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NUWC Keyport Unveils Future Capabilities Office
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NUWC Keyport Unveils Future Capabilities Office

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport has launched its Future Capabilities Office to address gaps in warfighter capabilities.

The Naval Sea Systems Command said Friday the FCO is a department-level organization that will be responsible for developing innovations that meet the critical needs of warfighters. These include weapons delivery, fleet sustainment and subsea warfare.

How the FCO Will Work

The FCO integrates the NUWC Division, Keyport’s science and technology portfolio, warfighter and fleet support portfolio, special projects team, and on-site representative field team. This combination will focus on emerging technologies and experimental demonstrations.

The office, composed of a small core staff, will function as an incubator for innovative ideas and technologies. It will tap into different resources, including industry experts, academic researchers, students or hire through contract vehicles, for personnel and support.

The FCO will collaborate with partners across the Navy’s research and development enterprise, industry and academia to identify projects with potential, develop them and transition them to other departments, industry partners or organizations for further development.

Scott Shimizu, department head of the FCO, stated, “The idea is to bring projects in and transition them out, look at new technologies and explore different possible solutions to meet warfighter capability gaps. The FCO will serve as a vetting process for future work while also addressing near-term warfighter needs.”

Register now to join the Potomac Officers Club at the 2025 Defense R&D Summit and engage in thought-provoking discussions, gain firsthand insights from key defense technology players and forge valuable connections at this day-long summit.

NUWC Keyport Unveils Future Capabilities Office
President-Elect Donald Trump Reveals Additional Cabinet Picks
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President-Elect Donald Trump Reveals Additional Cabinet Picks

Following Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election, he has not shied away from revealing who he wants to fill his cabinet once he’s back in the White House.

Cabinet nominees range from household names like Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, who was picked to serve as a leader of a newly created Department of Government Efficiency, to U.S. legislators like South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who was selected to oversee the Department of Homeland Security as the potential secretary of the agency.

With Republicans now holding a majority of the Senate and the House of Representatives, it is expected that many of the President-elect’s cabinet picks are likely to be confirmed, CBS News reported Thursday.

Additional Cabinet Nominees

Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz has been nominated as Trump’s attorney general for his upcoming administration. Until resigning on Nov. 13 due to the announcement, Gaetz served as the U.S. representative for Florida’s first congressional district, where he was set to serve another term after defeating opponent Gay Valimont in the Nov. 5 election.

“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department,” Trump noted in a statement.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy was unveiled as Trump’s choice to oversee the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as secretary. In this role, the president-elect said he believes Kennedy will challenge “industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation and disinformation.”

Kennedy has said he will combat an “epidemic” of chronic diseases and reportedly feels that some drug and food companies are to blame for the increased amount of ailments throughout the nation.

Learn more about the future of the healthcare industry at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 11. Secure your ticket to the 2024 Healthcare Summit before it’s too late. 

Marco Rubio

Trump has tapped Florida Senator Marco Rubio to serve as secretary of state in his next administration. Rubio is widely considered a foreign policy hawk, having challenged China and Iran on several geopolitical issues.

Currently serving as the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio has extensive experience dealing with international adversaries and allies.

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DIU Leads DOD Personnel Data Protection Initiative
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DIU Leads DOD Personnel Data Protection Initiative

The Defense Innovation Unit has issued commercial vendor success memos in recognition of the companies that developed prototypes for technologies that safeguard the data of Department of Defense personnel, as part of the Enhanced Protection of Information Capabilities, or EPIC, project.

DIU said Thursday four companies were selected to tackle different aspects of the EPIC project. Kinetic Data and Grey Market Labs are working on automating complex data administration and workflow processes. They will also address data protection and digital identity management workflow automation challenges.

Ridgeline International is focused on quantifying and analyzing the “digital exhaust” or digital footprints of organizations. Its work involves detecting threats and mitigating risks through specialized workforce training. Gnosko Associates also offered specialized training that enabled DOD personnel to understand personal digital signature management, technical surveillance threats and secure communication tactics.

EPIC Project

The EPIC project was launched in 2022 in partnership with the U.S. Army with the goal of protecting the digital data of service members throughout their careers. It aims to address challenges in digital fingerprint security gaps.

EPIC received an Authority-to-Operate from the DOD for its management system in under two years. The ATO means the prototype can continue to function within the mission partner’s digital suite.

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DHS Publishes AI Use Guide for Critical Infrastructure
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DHS Publishes AI Use Guide for Critical Infrastructure

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a set of recommendations for critical infrastructure operators to ensure the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence tools. The Roles and Responsibilities Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Critical Infrastructure is a resource designed for each layer of the AI supply chain, from digital services providers to public sector organizations, DHS said Thursday. 

The framework recognizes that more critical infrastructure operators are deploying AI tools to ensure reliability, boost efficiency and improve services. Among the most common uses of the emerging technology in the sector is to quickly detect earthquakes and predict aftershocks. 

“AI offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the strength and resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure, and we must seize it while minimizing its potential harms,” commented Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of Homeland Security and a Wash100 awardee. 

“The choices organizations and individuals involved in creating AI make today will determine the impact this technology will have in our critical infrastructure tomorrow,” he added.

Mitigating AI Risks

The framework identifies three categories of AI vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure: AI-powered attacks, attacks targeting AI systems and AI design or implementation failures. 

For critical infrastructure owners and operators, the document recommends adopting cybersecurity practices and protecting consumer data when deploying AI. DHS also encourages organizations to maintain transparency whenever the emerging technology is employed to deliver goods or services. 

In addition, the framework calls for active monitoring of systems performance and cooperation between developers and critical infrastructure operators to understand the real-world outcomes of AI. 

Evolving Government Guidelines

In a recent interview, Mayorkas told reporters that the guideline would be a living document that would change depending on industry developments. It might also evolve based on new policies.

When asked how the recent presidential election results will affect the framework, Mayorkas stressed that the guideline implements policies under the current administration. He noted that the president-elect will decide “what policies to promulgate and implement.”

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SwRI Secures $60M NASA Space Weather Program Contract
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SwRI Secures $60M NASA Space Weather Program Contract

The Southwest Research Institute, a nonprofit applied research and development organization, has booked a $60 million contract with NASA to build critical components for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Next program.

Expectations of the NASA Contract

The San Antonio, Texas-based organization said Thursday the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract covers the development of three coronagraphs for the Lagrange 1 Series project. SwRI will execute the design, analysis, development and fabrication of the instruments. The contract also covers integration, testing, verification and evaluation of the coronagraphs.

SwRI will also provide launch support, supply and maintenance of ground support equipment and post-launch instrument operations support at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility.

The project will be conducted at the SwRI facility in San Antonio. It will run from November 2024 to January 2034. Two of the coronagraphs will be launched aboard a NOAA spacecraft while the third one will serve as flight spare. The launch of the second coronagraph marks the end of the contract.

What Are Coronagraphs?

Coronagraphs are instruments utilized by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center to gather critical data necessary for making forecasts, warnings and alerts. These instruments monitor the sun’s outer atmosphere and detect coronal mass ejections directed toward Earth. This allows early warnings for geomagnetic storms and gives time for public and private entities to protect their assets.

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ARPA-E Seeks to Accelerate Industrial Catalyst Development
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ARPA-E Seeks to Accelerate Industrial Catalyst Development

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy recently announced a new program called Catalytic Application Testing for Accelerated Learning Chemistries via High-throughput Experimentation and Modeling Efficiently, or CATALCHEM-E.

Objective of CATALCHEM-E

The program seeks to create workflows that accelerate the discovery and development of industrial catalysts, which have historically required sophisticated and time-intensive processes, ARPA-E said Thursday. Catalysts are a kind of substance used to transform raw materials into various commodities, including aviation fuel.

Innovation Using AI, Automation

To achieve its goal, the program intends to use artificial intelligence and machine learning in tandem with high throughput experimentation platforms like autonomous laboratories. The target is to bring down the time it takes to produce new catalyst materials from 10 to 15 years to 12 to 18 months.

Notice of Funding Opportunity

ARPA-E has issued a notice of funding opportunity for CATALCHEM-E. $35 million is being allocated for the effort. Interested parties have until Dec. 17 to submit concept papers.

The full application submission deadline has yet to be determined.

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DOD Selects Last Awardees for $60M Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program
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DOD Selects Last Awardees for $60M Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program

The Department of Defense has selected the last nine awardees for the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program, which aims to boost U.S. bioeconomic strengths and help the DOD generate more sophisticated defense capabilities.

The chosen bioindustrial companies include Amyris, Cauldron Molecules, Checkerspot, DSM Nutritional Products, EVERY Company, The Fynder Group, Liberation Labs, Perfect Day and Solugen. They will receive funding to develop business and technical plans for building domestic bioindustrial manufacturing production facilities, the DOD said Thursday.

Preparing for New Industrial Revolution

According to Heidi Shyu, the under secretary of research and engineering at the DOD, the selected firms will advance the U.S. objective of establishing a network of large-scale production facilities to fortify the country’s chemical supply chain and prepare the U.S. bioeconomy for expansion. “The next industrial revolution will be a biomanufacturing revolution,” the Wash100 Award recipient noted.

Bioindustrial Manufacturing Facilities

Under the program, the companies will submit proposals under the Defense Industrial Base Consortium other transaction agreement, a contract vehicle supervised by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. Following evaluation, the proposed projects could receive up to $100 million in funding to construct bioindustrial manufacturing facilities in the United States.

The latest awardees will join the 25 companies selected earlier for the initial stage of DBIMP investment worth more than $60 million.

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USSF Launches Space Strategic Technology Institutes
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USSF Launches Space Strategic Technology Institutes

The U.S. Space Force has launched the Space Strategic Technology Institutes, dubbed SSTIs, and is seeking industry input on organizations interested in participating in the initiative.

Space Force’s Request for Information

According to a notice issued on SAM.gov, the SSTIs are part of efforts of the In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing National Strategy to tackle challenges in space science and technology through a network of partnered universities.

The USSF posted a request for information to identify universities and other organizations that will collaborate and conduct joint applied research as part of the SSTI. At least two cooperative agreements will be awarded by the military branch. However, the USSF may decide to make a single award or none at all.

Goals of Partnership

The selected organizations will conduct research focused on developing transformational space domain technologies with the goal of enhancing capabilities that can be leveraged for future USSF and government space capabilities.

The SSTIs will prioritize research and development that will create testbeds, high fidelity modeling and simulations, demonstrations and prototypes. They should develop scalable technologies that can be transitioned to to higher readiness levels during the course of the potential contract.

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Defense R&D Summit and gain firsthand insights from leading defense researchers, experts and decision-makers. Register now!

USSF Launches Space Strategic Technology Institutes
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New NRL Robotics Suite to Service Orbiting Satellites
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New NRL Robotics Suite to Service Orbiting Satellites

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Naval Center for Space Technology has finished developing an advanced robotics suite that can service orbiting satellites.

Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites Integrated Robotic Payload aims to advance efforts to design, build, integrate and test new satellite servicing capabilities, the U.S. Navy said Thursday.

Advanced Space Capability

According to Bernie Kelm, head of the spacecraft engineering division at NRL NCST, the RSGS program involves the creation of spaceflight hardware and software to improve satellite servicing operations. He added that the new space capability will support inspection, orbital adjustment, hardware upgrade and repair of commercial and government satellites to extend their service life.

Repairing and Upgrading Space Assets

If successful, the program would allow the U.S. government to repair and upgrade satellites in deployment, leading to significant savings. Glen Henshaw, a senior scientist for robotics and autonomous systems at NRL, noted that RSGS will demonstrate that expensive U.S. space assets can be serviced using capable robots.

NRL recently completed the thermal vacuum testing phase of the robotic payload, which involved exposure to on-orbit temperature and vacuum conditions similar to space. During the testing process, engineers checked the payload’s key components and verified its operational and communication functions and robotic compliance.

The payload was delivered to Northrop Grumman for integration with its Mission Robotics Vehicle. After its scheduled 2026 launch on the MRV spacecraft bus, the suite will go through initial checkout and calibration in preparation for operational servicing missions.

National Security and Civil Applications

The robotic payload will ideally enable the RSGS program to realize its vision of transforming satellite operations in geostationary orbit, reducing costs for satellite operators and enabling new capabilities for national security and civil applications, NRL Director of Research Bruce Danly said.

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FAA Forming Committee to Weigh on Part 450 Licensing Rule Update
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FAA Forming Committee to Weigh on Part 450 Licensing Rule Update

The Federal Aviation Administration will establish a committee that will perform spaceflight-related studies to recommend changes to the Part 450 launch and reentry licensing rule.

Members of the commercial space industry and academia are invited to join the Aerospace Rulemaking Committee, with the group’s initial meeting expected to be held in the first week of December, the FAA said Thursday.

The committee will focus on flight safety analyses, system safety and means of compliance, among other topics, and submit a report on its recommended Part 450 rule changes by late summer 2025 to inform the agency’s future rulemaking actions.

According to Kelvin Coleman, FAA associate administrator for commercial space transportation, updating the licensing rule will foster more clarity, flexibility, efficiency and innovation and ensure licensing decisions will not compromise public safety.

Increasing Commercial Space Operations

The planned update comes as the FAA reported granting licenses to 148 commercial space operations in fiscal year 2024, up more than 30 percent compared to FY 2023. By FY 2028, the agency expects to issue permits to more than twice the current number of licensed spaceflights. 

The FAA is also working to improve its internal processes through other projects, including exploring tools that can automate license application submission and evaluation.

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