/
Lockheed Martin Collaborates With Iceye to Integrate ATR Tech
Published on
Lockheed Martin Collaborates With Iceye to Integrate ATR Tech

Lockheed Martin is working with Iceye to integrate automated target recognition, or ATR, technologies into Finland’s military. 

Lockheed will use its artificial intelligence-powered ATR systems alongside Iceye’s synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, imagery satellites, to support Finland’s F-35 tactical aviation program with space-based intelligence and analytics, Space News reported Wednesday. 

Jonathon Brant, Lockheed Martin fellow for artificial intelligence, said the Finnish military would integrate the ATR algorithms into mobile intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Evolution of ATR 

The next evolution of ATR algorithms will involve multi-modal data merging, allowing intelligence analysts to locate adversaries using radar and optical imagery. Brant said the initiative aims to speed up decision-making by providing operational intelligence in real-time. 

“Operators need to increase their speed to decision, and this means delivering information faster,” Brant stated.

Lockheed Martin’s Work With F-35 Fighter Jets

In May, Lockheed also partnered with Maxar Intelligence to scale the purchase and delivery of geospatial products for the F-35 fighter jets simulation platform. Through the agreement, Lockheed aimed to regulate licensing, pricing and requirements for Maxar’s various products. 

Iceye’s Recent Portfolio Growth

Iceye signed a definitive contract in April for a $93 million growth funding round, increasing the company’s total amount raised to $438 million. The microsatellite manufacturer said it would use the funding to enhance investment in SAR satellites and broaden its product portfolio.

//
DIU Taps Software Vendors for Replicator Program Support
Published on
DIU Taps Software Vendors for Replicator Program Support

The Defense Innovation Unit has selected two batches of software developers to support Replicator, a Department of Defense project seeking to advance resilient command and control and collaborative autonomy solutions for all-domain attritable autonomous—a.k.a. ADA2—systems.

Tapped for critical roles in the initiative are Aalyria, Higher Ground, IoT/AI and Viasat, which will deliver opportunistic, resilient and innovative expeditionary network topology capabilities to enhance the resilience of C2 for ADA2 systems. Meanwhile, Anduril Industries, L3Harris Technologies and Swarm Aero will provide solutions to increase swarm drones’ lethality and efficiency under the autonomous collaborative teaming effort, DIU said Wednesday.

DOD Collaboration With the Nontraditional Tech Sector

DIU Director Doug Beck noted that the government is collaborating with companies outside the traditional defense industrial base to acquire commercial software solutions for the DOD modernization efforts.

“DIU is working actively with partners across the department to bring the very best capabilities from the U.S. tech sector to bear in support of our most critical warfighter needs,” he remarked.

Improve Replicator Systems’ Effectiveness

The selected vendors will provide user interfaces, collaborative autonomy architectures and software, and network orchestration to enhance the effectiveness of Replicator systems. The technology will enable the ADA2 systems to link long-haul communications systems to redundant local mesh networks to ensure they can operate as a system of systems in disrupted environments. The combined platforms will then support “heterogeneous collaboration” between various Replicator systems and advance the Pentagon’s increasing embrace of collaborative autonomy.

Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Wash100 Award recipient, stressed that Replicator accelerates the development of U.S. autonomous systems.

Currently, the Replicator initiative prioritizes the delivery of advanced capabilities to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces but the solutions are designed to eventually support the entire joint force.

/
L3Harris, General Dynamics CEOs Added to AIA Board of Governors
Published on
L3Harris, General Dynamics CEOs Added to AIA Board of Governors

U.S. aerospace and defense industry trade organization Aerospace Industries Association announced Wednesday that it has elected Chris Kubasik as chair of its board of governors and Phebe Novakovic as vice chair.

Who Is Chris Kubasik?

Kubasik is the chair and CEO of L3Harris Technologies. He is also a Wash100 Award recipient.

Commenting on his appointment on AIA’s board of governors, Kubasik said, “It’s a privilege to serve as AIA chair,” adding, “The aerospace and defense industry is the center of our nation’s arsenal, and our mission to deliver the most advanced solutions is more important than ever. I look forward to partnering with my industry colleagues, the incoming administration and Congress to harness the ingenuity of our U.S.-based, world-class talent and unleash our industry’s innovative spirit.”

Who Is Phebe Novakovic?

Another Wash100 awardee, Novakovic is the chairman and CEO of General Dynamics. Regarding her appointment on the AIA board of governors, Novakovic said, “I am very pleased to serve AIA and its leadership as we continue our important work together on behalf of the industry.”

Just like Kubasik, the General Dynamics chief executive recognizes the importance of the aerospace and defense industry to U.S. national and economic security. “As the voice of our industry, AIA helps communicate our role in the nation’s economy and defense, providing a forum for industry to share opportunities, best practices and joint challenges,” Novakovic said.

Gratitude & Praise From AIA CEO

For his part, Eric Fanning, who has been reelected as AIA president and CEO, expressed gratitude for Kubasik’s and Novakovic’s willingness to serve on the board of governors.

“Chris’ commitment to innovation and excellence coupled with his grasp of the industry’s complexities will drive our mission forward. Under his stewardship, AIA will successfully navigate these dynamic times and continue to advocate for the policies and investments that ensure the industry’s resilience, security, and prosperity,” Fanning added.

Term Length

The appointments go into effect immediately. Kubasik’s and Novakovic’s terms will last through 2025.

/
Draft Bill to Grant CMMC Tax Credit to Small Businesses
Published on
Draft Bill to Grant CMMC Tax Credit to Small Businesses

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., has introduced a draft measure that would allow small businesses to get a tax credit to help cover the costs of complying with the Department of Defense’s proposed Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

Under the proposed Small Business Cybersecurity Act of 2024, companies with less than 50 employees could apply for a tax credit of up to $50,000 for costs associated with a CMMC assessment and efforts to address cyber gaps identified during those assessments as part of Plans of Actions and Milestones.

According to a person familiar with the draft legislation, the CMMC tax credit could be included in discussions surrounding a tax cut extension that lawmakers are expected to address in 2025.

The source noted that the proposed CMMC credit’s inclusion in the tax bill is still uncertain since DOD has yet to start implementing the cyber certification program.

/
US Government Team Formed to Serve as AI Watchdog
Published on
US Government Team Formed to Serve as AI Watchdog

Technocrats from several cabinet departments and federal agencies will join the Testing Risks of AI for National Security , or TRAINS, taskforce that the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute has formed to boost U.S. leadership in AI and support national security efforts. 

The taskforce members will partner in the identification, measurement and management of issues and concerns on national safety emerging from AI’s rapid advancements, the Department of Commerce said Wednesday.

TRAINS will facilitate synchronized research and validation of advanced AI solutions affecting national security and public welfare in such areas as critical infrastructure and military capacities, the department added.

The taskforce’s creation was announced ahead of Wednesday’s opening of the inaugural convention of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes co-hosted by the Departments of Commerce and State in San Francisco.

TRAINS Taskforce Lineup

The TRAINS taskforce, chaired by the U.S. Safety Institute, is initially composed of representatives from the following:

  • Department of Defense, including the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office and the National Security Agency
  • Department of Energy and 10 of its national laboratories
  • Department of Homeland Security, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency 
  • National Institutes of Health at the Department of Health and Human Services

 

TRAINS membership is expected to grow across the federal government as the taskforce’s work proceeds.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stressed that the taskforce is important in uniting federal resources to address AI’s challenges. “The U.S. AI Safety Institute will continue to lead by centralizing the top-notch national security and AI expertise that exists across government in order to harness the benefits of AI for the betterment of the American people and American business,” she said.

/
DLA to Address Military Supply Challenges
Published on
DLA to Address Military Supply Challenges

The Defense Logistics Agency has revealed its plans to address military supply challenges during a Demand Forecast and Industry Association Leadership Meeting held at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Nov. 18.

The agency said Tuesday more collaboration between DLA and industry — with a focus on transparency and data sharing — is key to tackling military supply challenges. They also stressed the need for industry innovations and capabilities.

DLA’s Strategy to Meet Emerging Threats

DLA emphasized the significance of a new strategy to ensure warfighters are equipped with agile, adaptive and resilient logistics support. The agency noted that the military’s contested logistics efforts used in the past are no longer sufficient given the emergence of new and advanced threats that exist across air, sea, space, cyber and ground domains. 

The agency has been using machine learning, robotics and other advanced tools to forecast demands. It now intends to develop technologies based on artificial intelligence that can enhance the process and accuracy of such forecasts. The aim is to produce innovations that can provide accurate, data-backed demand forecasts while reducing lead times.

Industry partners and DLA are also looking at the potential of additive manufacturing in enhancing logistics support. Through 3D-printing, troops can access the parts they need quickly and more efficiently, potentially contributing to warfighters’ readiness.

Mark Simerly, director of DLA, in addressing leaders of 14 industry associations representing about 5,000 businesses, said, “We will always work closely with the services and the combatant commands to craft solutions, but we’ll never be able to do it with sufficient precision without your actions, your capabilities and your innovation.”

/
DHS Publishes Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-2027
Published on
DHS Publishes Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-2027

The Department of Homeland Security identified six priority missions in its strategic plan for fiscal years 2023 to 2027.

The plan, published Tuesday, also outlined objectives under each mission area to guide DHS components in achieving agency goals and enhance their coordination to ensure their activities are aligned toward desired outcomes.

Mission 1: Counter Terrorism and Prevent Threats

According to DHS, the United States must remain vigilant against all forms of domestic and international terrorism despite significant progress and a diminished terrorist threat to the country, noting that homegrown violent extremists — individuals inspired by the ideologies of foreign terrorist organizations — will remain the most prominent form of international terrorism facing the homeland.

To combat terrorism, the department aims to enhance the collection, analysis and sharing of actionable intelligence and information with local and international partners and adopt emerging technologies and understand how terrorists can use them to threaten national security in preparation for potential attacks.

Mission 2: Secure and Manage Our Borders

DHS has raised concern over a significant increase in irregular migration brought about by violence, food insecurity, severe poverty, corruption, climate change, the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and dire economic conditions. The strategy indicates that transnational criminal organizations are taking advantage of the migratory flows to exploit migrants as part of a billion-dollar criminal enterprise. It highlights the importance of collaboration with law enforcement partners to disrupt the operations of such organizations and arrest the individuals involved.

While the agency tightens security at its air, land, and maritime borders to prevent unlawful entry to the country, it works to expedite legal trade and travel through various agency programs.

Mission 3: Administer the Nation’s Immigration System

Under the mission area, DHS aims to enforce U.S. immigration laws in an effective and humane manner and provide immigration benefits to eligible applicants.

The agency said it is updating the U.S. legal immigration system, which is broken and outdated and brings challenges to immigration law enforcement.

Mission 4: Secure Cyberspace and Critical Infrastructure

Amid increasing cyberthreats, DHS will continue collaborating with government and private sector partners to strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure and federal civilian IT systems.

Objectives under the mission area also include assessing and countering evolving cyber and emerging technology risks and combating cybercrime. The strategy highlights the need to identify and mitigate key emerging technology risks, particularly quantum computing risks in preparation for future threats to existing encryption methods.

Mission 5: Build a Resilient Nation and Respond to Incidents

“Disruptions caused by the global forces of pandemic disease and climate change have given new impetus to building resilience to all hazards and developing new approaches to prepare for, prevent, protect against, mitigate, and if necessary, respond and recover to natural and man-made events,” the strategic plan stated.

DHS’s goals within the mission area include developing a robust response capability that matches the nature of incidents, preparing its entire workforce to execute incident response capabilities and providing communities with access to resources to support recovery after a disaster.

Mission 6: Combat Crimes of Exploitation and Protect Victims

The desired outcome of the mission area is the capability to identify crimes of exploitation and protect victims through expanded education, digital forensic technology, support services and partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, international and private sector partners.

According to DHS, the increasing crimes of exploitation, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse, human trafficking and labor exploitation, threaten the U.S. physical and virtual borders, immigration and customs systems, and national security.

/
Gillian Bussey Joins Space Force as Deputy Chief Science Officer
Published on
Gillian Bussey Joins Space Force as Deputy Chief Science Officer

The U.S. Space Force has appointed Gillian Bussey, a federal science and technology leader, as deputy chief science officer.

In a LinkedIn post published Tuesday, Bussey said she will serve as deputy to USSF Chief Science Officer Stacie Williams.

According to her profile on the professional networking platform, Bussey most recently worked as an analyst at the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, or CAPE. In this capacity, she was the lead analyst for science and technology issues.

She also served as a special assistant to the U.S. Air Force’s chief scientist and provided advice on hypersonics, nuclear modernization, directed energy and other technical matters. 

The former CIA weapons analyst spent nearly four years within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, where she served as director of the Joint Hypersonics Transition Office.

//
Defense Health Agency Issues RFI for MHS GENESIS
Published on
Defense Health Agency Issues RFI for MHS GENESIS

The Defense Health Agency is gathering information for the Program Executive Office for Defense Healthcare Management, or PEO DHMS, on possible approaches to creating and maintaining documentation for environments with multiple vendors.

According to the request for information posted on SAM.gov Tuesday, DHA is seeking industry input on technologies that can be utilized for technical documentation supporting MHS GENESIS.

The potential project is intended to address the lack of sustainment processes and internal interface configurations of the MHS GENESIS system documentation. Architecture artifacts, system/sub-system design documents and other technical documentation will also have to be revised for parties outside the government and prime contractor to understand them.

What Is MHS GENESIS?

MHS GENESIS is an electronic health record, or EHR, system being implemented by the Department of Defense, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserve Components, United States Military Entrance Processing Command and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency and the National Security Agency.

The all-in-one recording system is designed to enhance the quality of healthcare by modernizing clinical and business processes. The standardized system is intended for the creation of a single record of care for each patient, which should help the military health system provide quality and efficient healthcare.

Potomac Officers Club presents the 2024 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 11. Register now to explore the transformative trends and innovations shaping the future of the healthcare sector.

Defense Health Agency Issues RFI for MHS GENESIS
/
OIRA Takes Steps to Modernize Regulatory Comment Process
Published on
OIRA Takes Steps to Modernize Regulatory Comment Process

The Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has initiated steps to address mass, computer-generated and falsely attributed comments that were submitted in response to requests for public input on proposed regulations.

In a blog post published Tuesday, OIRA Administrator Richard Revesz wrote that his office has worked with the General Services Administration to better handle mass comments.

“These include, for example, a deduplication tool that one agency used to distill from 300,000 comments on a proposed rule a much more manageable set of 30,000 distinct comments,” Revesz noted.

How OIRA Is Solving the Problem

To manage computer-generated comments, OIRA has collaborated with GSA to implement additional checks at the comment submission system’s front end to protect the system from potential abuse.

When it comes to falsely attributed comments, the OIRA chief stated that the agency has established an interagency technical working group to share tips and best practices on how to manage comments in an effective manner.

“This working group regularly brings together dozens of regulatory professionals across many different agencies to ensure that issues like falsely-attributed comments can be addressed as new challenges develop,” Revesz added.

In December 2023, OIRA issued new guidance to facilitate greater public engagement in its regulatory review process.

1 … 162 163 164 165 166 … 2,619