Lt. Gen. Loretta Reynolds, deputy commandant for information at the U.S. Marine Corps, told C4ISRNET in an interview published Friday about the service’s concept of “operations in the information environment.”

“We don’t call it ‘information warfare’ deliberately, because we believe firmly that we have to think differently about strategic communications,” Reynolds said.

She also talked about the creation of Marine Expeditionary Force information groups in support of MEF commanders.

“The whole point of the information groups was that we believe that someone has got to be able to understand what’s happening in the information environment for the commander,” Reynolds said. “Someone has got to be able to think broadly about what’s happening in cyber, how is space going to impact your ability to go do what you want to do over there in that [Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations], what is that messaging component, how do we want to use deception. Somebody has to bring all this together in a comprehensive way.”

She also mentioned challenges the service is working to address as it counters malicious behavior and other cyber threats from adversaries.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will release interim Trusted Internet Connections 3.0 guidance to mitigate network-related challenges as more federal employees telework due to the coronavirus pandemic, Federal News Network reported Friday.

Sources said CISA intends to help address the latency of establishing connection to agency networks through virtual private networks and to government cloud platforms as well as provide agencies more flexibility to keep their personnel linked to applications and data while maintaining security.

The interim policy will be effective only for the rest of 2020 as CISA works on the implementation guidance for TIC, which is expected to be released by spring.

The interim guidance will be based on the draft branch office use case that DHS issued in December.

Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Panama City Division has conducted tests of an unmanned surface vehicle designed to deter mine threats.

NSWC PCD continued mine countermeasure USV testing at the coastal test range amid the coronavirus pandemic, Naval Sea Systems Command said Thursday. The CTR facility operates near NSWC PCD and features fielding ranges for mine warfare testing and training.

“I am honored to work alongside the dedicated individuals supporting this project that have shown steadfast determination and tenacity to execute the test despite the adversity and roadblocks in front of them,” said Brett Thach, the division’s acting project manager and lead systems engineer for the MCM USV effort.

Capt. Aaron Peters, NSWC PCD commanding officer, said the division commits to ensuring personnel safety as operations continue amid the COVID-19 issue.

NASA has proposed an outline on how to approach the progressive phases of the Artemis program, an effort to revive manned space exploration.

The space agency said Friday delivered a plan that lists requirements for lunar exploration and the progressive phases that would lead astronauts to Mars.

Artemis’ Moon segment would require a lunar terrain vehicle, a  habitable mobility platform for trips across the lunar surface and shelter habitat for housing during shorter-term activities.

The program would begin with tests, then move to expand the range of where demonstrations and explorations will take place. Afterward, astronauts will prepare habitat systems, including the Gateway outpost, as NASA approaches rehearsals for Mars exploration.

Astronauts will land on the lunar surface in 2024 under Artemis.

“For years to come, Artemis will serve as our North Star as we continue to work toward even greater exploration of the Moon, where we will demonstrate key elements needed for the first human mission to Mars,” said Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator.

The Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center has established a department-wide Responsible AI Subcommittee that works to develop ethical and legal frameworks on AI acquisition and implementation.

JAIC said Wednesday the interdisciplinary subcommittee operates under DoD’s AI working group and includes representatives from defense entities such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The group will also conduct risk analysis operations to help inform AI program development in line with the DoD’s AI principles.

In line with JAIC’s efforts to promote ethics in AI, the agency also launched its Joint Warfighting National Mission Initiative and created a cohort that will work to inform JAIC of new opportunities and potential concerns in AI implementation across DoD entities.

The “Responsible AI Champions” group will undergo training on ethical AI principles and serve as leaders for implementing JAIC’s standards in their respective work divisions.

Other current efforts that JAIC highlighted include the creation of a Data Governance Council and implementing “data cards” to promote ethical use across the defense ecosystem.