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SSC Establishes System Delta 831 to Enhance PNT Capabilities
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SSC logo. The Space Systems Command formally stood up System Delta 831, or SYD 831.

The Space Systems Command formally stood up System Delta 831, or SYD 831, during an assumption-of-command ceremony on Oct. 2 at the Los Angeles Air Force Base.

What Is SYD 831?

SYD 831 is a new organization supporting the Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation and Timing Program Executive Office by consolidating the development, acquisition and delivery of NAVWAR and PNT capabilities for the U.S. Space Force and joint forces, SSC said Thursday.

What Is SYD 831’s Mission?

It complements combat force command mission deltas, which sustain space systems, to consolidate overall mission readiness. Current SSC acquisition deltas are reorganized into SYDs aligned with mission deltas, or MDs, for mission generation, intelligence and cyber defense. This structure improves coordination, readiness, and unity of effort. Additional SYDs are planned to synchronize the acquisition of new space capabilities.

System program directors, formerly senior materiel leaders, will oversee PNT and NAVWAR systems, while system program managers, formerly materiel leaders, will advance and deploy advanced Global Positioning System satellites and user equipment.

Who Will Lead System Delta 831?

Col. Neil Barnas assumed command of SYD 831 during the ceremony presided over by SSC Commander Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant. According to Barnas, GPS and navigation warfare, or the ability to assure PNT capabilities, are critical to the economy, transportation networks and warfare.

“SYD 831 brings together the elements of capability development – program management, engineering, intelligence, logistics, finance, and contracting — under a single organization that is laser focused on delivering the gold standard of PNT capabilities,” said Barnas.

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DOE Seeks Input on Partnerships for Transformational AI Models
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Artificial intelligence. DOE seeks input on a plan to establish a consortium to curate scientific data for use in AI models.

The Department of Energy has issued a request for information to explore the formation of a public-private consortium focused on curating scientific data from national laboratories for artificial intelligence applications. 

DOE Seeks Input on Partnerships for Transformational AI Models

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According to the RFI published Thursday on SAM.gov, DOE also expects the consortium to develop self-improving AI models for science and engineering and make them available to the scientific community through government, private sector and academic programs and infrastructure, including the use of cloud platforms. The move is part of the department’s effort to harness AI for scientific discovery, energy innovation and national security.

What Input Is DOE Seeking About the AI-Focused Consortium?

DOE is requesting feedback from businesses, research organizations, think tanks and investors on how to best structure partnerships between national labs and industry. 

Stakeholders are asked to provide input on data curation, privacy-preserving AI methods and the integration of general-purpose AI models with scientific datasets. The RFI also seeks guidance on identifying data modalities, evaluating AI model performance and determining the best mechanisms for cloud-based distribution of AI models to drive innovation.

DOE wants advice on governance, intellectual property rights and the use of the other transaction authority to promote innovation while protecting U.S. research, technology and manufacturing interests. The department is also seeking input from stakeholders on lessons learned from existing AI consortia and less-traditional award structures that could inform the development of the consortium effort.

Responses are due Jan. 14.

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Navy Launches Innovation Adoption Kit to Advance Tech Integration
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Department of the Navy seal. DON introduced the Innovation Adoption Kit to help commanders evaluate and scale technologies.

The Department of the Navy has unveiled the Innovation Adoption Kit, or IAK, a framework designed to help commanders and program managers evaluate, implement and scale innovative technologies across the DON enterprise. 

Navy Launches Innovation Adoption Kit to Advance Tech Integration

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What Is the Purpose of DON’s Innovation Adoption Kit?

In a memo published in October, the Office of the DON Chief Information Officer said the IAK aims to bridge the gap between emerging commercial innovations and mission-ready capabilities, providing practical methods for transitioning from pilot projects to programs.

According to the memo, the IAK provides a unified framework that advances IT modernization while systematically identifying technologies for divestment.

What Is the Investment Horizons Framework?

A central component of the IAK is the Investment Horizons framework, which helps users evaluate the technology’s lifecycle, drive innovation and encourage divestment.

The framework consists of Horizon 3: Evaluating; Horizon 2: Emerging; Horizon 1: Scaled Production; and Horizon 0: Retiring.

What Are World-Class Alignment Metrics?

The IAK emphasizes the use of World-Class Alignment Metrics, or WAMs, to help assess IT investment and performance by linking data to mission outcomes. WAMs aim to increase effectiveness across the Navy and Marine Corps through a data-driven approach to evaluating success.

According to the memo, WAMs enable data-driven decisions through five outcome-driven metrics: time lost, customer satisfaction, operational resilience, adaptability/mobility and cost per user.

What Are DON’s Implementation Best Practices? 

The document outlines several best practices for implementing the IAK. According to the memo, the commands should consider establishing cross-functional innovation adoption teams that include acquisition, technical and operational stakeholders. 

Another best practice is using Investment Horizons Charts to identify Horizon 3 capabilities that align with Modern Service Delivery, or MSD, design concepts and priority tech areas, and are prioritized by WAM data.

Stakeholders should also advance technologies through structured piloting when they meet MSD compliance.

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CISA, FBI, Partners Issue Updated Guidance Against Akira Ransomware Threat
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CISA logo. CISA, FBI and international partners have issued updated guidance against the Akira ransomware.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI, other U.S. agencies and international partners have issued new guidance identifying new methods used by the Akira ransomware group and how to defend against them.

What Does the CISA Guidance Against Akira Ransomware Include?

The joint advisory provides indicators of compromise and common tactics, techniques and procedures, allowing IT teams to identify Akira ransomware activity and protect their networks, CISA said Thursday. The update is part of CISA and the FBI’s ongoing efforts to combat ransomware.

CISA and the FBI are urging organizations to act quickly by backing up critical data regularly, adopting multifactor authentication and addressing known exploited vulnerabilities.

CISA, FBI, Partners Issue Updated Guidance Against Akira Ransomware Threat

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Nick Andersen, executive assistant director for the cybersecurity division at CISA, said, “The threat of ransomware from groups like Akira is real and organizations need to take it seriously, with swift implementation of mitigation measures.”

“We urge every organization, large or small, to follow the guidance released today and take steps now to protect their organizations against ransomware threats,” Andersen added.

What Is the Akira Ransomware Group?

The ransomware group mainly attacks small and medium-sized businesses but has also targeted larger organizations across multiple industries, including manufacturing, education, financial services and healthcare. Akira threat actors initially focused on Windows systems, but in an April 2024 advisory, CISA said the group had deployed a Linux variant targeting VMware ESXi virtual machines.

Since January 2024, Akira has impacted more than 250 organizations globally and collected around $42 million in ransom payments.

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Sandia, NNSA Complete B61-12 Flight Tests on F-35
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F-35A. Sandia and NNSA completed B61-12 flight tests on the F-35A.

Sandia National Laboratories and the National Nuclear Security Administration conducted a series of B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb flight tests in Nevada in August, validating the weapon’s performance when carried and released by an F-35A aircraft, Sandia said Thursday.

What Did the Sandia, NNSA Tests Demonstrate?

The trials, held Aug. 19 to 21 at the Tonopah Test Range with aircraft support from Hill Air Force Base, used inert B61-12 joint test assemblies to evaluate end-to-end reliability of the aircraft, crews and weapon system. The test series also included the first thermal preconditioning of a B61-12 test assembly aboard an F-35 aircraft prior to its release, providing additional data on how the system performs under combined environmental conditions. 

“These B61-12 F-35A stockpile flight tests and captive carry flight test were the capstone accomplishment of a tremendous amount of planning and effort by those who were involved across not only Sandia, but many other agencies,” said Jeffrey Boyd, Sandia’s surveillance lead for the B61-12 and B61-13. “In addition, these B61-12 stockpile flight tests represent the completion of the most B61-12 flight testing surveillance scope in a year to date and the most in a given year for the foreseeable future.”

Why Are the Tests Important?

A test range official said the team completed evaluations on three assets over two days after adjusting plans to meet safety and range requirements. According to Sandia, the results will support annual assessments of NNSA laboratories and enhance warfighter capabilities.

The B61-12 is the most recent modification of the B61 family of nuclear gravity bombs. NNSA completed its B61-12 Life Extension Program in December 2024, extending the bomb’s service life by at least 20 years. The agency is now transitioning production to the B61-13, with the first unit expected by fiscal year 2026.

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NASA’s ESCAPADE Satellites Deployed, Targeting Mars in 2027
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Mars. NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft were deployed in MEO after a New Glenn launch.

NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft, designed by Rocket Lab, have deployed into orbit following their launch aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, beginning the first coordinated two-spacecraft orbital science mission to Mars.

What Happened During the Launch?

The mission lifted off on Nov. 13 from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, NASA said Thursday. After stage separation, New Glenn’s first stage began its autonomous descent toward Blue Origin’s landing platform in the Atlantic Ocean, while the second stage’s BE-3U engines ignited to carry ESCAPADE, short for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, to medium Earth orbit.

NASA confirmed the payloads were released, marking the start of the mission’s yearlong Earth-proximity phase.

What Is ESCAPADE’s Flight Path to Mars?

During the Earth-proximity phase, the spacecraft will build the speed needed for a trans-Mars injection burn planned for November 2026. NASA said ESCAPADE will take advantage of the Oberth effect, increasing efficiency by firing the engines at higher speeds.

The satellites are expected to arrive at Mars in September 2027. They will enter a large capture orbit before NASA and its partner teams adjust and synchronize their trajectories for a science mission scheduled to begin in spring 2028.

What Will the Mission Study?

Using coordinated measurements from different points around the planet, the two ESCAPADE orbiters will investigate how Mars’ magnetosphere responds to solar activity and how energy and particles move around the planet. NASA said the findings will help improve understanding of environmental conditions relevant to future robotic and human missions.

Who Is Involved in the Mission?

The ESCAPADE mission is managed by the University of California, Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Advanced Space and Blue Origin serve as key partners.

Launch services were provided under NASA’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare contract, which supports lower-cost launch opportunities for science and technology missions.

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Baird’s 2025 Defense & Government Conference Invites Federal Leaders to Join AI, Acquisition & Space Discussions
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Jean Stack, John Song. Every year since 2018, the Baird managing directors have put on the defense and government conference.

Federal agency leaders, acquisition officials and technology executives are invited to attend the 2025 Baird Defense & Government Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in Virginia. The event brings together government and industry decision-makers for a full day of analysis, conversation and collaboration.

Baird leaders told ExecutiveGov that more than 1,500 participants have already registered across both in-person and virtual formats, reflecting strong demand for engagement across the federal and commercial defense ecosystem.

The 2025 conference follows the theme “Innovation, Mission, and Capital Market Convergence,” capturing the intersecting trends shaping modernization across government and national security. The program includes company presentations, fireside chats, panels, dynamic dialogues and detailed briefings from Baird leadership.

How Is Baird Encouraging Federal Leaders to Participate?

Jean Stack, managing director at Baird and Wash100 Award winner, said this year’s conference is designed to strengthen public-private alignment and encouraged government leaders to take part in discussions on modernization, emerging technologies and acquisition reform.

John Song, fellow managing director at Baird and Wash100 Award winner, noted the significance of participation from major commercial technology companies.

“We have some big-name tech companies participating — like OpenAI, Anduril’s going to be there, Google’s going to be there,” Song said. “We’re pretty excited … about how these companies are helping change the face of broader societal shifts related to AI.”

Which Federal Leaders Will Be Speaking?

The conference features a wide lineup of current and invited federal officials across defense, acquisition and national security space. There are three main government-focused panels:

AI in Action: Impact on the Battlefield

Susan Davenport, chief digital and artificial intelligence officer, Department of the Air Force

Justin Fanelli, chief technology officer, U.S. Navy

Dr. Alex Miller, chief technology officer, U.S. Army (invited)

Stuart Wagner, chief digital and artificial intelligence officer, U.S. Navy (invited)

Acquisition Reform: Are We There Yet?

Patrick George, senior advisor to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, U.S. Navy (invited)

Dr. Matthew Willis, director, U.S. Army FUZE

Government Perspectives on National Security Space

Bill Adkins, professional staff member, Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. House of Representatives

Col. Brendan Hochstein, commander, System Delta 89, Space Combat Power, U.S. Space Force

Trey Treadwell, associate director for capabilities, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (invited)

Which Industry Leaders With Federal Reach Will Speak?

Industry voices with significant government partnerships will be featured throughout the event. Tony Frazier, CEO of LeoLabs and Wash100 Award winner; J.D. Parkes, CEO of Parry Labs and Wash100 Award winner; and Shubhi Mishra, founder and CEO of Raft and Wash100 Award winner, will appear across defense technology and innovation sessions.

Van Gurley, CEO of Metron and 4×24 Leadership Group member, will join the session on autonomous maritime technologies alongside leaders from Saronic, Oceaneering and Anduril.

How Will the Conference Address AI’s Growing Role in Government?

The program concludes with “The Reality of AI Today: Perspectives from Technology Leaders,” featuring senior representatives from Anthropic, OpenAI and Google Public Sector. The discussion will explore the mission opportunities and operational impacts of advanced AI across federal agencies.

Stack said the agenda reflects where public-sector modernization is moving.

“It’s about innovating, doing more with less dollars, moving more quickly … and investing in R&D aligned with where the market dynamic is.”

Federal employees and government partners should apply for registration approval now!

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DARPA Competition Seeks UAS Designs With Improved Payload Lifting Capacity
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DARPA logo. The agency will begin accepting registrations for the DARPA Lift Challenge in January 2026.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is holding a competition titled the DARPA Lift Challenge, which is offering $6.5 million in prize money for the development of vertical lift unmanned aircraft systems that can exceed current payload-to-weight ratio limitations.

What Are the Parameters of the DARPA Lift Challenge?

The agency said Thursday that the competition calls for designs that enable a drone to carry payloads greater than four times its own weight, a significant improvement over the one-to-one maximum payload-to-weight ratio capability typically seen in existing systems. According to DARPA, this enhancement to vertical lift performance could result in new civilian and military UAS applications.

Under the competition, which will be carried out at the Unclassified level, the proposed design must not be heavier than 55 pounds. This limitation is inclusive of the aircraft’s fuel or power source.

During live performance trials, set for the summer of 2026, competing aircraft will be made to operate through a five-nautical-mile circuit course, where they must demonstrate the ability to carry a payload weighing no less than 110 pounds.

Strict compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations is mandated.

When Can Participants Register for the Competition?

Registration for the competition is set to begin on Jan. 5 and close on May 1. Only the first 200 eligible and qualified registrants will be accepted. Requirements will be published on the registration website at a later time.

Securing American UAS Technology Leadership

Commenting on the competition, DARPA Lift Challenge Program Manager Phillip Smith said that more than developing better drones, the event is “about securing America’s leadership in UAS technology for decades to come.”

“We’re setting ambitious goals and giving everyone a chance to compete to create new capabilities, accelerate our defense industrial base and give the U.S. a strategic advantage,” Smith added.

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Trump Signs Government Funding Bill Into Law
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White House logo. President Trump signed into law a funding measure to end the 43-day government shutdown.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law a bipartisan funding measure to end the 43-day government shutdown.

The Hill reported that the Senate approved the legislation earlier in the week with a 60-40 vote, as eight Democrats joined 52 Republicans to send the bill to the House. The lower chamber voted 222-209 on Wednesday to pass the measure, with six Democrats breaking ranks to join nearly all Republicans in support.

What Are the Provisions of the Spending Measure?

The newly enacted law extends current funding levels through Jan. 30, ensuring that government operations remain funded while lawmakers continue work on the remaining appropriations bills.

In addition to the stopgap funding, the measure includes three full-year appropriations bills covering the “Legislative Branch, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration,” according to the House Appropriations Committee.

According to The Hill, the measure includes provisions to reverse widespread federal layoffs during the shutdown and prevent further job losses through early next year. It does not, however, include extensions for Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire in January.

Appropriators in both chambers are now turning to finalize the remaining nine spending bills.

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Army Overhauls Acquisition Structure
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Daniel Driscoll. The Army secretary commented on the creation of six PAEs as part of an acquisition reorganization.

The U.S. Army is creating six portfolio acquisition executives, or PAEs, as part of an acquisition reorganization aimed at accelerating the delivery of weapons systems and technology to warfighters, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

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According to Army officials, the move is designed to cut bureaucracy, reduce paperwork and accelerate the acquisition process by as much as 30 to 50 percent. 

“We had previously created a system that was wildly risk averse and … the cost of that risk aversion was being able to get tools into the hands of our soldiers fast enough for them to actually be able to use it,” Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll told Breaking Defense.

What Are the Six Portfolio Acquisition Executives?

The new structure places the six PAEs under Army Transformation and Training Command and the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, or ASA(ALT).

  • PAE Fires: Based in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, this PAE consolidates PEO Missiles and Space, Self Propelled Howitzer Systems and most of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, or RCCTO.
  • PAE Command and Control and Counter C2: Located at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, this PAE integrates Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors, or PEO IEWS; PEO Command, Control, Communications and Network; and most of PEO Simulation, Training and Instrumentation.
  • PAE Maneuver Ground: This PAE at Fort Benning in Georgia includes PEO Soldier, PEO Ground Combat Systems and the Infantry Squad Vehicle program.
  • PAE Maneuver Air. This PAE at Fort Rucker in Alabama consolidates PEO Aviation, aircraft survivability programs from PEO IEW&S and autonomy initiatives.
  • PAE Agile Sustainment and Ammunition: Based in Picatinny, New Jersey, this PAE brings together the Joint PEO Armaments & Ammunition and most of PEO Combat Support & Combat Service Support.
  • PAE Layered Protection Plus Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear, or CBRN: This PAE at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri incorporates the Joint PEO for CBRN Defense and terrestrial sensors from PEO IEW&S.

Each PAE will be led by a two-star general or civilian equivalent, supported by a deputy, with one focusing on operational responsibilities and the other on acquisition.

“The requirements, teams, the system centers, programming, acquisition, the contracting and testing, will all now report to each of these PAEs, and they will report directly up to our ASA(ALT) who will report directly to me and chief, and we will be able to manage innovation as they push through different projects,” said Driscoll.

What Is the Army’s Pathway for Innovation & Technology?

The Army is also establishing the Pathway for Innovation and Technology, or PIT, office to quickly develop new technologies and scale successful ones across the service.

PIT will oversee portions of RCCTO, the Army Applications Laboratory and the Joint Innovation Outpost. It will also host non-traditional programs and support companies seeking to enter the defense industrial base.

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