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Joseph Kernan Talks DoD’s Project Maven AI Effort at GEOINT Symposium
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Joseph Kernan Talks DoD’s Project Maven AI Effort at GEOINT Symposium


Joseph Kernan Talks DoD’s Project Maven AI Effort at GEOINT Symposium
Joseph Kernan

Joseph Kernan, defense undersecretary for intelligence, has said the Defense Department has initiated artificial intelligence programs and one of those is Project Maven, SpaceNews reported Monday.

Kernan said Monday at the 2018 GEOINT symposium in Florida that Project Maven has been tested in operations abroad and “extraordinarily” useful in intelligence data processing.

Project Maven, also known as the algorithmic warfare cross-functional team, aims to speed up conversion of large data volumes into actionable insights and intelligence and help DoD expedite the integration of machine learning and big data.

The AWCFT seeks to deploy a technology platform that will work to automate processing, exploitation and dissemination operations for mid-altitude full-motion video and tactical aerial drones in support of the campaign against the Islamic State militant organization.

Kernan, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, cited the benefits of AI software platforms.

“It’s about enabling analysts to use their cognitive process so they don’t have to jam and finger push things into a computer,” he said of AI software tools.

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DoD’s Innovation Org Creates New Acquisition Program
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DoD’s Innovation Org Creates New Acquisition Program


DoD's Innovation Org Creates New Acquisition ProgramThe Defense Innovation Unit Experimental has introduced a new program that aims to provide Defense Department acquisition professionals an opportunity to learn various methods used in the procurement of technology platforms and how they can work with tech companies, FedScoop reported Monday.

The chosen staff will stay at DIUx’s Mountain View, Calif.-based headquarters for four months to facilitate sharing of procurement ideas as part of the Hacking Acquisition program.

“I think what we hope to achieve is that one, they get a fundamental, foundational understanding of how to leverage different acquisition tools for different problems they’re trying to solve,” said Air Force Maj. David Rothzeid, pathways manager at DIUx.

DIUx plans to fill four slots as part of the initial pilot of the HACQer program and will accept applications for the initiative through May 4.

Rothzeid said DIUx expects the first selected acquisition professionals to arrive July 1 in California for the HACQer initiative.

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Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg to Serve as Mike Pence’s National Security Adviser
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Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg to Serve as Mike Pence’s National Security Adviser


Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg to Serve as Mike Pence's National Security Adviser
Keith Kellogg

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, formerly chief of staff and executive secretary at the National Security Council, has been appointed national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence.

The 36-year Army veteran will also continue to serve as an assistant to President Donald Trump, the White House said Monday.

He served as Trump’s national security adviser on an acting basis after Michael Flynn resigned in February of last year.

His military career has included two tours in the Vietnam War and leadership roles such as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Kellogg was the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s command, control, communications and computers directorate prior to his retirement.

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House OKs IRS IT Modernization, Cybersecurity Bill
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House OKs IRS IT Modernization, Cybersecurity Bill


House OKs IRS IT Modernization, Cybersecurity BillThe House has voted unanimously to approve a bill that seeks to modernize information technology systems at the Internal Revenue Service and establish cybersecurity measures to protect taxpayer information, Federal Times reported Saturday.

The 21st Century IRS Act would require IRS to partner with other agencies and companies in efforts to prevent identity theft and tax refund fraud.

The bill also calls for the agency to participate in threat data sharing activities and prohibit contractors that do not comply with confidentiality policies from accessing tax return information.

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NSA Develops Cyber Threat Intelligence Collaboration Platform, Tools
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NSA Develops Cyber Threat Intelligence Collaboration Platform, Tools


NSA Develops Cyber Threat Intelligence Collaboration Platform, ToolsThe National Security Agency has developed a suite of tools meant to provide wider access to insights on systems security research and facilitate the adoption of network-protection approaches in various industries.

NSA said Friday its Unfetter technologies are designed to provide a common lexicon of cyber attack definitions to allow network defenders and threat analysts to develop, share and utilize intelligence on malicious digital activities to enhance network security.

Unfetter’s Analytic Exchange app serves as a collaboration platform for threat analysts while the Capability Assessment app lets network defenders evaluate security capacities, critical controls and content from the analysis sharing tool.

NSA’s Unfetter system also features the Threat Dashboard app where cybersecurity intelligence analysts can create and track reports on attacker behavior, techniques and tools for customers.

The Unfetter software is available for download and customization through the program’s website.

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Maria Voreh: FBI Aims to Facilitate Data Sharing, Access Through Cloud Migration
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Maria Voreh: FBI Aims to Facilitate Data Sharing, Access Through Cloud Migration


Maria Voreh: FBI Aims to Facilitate Data Sharing, Access Through Cloud MigrationMaria Voreh, chief data officer at the FBI, has said the bureau aims to address the data gap and facilitate information sharing and management through migration to the cloud, Federal News Radio reported Friday.

“To be able to share broadly with other partners or to meet a joint U.S. mission, we’ve got to move our data to the cloud,” Voreh said.

She noted that cloud adoption could help the agency facilitate information access and generate insights from data.

The FBI issued in February a request for information on potential vendors of cloud-based platform-as-a-service, software-as-a-service and other cloud computing services.

The RFI comes as the bureau prepares to transition to the cloud over the next year.

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National Academies Report: DOE Should Advance National Lab-Based Laser Projects
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National Academies Report: DOE Should Advance National Lab-Based Laser Projects


National Academies Report: DOE Should Advance National Lab-Based Laser ProjectsA National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report calls for the Energy Department to develop a national strategy that would facilitate the operation of large-scale laser projects at national laboratories.

The report recommends that DOE should establish a technology transfer program focused on lasers that would advance collaboration among national labs, academia and industry, Berkley Lab said Friday.

The study cited the potential applications of laser technology in particle acceleration, machining and medicine as well as research efforts at Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator Center within DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

BELLA scientists have demonstrated the acceleration of electrons through the use of various laser-based acceleration stages and plan to increase the laser pulse rate to 1,000 per second through the k-BELLA program, according to the report.

The report also calls for the U.S. to build up its research and development work on laser technology in order to keep pace with international programs when it comes to the development of high-power laser platforms.

Sponsors of the National Academies report include the National Nuclear Security Administration, DOE’s office of science, Air Force’s office of scientific research and the Office of Naval Research.

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NGA CTO Anthony Vinci Pushes for AI, Automated Tech Adoption
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NGA CTO Anthony Vinci Pushes for AI, Automated Tech Adoption


NGA CTO Anthony Vinci Pushes for AI, Automated Tech AdoptionAnthony Vinci, chief technology officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, has said he is exploring ways to help accelerate NGA’s implementation of artificial intelligence and automation technology, C4ISRNet reported Saturday.

Vinci told the publication in an interview he believes machine learning tools can help people digest and analyze information.

“We actually need some bureaucracy and process around adoption and around incubation of technology development of demos and prototypes and then turning those demos and prototypes… into operational capabilities,” added Vinci, who assumed the CTO position in February.

He also seeks to encourage technology and nontraditional companies to partner with the agency.

The report said NGA’s Office of Ventures and Innovation aims to simplify the process of testing and funding new commercial systems.

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DOT to Provide $1.5B Grant for Transportation Infrastructure Projects
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DOT to Provide $1.5B Grant for Transportation Infrastructure Projects


DOT to Provide $1.5B Grant for Transportation Infrastructure ProjectsThe Transportation Department will provide up to $1.5 billion in discretionary grants through its Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program that aims to support surface transportation infrastructure projects.

DOT said Friday it issued a notice of funding opportunity for the FY 2018 round of the BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants program that will award up to $25 million for each selected project, and a ceiling of $150 million per state for the current round of awards.

The department will conduct webinars towards the end of May and through June to provide technical assistance for stakeholders of the BUILD program.

DOT will accept applications for the current solicitation until July 19.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 provided $1.5 billion to fund the grant also known as National Infrastructure Investments through Sept. 30, 2020.

BUILD is meant to replace the department’s existing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant program and can support projects for bridges, ports, rails, roads, transit and intermodal transportation.

Projects will be selected through a competitive process and based on a set of criteria.

DOT plans to award more funds to rural projects with an allocation of at least 30 percent of the BUILD grant in support of the administration’s Infrastructure Initiative.

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Army Heads Stress Priority on Readiness for Modern Warfighting
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Army Heads Stress Priority on Readiness for Modern Warfighting


Army Heads Stress Priority on Readiness for Modern WarfightingU.S. Army Secretary Mark Esper, a 2018 Wash100 recipient, has said the service is focusing on readiness more as it prioritizes the skills of U.S. warfighters instead of meeting the intended number of recruits.

The Defense Department said Friday the Army lowered its goal of recruits from 80,000 to 76,500 because the service planned to refine its retention rate, which is now at 86 percent.

Esper noted, however, that having a higher active duty retention rate compared to service expectations may possibly hinder with the recruitment into the U.S. National Guard and the Army Reserve.

The Army sees more demand for more troops in engineering, artillery, cyber and air defense for deployments to other countries such as in Afghanistan and Africa.

The service, along with the U.S. Marine Corps and Special Operations Command, is also working with the Close-Combat Lethality Task Force to determine the requirements for modern close combat.

“As we move forward, we need to synchronize our efforts with what the Marine Corps is doing, so we use all the capabilities our soldiers need,” Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey said.

Esper added the Army’s cross-functional teams are working on enhancing the survivability and lethality of individual warfighters and the squad.

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