will enable Marines to access nearby facilities such as the Marine Corps University, Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and USMC Warfighting Laboratory.

Sharleene Prieur, deputy program manager for the wargaming capability at MCSC, said the center will also help USMC coordinate wargame activities with the Department of Defense (DoD) as well as joint, intergovernmental, interagency and multinational partners.

The Marine Corps expects to break ground in fiscal year 2021and complete the facility’s construction in the fourth quarter of FY 2023.

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DHS S&T Unveils Explosive Trace Detector Tech
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DHS S&T Unveils Explosive Trace Detector Tech

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) science and technology (DHS S&T) directorate has handed over to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) a technology built to trace and detect explosives.

The Next-Generation Mass Spectrometry Explosive Trace Detector can adapt to austere environments and houses a configurable threat library meant to speed up threat identification capabilities, DHS said Tuesday.

DHS S&T has updated Next-Gen Mass Spec ETD to function as an air-breathing sensor that can transmit early warnings on weapons of mass destruction. The technology completed a series of developmental tests and is currently undergoing configuration to enable usage in air cargo facilities.

DHS has partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Secret Service to implement Next-Gen Mass Spec ETD to border crossings and aviation checkpoints.

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JAIC’s Nand Mulchandani on DoD AI Hub’s Long-Term Mission Goals
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JAIC’s Nand Mulchandani on DoD AI Hub’s Long-Term Mission Goals

Nand Mulchandani, acting director of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), said his office aims to generate valuable data and fully enable AI concepts to become “built-in and learned," C4ISRnet reported Tuesday.

Mulchandani told attendees at an Institute for Security and Technology-hosted webinar that he envisions JAIC to spearhead the DoD’s efforts to speed up the authority to operate process and while promoting agility in technology development.

According to Mulchandani, efforts like the Joint Common Foundation (JCF) platform for standardized AI tools will help “democratize” user access to compute power, data, tools and storage. JAIC awarded a potential $106M task order to Deloitte for the development of JCF earlier this month.

“We view this as an enterprise infrastructure company in that we have customers — the [combatant commands] — and we have relationships to understand what it is they need but also I have a set of products that we’re offering them in that sense,” said Mulchandani. “It’s a little haphazard today, but it’s getting way, way better,” he noted.

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