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GlobalFoundries Wins $1.5B for Semiconductor Facilities
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GlobalFoundries Wins $1.5B for Semiconductor Facilities

The U.S. Department of Commerce has selected GlobalFoundries to receive up to $1.5 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS Incentives Program’s Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities intended to bolster the semiconductor supply chain by supporting multiple of the company’s sites across the northeast U.S.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology said Wednesday the CHIPS investment is intended to boost U.S. competitiveness in the semiconductor industry by enhancing GF’s manufacturing facilities in New York and Vermont. 

CHIPS Investment Meant to Boost Production, Employment Rate

The $1.5 billion fund will be included in GF’s planned $13 billion investment over the next 10 years or so for the modernization of the company’s existing sites in New York and Vermont. In addition, GF will build a new facility in New York. These facilities manufacture current-generation chips utilized for critical industries such as automotive, smart mobile, aerospace, defense and communications semiconductor technologies.

Aside from strengthening the nation’s supply chain resilience, the investment is expected to generate around 9,000 construction and 1,000 manufacturing jobs. It will also support the Upstate New York Investing in America Workforce Hub, which aims to train New Yorkers for jobs in the semiconductor supply chain.  

“By investing in GF’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, we are helping to secure a stable domestic supply of chips that are found in everything from home electronics to advanced weapons systems,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 

Thomas Caulfield, president and CEO of GF, stated, “GF’s essential chips are at the core of U.S. economic, supply chain and national security. We greatly appreciate the support and funding from both the U.S. government and the states of New York and Vermont, which we will use to ensure our customers have the American-made chips they need to succeed and win.” 

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CBO Projects 11% Increase in Defense Costs by 2039
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CBO Projects 11% Increase in Defense Costs by 2039

The Congressional Budget Office analyzed the Department of Defense’s plans between 2025 and 2029 as outlined in the 2025 Future Years Defense Program, or FYDP, and projected that defense costs under such plans would increase by 11 percent to $965 billion in 2039.

According to a CBO report published Wednesday, 64 percent of the cost increase would occur in operation and support.

Of the $99 billion increase in annual costs that CBO projects over a decade starting 2029, 32 percent would be for weapon systems development and procurement and 4 percent would be for infrastructure.

According to the 2025 FYDP, the defense budget would rise to $866 billion by 2029, reflecting a 1.9 percent increase from 2025.

CBO noted that the total costs of DOD’s plans between 2025 and 2029 would be about 4 percent or $154 billion higher than the department indicated in the 2025 FYDP.

From 2025 through 2039, the total costs would be approximately 5 percent or $677 billion higher than DOD stated in the current FYDP.

According to the report, DOD would need to reduce its plans or seek larger budgets to accommodate the higher costs.

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CISA Red Team Exercise Offers Ways to Tighten Infrastructure Cybersecurity
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CISA Red Team Exercise Offers Ways to Tighten Infrastructure Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued an advisory on learnings from a red team cyberattack exercise and recommendations on countermeasures against the malicious activities simulated in the assessment. The exercise was conducted upon the request of a critical infrastructure organization, which also coordinated the release of the assessment, CISA said Thursday. 

Titled “Enhancing Cyber Resilience: Insights from CISA Red Team Assessment of a U.S. Critical Infrastructure Sector Organization,” the 36-page advisory reported that the assessed organization lacked sufficient technical controls for preventing and detecting malicious activity. It was heavily dependent on host-based endpoint detection and response and had insufficient network layer protection, the exercise showed. 

Software Security Challenge

Another learning from the red team activity highlighted the need for continuous staff training and support resources for implementing secure software platforms and detecting malicious activities.

The CISA advisory also lined up mitigation measures that software manufacturers should take to address the cybersecurity risks and challenges facing critical infrastructure owners and operators as demonstrated in the red team exercise. 

The remedies that the agency suggests include software manufacturers’ adherence to CISA’s Secure by Design principles and embedding security into software architecture in the product’s entire development lifecycle. 

To mitigate vulnerability to cyberattacks, the CISA document also recommends eliminating default passwords and mandating multi-factor authentication for privileged users.

US Warns Against Russia-Backed Sabotage Attacks in Europe
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US Warns Against Russia-Backed Sabotage Attacks in Europe

Joint security guidance from various U.S. agencies warned American companies about Russia’s recruitment of criminals to launch sabotage attacks against Europe’s defense industrial base, military installations, logistics facilities and public utilities to undermine allied support for Ukraine.

Authored by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the FBI and several Department of Defense agencies, the advisory published on Thursday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence encouraged U.S. companies, particularly those supporting entities involved in the Ukraine conflict or other ongoing geopolitical conflicts, to remain vigilant and enhance their security efforts to defend against potential Russian sabotage activity.

Attacks on Behalf of Russia, Belarus

The guidance, titled Safeguarding the U.S. Defense Industrial Base and Private Industry Against Sabotage, cited recent arson and sabotage attacks that targeted a Ukraine-linked business in London and various infrastructure in Poland on behalf of Russia and Belarus to highlight threats posed by the engagement of the Russian intelligence services with criminals.

To secure the U.S. defense industrial base from such attacks, the document provides indicators of potential sabotage activity, mitigation steps and information on where to report incidents.

Protection Against Acts of Sabotage

Potential sabotage indicators include explicit or implied threats to facilities or personnel; online posts by individuals noting their intent to commit violence; and drone or small unmanned aircraft systems operating near facilities, staff or systems or employees who bring unauthorized cameras, tools or software into the workplace.

U.S. companies are advised to engage with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to be informed about potential threats and best security practices; enhance security posture by providing regular training on security awareness and ensuring physical security, cybersecurity monitoring and surveillance of key system nodes; and improve the security of the supply chain to deter and mitigate sabotage attacks.

The entities are encouraged to report suspicious activities to the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

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Lockheed Martin Collaborates With Iceye to Integrate ATR Tech
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Lockheed Martin Collaborates With Iceye to Integrate ATR Tech

Lockheed Martin is working with Iceye to integrate automated target recognition, or ATR, technologies into Finland’s military. 

Lockheed will use its artificial intelligence-powered ATR systems alongside Iceye’s synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, imagery satellites, to support Finland’s F-35 tactical aviation program with space-based intelligence and analytics, Space News reported Wednesday. 

Jonathon Brant, Lockheed Martin fellow for artificial intelligence, said the Finnish military would integrate the ATR algorithms into mobile intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Evolution of ATR 

The next evolution of ATR algorithms will involve multi-modal data merging, allowing intelligence analysts to locate adversaries using radar and optical imagery. Brant said the initiative aims to speed up decision-making by providing operational intelligence in real-time. 

“Operators need to increase their speed to decision, and this means delivering information faster,” Brant stated.

Lockheed Martin’s Work With F-35 Fighter Jets

In May, Lockheed also partnered with Maxar Intelligence to scale the purchase and delivery of geospatial products for the F-35 fighter jets simulation platform. Through the agreement, Lockheed aimed to regulate licensing, pricing and requirements for Maxar’s various products. 

Iceye’s Recent Portfolio Growth

Iceye signed a definitive contract in April for a $93 million growth funding round, increasing the company’s total amount raised to $438 million. The microsatellite manufacturer said it would use the funding to enhance investment in SAR satellites and broaden its product portfolio.

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DIU Taps Software Vendors for Replicator Program Support
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DIU Taps Software Vendors for Replicator Program Support

The Defense Innovation Unit has selected two batches of software developers to support Replicator, a Department of Defense project seeking to advance resilient command and control and collaborative autonomy solutions for all-domain attritable autonomous—a.k.a. ADA2—systems.

Tapped for critical roles in the initiative are Aalyria, Higher Ground, IoT/AI and Viasat, which will deliver opportunistic, resilient and innovative expeditionary network topology capabilities to enhance the resilience of C2 for ADA2 systems. Meanwhile, Anduril Industries, L3Harris Technologies and Swarm Aero will provide solutions to increase swarm drones’ lethality and efficiency under the autonomous collaborative teaming effort, DIU said Wednesday.

DOD Collaboration With the Nontraditional Tech Sector

DIU Director Doug Beck noted that the government is collaborating with companies outside the traditional defense industrial base to acquire commercial software solutions for the DOD modernization efforts.

“DIU is working actively with partners across the department to bring the very best capabilities from the U.S. tech sector to bear in support of our most critical warfighter needs,” he remarked.

Improve Replicator Systems’ Effectiveness

The selected vendors will provide user interfaces, collaborative autonomy architectures and software, and network orchestration to enhance the effectiveness of Replicator systems. The technology will enable the ADA2 systems to link long-haul communications systems to redundant local mesh networks to ensure they can operate as a system of systems in disrupted environments. The combined platforms will then support “heterogeneous collaboration” between various Replicator systems and advance the Pentagon’s increasing embrace of collaborative autonomy.

Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Wash100 Award recipient, stressed that Replicator accelerates the development of U.S. autonomous systems.

Currently, the Replicator initiative prioritizes the delivery of advanced capabilities to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces but the solutions are designed to eventually support the entire joint force.

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L3Harris, General Dynamics CEOs Added to AIA Board of Governors
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L3Harris, General Dynamics CEOs Added to AIA Board of Governors

U.S. aerospace and defense industry trade organization Aerospace Industries Association announced Wednesday that it has elected Chris Kubasik as chair of its board of governors and Phebe Novakovic as vice chair.

Who Is Chris Kubasik?

Kubasik is the chair and CEO of L3Harris Technologies. He is also a Wash100 Award recipient.

Commenting on his appointment on AIA’s board of governors, Kubasik said, “It’s a privilege to serve as AIA chair,” adding, “The aerospace and defense industry is the center of our nation’s arsenal, and our mission to deliver the most advanced solutions is more important than ever. I look forward to partnering with my industry colleagues, the incoming administration and Congress to harness the ingenuity of our U.S.-based, world-class talent and unleash our industry’s innovative spirit.”

Who Is Phebe Novakovic?

Another Wash100 awardee, Novakovic is the chairman and CEO of General Dynamics. Regarding her appointment on the AIA board of governors, Novakovic said, “I am very pleased to serve AIA and its leadership as we continue our important work together on behalf of the industry.”

Just like Kubasik, the General Dynamics chief executive recognizes the importance of the aerospace and defense industry to U.S. national and economic security. “As the voice of our industry, AIA helps communicate our role in the nation’s economy and defense, providing a forum for industry to share opportunities, best practices and joint challenges,” Novakovic said.

Gratitude & Praise From AIA CEO

For his part, Eric Fanning, who has been reelected as AIA president and CEO, expressed gratitude for Kubasik’s and Novakovic’s willingness to serve on the board of governors.

“Chris’ commitment to innovation and excellence coupled with his grasp of the industry’s complexities will drive our mission forward. Under his stewardship, AIA will successfully navigate these dynamic times and continue to advocate for the policies and investments that ensure the industry’s resilience, security, and prosperity,” Fanning added.

Term Length

The appointments go into effect immediately. Kubasik’s and Novakovic’s terms will last through 2025.

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Draft Bill to Grant CMMC Tax Credit to Small Businesses
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Draft Bill to Grant CMMC Tax Credit to Small Businesses

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., has introduced a draft measure that would allow small businesses to get a tax credit to help cover the costs of complying with the Department of Defense’s proposed Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

Under the proposed Small Business Cybersecurity Act of 2024, companies with less than 50 employees could apply for a tax credit of up to $50,000 for costs associated with a CMMC assessment and efforts to address cyber gaps identified during those assessments as part of Plans of Actions and Milestones.

According to a person familiar with the draft legislation, the CMMC tax credit could be included in discussions surrounding a tax cut extension that lawmakers are expected to address in 2025.

The source noted that the proposed CMMC credit’s inclusion in the tax bill is still uncertain since DOD has yet to start implementing the cyber certification program.

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US Government Team Formed to Serve as AI Watchdog
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US Government Team Formed to Serve as AI Watchdog

Technocrats from several cabinet departments and federal agencies will join the Testing Risks of AI for National Security , or TRAINS, taskforce that the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute has formed to boost U.S. leadership in AI and support national security efforts. 

The taskforce members will partner in the identification, measurement and management of issues and concerns on national safety emerging from AI’s rapid advancements, the Department of Commerce said Wednesday.

TRAINS will facilitate synchronized research and validation of advanced AI solutions affecting national security and public welfare in such areas as critical infrastructure and military capacities, the department added.

The taskforce’s creation was announced ahead of Wednesday’s opening of the inaugural convention of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes co-hosted by the Departments of Commerce and State in San Francisco.

TRAINS Taskforce Lineup

The TRAINS taskforce, chaired by the U.S. Safety Institute, is initially composed of representatives from the following:

  • Department of Defense, including the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office and the National Security Agency
  • Department of Energy and 10 of its national laboratories
  • Department of Homeland Security, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency 
  • National Institutes of Health at the Department of Health and Human Services

 

TRAINS membership is expected to grow across the federal government as the taskforce’s work proceeds.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stressed that the taskforce is important in uniting federal resources to address AI’s challenges. “The U.S. AI Safety Institute will continue to lead by centralizing the top-notch national security and AI expertise that exists across government in order to harness the benefits of AI for the betterment of the American people and American business,” she said.

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DLA to Address Military Supply Challenges
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DLA to Address Military Supply Challenges

The Defense Logistics Agency has revealed its plans to address military supply challenges during a Demand Forecast and Industry Association Leadership Meeting held at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Nov. 18.

The agency said Tuesday more collaboration between DLA and industry — with a focus on transparency and data sharing — is key to tackling military supply challenges. They also stressed the need for industry innovations and capabilities.

DLA’s Strategy to Meet Emerging Threats

DLA emphasized the significance of a new strategy to ensure warfighters are equipped with agile, adaptive and resilient logistics support. The agency noted that the military’s contested logistics efforts used in the past are no longer sufficient given the emergence of new and advanced threats that exist across air, sea, space, cyber and ground domains. 

The agency has been using machine learning, robotics and other advanced tools to forecast demands. It now intends to develop technologies based on artificial intelligence that can enhance the process and accuracy of such forecasts. The aim is to produce innovations that can provide accurate, data-backed demand forecasts while reducing lead times.

Industry partners and DLA are also looking at the potential of additive manufacturing in enhancing logistics support. Through 3D-printing, troops can access the parts they need quickly and more efficiently, potentially contributing to warfighters’ readiness.

Mark Simerly, director of DLA, in addressing leaders of 14 industry associations representing about 5,000 businesses, said, “We will always work closely with the services and the combatant commands to craft solutions, but we’ll never be able to do it with sufficient precision without your actions, your capabilities and your innovation.”

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