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Quantum Advances StorNext Software to Enhance Accessibility to Cloud Content; Tom Coughlin, Ed Fiore Quoted
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Quantum Advances StorNext Software to Enhance Accessibility to Cloud Content; Tom Coughlin, Ed Fiore Quoted
Quantum Advances StorNext Software to Enhance Accessibility to Cloud Content; Tom Coughlin, Ed Fiore Quoted

Quantum Corp. has announced new advancements to its StorNext file system and data management software The new StorNext software, featuring, the company reported on Tuesday. 

"Quantum's StorNext file system has been widely adopted by the media and entertainment industry because of the way it maximizes performance for flash-based drives, high-resolution workflows, and multiple workstreams," said Tom Coughlin, President, Coughlin Associates. "By making hybrid and multi-cloud storage environments more accessible, the StorNext file system continues to evolve as a tool for enabling media and entertainment workflows."

Quantum’s StorNext system has been designed to make cloud content more accessible, with improved read and write speeds for any cloud and object store based storage solution. The hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud storage use cases will enable greater flexibility for media.

StorNext will also enhance entertainment and other data intensive environments such as genomics, academic research, video surveillance, oil and gas and government security. The improved StorNext software will advance Quantum's software-defined product portfolio strategy and extend Quantum's leadership in managing video and other unstructured data.

StorNext 6.4 software has incorporated self-describing objects to make cloud content more easily accessible, enabling new hybrid-cloud workflows. The software will enable the client to write files into the StorNext file system.

Then, StorNext 6.4 software copies files to the public or private cloud, with the option to include additional object metadata. Also, non-StorNext software clients and cloud-resident processes may now access objects directly, leveraging the new extended metadata.

Quantum has also integrated multi-threaded put / get operations to improve retrieval speed to and from large object stores and the cloud. Users will experience a 5 to 7 times performance increase with StorNext 6.4 software, depending on the size of their objects and other factors to enhance performance where single stream object performance is limited.

The company has also offered StorNext Dynamic Library Pooling to improve resiliency for large tape archives and enable the use of multiple libraries for performance and redundancy, including scale-out tape with vertical libraries like Quantum's Scalar i6 tape library. 

Customers will also be able to rotate file stores to different libraries to increase availability. Quantum's StorNext 6.4 software will add support for Amazon Glacier Deep Archive to StorNext's integration with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and others.

"At this time when customers are forced to work remotely, the flexibility to move content between locations, both on-premise and cloud datacenters, is critical. This latest version of StorNext software adds new ways to archive content and access it in the cloud and is another step toward providing a seamless bridge between on-premise and the cloud," said Ed Fiore, Vice President and General Manager, Primary Storage, Quantum.

About Quantum

Quantum technology and services help customers capture, create and share digital content – and preserve and protect it for decades. With solutions built for every stage of the data lifecycle, Quantum's platforms provide the fastest performance for high-resolution video, images, and industrial IoT. That's why the world's leading entertainment companies, sports franchises, researchers, government agencies, enterprises, and cloud providers are making the world happier, safer, and smarter on Quantum.

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REI Systems Secures IT Modernization BPA Under GSA COMET to Support Agile Cloud-Native Development; Pradeep Krishnanath, Shyam Salona Quoted
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REI Systems Secures IT Modernization BPA Under GSA COMET to Support Agile Cloud-Native Development; Pradeep Krishnanath, Shyam Salona Quoted
REI Systems Secures IT Modernization BPA Under GSA COMET to Support Agile Cloud-Native Development; Pradeep Krishnanath, Shyam Salona Quoted

REI Systems was awarded the IT modernization program contract for the General Services Administration's Personal Property Management (PPM) Systems under the GSA COMET Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), the company reported on Tuesday. 

“We delivered a comprehensive cloud-based solution for property reuse/sales, financial management, inventory, reporting, identity & access management, and data migration/management," said Pradeep Krishnanath, REI Systems' director, Federal Civilian.

GSA COMET is a five-year modernization contract that supports agile cloud-native development, testing, transition, and operations and maintenance services for the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). 

"The sheer volume and complexity of these services and the systems that have managed them made REI Systems' Mindful Modernization (SM) approach the reason that GSA selected our team.” added Krishnanath. 

The PPM program will continue to assist federal, state, and local government agencies. GSA’s PPM Program has helped agencies acquire, reuse and dispose of tools, equipment and other personal property items. 

"REI has successfully partnered with GSA on modernization, technology, and advisory services initiatives for over a decade. GSA is an intensely innovative agency that persistently focuses on improving processes, leveraging new technologies, and enhancing user experiences,” said Shyam Salona, REI Systems' CEO.

In addition to REI Systems recent contract, the GSA also awarded the company a three-year project to support the Data.gov modernization under the Technical Support Services (TSS) contract in Dec. 2019. 

Data.gov is a critical resource supporting federal agency compliance of statutes due to the passing of the OPEN Government Data Act in early 2019. The Act has required federal agencies to publish their information online as open data, using standardized, machine-readable data formats. 

“Our agile capabilities align with this new legislation as we have decades of past performances in data standardization within state, local, and federal governments. We will work in tandem with GSA to achieve their modernization goals, while on-boarding and supporting federal agencies implementing the Data.gov processes,” said Samidha Manu, REI Systems’ sr. director of federal civilian.

REI Systems will operate and modernize the IT environment for operations and maintenance, infrastructure support, and application development. REI Systems will improve the quality and increase the quantity of open data by developing and publishing best practices, schema standards, and a repository of tools for the benefit of all federal agencies.

“Our work to provide a modern and highly secure platform from which to operate and scale, while retiring costly and risky legacy systems, will improve the government's operating performance and drive down its costs," continued Salona. 

About REI Systems

REI Systems has delivered innovative solutions that empower people and impact millions of lives since 1989. Our 500+ problem-solving technologists and consultants are passionate about modernizing the government to fulfill their missions more effectively. Our customers include healthcare, national security, science and technology, and government operations within federal, state, local, and non-profit sectors. 

We take a Mindful Modernization(SM) approach in providing Application Modernization, Data Analytics, Grants Management, Innovation and Research Programs, and Advisory Services. Delivering domain expertise, best-fit technologies through agile execution, and a commitment to customer service is the REI Way.

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Raytheon Secures $145M Contract to Train Afghanistan Air Force Pilots; Bob Williams Quoted
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Raytheon Secures $145M Contract to Train Afghanistan Air Force Pilots; Bob Williams Quoted
Raytheon Secures $145M Contract to Train Afghanistan Air Force Pilots; Bob Williams Quoted

The U.S. Army Contracting Command has awarded Raytheon Intelligence and Space a potential three-year, $145 million contract to train Afghanistan Air Force pilots, the company reported on Tuesday.

"Raytheon training experts help the Afghanistan Air Force develop a pipeline of skilled flyers and officers," said Bob Williams, vice president of Global Training Solutions at Raytheon Intelligence & Space.

Under the contract, Raytheon will conduct initial flight training for the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation. The Afghanistan Air Force students will go through flight school in third-party nations in Europe and the Middle East. 

Raytheon will also provide tailored training for the Afghanistan Air Force pilots, including classroom, fixed-wing and rotary aircraft instruction. "Our program uses the latest training techniques, and a focus on individual mentorship to produce well-rounded officers that will help create a secure future for Afghanistan," added Williams. 

The Raytheon Afghanistan Air Force pilot training program began in 2010. The original mission for basic flight proficiency has expanded to advanced aircraft qualifications and flight techniques. Raytheon's focus on mentorship and leadership training helps the program maintain a 93 percent graduation rate with every student returned to Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Air Force Pilot Training program was awarded under the Enterprise Training Services Contract vehicle. Raytheon previously announced a related task order for the Aviation Maintenance Training program.

Raytheon’s recent contract will add to the company’s variety of efforts with the service branch for international support and services. In Aug. 2019, the U.S. Army Contracting Command has selected Raytheon to train the Afghanistan Air Force in aircraft maintenance. 

Raytheon will develop a new training program for the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation under the $108 million contract, called Afghanistan Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Training, or AMT.

Under the 2019 contract, Raytheon will provide maintenance training for aircraft flown by the Afghanistan Air Force. The training program will be directed by the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan and Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air.

The AMT contract is awarded under the previously announced Enterprise Training Services Contract vehicle. ETSC provides core training services to combatant commands and their training of security cooperation partners.

About Raytheon Technologies

Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With 195,000 employees and four industry-leading businesses ― Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense ― the company delivers solutions that push the boundaries in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion, hypersonics, and quantum physics. 

The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

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Maxar Reports First Quarter Results; Dan Jablonsky Quoted
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Maxar Reports First Quarter Results; Dan Jablonsky Quoted
Maxar Reports First Quarter Results; Dan Jablonsky Quoted

Maxar Technologies has announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and a multi-hundred million dollar contract award to build multiple 1300-Class communications satellites for an undisclosed customer, the company reported on Monday.

“Our results this quarter reflect progress on our multi-year strategy to strengthen our company and position it for revenue, profit and cash flow growth. Importantly, we closed the MDA divestiture, which helped improve our balance sheet. We generated solid revenue growth in Earth Intelligence, and quarter-over-quarter consolidated backlog growth, demonstrating solid demand from customers and continued success of our diversification strategy,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO. 

Maxar has reported consolidated revenues from continuing operations of $381 million and net loss of $48 million. The company’s diluted loss per share from continuing operations of $1.30 and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $77 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.2 percent.

The report is compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $99 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage of 22.9 percent for the first quarter of 2019. The decrease was driven largely by lower Adjusted EBITDA from the Space Infrastructure segment, partially offset by higher Adjusted EBITDA from the Earth Intelligence segment.

The company reported a net loss and adjusted EBITDA included charges of $18 million related to COVID-19 and $14 million related to a recent design anomaly detected in a final satellite test procedure.

“The bookings momentum has continued into the second quarter with today’s signing of a contract to build multiple 1300-Class communications satellites. This brings our bookings total in Space Infrastructure to over $700 million year-to-date and puts us on a path for another year of backlog growth for this segment,” added Jablonsky.

The company noted that, in April 2020, Maxar completed sale of the MDA Business to Neptune Acquisition for $729 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments, including for working capital, cash and debt. 

The purchase represents a strategic shift in Maxar’s business and qualifies as a discontinued operation. As a result, the operating results and cash flows related to the MDA Business have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Total revenues from continuing operations decreased to $381 million from $431 million, or by $50 million, compared to the same period of 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by a $78 million decrease in the Space Infrastructure segment which was partially offset by a $17 million increase in the Earth Intelligence segment.

The increase in net loss is primarily driven by a decrease in revenue of $50 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The increase is also driven by a $14 million recognition of impairment on orbital receivables, primarily due to an increase in credit risk associated with the company’s largest orbital customer.

Maxar had COVID-19 related EAC growth of $18 million within the Space Infrastructure segment which negatively impacted the company’s earnings. The changes in the EACs are due to increases in estimated program costs associated with the COVID-19 operating posture and the estimated impact of certain items such as supplier delays and increased labor hours.

The company had total order backlog of $1.7 billion compared to $1.6 billion as of Dec. 2019. Backlog increased primarily due to an increase in Maxar’s Space Infrastructure segment backlog as a result of new awards during the year, partially offset by declines in the Earth Intelligence segment. 

The decrease in backlog within the Earth Intelligence segment is primarily driven by the timing of the exercise of the EnhancedView Contract option year. The decrease was partially offset by increases in geospatial services. 

Jablonsky continued, “As we respond to the global Coronavirus pandemic, we are focused on protecting the health and safety of our team members, families, customers and communities while continuing to deliver the products and services needed by our partners to complete their critical missions.”

About Maxar 

Maxar is a leading provider of solutions in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure. We help government and commercial customers to monitor, understand and navigate the changing planet; deliver global broadband communications infrastructure; and explore and advance the use of space. Our approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and a proven commercial and defense foundation to deliver our services with speed, scale and cost effectiveness. 

Maxar’s 4,000 team members in more than 20 global locations work to help our customers harness the potential of space. Maxar’s stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “MAXR”. 

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Michael Loh Nominated to Lead Air National Guard
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Michael Loh Nominated to Lead Air National Guard
Michael Loh
Michael Loh

President Trump has nominated Maj. Gen. Michael Loh, adjutant general of the Colorado National Guard and executive director of the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to be the Air National Guard’s next director.

Loh is also in line to receive a promotion to the rank of lieutenant general, the Department of Defense (DoD) said Monday. He supervises DMVA’s personnel, readiness, real property, equipment and fiscal resources as well as training programs meant to address federal and state missions.

The Air Force Academy graduate spent seven years as an F-16 aircraft instructor and strike pilot with U.S. Air Forces Europe at Luke AF Base in Arizona. He logged more than 3,200 hours aboard the F-16A/B/C/D jets.

Prior to his current capacity, Loh served as National Guard assistant to the chief of Air Combat Command at Langley AFB in Virginia. He would succeed Lt. Gen. Scott Rice if the Senate approves the nomination.

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Navy Breaks Ground on Point Mugu Directed Energy Test Facility
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Navy Breaks Ground on Point Mugu Directed Energy Test Facility
Navy Breaks Ground on Point Mugu Directed Energy Test Facility

The U.S. Navy held a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month for a testing facility at Point Mogu Sea Range in California where the service branch intends to evaluate laser weapon prototypes.

The 18,500-square-foot Directed Energy Systems Integration Laboratory will be built to simulate the behavior of high-energy weapons aboard ships in different maritime conditions, the Naval Sea Systems Command said Wednesday.

DESIL will feature a high-velocity training area, offices, a conference room and space for the Department of Defense to collaborate with industry or academic partners.

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command chose San Diego-based Harper Construction to provide design-build services for the estimated $23M project.

In-service engineering agents of the Navy have been tasked with operating DESIL, which will also be used for integration and evaluation of DE and HEL weapon platforms.

The branch expects customers and users to use the facility to test the effects of air density, temperature changes and other factors on HEL beam performance. They can also examine how naval ship systems can support  energy-intense weapons as well as conduct target shooting demonstrations on the site.

The lab is scheduled to open within a year.

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DHS Provides Employees, Contractors Network Access Via Alternative Credentials
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DHS Provides Employees, Contractors Network Access Via Alternative Credentials
DHS Provides Employees, Contractors Network Access Via Alternative Credentials

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has started releasing derived alternative credentials to allow staff and contractors with expiring personal identity verification cards to gain remote access to DHS networks during the coronavirus pandemic, Federal News Network reported Monday.

The department’s office of the chief security officer worked with DHS’ chief information officer and subcomponents to develop the new credential. DHS said it has issued 76 alternative credentials since Friday, May 8, and most of the credentials have been released to personnel at the department’s headquarters.

The department started testing the new credentials on April 6 and made them available on April 21. The approval process for the alternative credential involves a DHS security professional verifying an employee’s identity through video conference.

Once the contractor or personnel is cleared for the new credential, the department will send by mail the access card and other tools to allow the recipients to telework. The alternative credentials come with logical access tokens and do not permit physical access to a DHS facility.

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CISA Warns of Security Risks Related to Online Voting
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CISA Warns of Security Risks Related to Online Voting
CISA Warns of Security Risks Related to Online Voting

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a memo to election officials and digital voting providers warning them of “significant security risks" posed by online voting, CyberScoop reported Monday.

The return of ballots online by voters “faces significant security risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of voted ballots,” CISA said in the advisory. “These risks can ultimately affect the tabulation and results and, can occur at scale.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Election Assistance Commission signed off on the DHS memo.

“[W]e recommend paper ballot returns as electronic ballot return technologies are high-risk even with controls in place,” the agencies said in a joint statement. “Election officials are best positioned to evaluate the risks and make decisions accordingly.”

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), a House Homeland Security Committee member, called on CISA to publicly release the document to better inform the voters of the potential risk associated with internet-connected voting. “Our intelligence community has warned that malicious state actors such as Russia are trying to interfere in our elections, and we must heed the recommendations of the experts at CISA to bolster our systems,” he said in a statement.

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US Marshals Service Suffers Cyber Breach
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US Marshals Service Suffers Cyber Breach
US Marshals Service Suffers Cyber Breach

A cyber breach of a U.S. Marshals Service system resulted in the exposure of personal data of approximately 387,000 former and current prisoners at the end of 2019, Nextgov reported Monday. USMS sent letters to affected individuals notifying them of the intrusion and referring them to resources to help safeguard themselves from fraud and freeze their credit.

“The attackers were able to exploit a vulnerability in the system to extract sensitive personally identifiable information on approximately 387,000 individuals,” a spokesperson for the Marshals Service told the publication.

The cyber attack involved the DSNet system, which is designed to transport and house prisoners within the agency, Bureau of Prison and federal courts, and exposed the affected individuals' names, Social Security numbers, birth dates and addresses.

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) security operations center informed USMS of the security breach, which was detected using a cyber monitoring tool, in December.

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FAA’s Pam Underwood on Upcoming Initiatives Under New Spaceports Office
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FAA’s Pam Underwood on Upcoming Initiatives Under New Spaceports Office
FAA's Pam Underwood on Upcoming Initiatives Under New Spaceports Office

Pam Underwood, director of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Spaceports, has said that her office is working with the U.S. Space Force to update management procedures for East and West-Coast ranges, SpaceNews reported Friday.

Underwood told attendees at a recent Global Spaceport Alliance meeting that the new office is developing an infrastructure grant plan for spaceports as well as revised launch and reentry regulations and other commercial launch promotion efforts.

“These are detailed activities that we take very seriously,” she said. “We’ve been able to talk with spaceports and get feedback about how this is impacting their daily activities and some of the economic and operational implications.”

The FAA recently established the Office of Spaceports in line with the Office of Commercial Space Transportation's (AST) reorganization plans and a 2018 reauthorization bill to improve licensing procedures as well as the commercial space transportation industry.

Underwood’s comments come after AST issued a launch site operators license to the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority to authorize space launches from Space Coast Regional Airport in Florida.

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