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Army’s Bruce Jette, John Murray on Meeting Missile Defense Program Goals
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Army’s Bruce Jette, John Murray on Meeting Missile Defense Program Goals

Bruce Jette, head of the U.S. Army’s procurement office and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, has said the service branch is on track to achieve modernization goals despite schedule delays, the Army News Service reported Friday.

Jette, who serves as assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, noted that the service is working with industry partners and “making adjustments as necessary” to achieve milestones in programs such as the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS).

IBCS is a command-and-control system designed to operate with weapons systems and sensor networks for air and missile defense. A limited-user test for the technology was initially scheduled for mid-May at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

According to Jette, the Army also expects to receive indirect-fire capabilities such as the Iron Dome missile defense platform by December and February.

Gen. John Murray
Gen. John Murray

Gen. John Murray, commanding general of the Army Futures Command (AFC) and fellow 2020 Wash100 Award winner, said the Army is additionally on track to achieve program milestones for the Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense system (IM-SHORAD), which is intended to be mounted on Stryker A1 combat vehicles.

IM-SHORAD is scheduled to enter the initial acquisition phase by the second quarter of fiscal 2023.

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Army Uses MetaFerrite to Make Wideband Antenna
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Army Uses MetaFerrite to Make Wideband Antenna

The U.S. Army has used the metaferrite material to produce an ultra-thin wideband antenna applicable for use with helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems and other vehicles.

The Metaferrite-made, low-profile antenna is made to accommodate curved surfaces and may replace existing-higher profile antennas, the Army said Friday.

The new antenna also provides for a wider frequency range that accommodates signals from newer satellites and legacy systems. Soldiers may also use the antenna to access the Mobile User Objective System that offers beyond-line-of-sight connectivity.

“Recognizing the potential of metaferrites in antenna design and making a decision to invest in this technology were key to where we are today,” said Philip Perconti, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for research and technology.

Army Research Laboratory engaged with ManTech and other partners to develop the antenna under the Radio Frequency MetaFerrite Devices Program.

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US Releases Indictment on North Korea’s Illegal Transfer of Payments Totaling $2.5B
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US Releases Indictment on North Korea’s Illegal Transfer of Payments Totaling $2.5B

U.S. prosecutors have filed an indictment against more than 30 individuals that allegedly helped North Korea process $2.5 billion in illegal payments through 250 front companies since 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The indictment, which was made public last week, states that North Korea’s Foreign Trade Bank conducted covert operations in countries such as Russia, China, Austria and Thailand to transfer U.S. dollars on behalf of North Korean entities. U.S. authorities have seized $63 million in illegal funds from October 2015 through January 2020, according to the indictment.

In 2013, the Department of the Treasury sanctioned North Korea's foreign-exchange bank as part of efforts to minimize the country’s activities related to the development of ballistic missiles and other weapons of mass destruction.

Previously, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to expand the nation’s nuclear efforts through the nation's state-controlled media, according to WSJ.

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PSC Names Byron Bright, Carl De Groote, Ronald Hahn, Olivier Jeannot to PSC Board of Directors; David Berteau Quoted
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PSC Names Byron Bright, Carl De Groote, Ronald Hahn, Olivier Jeannot to PSC Board of Directors; David Berteau Quoted

The Professional Services Council (PSC) has appointed four veteran federal government services leaders, Byron Bright, Carl De Groote, Ronald Hahn and Olivier Jeannot, to the PSC Board of Directors to provide input on priority issues for the association, the council announced on Monday.

“The reality of navigating an unprecedented pandemic and an evolving federal budget requires that we work together to take best advantage of the value contractors bring to government missions and programs.  These new Board Members will help elevate PSC’s voice on behalf of industry,” said PSC president and CEO David Berteau, who is also a two-time Wash100 Award winner.

Bright, president of KBR Government Solutions and 2020 Wash100 Award recipient, will join the board, bringing more than 20 years of leadership, program management and operations experience to PSC.

At KBR, Bright is responsible for over 15 thousand employees that spearhead critical National Security programs across 14 different countries. He is also accountable for Strategic Leadership of the $2.8 billion per year Global Segment. He has driven innovation in science, technology, space, intelligence, engineering and logistics

Carl De Groote
Carl De Groote

De Groote, vice president of U.S. Federal with Cisco Systems, has served at the company for 15 years. At Cisco De Groote has worked to solve some of the most difficult technology challenges facing national public, private and defense networks.

He has led his team to approach challenges and obstacles from the perspective of the user and to pursue mission outcomes that not only revolutionize how the country protects and serves its citizens, but that revolutionizes how innovation is achieved.

Ronald “Fog” Hahn
Ronald “Fog” Hahn

Hahn, executive vice president of Strategic Growth at Amentum, is responsible for the development of a comprehensive growth strategies strategy, including evaluation of growth markets, development of new capabilities and expanding Amentum to new clients and markets.

Hahn has more than 34 years of government and corporate experience in the defense industry. He has advised numerous federal organizations, including Department of State, Department of Defense, NATO, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Senate Armed Services Committee and the Defense Science Board.

Olivier Jeannot, Tetra Tech Federal Information Technology (FIT) president, is responsible for developing the overall strategy and vision as well as overall responsibility for the quality delivery, financial management, personnel management, client relations and business development.

The PSC Board of Directors consists of executives from member companies who have shown leadership in the industry and commitment to PSC’s goals for building a fair and competitive federal contracting marketplace. They are chosen by their peers and reflect the breadth and diversity of PSC member companies.

“PSC is thrilled to welcome our new Board members and their deep experience supporting government customers and leading teams… I’m very pleased that these individuals have agreed to serve on the Board and contribute to PSC’s success,” added Berteau.

About PSC

PSC is the voice of the government technology and professional services industry. PSC’s more than 400 member companies represent small, medium and large businesses that provide federal agencies with services of all kinds, including information technology, engineering, logistics, facilities management, operations and maintenance, consulting, international development, scientific, social, environmental services, and more. Together, the trade association’s members employ hundreds of thousands of Americans in all 50 states.

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Forcepoint Names Myrna Soto as Chief Strategy, Trust Officer; Matthew Moynahan Quoted
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Forcepoint Names Myrna Soto as Chief Strategy, Trust Officer; Matthew Moynahan Quoted

Forcepoint has appointed Myrna Soto as inaugural chief strategy and trust officer to enterprise vision, strategy and programs to protect people, critical data and IP both within the company and for thousands of Forcepoint customers around the globe, the company reported on Monday.

“As Chief Strategy and Trust Officer, Myrna brings to Forcepoint an inherent understanding of the challenges global enterprises face today and what it requires to be a security leader driving transformational change at scale,” said Matthew Moynahan, CEO of Forcepoint.

As chief strategy and trust officer, Soto will also serve as a global leader and champion for both the development and execution of strategic initiatives that will continue to propel Forcepoint forward within the user and data protection industries. In addition, she will also function as a member of Forcepoint’s Security Council.

Soto brings more than 25 years’ experience within security and information technology (IT) to Forcepoint. In her new role, she will utilize her experience as a transformational security and business leader. Soto will serve as a security and technology innovation partner to customers as they reassess their security posture in the current business environment.

She will also partner cross-functionally with the company’s IT and engineering teams to act as a pathfinder and modern problem-solver for the organization. She will help teams envision, strategize and execute programs that accelerate customers’ digital transformations with modern security architectures that optimize security as a business enabler.

“[Soto] will serve as a trusted partner to customers as well as a technology leader within the company partnering with R&D and engineering teams to align and accelerate Forcepoint’s roadmap strategy to address customers’ evolving security needs including product improvements and long-term innovation,” added Moynahan.

Prior to joining Forcepoint, Soto worked with Digital Hands where she served as chief operating officer. With the company, she was a critical leader in securing the company’s first capital round of funding and building the company’s world-class leadership team.

She also served as the senior business leader across the company’s Security Operations, Service Delivery, Sales, Customer Success, Marketing and HR functions. Before her tenure at Digital Hands, Soto was a Partner at ForgePoint Capital and a member of the ForgePoint Capital Investment Team focused exclusively on investing in cybersecurity companies.

Soto also served as corporate senior vice president and global chief information security officer (GCISO) for Comcast Corporation for nearly ten years. In the role, Soto led security and technology risk management for the Enterprise business responsible for aligning security initiatives with enterprise programs and business objectives to ensure information assets and technologies were protected across the global corporation.

She has also held senior leadership roles at companies including MGM Resorts International, American Express, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Kemper Insurance.

In addition, Soto serves on the Boards of CMS Energy/Consumers Energy, Spirit Airlines and Popular Inc. and Popular Bank, and is recognized as a Governance and Board Leadership Fellow by the National Association of Corp Directors.

“I look forward to helping drive forward the company’s cloud-first security vision and innovating new programs and services – such as Forcepoint Advantage that changes the game for security licensing models – that will revolutionize what cybersecurity will look like in the next five years,” said Soto.

About Forcepoint

Forcepoint is the global cybersecurity leader for user and data protection. Forcepoint’s behavior-based solutions adapt to risk in real-time and are delivered through a converged security platform that protects network users and cloud access, prevents confidential data from leaving the corporate network, and eliminates breaches caused by insiders.

Based in Austin, Texas, Forcepoint creates safe, trusted environments for thousands of enterprise and government customers and their employees in more than 150 countries.

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BAE Systems Completes Test Shots of APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets; Greg Procopio, Jim Hager Quoted
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BAE Systems Completes Test Shots of APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets; Greg Procopio, Jim Hager Quoted

BAE Systems has successfully completed test shots of its APKWS laser-guided rockets from a tactical configuration ground-based weapon system for the first time, the company reported on Monday. 

“Our customers see the value in low-cost, precision-strike capabilities that reduce the risk of collateral damage, and they want the flexibility to deliver them from the platform of their choice,” said Greg Procopio, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems.

BAE Systems’ proof-of-concept testing has demonstrated the flexibility of APKWS rockets to deliver standoff precision strike capabilities for ground forces, providing warfighters with a unique solution for engaging targets with greater range than small arms fire and without the need for air support.

“Demand is growing for ground-to-ground precision munitions that provide a safe standoff distance for small ground units. We’re working closely with our customer and partners to deliver that capability,” added Procopio. 

BAE Systems tested the APKWS rockets in the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, with additional support from the U.S. Navy and Arnold Defense. The team used Arnold’s FLETCHER 2.75-inch/70mm Weapon System concept, a purpose-built laser-guided rocket launcher for ground vehicles, to fire several successful shots. 

The ground-launch capability has built on hundreds of successful shots in combat from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. Ground-launched APKWS rockets could provide mounted and dismounted units a particular methodology to engage soft and lightly armored targets from a variety of platforms. 

The low size, weight, and power requirements of ground-launched APKWS rockets has made the defense weapon ideal for tactical lightweight vehicles, remote weapon stations, non-standard tactical vehicles and stationary platforms. The rockets will also provide warfighters with precision munitions that improve their safety and mission effectiveness.

“We designed FLETCHER specifically as a ground launcher for precision-guided 70mm rockets,” said Jim Hager, president and CEO at Arnold Defense. “FLETCHER-launched APKWS rockets enable our military customers to engage targets from more than just airborne platforms. We envision FLETCHER being used on everything from trucks and tracked vehicles to marine platforms in the future.”

About BAE Systems

A career at BAE Systems will ignite your passion to improve security, defend freedom and make the world a safer place. BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services.

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Cubic Defense U.K. Secures $35M Contract to Support British Army’s AWES System; Mike Knowles Quoted
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Cubic Defense U.K. Secures $35M Contract to Support British Army’s AWES System; Mike Knowles Quoted

Cubic Corporation has announced that Cubic Defence U.K., which operates within the company’s Cubic Global Defense (CGD) business division, was awarded a three-year contract, valued over $35 million, to continue its support for the training of the British Army, Cubic announced on Monday.

“We value our longstanding partnership with the British Army and we are pleased to continue our training support,” said Mike Knowles, president of Cubic Global Defense. “This contract award extends the work we have accomplished together to effectively advance the British Ministry of Defence training experience and standard.”

Under the contract, Cubic will support and repair the Area Weapons Effects Simulator (AWES) System at Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) in the United Kingdom and at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Alberta, Canada.

AWES and its integrated Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) system will simulate large-scale force-on-force combat exercises, including the effects of direct fire, artillery, mortar fire, mines and air-delivered munitions.

In addition, the system will advance nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. AWES will also track and monitor the actions and positions of more than 1,400 individual soldiers and 250 vehicles using GPS technology, records hits, kills and near misses of small-arms fire with Cubic’s Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) technology.

The system will recreate combat exercises for post-mission analysis. The contract will add to Cubic’s long history of supporting the system and defense division. The company developed and installed the AWES system under a contract awarded in 1998.

Cubic’s installation work was completed at the Salisbury Plain training area in late 2002 and the following year at BATUS training area that the British Army leases from the Canadian government for combat exercises.

About Cubic Corporation

Cubic is a technology-driven, market-leading provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries’ effectiveness and operational readiness.

Our teams innovate to make a positive difference in people’s lives. We simplify their daily journeys. We promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation.

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Siemens Healthineers Secures FDA EUA for SARS-CoV-2 Total Antibody Test; Deepak Nath Quoted
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Siemens Healthineers Secures FDA EUA for SARS-CoV-2 Total Antibody Test; Deepak Nath Quoted

Siemens Healthineers has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its laboratory-based total antibody test to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies including IgM and IgG in blood, Siemens reported on Monday. 

“As a leader in laboratory diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers designed a high-quality, highly accurate antibody test with the capacity and reach necessary to help address a critical societal need,” said Deepak Nath, PhD, President, Laboratory Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers.

Siemens noted that test data demonstrated 100 percent sensitivity and 99.8 percent specificity. The total antibody test will allow for identification of patients who have developed an adaptive immune response, which will indicate recent infection or prior exposure. 

Testing will begin immediately. Siemens has shipped more than one million tests to health systems and laboratories. A spike protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus will enable the virus to penetrate and infect human cells found in multiple organs and blood vessels. 

The Siemens Healthineers Total Antibody COV2T will detect antibodies to the spike protein. The antibodies are believed to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevent infection. Multiple potential vaccines in development for SARS-CoV-2 include the spike protein within their focus.

“The test targets both IgM and IgG antibodies, which allows for early identification of individuals infected with the virus who have developed an immune response, even if they were asymptomatic or never diagnosed with the disease,” Nath added. 

About Antibody Test Specificity

Tests with high level of specificity yield low false positive rates, which is highly desirable especially when prevalence of disease is low. For example, a test with 99.8 percent specificity, in populations with low disease prevalence (e.g., 5 percent), will yield a positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.5 percent. 

In other words, 96.5 people in 100 testing positive will truly have antibodies. This number only goes up as the disease prevalence increases; for example, in communities with 10 percent of disease prevalence, this test would yield a PPV of 98.3 percent, meaning that 98.3 people in 100 people with positive tests results have antibodies. High-quality antibody testing is vital to accurately assess the prevalence of disease, which varies across the U.S.

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SBA VETRN Streetwise MBA Program to Provide Virtual Training for Veteran Small Business Owners; Larry Stubblefield Quoted
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SBA VETRN Streetwise MBA Program to Provide Virtual Training for Veteran Small Business Owners; Larry Stubblefield Quoted

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched the first online Veteran Entrepreneurial Training and Resource Network Streetwise MBA program to provide virtual training for veteran small business owners and their immediate families beginning in August 2020, the administration announced on Friday.

"We're pleased to have the opportunity to continue offering such an impactful program to our veteran small business owners and their families throughout the Northeast," said Larry Stubblefield, associate administrator for SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development. 

President Donald Trump donated $100 thousand from his salary to fund the initiative. SBA’s program will mark the second cohort of the Veteran Owned Small Business Growth Training Pilot Program, following the successful completion of the first cohort in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in March 2020.

The VETRN Streetwise MBA program will be powered by Interise. The program was created exclusively for veterans to provide them with the skills, resources, mentoring and networking necessary to grow their own small business. 

Since the launch, the demand for the VETRN program has increased. The upcoming training will be held virtually. The online program content is designed to help veteran entrepreneurs build operational capacity, increase revenues, manage cash flow and create sustainable jobs. 

VETRN has added classes on crisis management and training on how to work with lending institutions and other stakeholders when facing financial difficulties to address the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The VETRN program is open to veteran-owned businesses that have been in operation at least one year, and generate at least $75 thousand in annual revenues. Exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis.

"Now, more than ever, the SBA is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to provide virtual support for our veteran-owned small businesses during these trying and unprecedented times," concluded Stubblefield. 

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

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Rep. Ro Khanna on Rural Broadband Expansion
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Rep. Ro Khanna on Rural Broadband Expansion

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need to expand rural broadband as more companies advance telework arrangement for their workforce, The Hill reported Friday.

“I mean, first of all, tech companies realized that remote work is more possible. … So, I think we're seeing that we're gonna have more decentralization of technology jobs and opportunities,” Khanna said.

He also cited a bill introduced by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). That measure would allocate over $80B in funds to expand broadband capabilities and deliver better internet connection to people across the country.

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