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Senate Bills Seek Enhanced Defense Quantum Tech Development
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Senate Bills Seek Enhanced Defense Quantum Tech Development

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., has co-introduced new bills to boost the development, manufacturing and defense applications of quantum technology in the United States.

The new legislation includes the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act with Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., the Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act with Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., and the Advancing Quantum Manufacturing Act with Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., according to a Thursday press release from Blackburn’s office.

Quantum Development Road Map

In her statement, Blackburn said the proposed laws would provide a road map for quantum development, encourage innovation and enable DOD to create quantum capabilities for national security applications. “I look forward to working with the (Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation) to pass these bills and reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative,” the senator added.

Defense Quantum Tech Testbed

Under the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act, DOD would be authorized to establish a framework that would optimize its strategy to develop and transition quantum technology. The bill would set up a defense quantum technology testbed, enabling the Defense Innovation Unit to transition near-term quantum capabilities.

The Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act would start a public-private partnership for near-term quantum application development and acceleration. The Advancing Quantum Manufacturing Act would stand up a Manufacturing USA Institute for Quantum Manufacturing and enhance coordination between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation for quantum development activities.

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Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Names New Director
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Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Names New Director

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory has selected Dave Van Wie as its next director. Van Wie will replace Ralph Semmel, who is stepping down after over 14 years in the role, APL announced Friday. 

Van Wie’s appointment takes effect on July 14. 

Get to Know APL’s New Director

Van Wie currently serves as sector head for air and missile defense at the research center, a role he has held since January 2019. He oversaw programs related to defending against air and missile threats. 

Before he was appointed sector head, Van Wie led APL’s development of advanced capabilities for precision strike missions. He was in charge of programs related to hypersonic systems, electromagnetic spectrum dominance, and long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. 

Van Wie joined APL in 1983. 

“Dave is a distinguished leader and scholar whose groundbreaking contributions to aerospace engineering and national defense have significantly advanced our nation’s security,” commented Heather Miller, chair of the APL board of managers. “His unparalleled expertise, coupled with his dedication to innovation and education, will serve him well as the next director, following the visionary leadership of Ralph Semmel.” 

Ralph Semmel Concludes 14-Year Term

Semmel was the eighth director of APL, which was founded in 1942. In the role, he led over 9,000 staff members and oversaw research and development programs in support of DOD, intelligence community and NASA missions. 

During Semmel’s tenure, APL supported scientific explorations of the sun and Pluto and the world’s first planetary defense mission to redirect an asteroid. It also supported advanced mind-controlled prosthetics, assured AI and autonomous systems, and biothreat defense technologies.

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NRO Launches NROL-192 Mission to Enhance ISR Capabilities
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NRO Launches NROL-192 Mission to Enhance ISR Capabilities

The National Reconnaissance Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Space Force Launch Delta 30 and SpaceX, launched the NROL-192 mission on April 12.

The agency said Saturday the NROL-192 mission was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Space Launch Complex-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. 

What Is the NROL-192 Mission?

NROL-192 is the NRO’s ninth proliferated architecture mission overall and the third in 2025. These NROL missions are intended to support the agency’s goals of developing and deploying reconnaissance satellites to enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the U.S. government.

The recent launch aligns with the NRO’s objectives of rapidly deploying its proliferated constellation to accelerate support to intelligence analysts, warfighters, policymakers and first responders. The constellation of satellites, numbering over 150 units, aims to enable core users to obtain critical data to make quick and accurate decisions. 

The NRO intends to deploy 12 satellites this year, half of which will prioritize the advancement of the agency’s proliferated architecture. More proliferated missions are expected to be launched through 2029.

The agency has been providing ISR capabilities and other needs of its partners in the intelligence, military, civil and allied sectors for over six decades. The NRO intends to continue the development and deployment of advanced systems to provide its partners with timely and rapid delivery of the right data.

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DOJ Takes Steps to Implement Data Security Program
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DOJ Takes Steps to Implement Data Security Program

The Department of Justice has released new guidance, frequently asked questions and an enforcement policy to facilitate the implementation of a national security program that seeks to prevent foreign adversaries from accessing and exploiting U.S. government-related data and bulk sensitive personal data.

DOJ said Friday the National Security Division, or NSD, implements the Data Security Program to prevent Russia, China, Iran and other countries of concern from gaining access to U.S. government data and Americans’ sensitive personal information. This is to prevent them from conducting surveillance and counterintelligence, building AI and military capabilities and performing espionage and other activities that undermine U.S. national security.

The DOJ in December issued a final rule to implement a regulatory program aimed at addressing potential national security threats resulting from foreign adversaries’ malicious use of sensitive data. This was part of the department’s compliance with an executive order.

Data Security Program Compliance Guide

The compliance guide describes best practices for complying with the Data Security Program, which took effect on April 8. It offers guidance on key definitions and the requirements for establishing a robust data compliance program.

The document also offers information on prohibited and restricted transactions, provides model contractual language and recommends best practices for complying with the program’s recordkeeping and audit requirements.

Meanwhile, the FAQs provide information on processes for requesting licenses and advisory opinions, reporting rejected transactions and disclosing program violations.

Implementation & Enforcement Policy

Under the implementation and enforcement policy, NSD will not prioritize civil enforcement actions against any individual for violations of the Data Security Program that occur from April through July 8, provided that the person engages in efforts to comply with the program. NSD expects individuals and entities to be in full compliance with the program at the end of the 90-day period.

The policy also delays certain affirmative due-diligence obligations, which do not go into effect until Oct. 6, to provide entities and individuals more time to comply with the program.

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Gen. Stephen Whiting on US Space Command’s ‘Elements of Victory’
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Gen. Stephen Whiting on US Space Command’s ‘Elements of Victory’

Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command and a previous Wash100 awardee, discussed at a symposium the five principles of USSPACECOM’s “Elements of Victory,” which he said could help deter adversaries and achieve warfighting advantage in space.

During his keynote at the Space Symposium, Whiting said those five principles are: operating through a first strike; transitioning from crisis to conflict; integrating and synchronizing joint, interagency, allied and commercial effects; deploying, regenerating and reconstituting space forces; and achieving space superiority. He described the “Elements of Victory” as “our best military judgement for what we need to win in a conflict … informed by lessons learned in other domains, from the best thinking across our Joint Force, exercises, and modeling and simulation.” 

Support for Golden Dome Development 

In his remarks, Whiting said USSPACECOM is supporting the development of a missile defense shield, called Golden Dome, in accordance with President Donald Trump’s executive order.

“Space will be foundational to the success of the Golden Dome,” the general said. “USSPACECOM is partnering with U.S. Northern Command, Missile Defense Agency, the Space Force and other stakeholders to write an initial capabilities document aimed at defining the capabilities-based requirements that the Golden Dome architecture will need.”

Multinational Force-Operation Olympic Defender

The commander announced that Multinational Force-Operation Olympic Defender had reached initial operating capability with seven member countries – the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand and the U.K.

“We are definitely better together when we operate with these partner nations in space,” Whiting noted.

Achieving Space Superiority

The general also highlighted the command’s efforts to ensure space superiority, particularly the development of improved space domain awareness, or SDA, capabilities.

“To help field better SDA capability more quickly, USSPACECOM supported a strategic funding increase from the Air Force Research Lab, through SpaceWERX and AFWERX, which will result in LeoLabs deploying a next-generation Seeker-class Ultra High Frequency radar site in the Indo-Pacific region,” Whiting said.

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Executive Order Seeks to Revitalize Maritime Industrial Base
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Executive Order Seeks to Revitalize Maritime Industrial Base

The White House said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the development of a maritime action plan. The goal is to revitalize the U.S. maritime industrial base and workforce as part of a push to restore the country’s maritime dominance and promote national security and economic prosperity.

Maritime Action Plan

Under the EO, the assistant to the president for national security affairs should coordinate with the secretaries and heads of federal agencies to submit the plan to the president within 120 days. The director of the Office of Management and Budget will be responsible for all regulatory, legislative and fiscal assessments related to the action plan.

Defense Production Act Title III Authorities

The new policy directs the defense secretary to provide the APNSA and OMB director an assessment of options regarding the use of Defense Production Act Title III authorities and private capital to expand and invest in the industrial base. This should include the expansion of component supply chains, port infrastructure, and defense and commercial shipbuilding capabilities.

The secretary of defense should also identify key maritime components in the supply chain necessary for rebuilding and broadening the industrial base and ensure that recommendations take into consideration several factors. These should include the projected increases to commercial and defense capabilities, the projected benefits to the workforce and taxpayers and the projected growth in economic activity.

Maritime Security Trust Fund

In addition to the establishment of a financial incentives program for shipbuilding, the EO calls for the OMB director to develop a legislative proposal to advance the creation of a maritime security trust fund that could serve as a funding source to provide support for Maritime Action Plan programs. The legislative proposal should consider how tariff revenue, fees, fines or tax revenue could help establish a dedicated funding source for the plan’s programs.

The order also requires the establishment of maritime prosperity zones, identification of maritime industry needs, modernization of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the development of a strategy to help secure Arctic waterways.

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GSA-Google Agreement to Cut Federal Agencies’ Google Workspace Fees
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GSA-Google Agreement to Cut Federal Agencies’ Google Workspace Fees

Google will offer a 71 percent temporary price discount to all U.S. federal agencies using its Workspace business software through the Multiple Award Schedules Program. According to a General Services Administration announcement Thursday, the price reduction follows the agency’s strategic partnership agreement with Google to set Workspace pricing based on the transaction volume for the whole U.S. government instead of discounts based on an individual agency-by-agency, or per-contract, basis. 

Topnotch Service at Lower Cost 

Josh Gruenbaum, GSA federal acquisition service commissioner and a 2025 Wash100 Award winner, said the discount shows Google’s readiness in serving federal customers as a “single, unified customer” under an enterprise-level pricing can benefit every federal agency. He added that the strategic partnership agreement with Google “marks a milestone in GSA’s ongoing initiatives to lower IT costs, enhance IT acquisition efficiency, optimize collaboration tools and strengthen cybersecurity across agencies.”

Karen Dahut, Google Public Sector CEO and also a Wash100 awardee, conveyed the company’s eagerness in forging the agreement, saying that lower costs “can go hand-in-hand” with improved performance. “GSA’s ‘One-Customer’ approach will help modernize IT procurement and we are proud to offer the potential of billions (of dollars) in savings to federal agencies,” she added.

Google Workspace Agreement Details

The Google Workspace agreement could potentially generate up to $2 billion in savings for the federal government over the next three years, according to a Friday blog post by Tony Orlando, Google Public Sector’s specialty sales general manager.

“By working closely with industry leaders like Google, we will continue to lower the cost of IT while providing improved experiences for the American taxpayers and the federal government,” said Stephen Ehikian, acting GSA administrator. 

The temporary Workspace discount is effective until Sept. 30 and GSA’s Information Technology Vendor Management Office and Google are looking into the expansion of competitive pricing for Google Cloud Platform services.

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DOD Selects Eight Vendors to Demo Safe Nuclear Power
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DOD Selects Eight Vendors to Demo Safe Nuclear Power

The Department of Defense has selected eight companies to demonstrate their ability to deliver safe and secure nuclear power under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations, or ANPI, program.

The chosen vendors are also eligible to receive other transaction awards to deliver commercial dual-use microreactor technology at DOD installations, the Defense Innovation Unit said Thursday. The effort will advance the ANPI program, which aims to build on-site microreactor nuclear power systems to support global military operations across land, air, sea, space and cyberspace.

Safeguarding US National Security

ANPI will deliver the needed technology that will help the United States maintain its nuclear advantage and safeguard the country’s national security, according to Andrew Higier, energy portfolio director at DIU. “Microreactors on installations are a critical first step in delivering energy dominance to the force. Tapping into the commercial sector’s rapid advancements in this area is critical due to the significant private investment in this space over the last few years,” he explained.

Achieving Mission Readiness Through Energy Resilience

The selected companies include Antares Nuclear, BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Kairos Power, Oklo, Radiant Industries, Westinghouse Government Services and X-Energy. Their work will be guided by the following ANPI objectives: providing mission readiness through energy resilience, deploying nuclear power to support installation readiness goals and empower warfighters, building a scalable microreactor system to deliver electrical power for all critical loads and enabling the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to stimulate commercial nuclear microreactor technology development.

Under ANPI, the DIU, the Army and the Air Force are working together to design, build and operate microreactor nuclear power plants on military installations.

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Air Force Publishes Resource to Equip Airmen With Fundamental AI Understanding
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Air Force Publishes Resource to Equip Airmen With Fundamental AI Understanding

The U.S. Air Force has published a new resource to guide airmen amid the growing use of artificial intelligence for national defense. Published Thursday, Air Force Doctrine Note 25-1 provides service members guidance on AI, including its benefits and limits. 

The doctrine supports previously issued USAF and DOD AI strategies. According to the Air Force, Doctrine Note 25-1 is meant to bridge existing policies and upcoming operational needs. 

The document was developed using various sources, including joint and service policy and strategies, academic and industry papers, public law, and input from subject matter experts. 

Air Force’s Guidance for AI Implementation

One of the sections covered in the doctrine is a discussion on human-machine teaming. According to the document, AI will augment airman performance and will be involved in executing Air Force objectives. 

AI can accelerate and enhance operational decisions by quickly processing large troves of data. But the doctrine also warns that advanced technology does not have context sensitivity and reasoning. For some AI-enabled processes, especially in high-risk situations, human judgment will be required. 

Considerations Before Employing AI

The doctrine also provides a guide for assessing when and how to employ AI to solve Air Force challenges. The section emphasized the importance of data quality to ensure effective use of the technology. Doctrine Note 25-1 warned that the performance of an AI platform hinges on the quality of the data used for training and testing. 

The doctrine also noted that workforce and subject matter experts must also be considered. AI literacy goes beyond just basic understanding of the technology. The document encourages military leaders to recruit, develop and incentivize experts who can build, operate and lead the deployment of AI.

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Census Bureau CIO Luis Cano Announces Retirement
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Census Bureau CIO Luis Cano Announces Retirement

Luis Cano, the U.S. Census Bureau’s chief information officer, is retiring after more than 40 years of federal service.

In a LinkedIn post announcing his retirement, Cano said he will step down from his post on April 30. He also expressed his gratitude to the people he has worked with.

“As I move forward, I’m excited to explore new possibilities and continue to contribute in meaningful ways. I might be retiring, but I’m far from finished—there’s still plenty more I want to accomplish. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey,” Cano said.

Luis Cano’s Career History

As CIO, Cano oversees the procurement of secure technologies for the Census Bureau’s programs and surveys and leads efforts to modernize the CIO office’s workforce.

Prior to becoming CIO in 2021, he was head of the Decennial Contracts Execution Office for the 2020 Census.

The U.S. Navy veteran helped establish the Office of Dissemination within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service and served as program manager of NOAA’s Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System.

The senior civil service executive has both a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science and a master’s degree in technology management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

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