//
NGA, Space Force Ink Agreement on Tactical SRT Program
Published on
Frank Whitworth and Chance Saltzman sign a memorandum of agreement for the TacSRT program.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Space Force have formalized a partnership centered on the latter’s Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking, or TacSRT, program.

The agency said Wednesday NGA Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman signed a memorandum of agreement during the annual GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 21.

Streamlining ISR Data Acquisition

The partnership establishes a framework that facilitates collaboration and coordination between the two government organizations. It outlines each party’s distinct roles and responsibilities in acquiring imagery-related remote sensing data from commercial satellite operators and disseminating these intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, products. The agreement boosts support to the combatant commands and reduces redundant efforts.

NGA, Space Force Ink Agreement on Tactical SRT Program

Learn about the latest from the intelligence community as the Potomac Officers Club presents the 2025 Intel Summit on October 2. Register to save your spot and gain insights into the future of intelligence.

“What [the agreement] really reflects is the quality of collaboration and every echelon that was necessary to work through these procedures,” said Saltzman, a three-time Wash100 Award winner. “I’m excited about this because of what it represents, and that’s really industrial-strength collaboration,” he added.

Whitworth, who has won the Wash100 Award four times, shared Saltzman’s sentiment, describing the formal accord as “a new standard for collaboration.”

What Is the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking Initiative?

TacSRT is an initiative led by the Space Force designed to swiftly provide combatant commands with unclassified, commercial sensing and analytics. It utilizes Space Force’s service components and enables swift responses to operational requests from the combatant commands.

/
Palantir’s TITAN: the Army’s Bet on AI and Connectivity
Published on
The TITAN is more than just another new Army truck, according to Wash100 Award winner and Palantir executive Akash Jain.

Palantir’s Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node, a.k.a. TITAN, is more than just a new truck. It’s the U.S. Army’s big wager on AI and a future of connected battlespace warfare.

The TITAN is a mobile intelligence ground station powered by AI and machine learning integrating sensors, networks and automation. The TITAN will process sensor data from space, high altitude, aerial and terrestrial layers and provide intelligence support to targeting and situational awareness.

The idea is to provide deep sensing capability, enabling long-range precision fires, increasing operational tempo and reducing time from sensor to shooter. The Army has begun accepting deliveries of its first TITAN platforms.

GovCons can discover more about leading AI and software initiatives at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18. Explore modernization imperatives, force structure optimization, the multi-domain battlefield, emerging threats, national security missions and more. Dive into illuminating panel discussions such as Hyperconnected Warfare: Next-gen Orchestration of Humans, Machines, Transport and AI on the Battlefield. All in a supportive environment. Save your spot today!

TITAN & CJADC2

The TITAN program is a cornerstone of the Defense Department’s ambitious Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control, a.k.a. CJADC2, seeks to provide the U.S. an advantage by making informed decisions with greater speed and accuracy than its adversaries. The goal of CJADC2 is to leverage advanced computing technologies such as AI, predictive analytics and machine learning to deliver informed solutions via a resilient and robust network environment.

The TITAN has greater impacts and potential than just another new Army truck, according to Wash100 Award winner and Palantir Chief Technology Officer and President of U.S. Government Business Akash Jain.

“This is a live system that is going to continue to get better, and that is different for the Army and for this type of technology,” he said, according to Axios. “It is very much a software-centric acquisition, where hardware has been built around the software.”

Palantir isn’t developing the truck itself. It’s leveraging a team that includes new entrants and established prime contractors. Anduril, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Pacific Defense, SNC, Strategic Technology Consulting and World Wide Technology are all contributing to the effort.

Software Developer Potential For Army Contracts

Palantir believes its selection for the TITAN shows that software developers are becoming more competitive for Army contracts. Palantir also offers computing capabilities such as data integration and digital twin.

“We might be the first software prime, but we don’t intend to be the only software prime,” Breaking Defense reported Bryant Choung, Palantir senior vice president for defense, as saying. “There is a viable pathway for more software firms to take the lead.”

Palantir’s other transaction authority contract is worth $178.4 million and includes the development and delivery of 10 TITAN prototypes, including five advanced and five basic versions.

Some key TITAN capabilities include:

  • Rapid data processing: TITAN’s AI capabilities will quickly analyze and interpret complicated data streams, slashing the time required to recognize potential threats and opportunities.
  • Improved targeting accuracy: By combining data from various sources, TITAN brings a comprehensive and real-time view of the battlespace, allowing commanders to make better decisions in constantly changing environments.
  • Faster operational tempo: TITAN’s automation abilities reduce the amount of work for soldiers, allowing them to spend time on higher-priority tasks and maintain a faster operational tempo.

Dig into how the Army is advancing network modernization at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18 at the Hilton McLean in northern Virginia. Find out which innovative capabilities will be next to test in Project Convergence. Learn about new GovCon partnerships opportunities and boost your bottom line. Sign up today!

Palantir’s TITAN: the Army’s Bet on AI and Connectivity
//
CISA Deputy Cyber Chief Confirms Departure
Published on
Matt Hartman is departing CISA, where he serves as deputy executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

Matt Hartman, the deputy executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, will step down on May 31, ending his nearly two decades of service.

In a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, Hartman confirmed his departure and reflected on his journey from joining DHS as an IT specialist for the National Protection and Programs Directorate to holding various leadership roles within the agency.

“NPPD and CISA don’t just represent the most critical chapter of my career — this agency is and will remain a critical component of my identity,” the cybersecurity official said.

Matt Hartman’s Public Service Career

Hartman was appointed to his current role in February 2021. He is responsible for leading CISA’s mission to address cyberthreats and vulnerabilities, particularly those related to U.S. critical infrastructure, through collective cyber defense and capacity building.

Previously, Hartman served as the agency’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity in an acting capacity. He also became an associate director who led CISA’s cybersecurity services portfolio, including Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation and the Quality Service Management Office, and supported the adoption of national-level cybersecurity strategy, policy, standards, directives and requirements across stakeholder groups.

Hartman held other leadership roles at the agency, including director of federal network resilience and director of strategy coordination and management.

Before joining DHS, he served Lockheed Martin Information Technology as a program analyst supporting the Department of Health and Human Services.

/
Stephen Winchell Named DARPA Director
Published on
Meet Stephen Winchell, DARPA's 24th director, whose career spans government, Navy and the private sector.

Stephen Winchell has officially been appointed director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

DARPA said Tuesday Winchell will serve as the 24th director of the agency.

Stephen Winchell’s Career

The executive was previously part of the Defense Department’s Strategic Capabilities Office and was responsible for its artificial intelligence and autonomy portfolio. Before that, Winchell served as the chief engineer for the Pentagon’s Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team, also known as Project Maven.

Winchell graduated with a bachelor of science in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy and later taught in his alma mater’s electrical and computer engineering department. The Navy Reserve officer previously served as a submarine officer in the Navy. In addition, Winchell was a Presidential Innovation Fellow at the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. He was also employed at a venture-backed start-up focused on AI security early in his career.

“Mr. Winchell’s hard science background and warfighting experience on some of our most technologically complex weapon systems make him a fantastic pick for this critical position,” said Emil Michael, under secretary of defense for research and engineering. “We here at the headquarters welcome him to the team and look forward to working together to ensure that DARPA, as the preeminent innovation agency in DOD, stands ready to address the Department’s most challenging issues,” he added.

/
Pete Hegseth Shares New Details on Golden Dome
Published on
DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth made new remarks on the Golden Dome for America project to defend against global missile threats.

Pete Hegseth, secretary of the Department of Defense and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, said DOD has developed a draft architecture and implementation plan for a next-generation missile defense shield called Golden Dome for America.

Golden Dome—A System of Systems

In a statement published Tuesday, Hegseth described Golden Dome as a “system of systems” that will include space-based interceptors and sensors designed to “protect our homeland from a wide range of global missile threats.”

“This historic investment builds on two of the Department of Defense’s three main objectives: rebuilding our military capability and re-establishing deterrence,” he noted.

In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to build the Golden Dome for America.

According to the defense secretary, Golden Dome is being designed in collaboration with North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Space Command and other DOD stakeholders to ensure interoperability and integration with the U.S. defense architecture.

Gen. Michael Guetlein to Lead Golden Dome Project

Breaking Defense reported Tuesday that Trump selected Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations in the U.S. Space Force and a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient, to lead the Golden Dome project, which will cost $175 billion.

Guetlein, the former head of Space Systems Command, called the project a “bold and aggressive approach” and noted that it was critical to “start doubling down on the protection of the homeland” against cruise missiles and other new threats.

The president expects Golden Dome to be “fully operational” by the end of his term in January 2029.

Gen. Guetlein will address an audience of first-rate GovCon execs at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31. Register now so you don’t miss what he has to say!

Industry & DOD Collaboration

“What’s exciting about this is it makes it available to everybody to participate, to compete. Big companies, mid-sized companies, small companies,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said during a briefing at the Oval Office.

According to Breaking Defense, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, noted that the missile defense project will consist of interceptors from large defense companies like Lockheed Martin and RTX’s Raytheon subsidiary.

According to a Reuters report, L3Harris Technologies, Palantir, Anduril, and SpaceX are other potential contractors for the Golden Dome initiative.

Pete Hegseth Shares New Details on Golden Dome
/
FedRAMP Seeks Input on Draft Technical Assistance Document About Its Modernization
Published on
Logo of FedRAMP

The FedRAMP Program Management Office has sought public comments on a draft interpretive technical assistance document for an Office of Management and Budget memorandum titled “Modernizing the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program.”

FedRAMP said the PMO will accept responses through June 15.

The OMB Memorandum M-24-15 updated the scope of FedRAMP and directed the publication of clarifying guidance to help agencies interpret the defined exclusion categories.

What Is the Purpose of the FedRAMP Scope Interpretation Technical Assistance?

The draft technical assistance offers additional technical nuance to support agency decision-making concerning categories of cloud services excluded from FedRAMP requirements.

The draft document also provides interpretive guidance with examples for each of the five exclusion categories outlined in the OMB Memorandum M-24-15.

The five exclusion categories are single agency systems; social media and communications; search engines; widely available commercial information; and ancillary services.

The draft technical assistance document provides key criteria that agencies can use when assessing cloud services, enabling them to focus resources on services that require FedRAMP authorization.

FedRAMP’s Request for Comment

The FedRAMP PMO is soliciting feedback on the clarity and conciseness of exclusion explanations and whether sections “When FedRAMP Doesn’t Apply” and “Key Tests” provide practical guidance for making determinations.

The office is also asking interested stakeholders if there are areas involving artificial intelligence or other emerging technologies that require additional information to inform agencies’ assessment of FedRAMP scope applicability.

//
ODNI Wants to Improve Intelligence Procurement Process
Published on
National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has a plan to reform the contracting process within the intelligence community.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence wants to reform the way the U.S. intelligence community procures capabilities and streamline the contracting processes for unclassified open-source intelligence. 

At a recent event, Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, shared that her office wants to implement acquisition reforms across the IC to save money and make sure that the government is “getting the most bang for the buck.” 

Gabbard’s Contracting Modernization Efforts

During the annual GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri, Gabbard explained that archaic procurement laws are preventing the IC from meeting its objectives. 

“OSINT is an area of relatively new focus from Congress, but I’ve heard from many of you here today and those who are operating in different parts of the world, how we are, in this example, limiting our capabilities because of our own authorities that don’t allow for that access to integrate OSINT with the other intelligence capabilities that we have,” she told the audience. 

ODNI Wants to Improve Intelligence Procurement Process

Hear leaders from across the IC discuss opportunities and challenges at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. Register for the in-person event here.

The official pointed to procurement reforms from Elbridge Colby, under secretary of defense, that open up government contracting to small companies and startups. Gabbard revealed that her office is also looking into bringing startup-made technologies that can be used across all elements of the IC without multiple layers of contractors and supervisors overseeing the program. 

Growing Demand for Intelligence

The intelligence leader also discussed new demands for GEOINT at U.S. borders as the government increases its focus on foreign cartels, which President Donald Trump recently labeled terrorist organizations. Gabbard added that there has not been intelligence collection for border protection. 

She said her office will work with other agencies and law enforcement to create a common operating picture. 

“We have local law enforcement, we have Customs and Border Patrol,” she noted. “They all have to be operating from that same picture in order for us to be effective, and we can’t have these silos [of] both information and intelligence, otherwise, we will not only waste a lot of time and money, but we will we will be creating more risk.”

//
DAF Issues RFP for Human-Machine Teaming Decision Advantage Sprint
Published on
Official seal of the U.S. Department of the Air Force

The Department of the Air Force Advanced Battle Management System Cross Functional Team and Air Force Research Laboratory, 711 Human Performance Wing, have issued a request for proposals for a Transformational Model–Battle Management Match Effectors Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-machine teaming.

According to the notice issued on SAM.gov Tuesday, the tentative date for the MEF DASH is July 21 to August 25. It will be held at the Howard Hughes Operations, or H2O, Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming Events

DASH events are designed to support the ABMS Transformational Model—Battle Management. They provide a platform for exploring and understanding various artificial intelligence and autonomy approaches aimed at enhancing command and control decision-making, which creates advantages in modern warfare.

One key objective of the DASH events is to boost military personnel’s involvement in the development of AI/autonomy. The warfighter can help identify specific areas where autonomy can significantly advance a joint all-domain, or JAD, battle manager. Furthermore, the events are meant to enhance industry collaboration. Teams are allowed to connect with industries involved in developing battle management autonomy functions.

DAF Issues RFP for Human-Machine Teaming Decision Advantage Sprint

Gain critical insights from military leaders on the significance of emerging technology in air and space defense to national security. Register now to attend the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Defense Summit.

During the DASH event, software development teams observe a battle management crew making decisions in a simulated combat environment. The developers then build applications and microservices that enhance battle management decision-making using the Transformational Model and their own creativity. 

Battle management warfighters will collaborate with coders to provide operational feedback. The teams can then showcase their software after the event. The software will be evaluated for its effect on overall human-machine team decision-making. Teams selected to continue after the experiment phase will retain their intellectual property. Government stakeholders can analyze collected sprint data to develop and refine C2 software requirements.

Interested parties can submit their proposals until June 13.

/
AUVSI Introduces Program to Standardize Training, Certification of UMS Operators
Published on
AUVSI initiative to establish standardized training and certification for UMS operators, with support from the U.S. Navy.

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International has launched a new program designed to establish standardized training and certification for uncrewed maritime systems operators in commercial and defense missions.

The Trusted UMS Operator Program, unveiled at EXPONENTIAL 2025, was developed as a proactive solution to the increasing use of such systems across defense, commercial, environmental and energy sectors, AUVSI said Tuesday, noting that the early absence of unified standards created avoidable challenges in the drone industry.

NOAA, Navy Support Program Standard Creation

Along with the program launch, AUVSI introduced Safe Harbor Maritime, Chance Maritime Technologies, Saronic, Ocean Power Technologies, Black Sea Technologies and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as initial certified training providers. According to the nonprofit organization, the training providers demonstrated excellence in uncrewed maritime training and the capability to align curricula with the program standards developed with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Navy, particularly the Naval Oceanographic Office, which examined how to align its internal training programs to certify personnel under the Trusted UMS Operator framework.

Certifying sailors, marines and civilian operators through AUVSI’s Trusted UMS Operator Program could help ensure that every sailor has the latest training to operate the Navy’s unmanned systems fleet safely and effectively, said Jason McKenna, chief technology officer and deputy N8/N9 commander for the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. “Enhancing our warfighter and workforce proficiency directly contributes to the delivery of real-time, actionable environmental intelligence, which enables access, maximizes maneuver, and increases lethality.”

/
ODNI Promotes Doug Cossa to Intel Community CIO Role
Published on
The Office of the Director of National Intel has appointed Doug Cossa as intelligence community chief information officer.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has appointed IT leader Doug Cossa as the intelligence community chief information officer.

Cossa announced his promotion at ODNI in a LinkedIn post.

ODNI Promotes Doug Cossa to Intel Community CIO Role

Hear top IC officials and experts talk about the challenges, innovation initiatives and technologies shaping the future of American intelligence at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. Save a spot for this big GovCon conference!

Doug Cossa’s Career Background

Cossa most recently served as acting IC CIO and primary IT adviser to the director of national intelligence. In this capacity, he managed the acquisition and performance of technology programs and directed the community’s information security policies and practices for national security systems.

He also served as CIO at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he oversaw the delivery of IT services to the agency and managed the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System.

Before DIA, he held several leadership positions at ODNI, including director of mission integration division and chief of priorities and assessments.

Cossa previously worked at SAIC as senior program manager for overseas operations of the National Media Exploitation Center.

The James Madison University graduate additionally has a master’s degree in systems engineering from the Johns Hopkins University.

1 … 143 144 145 146 147 … 2,698