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Emil Michael Confirmed as DOD Under Secretary for Research & Engineering
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Headshot of Emil Michael, under secretary of defense for research and engineering

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Emil Michael, a former Uber executive, as the next under secretary of defense for research and engineering in a 54-43 vote.

In a written testimony in March, Michael said he would consider reviewing the structure of the Department of Defense’s research and engineering office, Breaking Defense reported.

“It is critical that the Department innovates more quickly and with more efficiency. If confirmed, I would look for opportunities to implement, as appropriate, best practices that I’ve used in the private sector to drive innovation at speed and with efficiency throughout the organization,” he wrote.

Top Tech Priorities

If confirmed, Michael noted that his top priorities would be artificial intelligence, quantum computing, autonomous systems, hypersonic capabilities and directed energy.

Emil Michael’s Career Background

Michael was Uber’s chief business officer between 2013 and 2017.

He previously served as chief operating officer of social media analytics company Klout and was part of the founding team of Tellme Networks, which Microsoft acquired in 2007.

The former White House Fellow served as a special assistant to the secretary of defense and led projects in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan during his time at the Pentagon.

He began his career as an associate within the investment banking division at Goldman Sachs.

The Harvard University graduate holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Stanford Law School.

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Eric Ueland Confirmed as OMB Deputy Director for Management
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Headshot of Eric Ueland, acting chief of staff of the Office of Management and Budget

Eric Matthew Ueland is set to be officially named deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget.

According to the Senate, Ueland garnered 52 votes in favor of his confirmation during the confirmation vote held Wednesday. Forty-five senators voted against Ueland’s confirmation, while three did not vote.

Trump Nominates Ueland

Ueland was nominated as OMB deputy director for management by President Donald Trump in March. He was one of 50 nominees the White House sent to the Senate at the time. Ueland is set to succeed Jason Miller, who held the role under the Biden administration.

Who Is Eric Ueland?

According to his LinkedIn profile, Ueland currently serves as the acting chief of staff of the OMB. He was a member of the board of advisors for the Center for Constitutional Liberty at Benedictine College and a commissioner at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

The executive held several positions during his two tenures at the Department of State, including senior official for the Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, senior advisor and acting principal deputy assistant secretary. In his first stint with the State Department, Ueland was the director of the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance.

Between his DOS stints, Ueland served under the Trump administration as assistant to the president, director of the Office of Legislative Affairs and deputy director of the Domestic Policy Council.

Ueland served in various capacities in his first 18 years with the Senate. He was the chief of staff of the Assistant Republican Leader and research director, economist and press secretary for the Senate Republican Policy Committee.

Beyond his public service career, Ueland served as vice president for over six years at The Duberstein Group, a private lobbying firm.

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US Army Organizations Cooperate on Assured PNT Efforts
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Soldiers on the battlefield

Various organizations within the U.S. Army are combining expertise, strategies and test data to develop new ways to ensure the delivery of reliable and accurate positioning, navigation and timing information to the warfighter through M-code. 

In a blog post on Wednesday, the Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, or PEO IEW&S, discussed collaborations that led to the delivery of approximately 27,000 M-Code capable receivers, fielding of over 2,500 ground Assured PNT systems, production of 7,000 precision guidance kits and installation of 46 M-code aviation navigation systems on Blackhawk helicopters in 2024.

US Army Organizations Cooperate on Assured PNT Efforts

Know more about present Army initiatives, programs and efforts at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18. Register for the in-person event here. 

Army Leading Development of M-Code, Assured PNT Capabilities

Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems, or PM CAS, worked on upgrading its Precision Guidance Kit M1156 and Excalibur munitions to improve performance in areas where GPS is degraded or denied. In one PGK M1156 variant, PM CAS added an anti-jam capability. The organization plans to field the M1156E5, the new variant of the PGK M1156 with anti-jam capability, in 2026. 

Meanwhile, PM Aviation Mission Systems Architecture, or AMSA, upgraded its legacy Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Systems, or EGIs, by switching from the Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module cards to  M-code GPS receivers. The new Enhanced Aviation Global Air Traffic Management Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance EGI Military code, or EAGLE-M, has three variants that accommodate the unique needs of over a dozen aviation platforms. 

PM PNT deployed rapid and robust software updates to its legacy Defense Advanced GPS Receiver, or DAGR, systems and Ground Based-GPS Receiver Application Modules, also called GB-GRAMs. According to the organization, the update improved system survivability in GPS-challenged environments. When aired with highly capable anti-jam antennas, the update can create the Mounted Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing System, or MAPS, Generation I capability well-suited to support U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Pacific Command missions. 

“This partnership was critical to the Army’s transition from legacy GPS to Assured PNT,” commented Mike Trzeciak of PM PNT. “Not only did our partnership facilitate the fielding of key capabilities to soldiers, it also enabled the development of the next generation of technologies like software-defined radios, vision-aided and alternative navigation to diversify, secure and provide trustworthy PNT.”

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CISA Urges Agencies to Implement Post-Quantum Cryptography in Acquisitions
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Headshot of Garfield Jones, associate chief of strategic technology at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Garfield Jones, associate chief of strategic technology at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said CISA and other agencies hosted a call with over 600 federal IT officials to advance the adoption of post-quantum cryptographic standards in the acquisition process, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

“The awareness part, we’re really pushing it,” Jones said at an event Tuesday. “As those vendors start to adopt it, we’re starting to talk to the agencies about putting this into your acquisition documentation.”

Post-Quantum Cryptography Products List

In January, former President Joe Biden signed a cybersecurity executive order directing CISA to publish by mid-July a list of product categories that support post-quantum cryptography, or PQC. Three months after the list is published, agencies should initiate steps to include PQC requirements in solicitations for any offering that could support PQC.

As CISA works on the PQC products list, Jones said the agency intends to collaborate with vendors to test their cryptographic platforms.

“We’re going to try to work with vendors to make sure that they have those elements in there,” Jones stated.

The CISA official also called on agencies to be prepared and understand potential challenges when implementing PQC algorithms.

“Work with your vendors to get their roadmap, roll it into your acquisition documentation and policy, so that you don’t have a surprise. It takes time to get it into the organization, getting the right architecture,” he added.

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Sandia Labs to Invest $5B in New R&D Facilities
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Logo of Sandia National Laboratories

Sandia National Laboratories has unveiled plans for a $5 billion investment in construction projects over the next 10 years.

The investment is intended to expand its facilities to enhance federal research and development initiatives in support of its core national security research efforts, Nextgov/FCW reported Wednesday. 

Sandia National Laboratories’ Top Priorities

The investment will support several construction projects, including a Power Sources Capability Facility and a Combined Radiation Environments for Survivability Testing Facility.

According to Laura McGill, director of Sandia Labs, the new facilities will bolster the lab’s abilities to research emerging technologies, which remains the top priority of the lab. McGill stressed that the lab will focus on radiation environment testing, power source capabilities, nuclear deterrent programming, quantum computing sciences, materials science and artificial intelligence, particularly its possible applications to national security.

“Sandia is really leaning into AI; it’s transforming our national security,” said McGill. “We are strengthening our expertise so that we can safely harness AI to the benefits of our capabilities and our future. At Sandia, we’re developing world-class algorithms to accelerate science and engineering, but also we’re applying it to improve our business operations,” she added.

New Facilities Are Mutually Beneficial

McGill said during a press conference that the planned construction is a “win-win” for laboratory researchers and contracting firms based in New Mexico. She emphasized that the investment provides “a stable source of work and economic opportunity for design firms, construction companies and the skilled tradespeople.”

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DCSA, MTU Build AI Tool for Identifying Foreign Influence in Corporate Documents
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Logo of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

A collaboration between the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and a team of students from Michigan Technological University resulted in the development of an artificial intelligence-powered automation tool that could analyze and scan publicly available corporate documents for potential indicators of foreign influence.

The tool, which uses advanced optical character recognition, or OCR, natural language processing and machine learning, achieved 98.9 percent accuracy in document scanning and OCR conversion and 98.3 percent accuracy in data extraction and classification, DCSA said Wednesday, adding that the software extracts details about key personnel and takes only two seconds to generate reports highlighting suspicious connections or patterns. The system also allows users to define and update areas of concern, such as specific foreign affiliations or sensitive corporate roles.

Driving Innovation Through Partnerships With Academic Institutions

Corey Sampson, chief of engineering sustainment for the national industrial security system portfolio in the industrial security systems and services section of the DCSA Program Executive Office, mentored the MTU team, which completed the AI solution over two semesters under the university’s Enterprise Program, designed to provide students with experience in solving open-ended, industry-driven problems.

Sampson said the collaboration demonstrated the potential of academic institutions to drive innovation in support of national security. The team’s work aligns with DCSA’s mission of “safeguarding the nation’s trusted workforce, workspaces, classified information and critical assets through personnel security, industrial security, counterintelligence and insider threat and security training,” he added. 

According to Wallace Coggins, DCSA chief data and AI officer, the partnership with MTU provided an opportunity to gain insights into the latest advancements and potential of AI, supporting DCSA in securing the U.S. defense industrial base and protecting its critical technologies.

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NIST Issues Internal Reports on IoT Cyber Improvements
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The Internet of Things refers to a network of interconnected devices

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity for the Internet of Things program has published two internal reports, or IR, outlining recommended cyber activities for IoT device manufacturers.

Both IR 8572 and IR 8259r1 advance the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020’s requirement to review the federal cyber guidelines every five years, NIST said Tuesday.

Enabling IoT Manufacturers to Meet Customers’ Cyber Expectations

IR 8572 summarizes an NIST workshop on March 5 that discussed upcoming updates to IR 8259, which centers on IoT cybersecurity guidelines for specific industries and use cases. The event also collected feedback from participants on their views about the IoT product lifecycle, expanded discussion of risk analysis, application to industrial contexts and cybersecurity concerns on data management to support privacy goals.

Meanwhile, IR 8259r1 provides best practices for IoT manufacturers to help them develop products that meet customer needs and expectations for cybersecurity. The updated document highlights the NIST mission to address the full IoT product scope and expand maintenance, support and end-of-life considerations for IoT products.

Interested parties are invited to review IR 8259r1 and submit their comments no later than July 14.

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Troy Meink Confirmed as Air Force Secretary
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NRO Principal Deputy Director Troy Meink receiving Senate confirmation to serve as the next secretary of the Air Force

The Senate on Tuesday voted 74-25 to confirm Troy Meink, who has been principal deputy director at the National Reconnaissance Office since 2020, as the 27th secretary of the Air Force, the service branch reported.

Improving Air Force Lethality

During his Senate confirmation hearing in March, Meink said that if confirmed, he aims to “organize, train, and equip the Department of the Air Force to have the lethality needed to deter all potential aggressors, and if necessary, win in conflict.”

“The Department is building and operating some of the most complex systems ever fielded in both air and space,” he told lawmakers. “We need not only the right number of Airmen and Guardians, but also need the right skills, training, support and focus to deliver and operate those systems.”

Maintaining Space Superiority

At the hearing, he noted that maintaining space superiority is a priority. He highlighted the nuclear deterrent’s importance and the need to modernize the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad.

Meink also stressed the need to expand the industrial base, boost competition, develop a more advanced missile defense shield, advance the F-47 fighter jet program and streamline the budgeting and acquisition processes.

Troy Meink’s Career Highlights

Meink has held several leadership roles at NRO, including director of geospatial intelligence systems acquisition and head of signal intelligence systems acquisition.

He served in the Department of the Air Force as deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space and director, executive agent for space staff.

He started his military career as a KC-135 tanker navigator and instructor. He went on to serve as lead test engineer for the design and evaluation of ballistic missile test vehicles for the Missile Defense Agency.

The South Dakota State University mechanical engineering graduate has a doctorate in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Ohio State University.

Gain valuable insights from experts and speakers at the 2025 Air and Space Summit. Save your spot now for this Potomac Officers Club-hosted event on July 31.

POC - 2025 Air and Space Summit
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Army Seeks to Drive Innovation Through xTechSearch 9 Competition for Small Businesses
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Headshot of Matt Willis, director of Army Innovation Programs

The U.S. Army has unveiled the latest iteration of its xTechSearch prize competition to identify new technologies from small businesses and deliver innovative capabilities designed to improve warfighter readiness.

What Is xTechSearch 9?

The service branch said Tuesday xTechSearch 9 is an open topic competition that seeks to identify breakthrough platforms that demonstrate strong commercial viability, technical feasibility and the potential to bring transformative capabilities to the Army.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology oversees xTechSearch 9 in collaboration with the Army’s Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, and Small Business Technology Transfer Program.

Through the competition, the military branch wants proposals from vendors that may not have previously worked with the Department of Defense but can explain how their proposed tech platforms can address a relevant Army challenge.

“The Army understands the importance of maintaining a tactical edge over our adversaries, and keeping the force equipped with new, disruptive technologies is one step of the process,” said Matt Willis, director of Army Innovation Programs. “By hosting open-topic competitions like xTechSearch 9, the Army actively partners with U.S-based small businesses to explore emerging technologies that could significantly impact our modernization priorities.”

Learn more about the latest technological advancements and gain insights into modernization imperatives, force structure optimization, national security missions and more at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18. Register now!

Structure of the xTechSearch 9 Competition

Small businesses must submit a three-page white paper outlining their tech concept, dual-use potential, feasibility and relevant to Army needs. Proposals are due June 4.

A panel of DOD experts will evaluate the submissions and select up to 60 companies that will move to the finals and join the xTechSearch 9 Accelerator Program. Under this phase, each selected vendor will receive $5,000 in cash prizes.

For the second part of the competition, the finalists will demonstrate their tech concepts and transition plans to a panel of DOD and Army experts. The panel will pick up to 24 winners and award each an additional $25,000 in cash prizes. 

Under the third phase, the selected vendors will have the opportunity to submit an Army Phase I proposal in October. The winners will receive developmental and assessment-based feedback from Army subject matter experts to help evaluate and further develop proposed tech platforms in practical settings.

POC - 2025 Army Summit
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DIA Reveals Evolving Missile Threats in ‘Golden Dome’ Report
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Official seal of the Defense Intelligence Agency

The Defense Intelligence Agency has released an unclassified report outlining the missile threats a sophisticated United States missile defense system should be able to counter.

The agency said Tuesday the missile threat assessment, titled “Golden Dome for America: Current and Future Missile Threats to the U.S. Homeland,” underscores the growing scale and sophistication of missile threats facing the U.S. homeland over the next decade. It also predicts the continuous advancements in both conventional and nuclear-capable delivery systems of potential adversaries.

Get insights on emerging threats and how intelligence plays a vital role in safeguarding the nation against these advanced warfare technologies from top leaders of the Intelligence Community. Register and join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on October 2.

DIA Reveals Evolving Missile Threats in ‘Golden Dome’ Report

6 Missile Threat Categories

The report categorizes these missile threats and inventories into six categories, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, two various types of hypersonic weapons, land attack cruise missiles and fractional orbital bombardment systems.

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