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Amkor Technology Upgrades Arizona Semiconductor Project to $7B Investment
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Giel Rutten headshot. Amkor head comments on the company's new chip facility in Arizona

Amkor Technology has expanded to two phases its Arizona project for a state-of-the-art outsourced semiconductor advanced packaging and test campus. The upgraded plan will increase the project’s total cost by over $5 billion to a total of $7 billion, Amkor said during the groundbreaking ceremony at the project’s site in Peoria, Arizona Monday.

Amkor’s Arizona Campus Features

According to the company, the expanded project will add more cleanroom space and a second greenfield facility, positioning the campus as a cornerstone of America’s advanced packaging capabilities and supporting key customers, such as Apple and NVIDIA. Upon the two phases’ completion, the facility will feature over 750,000 square feet of cleanroom space and create up to 3,000 high-quality jobs. 

Construction of the first facility is expected to be completed in mid-2027, with production starting in early 2028. The facility’s features will include smart factory technologies and scalable production lines to meet the rising chips demand from industry sectors in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, mobile communication and car manufacturing.

CHIPS Act Funding Support

In July 2024, the Department of Commerce agreed to provide Amkor with up to $400 million in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the Arizona plant’s construction. Under a preliminary memorandum of terms with the company, the department also opened Amkor access to $200 million of proposed loans from the CHIPS Program Office and up to 25 percent of tax credit from the Department of the Treasury.

The facility’s groundbreaking is “a bold step in Amkor’s long-term strategy for growth and innovation,” said Giel Rutten, the company’s president and CEO.

“We’re building a facility to meet our customers’ most advanced needs that will help shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. Arizona offers the right mix of talent, infrastructure and industry presence, and we’re proud to deepen our roots here,” the Amkor head added.

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Johns Hopkins APL’s BAS/CS Standardizes Cybersecurity Alerts for Critical Infrastructure
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Johns Hopkins APL logo. The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory developed Behavioral Alerting Sets for Control Systems.

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory has introduced a new framework aimed at unifying cybersecurity alerts across systems that safeguard vital infrastructure.

The innovation, known as Behavioral Alerting Sets for Control Systems, or BAS/CS, is already being utilized by military operators to streamline threat response and bolster defenses for critical systems such as power grids, water systems and natural gas networks, Johns Hopkins APL said Tuesday.

BAS/CS Standardizes Cyber Alerts

The BAS/CS framework, developed by APL researchers Alex Beall and Harley Parkes, standardizes cybersecurity alerts by assigning each flagged event a common identification number compatible across different systems and vendors.

These events are then analyzed using predefined correlation rules. An alert is triggered if specific patterns occur within a set timeframe—such as a remote login followed by suspicious activity. The detection logic and alert language are standardized, ensuring consistent and efficient threat response across control systems.

Real-Time Cyberthreat Detection

BAS/CS integrates with existing security information and event management platforms at no cost, allowing operators to respond to threats in real time. The framework’s uniform language and detection logic reduce confusion caused by varied sensor outputs and naming conventions.

Development Rooted in MOSAICS Program

BAS/CS evolved from APL’s More Situational Awareness for Industrial Control Systems, or MOSAICS, initiative. The team introduced standardized ID tags to identify sensor events based on known cyberattack tactics. BAS/CS refined this approach through iterative mapping, expert validation and adversarial testing, using diverse cyber defense tools to improve event correlations and alert accuracy.

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Arvind Raman Nominated as Commerce Under Secretary for Standards & Technology
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Arvind Raman. Purdue’s College of Engineering dean has been nominated as under secretary of commerce for standards and tech.

President Donald Trump has nominated Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering at Purdue University, to be the next under secretary of Commerce for standards and technology.

According to a congressional notice, Raman’s nomination was referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Thursday.

If confirmed, he would also serve as the director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology within the Department of Commerce.

Laurie Locascio took on the position of president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute in January after serving in the dual-hatted role of NIST director and under secretary of commerce for standards and technology.

Who Is Arvind Raman?

According to his LinkedIn profile, Raman has been serving as the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering since April 2023. He also serves as the Robert V. Adams Professor at Purdue’s School of Mechanical Engineering.

He previously served as executive associate dean at Purdue University’s College of Engineering.

The commerce under secretary nominee was the founding director of the LASER PULSE Consortium.

Raman’s previous positions at the university include senior associate dean of the faculty and associate dean for Global Engineering Programs at Purdue’s College of Engineering.

The Indian Institute of Technology graduate has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue and a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

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Matthew Napoli Sworn In as NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
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Matthew Napoli, an official at the NNSA. Napoli comes to NNSA from the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program

Matthew Napoli has officially assumed the responsibilities of as the deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation at the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

He said in a LinkedIn post that he was sworn into office by Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

“A special thank you to the incredible NNSA leadership team of Brandon Williams and Scott Pappano — and the President, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly — for their trust and confidence,” he wrote.

Williams currently serves as the administrator of NNSA, while Pappano is the agency’s principal deputy administrator.

President Donald Trump nominated Napoli in February, and the Senate confirmed him in September in a 51–47 vote.

Who Is Matthew Napoli?

Napoli previously served as executive director of foreign and public affairs for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a joint organization between DOE and the Department of that Navy that oversees all aspects of naval nuclear propulsion. In the role, he also managed U.S. relationships with key partners in naval nuclear propulsion, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan.

He also served as an officer in the Navy until 2009. He was involved in the naval nuclear propulsion plant design for the Virginia Class attack submarine, the USS Gerald R. Ford Class aircraft carrier and the Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine.

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Hegseth Calls for Workforce Rewards, Guidance on How to Separate Low Performers
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Pete Hegseth. The DOD secretary issued a memo on modern workforce management.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2025 Wash100 awardee, has issued a memo directing Anthony Tata, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, to release guidance to “encourage workforce rewards and demystify the removal process.”

In his Sept. 30 memo titled “Modern Workforce Management,” Hegseth wrote that Tata will lead a “cultural refresh” aimed at incentivizing top civilian employees and advancing the removal of underperformers at the Department of Defense.

“First, we need to incentivize and reward our top performers. Department employees are not in it for the money, but our best performers need to be appropriately recognized for their performance, including through meaningful monetary awards,” the DOD secretary said.

“Second, managers need more guidance on how to separate underperforming employees. Complex offboarding creates cultural drag that hurts morale across the Department and hinders our mission,” he added.

DOD Under Secretary Tata’s Directive on Removal Procedures for Underperformers

Hegseth’s memo coincided with the release of Tata’s new directive, which outlined processes for eliminating underperforming employees.

“Supervisors and human resources (HR) professionals are directed to act with speed and conviction to facilitate the separation from Federal service of employees performing unsuccessfully,” Tata wrote in a memo to senior Pentagon leadership, DOD agency and field activity directors, and heads of combatant commands.

According to an attachment to Tata’s memo, removal may be justified by factors such as “consistent failure” to meet deadlines, repeated mistakes that disrupt operations or hinder the agency’s goals, and inability to carry out key tasks.

The memo directs supervisors to partner with HR officials to send notices of proposed removal to underperformers, who will be given seven calendar days to respond.

According to the directive, the deciding official will assess and decide within 30 calendar days of receiving the proposed removal notice.

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FCC Launches ‘Space Month’ to Advance US Space Leadership
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Federal Communications Commission logo. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched “Space Month."

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has unveiled his “Space Month” agenda, a comprehensive initiative aimed at accelerating regulatory modernization and strengthening U.S. leadership in the global space economy.

Speaking at the opening of a new satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, Carr said the move marks a major step in the agency’s broader Build America Agenda, which prioritizes space innovation as a driver of national competitiveness and economic growth.

According to the FCC chair, the United States is entering a new golden age of space innovation, noting the agency’s goal of making the country the most innovation-friendly regulatory environment in the world for launching, growing and accelerating space operations.

Modernizing Space Regulation

A centerpiece of Carr’s Space Month plan is a proposal to replace the FCC’s legacy satellite licensing process with what he described as a “licensing assembly line.” The initiative seeks to streamline approvals, reduce backlogs and implement predictable timelines for applicants.

The proposed framework would simplify applications, expedite cases presumed to serve the public interest and grant licensees greater operational flexibility. Carr said the approach replaces the FCC’s “default to no” process with a “default to yes” framework.

Another proposal would update decades-old rules governing Earth station siting and use of the upper microwave flexible use bands. The FCC aims to make more efficient use of spectrum resources and facilitate coexistence between satellite operations and 5G networks.

Building Momentum for US Space Dominance

The Space Month initiatives build on several actions the FCC has taken in recent months, including efforts to reduce satellite licensing backlogs, streamline modification approvals and open more than 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for satellite broadband.

Carr noted that the agency’s focus on “speed, simplicity, security, and satellite spectrum abundance” has already yielded progress. Since January, the FCC has cut its pending Earth station applications nearly in half and introduced a 30-day shot clock for renewal reviews.

The FCC has also advanced rulemakings to strengthen GPS services and examine spectrum-sharing frameworks for next-generation satellite broadband systems.

Space Race 2.0

Carr compared the current wave of private-sector space innovation to a modern-day “Space Race 2.0,” emphasizing the growing competition from China and the importance of maintaining U.S. technological leadership. He credited President Donald Trump’s executive order earlier this year for catalyzing interagency efforts to streamline space regulations and boost research and development investment.

“President Trump has been clear that the U.S. will dominate once again,” Carr said. “Like the Space Race of 60 years ago that I just spoke about, the U.S. is going to rely on the innovators right here in El Segundo to help power America to the win.”

Four-Stage Transformation

Carr outlined a four-phase framework for reforming the FCC’s space governance: eliminating backlogs, removing unnecessary rules, modernizing systems and, ultimately, automating core processes. He said these steps will allow the FCC to better support the record growth of satellite constellations, Earth stations and commercial missions.

The chairman called for a more ambitious approach to space research and development, urging American institutions to focus less on predictable outcomes and more on transformative innovation.

“Please know that you have committed partners at the FCC and in Washington who are doing everything we can to make your next big breakthroughs possible,” Carr said.

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NSF Energy Storage Engine Unveils GUARDIAN Tool to Enhance Supply Chain
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NSF seal. The NSF Energy Storage Engine has unveiled the GUARDIAN tool to enhance supply chain operations.

The National Science Foundation Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by Binghamton University, has introduced the Global Unified Assessment for Risk Detection, Intelligence and Awareness Navigator, or GUARDIAN.

Attend Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 GovCon International and Global Defense Summit on Oct. 16 for a holistic overview of the international defense technology landscape.

Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience in Energy Systems

MITRE said Friday it partnered with the NSF Energy Storage Engine to develop GUARDIAN, a free self-assessment tool designed to help energy storage companies manage supply chain risks. The tool offers actionable guidance aligned with U.S., European and global standards for energy storage companies to bolster operational resilience, safeguard expansion and strengthen national security.

What Is GUARDIAN?

GUARDIAN is meant to provide actionable guidance aligned with U.S., European, and global standards, thus potentially empowering companies to enhance operational resilience, support sustainable growth, and reinforce national security.

The self-assessment tool offers two tailored tracks aligned with Technology Readiness Levels 3 to 5 for research and development and early prototyping, and TRL 6 to 9 for pilot and scale-up stages. Users respond to a short questionnaire, after which the tool generates prioritized recommendations and a downloadable checklist.

GUARDIAN is built to support practical decision-making from early concept to full commercialization. Its structure provides tailored guidance for startups, academic spinouts and growing manufacturers. The program offers a clear, actionable roadmap that companies can use and update to enhance compliance, meet stakeholder needs and manage supplier risks throughout their operations.

At the 2025 GovCon International and Global Defense Summit, you’ll hear from supply chain leader and U.S. Transportation Command Deputy Commander LTG Jared Helwig, as well as top brass from NATO, among others. Don’t miss this essential GovCon networking event!

NSF Energy Storage Engine Unveils GUARDIAN Tool to Enhance Supply Chain
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SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano Named Concurrent IRS CEO
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Frank Bisignano headshot. SSA commissioner named concurrent Internal Revenue Service CEO

Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano has been appointed the concurrent CEO of the Internal Revenue Service. In his role in the newly created post, he will report directly to Scott Bessent, secretary of the treasury and acting IRS commissioner, who announced Bisignano’s appointment Monday.

Bisignano’s Private Sector Track Record

The Senate confirmed Bisignano as SSA commissioner in May; the executive brought with him over 40 years of experience in major global financial institutions and technology firms. Before his appointment as the18th SSA commissioner, he led financial services and payment technology company Fiserv as chairman and CEO. Bisignano led in 2019 the merger of Fiserv and First Data, a payment processor where he was then the chairman and CEO.

He also had a previous stint at J.P. Morgan Chase as co-chief operating officer, as well as CEO of the company’s mortgage banking unit. In addition, he previously worked at Citigroup, performing various roles, including chief administrative officer and CEO of the company’s global transaction services unit.

Treasury Chief Comments on Bisignano’s New Role

Bessent described Bisignano as a businessman who brings to the public sector an “exceptional track record of driving growth and efficiency.”  He noted that the IRS and SSA have technological and customer service goals similar with private companies, making Bisignano a “natural choice” for the concurrent roles. 

“Under his leadership at the SSA, he has already made important and substantial progress, and we are pleased that he will bring this expertise to the IRS as we sharpen our focus on collections, privacy, and customer service in order to deliver better outcomes for hardworking Americans,” said the Treasury’s head.

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Army Demonstrates Integrated Battle Command System
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U.S. Army logo. The U.S. Army conducted a missile flight test of the Integrated Battle Command System.

The U.S. Army demonstrated the Integrated Battle Command System, an advanced network designed to link sensors and weapons across the battlefield, during a missile flight test on Oct. 2 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

IBCS Missile Defense Capabilities

The service branch said Monday the test, led by the Program Executive Office Missiles and Space in coordination with the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, showcased IBCS’ advanced capabilities. During the demonstration, soldiers from the 3rd Battalion were able to detect, track and eliminate two maneuvering cruise missiles in a contested environment, achieving two first-shot intercepts, underscoring the system’s effectiveness in real-world combat scenarios. This missile flight test concluded the IBCS follow-on operational test and evaluation phase.

Modernizing Missile Defense Through Unified Sensor Networks

The IBCS leverages the “any-sensor, best-weapon” operational principle to integrate real-time data from multiple sensors into a single, coherent operational picture, enabling faster decision-making, smarter threat engagement and greater resilience under attack. This approach aims to advance the Army’s efforts to modernize air and missile defense, enhancing its operational edge to meet emerging threats.

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Trump Nominates Mark Ditlevson as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense, Hemispheric Affairs
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Mark Ditlevson, acting ASW-HDHA. Ditlevson was nominated to replace Melissa Griffin Dalton

President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Ditlevson as the next assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs. According to Congress records, the nomination was received by the Senate on Oct. 2 and has since been referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

If confirmed, Ditlevson will succeed Melissa Griffin Dalton, who served in the position under President Joe Biden. 

Trump Nominates Mark Ditlevson as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense, Hemispheric Affairs

Learn more about the global threats the U.S. is currently facing and key developments in homeland security at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 12. The in-person event will feature panel discussions between government officials and industry leaders on artificial intelligence and other technologies that may shape the future of homeland security operations. Purchase your tickets today.

Who Is Mark Ditlevson?

Ditlevson currently sits as the acting assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs. In the role, he oversees policy and planning for matters related to homeland defense, including providing defense support for civil authorities, and manages defense relations across the Western Hemisphere. 

On LinkedIn, Ditlevson shared that he served as policy adviser to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and as special assistant to the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict. He also served as an explosives ordnance disposal officer for the U.S. Navy for over six years. 

The seasoned government leader holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the U.S. Naval Academy.

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