The U.S. Space Force and Lockheed Martin have delivered a new GPS satellite to Florida-based Astrotech Space Operations for launch preparations, Satnews reported Thursday.

GPS III Space Vehicle 04 will deliver anti-jam capabilities and work alongside other GPS satellites to provide positioning, navigation and timing across the globe. AC-17 Globemaster III aircraft carried the satellite from Colorado to Florida for the delivery. 

Astrotech Space Operations will work on GPS III SV04's readiness to perform intended functions and cover the satellite with protective layering. The satellite is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in September.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) will award a potential 10-year, $50.6 million grant to the University of Arizona for work to manage a new engineering research center.

The Center for Quantum Networks (CQN) will tackle the creation of an internet-like network specifically designed to link quantum computers, the university said Tuesday. The grant holds a five-year base period valued at $26 million and a five-year, $24.6 million option period.

"The transformation of today's internet through quantum technology will spur entirely new tech industries and create an innovation ecosystem of quantum devices and components, service providers and applications," said Saikat Guha, CQN director.

CQN aims to create a medium through which quantum computing devices can exchange information in the form of quantum bits that boost processing capacity. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Yale University and Harvard University will serve as partners for the effort.

Greg Smithberger, chief information officer at the National Security Agency (NSA), shared at an Intelligence and National Security Alliance-hosted virtual panel discussion how the NSA works to ensure continuity of work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, C4ISRNET reported Thursday. 

“[T]here’s a pretty interesting cross-agency team right now is looking really hard at all the mission areas that could be doing more on the low side, and our ability to really open up telework,” Smithberger said.

Smithberger, who also leads NSA’s capabilities directorate, said the agency is working on an environment that would enable collaboration with those without security clearances but can provide support to the NSA’s cybersecurity initiatives, capabilities mission or research work.

“It’s kind of become more of a standard for us … to see how much we can actually do in a less protected environment,” Smithberger said. He added that he wants the NSA “to work with some corporate partners who in some cases simply don’t have access to a [sensitive compartmented information facility], but are fully clearing people.”

The U.S. Marine Corps is working to update energy security technologies at MC Base Camp Pendleton for augmented command and control across more than 600 facilities.

The update includes repairs, new equipment installation, new utilities and setting up of facility control systems, USMC said Wednesday.

"By installing new LED lighting, boilers, meters and a fiber and radio network, we are significantly reducing Camp Pendleton’s energy consumption," said Lt. j.g. Clayten White, the camp's utilities program manager. 

USMC is pursuing this modernization effort under the Utility Energy Services Contract that aims to improve the energy and water systems at federal facilities and reduce associated consumption.

The government spent $12.7M on the update and will use the resulting cost savings to pay for the effort's expenses over a 13-year period.

A program held by the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX innovation program highlighted opportunities to rebuild the hurricane-damaged Tyndall Air Force Base as a modern, state-of-the-art installation.

The AFWERX Fusion 2020 event ran from July 28th to 30th and included discussions and proposals of technologies that can be applied to make Tyndall the base of the future, Air Force said Wednesday.

“In working with AFWERX, my eyes have been opened to what’s within the realm of possibility,” said Brig. Gen. Patrice Melancon, executive director of the Tyndall Program Management Office.

The event’s virtual trade proposals tackled the technology areas of base security, installation resilience, operational effectiveness, reverse engineering and additive manufacturing, culture of innovation and airman well-being. AFWERX will unveil the top technology proposals on Aug. 7th. These entries will be eligible for the effort’s succeeding phase.

“Yes, the goal is to select the best solutions and implement these cutting-edge technologies and innovations at the base, but we have an unprecedented opportunity to use Tyndall (AFB) as a template for Air Force bases that are secure, resilient and digitally integrated,” said Lowell Usrey, PMO Integration Division chief.