/
12 Organizations to Help FAA Develop Recreational UAS Aeronautical Test
Published on
12 Organizations to Help FAA Develop Recreational UAS Aeronautical Test


12 Organizations to Help FAA Develop Recreational UAS Aeronautical Test

The Federal Aviation Administration has selected 12 organizations that will advise the agency in efforts to create a process for administering aeronautical knowledge and safety tests for recreational drone operators.

Advisers will provide suggestions intended to help inform the development of final requirements for potential test administrators, FAA said Monday.

According to the agency, it will work with third-party entities to conduct training and implement the exam on multiple platforms.

The U.S. government requires that unmanned aircraft system owners to complete an online assessment in order to secure permission to operate UAS for recreational use.

FAA’s advisers on the initiative are as follows:

  • Academy of Model Aeronautics
  • Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
  • DJI
  • Drone Launch Academy Southeastern University
  • Drone Racing League
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
  • First Person View Freedom Coalition
  • Horizon Hobby
  • King Schools
  • Science Applications International Corp.
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Coach
  • Unmanned Safety Institute

Army Uses New Procurement Method to Save Money
Published on
Army Uses New Procurement Method to Save Money


Army Uses New Procurement Method to Save Money

The U.S. Army has generated $1.2 billion in savings through the use of a new data-driven, category-based procurement process, said an executive within the service branch.

Rebecca Weirick, executive director of services acquisition at the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement, said in a statement posted Tuesday that the “category management” approach supports the service’s priority funding. She talked about the concept’s use in the Department of Defense and borrowed traits from industry during a panel at a forum hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army.

The service branch classifies goods in 19 categories, with 10 of which covering common products and services such as security and professional support. The remaining nine include weapons, research work, electronics and other more complex goods.

Weirick said category management allows procurement personnel to better determine the most cost-effective sources for certain goods. James Lewis, another procurement official within Weirick’s same office, chaired the panel and explained how the approach works.

The Army just started to adopt category management last year, following the U.S. Air Force that has already been using the approach for two years. Army Logistics University plans to launch a new course that would educate non-procurement personnel on category management.

The service branch now plans to use generated savings for modernization efforts.

//
Tech-Focused GSA Office Tackles National Security, Intelligence
Published on
Tech-Focused GSA Office Tackles National Security, Intelligence


Tech-Focused GSA Office Tackles National Security, Intelligence

An office within the General Services Administration is working with other agencies to address issues in national security and intelligence.

Teams at 18F have attained expertise to digitally prepare other agencies for strategic pursuits in these areas of concern, the GSA office said Tuesday.

The office’s national security and intelligence portfolio team is helping agencies adopt new technologies for the purpose of the nation’s defense.

Work will cover research efforts, delivery and adoption support for open source technologies. National security agencies in need of 18F’s assistance may send requests to this email: inquiries18F@gsa.gov.

The office’s mission is to digitally transform agencies in support of national public service.

/
Atlantic Council Issues Report on Aviation Cybersecurity
Published on
Atlantic Council Issues Report on Aviation Cybersecurity


Atlantic Council Issues Report on Aviation Cybersecurity

The Atlantic Council has released a report detailing potential challenges the aviation sector may face in mitigating next-generation cyber attacks.

The report, titled “Aviation Cybersecurity: Scoping the Challenge”, builds on the organization’s findings from its 2017 report on aviation cybersecurity and highlights the implications of 5G connectivity, autonomous systems and electric vertical takeoff and landing technologies to flight operations.

As part of the study, the council surveyed and interviewed over 244 respondents on their views on aviation cybersecurity. The first part of the report covers issues involving enterprise information technology and the role of cyberspace in flight safety, while the second part tackles cybersecurity challenges faced by suppliers and customers in the aviation industry.

The report also discussed the lack of cybersecurity training for aviation personnel and difficulties in navigating regulations and legal authorities for aviation cybersecurity.

“Managing aviation cybersecurity requires making thoughtful choices from a clear and well-informed understanding of risk,” the report stated. “Here, despite ample challenges, there are some glimmers of hope. But, on topics such as information sharing, it was clear that respondents thought there was much more to be done.”

Three Agencies Receive A Grades on 9th FITARA Scorecard
Published on
Three Agencies Receive A Grades on 9th FITARA Scorecard


Three Agencies Receive A Grades on 9th FITARA Scorecard

The General Services Administration, the Department of Education and the U.S. Agency for International Development received the highest grades on the latest version of the biannual modernization scorecard for federal agencies, Federal News Network reported Wednesday. 

The ninth iteration of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act Scorecard awarded A+ grades for overall IT modernization efforts to both GSA and DOE and an A score to USAID, marking the first time that more than one agency received the highest rating. 

“This is the best scorecard ever. Nine agencies moved forward. There are three ‘As,’ we have not seen that in a long time,” said Suzette Kent, the federal chief information officer and a 2019 Wash100 recipient. 

The overall rating was based on agencies’ individual scores on their cybersecurity, agency CIO authority enhancements, risk management, software licensing, data center optimization, portfolio review and modernization of government technology.

The Department of Homeland Security made the biggest improvement in IT modernization effort, increasing from an overall D- grade to a B, mainly due to A scores in data center optimization and software licensing.  

/
SOFWERX Tests Human-Machine Teaming Tech for Battlefield Operations
Published on
SOFWERX Tests Human-Machine Teaming Tech for Battlefield Operations


SOFWERX Tests Human-Machine Teaming Tech for Battlefield Operations

A prototyping unit operated by U.S. Special Operations Command and nonprofit firm DEFENSWERX has launched an experimentation effort focused on deploying next-generation technology for human-machine interaction in the battlefield, Defense One reported Wednesday.

Brian Andres, chief technology officer for SOFWERX, said at a Defense One event that the innovation unit’s Hyper-Enabled Operator Concept initiative saw teams test a “physiological analysis tool” that works to help troops receive and interpret information for psychological operations.

Researchers for SOFWERX also partnered with engineering startup Pison Technology to develop a glove that can transmit signals and virtually manipulate air control systems. In addition, the team is working on an “autonomous bio-infused treatment shirt” that provides biophysical information on its user, including respiratory and pulse rate, to support medical operations in the battlefield.

Other SOFWERX projects currently underway include voice command technology designed to operate with drones.

//
Mitre, State Dept Help Developing Nations Establish Cyber Capacity
Published on
Mitre, State Dept Help Developing Nations Establish Cyber Capacity


Mitre, State Dept Help Developing Nations Establish Cyber Capacity

Mitre has partnered with the State Department in efforts to strengthen the cyber ecosystems of developing countries while strengthening U.S. partnerships with allies as well as its national security.

Mitre said in a press release that it worked with the State Department last year to launch a cyber development initiative with 10 Southeast Asian nations as part of an agreement with the government of Singapore. Under its partnership with the State Department, Mitre collaborated with representatives from partner nations or organizations, conducted qualitative analyses at its McLean, Va. location and submitted a report to the State Department detailing its findings.

“Our approach is fundamentally different from organizations that bring in spot technology solutions or that focus on cybersecurity alone,” said Johanna Vazzana, a lead for the international cyber capacity building team at Mitre. “Our aim is to help nations develop a free, open, reliable, and secure cyberspace that enables their national goals.

In 2016, Mitre developed a National Cyber Strategy Development and Implementation framework for the State Department designed to help nations and organizations build cyber capacity under eight key areas. The framework has so far helped nations such as Ghana, Botswana, Ukraine and Moldova.

//
Army Vet Jonathan Cofer Departs Director Role at DoD
Published on
Army Vet Jonathan Cofer Departs Director Role at DoD


Jonathan Cofer
Jonathan Cofer

Jonathan Cofer, director of the Department of Defense’s Pentagon Force Protection Agency, has vacated his post in a retirement ceremony Monday.

Daniel Walsh, deputy director at PFPA, will assume the role of acting director until a permanent appointment takes place, the department said Tuesday.

Cofer started his career as a member of the U.S. Army and has served at the service branch for over 30 years. Prior to DoD, he led the Defense Information Systems Agency’s Advanced Concepts and Technology Demonstration Division and served as chief of staff of the Defense Security Service.

He also assisted in the creation of the Pentagon Operations Center.

“He had a vision of what PFPA needed to be and the dedication to fight for the resourcing necessary to achieve that vision,” said Lisa Hershman, deputy chief management officer at DoD.

//
Ellen Lord: DoD to Focus on Counter-UAS Tech in 2020
Published on
Ellen Lord: DoD to Focus on Counter-UAS Tech in 2020


Ellen Lord
Ellen Lord

Ellen Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said the Department of Defense intends to prioritize technologies that counter small enemy unmanned aircraft systems, C4ISRnet reported Wednesday.

DoD will streamline efforts into three to five anti-drone systems for department-wide deployment, Lord, who is also a 2019 Wash100 winner, told reporters Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

The undersecretary said this requirement is attributed to observations in the Middle East.

Counter-UAS technologies will be among DoD’s multiple focuses in 2020 along with 5G, intellectual property and industrial base support, she said in a statement posted Tuesday.

“We have just named the Army as the executive agent for counter-UAS within the department,” she added.

/
United Technologies Appoints Members of the Board of Directors for Future Independent Otis; Greg Hayes Quoted
Published on
United Technologies Appoints Members of the Board of Directors for Future Independent Otis; Greg Hayes Quoted


United Technologies Appoints Members of the Board of Directors for Future Independent Otis; Greg Hayes Quoted

United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) (“UTC”) announced on Thursday that Christopher Kearney, currently a member of the UTC Board of Directors, will serve as executive chairman of Otis moving forward. Judy Marks, who was previously appointed president & chief executive officer of Otis, will join the board as will current UTC director Terry McGraw.

The nine-member board will also include independent directors Jeffrey Black, Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, Shailesh Jejurikar, Margaret Preston, Shelley Stewart, Jr. and John Walker.

“I’m pleased to announce this important milestone as we prepare Otis to become an independent public company and continue the company’s industry leadership,” said Greg Hayes, UTC Chairman and CEO.

The new board, which becomes effective upon the completion of Otis’ planned separation from UTC in 2020, is comprised of deeply experienced executives from a diverse range of companies in sectors including high-tech manufacturing, asset management, consumer products, professional services and transportation.

“I want to welcome each new member of the Otis board of directors and express our appreciation to Chris and Terry as they transition to Otis’ board. These directors’ impressive collective experience and expertise will deliver strong governance and support the company’s priority of delivering superior returns to shareowners through economic cycles,” Hayes added.

About United Technologies Corporation

United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries.  By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs.

1 … 1,593 1,594 1,595 1,596 1,597 … 2,602