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Government Technology/News
NIH-Led Team Identifies 3 Compounds That Work Against Zika Virus-Linked Brain Cell Death
by Jane Edwards
Published on August 30, 2016
NIH-Led Team Identifies 3 Compounds That Work Against Zika Virus-Linked Brain Cell Death


HealthNational Institutes of Health researchers have partnered with Florida State University and Johns Hopkins University and discovered three compounds that work to hamper the ability of Zika virus to replicate and destroy brain cells.

Scientists at NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences identified emricasan, niclosamide and a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor through the use of robots designed to perform drug repurposing screening functions, NIH said Monday.

Emricasan is an experimental drug that is under the clinical trial phase for the treatment of liver fibrosis and injury, while niclosamide is a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of worm infections.

A CDK inhibitor, PHA-690509, works to regulate brain development and cellular processes.

“Our identification of repurposed small molecule compounds may accelerate the translational process of finding a potential therapy,” said Anton Simeonov, scientific director at NCATS.

A team led by NCATS researcher Wei Zheng identified over 100 compounds that work against the mosquito-borne virus through the use of a caspase 3 protein-based assay to screen 6,000 experimental and FDA-approved drugs.

The research team subjected at least 100 compounds to tests and identified three experimental treatments that work to protect neuronal cells from the virus.

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, Emory University and NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke also supported the research.

Government Technology/News
Seven Teams to Compete in NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge Finals
by Jay Clemens
Published on August 30, 2016
Seven Teams to Compete in NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge Finals


NASA imageNASA is slated to hold the final phase of the agency’s space exploration robotics challenge in September after five years of competition and will award a $1.36 million prize to the winning team.

Seven finalists have been selected out of 40 participating teams worldwide to compete for two hours to locate up to 10 unknown samples with different sizes, shapes, locations and difficulty levels under the easy, intermediate and hard categories, NASA said Tuesday.

The three-day Sample Return Robot Challenge will take place at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts from Sept. 4 to 6.

Finalists in the competition are:

  • Team Al – Toronto, Canada
  • Alabama Astrobotics – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • MAXed Out – Santa Clara, California
  • Mind & Iron – Seattle, Washington
  • Sirius – South Hadley, Massachusetts
  • Survey – Los Angeles
  • West Virginia University Mountaineers – Morgantown, West Virginia

The competition will close with an awards ceremony and press conference on Sept. 6 at the WPI quadrangle.

The challenge is part of NASA’s Centennial Challenges Program with a goal to help further innovation in space exploration robotics technologies.

DoD/News
Air Force’s 100th F-35 Arrives at Luke Air Force Base
by Ramona Adams
Published on August 30, 2016
Air Force’s 100th F-35 Arrives at Luke Air Force Base


F-35The U.S. Air Force has received its 100th Lockheed Martin-built F-35 with the fighter aircraft’s delivery to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona Friday.

The service branch said Saturday the milestone follows the declaration of initial operational capability on the F-35 Lightning II program and activation of the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB.

“There are going to be more F-35s than any other fighter platform, and all that training starts right here at Luke AFB,” said Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, commander of the Air Force’s 56th Fighter Wing.

The base’s F-35 fleet now has more than 40 aircraft and includes the fighter jets of partner nations such as Australia and Norway, the Air Force noted.

The service branch added the arrival of the 100th F-35 builds on Luke AFB’s efforts to transition into the only active-duty Air Force F-35 training base.

According to Leonard, the activation of Luke AFB’s third F-35 unit called the 63rd Fighter Squadron also puts the base closer to its goal to establish six squadrons.

News
Air Force Research Laboratory Kicks Off Biofuel Production Tech Commercialization Effort; James Neely Comments
by Jay Clemens
Published on August 30, 2016
Air Force Research Laboratory Kicks Off Biofuel Production Tech Commercialization Effort; James Neely Comments


biofuelThe Air Force Research Laboratory has unveiled a new organization to explore new methods to commercialize a biofuel production technology in an effort to manage petroleum usage costs.

AFRL’s Defense Production Act Title III Program Office will collaborate with industry to develop feedstock, buy equipment and create a business strategy to sustain the production of biofuel for Defense Department and industry use, the U.S. Air Force said Monday.

“The military services were directed by the president to address the production of biofuels so we could mitigate the vulnerabilities faced when the price of fuel went up,” said James Neely, a program manager in the DPA Title III Program Office.

“We have unique authorities through Title III, allowing us to enter into partnerships with commercial industry to put a manufacturing capability in place in response to a specific DoD need for technology,” Neely added.

AFRL has launched the Bio-Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene project to retrofit a California-based refinery through the manufacturing of biofuel for military and industry use.

DoD/News
Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne Assumes Military Sealift Command Chief Post
by Jay Clemens
Published on August 30, 2016
Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne Assumes Military Sealift Command Chief Post

 

Dee Mewbourne
Dee Mewbourne

Navy Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne, former director of maritime operations at the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, formally assumed duties as commander of the Military Sealift Command during a ceremony held Thursday aboard the USNS Lewis B. Puller ship.

He succeeds Navy Rear Adm. T. K. Shannon, who has retired after a 34-year military career, the service branch said Friday.

Mewbourne previously commanded Electronic Attack Squadron 139 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Nashville, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Enterprise, USS Harry S. Truman, Naval Service Training Command and Carrier Strike Groups 3 and 11.

He completed sea assigments flying the A-6E Intruder aircraft in Attack Squadron (VA) 34 embarked on USS America and VA-75 on USS John F. Kennedy as well as served as executive officer of VA-196 on USS Carl Vinson and VAQ-139 on Lincoln.

His onshore assignments include roles as a flight instructor in VA-42 and project officer at the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate.

The 33-year Navy veteran also served as military assistant and trip coordinator for the Defense Department secretary and deputy secretary, chief of staff at Navy Cyber Forces and on the staff of the Naval Air Force Atlantic commander.

 

DoD/News
Capt. Joseph Olson Takes Command of USS America Amphibious Assault Ship
by Dominique Stump
Published on August 30, 2016
Capt. Joseph Olson Takes Command of USS America Amphibious Assault Ship


U.S. NavyCapt. Joseph Olson, former USS America executive officer, has succeeded Capt. Michael Baze as the the amphibious assault ship’s commanding officer during a change of command ceremony held Friday at Naval Base San Diego.

The U.S. Navy said Monday among the guests for the ceremony were Lynne Pace, the ship’s sponsor, and Rear Adm. Daniel Fillion, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3.

Olson started his military career in 1992 and has since served as chief engineer on board USS Dextrous, USS Warrior and USS Frederick, executive officer on board USS Cleveland, action officer for the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and lead analyst for ship and submarine programs of the Office of the Secretary of Defense programming division.

He was also chief of staff at the Office of the Secretary of Defense before to his assignment as USS America’s executive officer.

Civilian/News
Sens. Claire McCaskill, Jon Tester Issue Follow-Up Letter on New Background Investigation Bureau
by Jane Edwards
Published on August 30, 2016
Sens. Claire McCaskill, Jon Tester Issue Follow-Up Letter on New Background Investigation Bureau


US office of personnel managementSens. Jon Tester (D-Montana) and Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) have asked the Office of Personnel Management for updates on how OPM will establish a new bureau that would be responsible for federal background investigations.

The lawmakers asked Beth Cobert, acting OPM director, in a letter released Aug. 23 to determine whether it is feasible for OPM to meet its Oct. 1 deadline for the creation of the National Background Investigations Bureau.

Tester and McCaskill initially wrote a letter to Cobert in May to provide information on how OPM would establish NBIB that would replace the Federal Investigative Services organization.

The senators ask OPM to submit information on the bureau’s functions that include organizational chart and funding structure, NBIB’s information technology infrastructure and case management system and updates on the agency’s background investigation backlogs.

Responses to the inquiry are due Sept. 6, according to the letter.

The White House announced in January the plan to form NBIB to oversee background checks on federal contractors and employees as part of efforts to update the security clearance and investigation process.

DoD/News
Marine Corps Times: M1A1 Abrams Tanks to Receive New Tracking, Sights Upgrades
by Dominique Stump
Published on August 29, 2016
Marine Corps Times: M1A1 Abrams Tanks to Receive New Tracking, Sights Upgrades


Abrams-tankThe U.S. Marine Corps‘ M1A1 Abrams tanks are set to receive new main gun tracking and thermal sights upgrades in an effort to increase their lethality during combat, the Marine Corps Times reported Friday.

Mike Kreiner, M1A1 project officer for the Marine Corps systems command, told Jeff Schogol that the upgrades will be installed on 400 Abrams tanks between October to December 2017.

The new gun tracking function is designed to allow commanders to track a moving target with the .50 caliber machine gun and with a button, position the main gun to the target as well.

The tank’s day and thermal sights will be upgraded with a color camera, color display, and a longer range of sight, Kreiner added.

DoD/News
Frank Kendall Visits SPAWAR Facilities to Discuss Acquisition Priorities & Initiatives
by Ramona Adams
Published on August 29, 2016
Frank Kendall Visits SPAWAR Facilities to Discuss Acquisition Priorities & Initiatives


Frank Kendall
Frank Kendall

Frank Kendall, defense undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, has met with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command‘s acquisition staff and command leadership to discuss acquisition priorities and initiatives.

The U.S. Navy said Friday Kendall engaged in an all hands meeting, awards ceremony, roundtables and laboratory tours during his visit to SPAWAR’s Old Town Campus and Systems Center Pacific facilities.

Kendall discussed the Defense Department‘s Better Buying Power 3.0 mandate that aims to update acquisition practices across the DoD to support warfighters, the Navy added.

The service branch noted the undersecretary answered employee questions on processes and the impact of fixed-cost contracts on industry competition.

Kendall also gave awards to recognize SPAWAR employees’ accomplishments that build on acquisition priorities and BBP 3.0 initiatives.

Awardees include Bill Farmer, who led efforts to provide C4I systems for ships; Emily Nguyen, who served as project manager of a team that produces six software applications each month for Marines; and Dai Nguyen, for his efforts to develop and implement virtual training environment platform.

Kendall toured SPAWAR System Center Pacific’s laboratories such as the Battlespace Exploitation of Mixed Reality laboratory that seeks to explore potential applications of virtual and augmented reality on warfighting, the Navy said.

The service branch added Kendall observed demonstrations of cyber situational awareness technologies, unmanned vehicles, nano satellites and command and control systems.

Acquisition & Procurement/News
GAO: Defense Secretary Should Instruct Army to Develop Oversight Mechanisms for Patriot Missile System Upgrade Strategy
by Scott Nicholas
Published on August 29, 2016
GAO: Defense Secretary Should Instruct Army to Develop Oversight Mechanisms for Patriot Missile System Upgrade Strategy


PatriotMissile-e1447081925531The Government Accountability Office has recommended that the Defense Secretary should direct the U.S. Army to establish oversight mechanisms similar to defense acquisition program systems if development for upgrades operationally tested with Post Deployment Build-8 is required.

GAO said in a report published Thursday the Army plans to spend $2.9 billion between fiscal years 2013 to 2021 in support of an upgrade strategy for the Patriot missile system to address various capacity requirements such as performance, reliability, and communications as well as obsolescence and sustainment concerns.

The upgrade strategy budget will allot 33.9 percent of the budget budget at $994.4 million for mid-term upgrades and 28.2 percent at $827.6 million for near-term upgrades while ongoing upgrades will receive 22.7 percent of the budget worth $667.8 million.

The remaining $437.8 million on the budget will be allotted for long-term upgrades, auditors noted.

GAO noted the Army looks to begin operational testing for PDB-8 and PDB-8.1 in fiscal years 2016 and 2019 to reveal the extent to which the upgrades will work as intended and provide oversight to the service branch.

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