Processing....

Executive Gov

Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
Sticky Logo
  • Home
  • Acquisition & Procurement
  • Agencies
    • DoD
    • Intelligence
    • DHS
    • Civilian
    • Space
  • Cybersecurity
  • Technology
  • Executives
    • Profiles
    • Announcements
    • Awards
  • News
  • Articles
  • About
  • Wash100
  • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • Submit your news
    • Jobs
Logo
DoD/News
Army Searches for Drone Technology at SOCOM ThunderDrone Event
by Nichols Martin
Published on November 10, 2017
Army Searches for Drone Technology at SOCOM ThunderDrone Event


Army Searches for Drone Technology at SOCOM ThunderDrone EventThe U.S. Army and other military branches have scouted for drone and autonomous technology at the U.S. Special Operations Command‘s event which exhibited prototypes and demonstrations of drone, robotics and artificial intelligence technology.

The Army said Thursday the ThunderDrone event began September at the SOCOM SOFWERX facility in Ybor City, Florida.

Experts from military branches examined 30 projects from over 20 firms during the collaborative event.

Ghost Robotics demonstrated its Minitaur robot designed to climb through stairs and fences.

Shield AI exhibited its autonomous Hivemind Nova quadcopter designed to fly in buildings, caves and tunnels while providing video and mapping coverage.

Planck Aerosystems showcased its drone designed to autonomously launch from and land on a moving vehicle.

Josh Wells, CEO at Planck Aerosystems, stated that the technologies exhibited in the event were originally designed for maritime operations, but are also applicable for land use.

SOCOM and the Strategic Capabilities Office plan to administer to more Rapid Prototyping Events in 2018 at the same venue were ThunderDrone was held.

News
Report: Fiscal 2018 Defense Bill Includes Natl Security Space Mgmt Reform
by Scott Nicholas
Published on November 10, 2017
Report: Fiscal 2018 Defense Bill Includes Natl Security Space Mgmt Reform


Report: Fiscal 2018 Defense Bill Includes Natl Security Space Mgmt ReformA final version of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act unveiled by a congressional conference committee Wednesday seeks to reform the U.S. military’s current management system for the national security space enterprise, Space News reported Thursday.

The $692 billion NDAA would require transfer of space-related organizational, training and equipping powers to the Air Force Space Command.

The compromise bill would mandate AFSPC to oversee all acquisition, resources and requirements of the service branch’s space forces as well as identify strategies to address national security space challenges uncovered by Congress, the report noted.

The NDAA would also grant the AFSPC commander a six-year term and reorganize the command into a structure similar to the Office of Naval Reactors.

Acquisition & Procurement/News
Ellen Lord: Foreign Military Sales Program Essential to DoD’s Intl Partnerships
by Mary-Louise Hoffman
Published on November 10, 2017
Ellen Lord: Foreign Military Sales Program Essential to DoD’s Intl Partnerships


Ellen Lord: Foreign Military Sales Program Essential to DoD's Intl Partnerships
Ellen Lord

Ellen Lord, defense undersecretary for acquisition,technology and logistics, has said the Defense Department‘s foreign military sales program serves as a means for DoD to help build capacities and capabilities of U.S. partner nations, Reuters reported Thursday.

“It’s a real tool for us in terms of international relations,” Lord told reporters.

The former Textron Systems CEO also aims to help the department accelerate the process for completing transactions to sell weapons systems to foreign governments.

Reuters estimates U.S. arms exports increased more than 50 percent under the previous Obama administration and continues to see an exports growth trend in the current Trump administration.

DoD/News
Report: NATO to Expand Command Centers, Cyber Operations
by Ramona Adams
Published on November 9, 2017
Report: NATO to Expand Command Centers, Cyber Operations


Report: NATO to Expand Command Centers, Cyber OperationsNATO plans to increase its military headquarters from seven to nine and integrate cyber efforts into all alliance operations, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The organization’s defense ministers agreed to build a maritime security-focused command center in the Atlantic as well as a Europe-based command site for troop movements, with specific locations to be identified in 2018.

“The NATO command structure is the backbone of the alliance… the command structure has to change when the security environment is changing,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

NATO also decided to expand its cyber operations in line with a 2014 commitment to broaden collective efforts to counter cyber attacks.

Stoltenberg noted NATO aims to become as effective in the cyber area as in the air, land and sea domains.

Government Technology/News
Holger Lueschow: European Govsatcom Demo to Commence Next Summer
by Scott Nicholas
Published on November 9, 2017
Holger Lueschow: European Govsatcom Demo to Commence Next Summer


Holger Lueschow: European Govsatcom Demo to Commence Next SummerHolger Lueschow, satellite communications program manager at the European Defense Agency, said the European Govsatcom demonstration project will begin to deliver Satcom services to government users next summer, Space News reported Wednesday.

The Govsatcom project will utilize pooling and asset sharing efforts to mitigate challenges related to the affordability, security and timeliness of Satcom services delivered to governmental users in Europe.

Lueschow noted the EDA now has a common understanding on how and what services should be offered to government agencies.

“Later this month, we will look at the question of how to finance the project, or more specifically, how to finance the services to be provided,” he added.

The report noted the Govsatcom demonstration will work to lay the foundations for future European Commission-led Govsatcom projects.

DoD/News
Kirstjen Nielsen Eyes DHS Hiring Process Modernization as DHS Secretary Nominee
by Ramona Adams
Published on November 9, 2017
Kirstjen Nielsen Eyes DHS Hiring Process Modernization as DHS Secretary Nominee


Kirstjen Nielsen Eyes DHS Hiring Process Modernization as DHS Secretary Nominee
Kirstjen Nielsen

Kirstjen Nielsen, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, has said she would help DHS implement a “holistic” approach to recruit border security and cybersecurity professionals if Congress approves her nomination, Federal News Radio reported Wednesday.

Nielsen told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs during a meeting held Wednesday that she also aims to implement internal controls for hiring, retention and employee development efforts across DHS.

She added that DHS can address staffing and operational requirements through “a combination of both personnel and technology.”

Nielsen also vowed to study the needs for a physical barrier along the Southern border; protect against whistleblower retaliation; and work with the Justice Department and local governments to address radicalization in and outside U.S.

Nielsen currently serves as Trump’s deputy chief of staff and previously worked as chief of staff for former DHS Secretary John Kelly.

News
Hill Negotiators Agree on $692B Defense Authorization Plan for Fiscal 2018
by Mary-Louise Hoffman
Published on November 9, 2017
Hill Negotiators Agree on $692B Defense Authorization Plan for Fiscal 2018


Hill Negotiators Agree on $692B Defense Authorization Plan for Fiscal 2018A joint House-Senate conference committee has unveiled a compromise bill to authorize $692 billion in fiscal 2018 Defense Department spending, with $626 billion for base requirements and $66 billion for the overseas contingency operations account, Defense News reported Wednesday.

The report said the conference plan would top a Budget Control Act spending limit for FY 2018 defense budget by nearly $85 billion.

The compromise National Defense Authorization Act calls for a 2.4 percent military pay raise and the addition of more than 20,000 active-duty and reserve troops to the current U.S. military end strength.

Federal News Radio reported Wednesday the bill would require DoD to examine the potential implications of a proposal to establish a “Space Corps,” as well as to identify methods to simplify the department’s space-related acquisition process.

The bill also contains a procurement reform measure that seeks to encourage the department to use online marketplace platforms to buy commercial off-the-shelf technology products, the station noted.

Congress still needs to review and approve the compromise NDAA in coming weeks before lawmakers submit the bill to the White House for the president’s signature.

Civilian/News
Senate Approves Federal Customer Service Bill
by Joanna Crews
Published on November 9, 2017
Senate Approves Federal Customer Service Bill


Senate Approves Federal Customer Service BillThe Senate unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday that would authorize federal agencies to collect voluntary feedback regarding public services, Nextgov reported Wednesday.

The Federal Agency Customer Experience Act of 2017, introduced by Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) and James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), also seeks to establish new approaches for the executive and legislative oversight of agency service delivery.

Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives and the legislation awaits a markup from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, according to the report.

The Senate-passed FACE Act would also require agencies to post customer responses through an online platform and incorporate the feedback in service improvement efforts.

DoD/News
Trump Encourages Russia, China to Sever Ties with North Korea
by Scott Nicholas
Published on November 8, 2017
Trump Encourages Russia, China to Sever Ties with North Korea


Trump Encourages Russia, China to Sever Ties with North KoreaU.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russia and China to support worldwide efforts to isolate North Korea’s regime as well as implement U.N. security council programs to sever trade and technology ties with the DPKR, DoD News reported Tuesday.

Trump warned Jong Un not to belittle the collaborative will and power of the U.S. and South Korea and demanded the DPKR leader to dispose nuclear weapons in storage and under development.

“It is our responsibility and our duty to confront this danger together, because the longer we wait, the greater the danger grows and the fewer the options become,” said Trump.

“Today I hope I speak not only for our countries, but for all civilized nations when I say to the North: Do not underestimate us … We will defend our common security, our shared prosperity, and our sacred liberty.”

Civilian/News
DARPA Seeks to Establish Standards for In-Orbit Robotic Satellite Servicing
by Ramona Adams
Published on November 8, 2017
DARPA Seeks to Establish Standards for In-Orbit Robotic Satellite Servicing


DARPA Seeks to Establish Standards for In-Orbit Robotic Satellite ServicingThe Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has established an industry consortium that will develop rules for the robotic servicing of satellites in space, Space News reported Tuesday.

Todd Master, a DARPA program manager, told the publication that the Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations will invite industry players such as satellite operators to participate in the creation of nonbinding rules.

DARPA expects companies to comply with the consortium’s rules on a voluntary basis to demonstrate the safety of their in-orbit robotic servicing to investors and customers.

Master noted DARPA welcomes the participation of foreign companies and that foreign space agencies have expressed interest in the consortium but DARPA is “still trying to figure out how to engage foreign governments.”

DARPA has chosen Summerville, South Carolina-based contractor Advanced Technology International to oversee the consortium.

Master hopes to see the first draft of in-orbit robotic servicing standards within a year.

Previous 1 … 2,230 2,231 2,232 2,233 2,234 … 2,713 Next
News Briefing
I'm Interested In:
Wash100 Vote Now
Recent Posts
  • Laura Stanton Named Acting GSA FAS Commissioner
  • Pentagon Advances Redesigned SBIR-STTR Initiative
  • Space Force to Launch Cislunar Acquisition Office for Lunar Mission Support
  • NSWCPD Tests AI/ML Models to Predict Submarine Compressor Failures
About

ExecutiveGov, published by Executive Mosaic, is a site dedicated to the news and headlines in the federal government. ExecutiveGov serves as a news source for the hot topics and issues facing federal government departments and agencies such as Gov 2.0, cybersecurity policy, health IT, green IT and national security. We also aim to spotlight various federal government employees and interview key government executives whose impact resonates beyond their agency.

Read More >>

RSS ExecutiveBiz
  • Oracle Health to Enable Secure Patient Data Exchange With CLEAR1 Integration
  • Integrated Data Services Secures CMMC 2.0 Level 2 Certification
  • Leidos, Havoc Partner to Advance Maritime Autonomy
  • SAIC Receives $75M Navy Task Order for MQ-25 Refueling System Integration, Aviation Systems Support
  • Hanwha Defense USA, Magnet Defense Partner on Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels
  • RELI Group Taps Jeff Plant as Program Director for Health
RSS GovConWire
  • Raytheon Secures $213M Navy Contract Modification for Zumwalt Systems Support
  • ITC Federal Taps Mike Hall to Lead Proposal Strategy, Strengthen Growth Execution
  • Agile Defense Wins $118M USCIS RAPID Contract for Digital Modernization
  • Scale AI Boosts Defense Data Analytics With ICG Solutions Acquisition
  • Pentagon CIO Talks Challenges, Benefits of AI Powering Security Innovations Ahead of GovCon Event
  • ServiceNow Closes Armis Acquisition Deal to Expand AI-Driven Cybersecurity Capabilities
Executive Gov

Copyright © 2025
Executive Mosaic
All Rights Reserved

  • Executive Mosaic
  • GovCon Wire
  • ExecutiveBiz
  • GovCon Exec Magazine
  • POC
  • Home
  • Acquisition & Procurement
  • Agencies
    • DoD
    • Intelligence
    • DHS
    • Civilian
    • Space
  • Cybersecurity
  • Technology
  • Executives
    • Profiles
    • Announcements
    • Awards
  • News
  • Articles
  • About
  • Wash100
  • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • Submit your news
    • Jobs
Go toTop