The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is in need of research teams for the development of a scent-based technology to lower mosquito attraction through the temporary alteration of skin microbiome. The four-year ReVector project seeks to repel mosquitoes through the mediation of skin microbiome interaction and body metabolites to reduce the instances of disease transmission, DARPA said Friday.

“DARPA wants to apply the tools of biological engineering to create a new protective approach that is optimized for troops in the field,” said Christian Sund, program manager for ReVector.

The selected researchers under the project are required to study the variability between individual microbiomes and create a product that will function on a range of varying microbiome types. Interested researchers may present their plans for the project and are required to have worked with the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency noted that it aims to use the planned technology in other medical applications including wound and infection treatments.

Air Force Research Laboratory demonstrated the use of a new high energy laser weapon against multiple targets during a test at White Sands Missile Range. The test unit of the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator shot down multiple missiles on April 23, marking a new milestone for the technology’s development, the U.S. Air Force said Friday.

SHiELD is a pod-installed directed energy laser system designed to protect aircraft from missiles. AFRL envisions SHiELD’s final version to be smaller and lighter than the system’s test unit.

“The ability to shoot down missiles with speed-of-light technology will enable air operation in denied environments,” said Maj. Gen. William Cooley, commander of AFRL.

The U.S. Army’s has created an innovation unit to work on two projects seeking to implement automated technology to simplify battlefield technical operations and quicken budgeting activities, FCW reported Saturday.

Gen. John Murray, head of the Army Futures Command, announced after a House Armed Services Subcommittee hearing that the Army Applications Laboratory is developing capabilities that will enable warfighters to code on the field to fix communications systems.

The lab is working on machine learning-driven technology using algorithms to help Army officials evaluate risks the service and industrial base experience due to procurement decisions. Murray noted that the capability will allow leaders to “see the impacts of the decisions in real time” instead of spending hours on assessments.

“It’s not necessarily the decision-making, but how that is presented in a more automated way,” he said.

The Defense Information Systems Agency is offering global video services to address the U.S. military’s teleconferencing needs. DISA said Friday that its GVS technology allows users to communicate via video within both secret and non-secure internet protocol router networks. GVS is designed to accommodate a maximum of 1,000 desktop users simultaneously, and allow for connection and interoperability with conference rooms and legacy teleconferencing tools. Users may control GVS’ video teleconferencing connections via endpoints.

“We’re constantly looking for ways to enhance communication and collaboration with our mission partners,” said Jessica Martin, GVS program manager at DISA.

The agency is also offering GVS to mission partners who may request for the service via the Defense Information System Network Customer Contact Center.

The Defense Innovation Board issued a report assessing the Pentagon’s software acquisition practices, the Department of Defense website reported Friday.

The report focuses on three basic themes. The first suggests that cycle time and speed are the most essential metrics in software management. The second highlights the need to attract, retain and promote digital talent since “software is made by people and for people.” The third team emphasizes the difference between software and hardware. The board also suggests four main lines of effort in the report and one of those is the need for DoD and Congress to refactor regulations, statutes and processes related to software.

Ellen Lord, defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment and a 2019 Wash100 winner, said during a news conference Friday that DoD is starting to recognize the difference between software acquisition and hardware procurement. Lord noted that she sought permission through the fiscal 2020 budget request to conduct pilot programs to cover major defense weapons systems and provide DoD the flexibility to shift funds in order to accelerate software development, acquisition and deployment.