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SpaceWorks, Stratolaunch Book NASA Study Contracts to Advance Hypersonic Flight Testing
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SpaceWorks X-60 platform. NASA awarded study contracts to SpaceWorks and Stratolaunch to advance hypersonic flight testing.

NASA has awarded contracts to two companies to conduct industry studies on how existing vehicles could be adapted for flight testing for airbreathing hypersonic technologies.

Who Received the NASA Awards?

The agency said Friday SpaceWorks Enterprises received a $500,000 study contract to further develop its X-60 platform, while Stratolaunch was awarded a $1.2 million deal to evaluate modifications to its Talon-A vehicle. Both companies will conduct a six-month study to explore how their platforms could be adapted for reusable, high-tempo and cost-effective flight testing.

“With these awards, NASA will collaborate with the commercial hypersonics industry to identify new ways to evaluate technologies through flight tests while we address the challenges of reusable, routine, airbreathing, hypersonic flight,” said Nateri Madavan, director of advanced air vehicles program at NASA.

How Is NASA Advancing Hypersonic Technology?

Through its Hypersonic Technology Project, NASA is developing reusable aircraft that achieve sustained hypersonic flight by “airbreathing” or using surrounding air for combustion, rather than carrying onboard oxygen like traditional rockets.

The awards are designed to help the industry define flight test capability requirements and may support a future NASA Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics, or MACH, initiative aimed at advancing commercial hypersonic vehicles and related infrastructure. The effort supports the broader goal of advancing hypersonic research under the Advanced Air Vehicles Program.

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Army Establishes New PAE for Agile Sustainment and Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal
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US Army. The Army activated a new PAE as part of its acquisition reform

The U.S. Army has activated the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Agile Sustainment and Ammunition, or PAE AS&A, at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey to accelerate the delivery of critical warfighter capabilities.

The service said Monday that the new organization, to be led by Maj. Gen. John Reim, is part of its continuous transformation efforts and acquisition reform.

Reim previously served as the joint program executive officer for armaments & ammunition and the commanding general of the Picatinny Arsenal.

Army Establishes New PAE for Agile Sustainment and Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal

Get updated on upcoming changes across the Army and hear top defense officials discuss the capabilities the service will need to achieve its 2030 goals at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18. Click here to purchase your tickets.

What Are the Responsibilities of the PAE AS&A?

The Army unveiled its plan to consolidate its program executive offices, also known as PEOs, into six portfolio acquisition executives in November to comply with an earlier memorandum that War Secretary Pete Hegseth, a two-time Wash100 winner, issued to reform the service’s acquisition processes.

PAE AS&A will be in charge of the logistics, fielding and sustainment of the Army’s conventional ammunition requirements, including direct and indirect fire ammunition, explosives and pyrotechnics, and close combat systems. It will also oversee the service’s organic munition production facilities.

What Will Happen to PEOs Under the Army’s Acquisition Reform?

The reform folds the former PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support into the Capability Program Executive for Combat Logistics, or CPE CL, and integrates the Joint PEO for Armaments and Ammunition into the Capability Program Executive for Ammunition & Energetics, or CPE A&E.

CPE CL, which is moving to Detroit Arsenal in Michigan, will continue to develop modernized tactical wheeled vehicles, watercraft, power generation systems and other capabilities to the Army.

Meanwhile, CPE A&E will remain at Picatinny Arsenal to manage the acquisition of all conventional ammunition.

According to Reim, the restructuring enables PAE AS&A to “direct research and development, prototyping, testing, production, and sustainment.”

“By prioritizing outcomes over processes, this new construct empowers us to award contracts faster by cutting through bureaucracy,” he added.

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SBA Working Capital Pilot Tops $150M in Manufacturer Lending
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SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. SBA’s Working Capital Pilot has surpassed $150 million in lending approvals.

The Small Business Administration’s 7(a) Working Capital Pilot Program has provided more than $150 million in lending since its launch, with most of that activity occurring over the past year as small manufacturers increasingly tap the program for flexible credit.

SBA said Monday that over $125 million of the amount has been approved since President Donald Trump took office last January, pointing to growing demand among manufacturers seeking working capital to expand operations, hire workers and strengthen domestic supply chains.

According to Kelly Loeffler, SBA’s administrator, the program is helping capital-intensive manufacturers finance growth and support reshoring efforts as part of the administration’s broader push to rebuild U.S. industrial capacity.

“The WCP is one of many SBA initiatives tailored to support America’s 600,000 small manufacturers amid the Trump Administration’s work to restore American industrial dominance,” the 2026 Wash100 Award recipient said.

How Does the Working Capital Pilot Support Small Businesses?

The Working Capital Pilot, created to complement SBA’s 7(a) and 504 loan offerings, supports both asset-based and transaction-based financing models. SBA said asset-backed loans allow businesses to borrow against inventory or receivables, while transaction-based loans can fund specific projects or orders earlier in the sales cycle, including up to 100 percent of direct costs.

SBA first outlined the pilot structure in 2024, noting that loans can reach $5 million and may be used for both domestic and international transactions. The pilot is scheduled to run through July 2027.

Why Are Manufacturers a Major Focus of WCP?

According to the SBA, small manufacturers account for more than 25 percent of the program’s portfolio and have been among its largest beneficiaries since launch.

The agency said the pilot is aligned with its broader Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, which aims to reduce regulatory barriers, expand capital access and strengthen domestic production capacity.

As part of that initiative, SBA expanded the use of the Working Capital Pilot, launched new efforts such as the Manufacturers’ Access to Revolving Credit program, and created an Office of Manufacturing and Trade to provide additional support and outreach.

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Federal CIO Greg Barbaccia Pushes for One Government Design Approach Across Government Websites
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Gregory Barbaccia, federal chief information officer. Barbaccia shared his approach to federal website improvement

Greg Barbaccia, federal chief information officer and a two-time Wash100 winner, is taking a one-government approach to improving design and user experience across all federal websites, the Federal News Network reported.

Federal CIO Greg Barbaccia Pushes for One Government Design Approach Across Government Websites

The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22 will provide government and industry leaders a platform to discuss the technologies and services various federal agencies need to support their modernization journeys. Sign up today to secure your spot!

What Is Greg Barbaccia’s Vision for the Redesigned Federal Websites?

At an industry conference Friday, Barbaccia shared that he, together with the National Design Studio, is aiming for consistency in overhauling federal websites.

“It’s jarring to the public when one agency’s digital experience is completely different than another agency,” the official stated. “We’re now coalescing that voice that we’re giving to the public. Not only from the visual design aspect … You feel like you’re visiting the same entity when you look at different websites … It’s the same voice being spoken to you.”

The National Design Studio, established under an executive order that President Donald Trump signed in 2025, is led by Joe Gebbia, chief design officer of the United States, to improve about 27,000 dot-gov websites.

Barbaccia, who also serves as the federal government’s service delivery lead under the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act, said that his goal is to make agencies “obsess over delivering tangible outcomes and results for the American taxpayer.”

Can AI Improve Digital Government Services?

According to Barbaccia, the administration is also experimenting with artificial intelligence to accelerate website redesign. The federal CIO described AI as a “phenomenal force multiplier” that will change government operations and delivery of public services.

He also shared that his team is looking to AI to enable self-service customer support, giving the public the answers they need quickly and minimizing interactions with a human agent. 

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5 Ways Industry Is Collaborating to Develop Golden Dome
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Golden Dome. The massive missile defense initiative will be a central topic at an upcoming government contracting conference.

U.S. defense contractors, tech companies, government agencies and academia are collaborating to develop a next-generation, multi-layered missile defense shield for the homeland against hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missiles, requiring massive scaling of production, artificial intelligence integration and advancements in space-based sensors and interceptors. This defense shield, dubbed the Golden Dome, is President Donald Trump’s dream for the Pentagon.

5 Ways Industry Is Collaborating to Develop Golden Dome

Be informed of the latest Golden Dome opportunities at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 GovCon Executive Leadership Summit on Feb. 26! Peder Jungck, vice president and chief technology officer of BAE Systems’ intelligence and security sector, is among the panel speakers on the subject. Network and brainstorm on the next big endeavor. Sign up today!

Golden Dome will be similar to Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, which is designed to protect against inbound missile attacks.  

What Is Golden Dome?

In early 2025, Trump announced a three-year, $175 billion plan to protect the U.S. from its adversaries, a vision that aims to stitch together existing Pentagon programs as well as new, developmental technologies such as space-based sensors and weapons. The Congressional Budget Office, however, estimates that the country would need to allocate $161 billion to $542 billion over 20 years to build a limited system. 

Here are five ways that the industry is teaming up and putting forward initiatives to work on bringing about a defense shield for the homeland. 

How Will Industry Collaborate to Develop Golden Dome?

Incorporating AI for Increased Autonomy

The U.S. Army is looking to increase autonomy through artificial intelligence solutions to reduce the manpower needed to manage Golden Dome. Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano said the service branch’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space told French defense firm Safran that he is looking for ways to reduce humans having to perform actions, such as verifying that timing data is synchronized with satellite timing, so that Golden Dome can work autonomously, according to a Defense News report.

The Army has also started discussions with Anduril Industries, which bought defense company Numerica, the author of the service branch’s Integrated Battle Command System fire control software. The service talked with Anduril about how it can integrate more AI fire control functionality into its major air and missile defense command-and-control system.

Building Missile Defense Prototypes

Anduril, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and True Anomaly have been awarded contracts by the U.S. Space Force to build missile defense prototypes, including prototypes of space-based interceptors and related systems, and the fire control stations to coordinate the signals from satellites and help interceptors launch and find their targets.

A Reuters report stated that the largest prize pool of $340 million would be split among companies that complete an on-orbit test, with first place receiving $125 million and fifth place receiving $40 million, according to a July 2025 Pentagon presentation.

Leaders from Lockheed and Northrop’s peer companies, such as LMI and QinetiQ US, will speak at Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 GovCon Executive Leadership Summit on Feb. 26. Hear executives discuss their contributions to the Golden Dome initiative by joining the event today.

Integrating Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Other Technologies

The Missile Defense Agency awarded several indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts under the 10-year Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense, or SHIELD, vehicle, which is valued at up to $151 billion. 

Work under SHIELD includes research and development, systems engineering, weapons design, data mining, prototyping, experimentation, modernization, cybersecurity, and modeling, simulation and analysis. Selected contractors will also use AI, machine learning, open systems architectures, model-based systems engineering, digital engineering, command and control and other technologies.

Boeing, CGI Federal, General Dynamics Information Technology, HII Mission Technologies, Leidos, Lockheed, Maxar Intelligence, Northrop, Raytheon and Sierra Nevada Corp. are among the awardees of spots in the contract vehicle.

Scaling Manufacturing Capabilities

The industry is expanding existing facilities, building robust supplier networks and investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities to support the Golden Dome initiative. 

Lockheed Martin officials said the company has established a new “prototyping environment” for “collaborative” development of command and control systems for Golden Dome. The prototyping hub is located at Lockheed’s Center for Innovation in Suffolk, Virginia, also known as the Lighthouse, according to a report from Breaking Defense.

L3Harris is scaling its Aerojet Rocketdyne business, including new solid rocket motor production facilities that the company is building in Arkansas and Virginia. The company also expanded its satellite integration and test facility in Palm Bay, Florida, to support the development of on-orbit technology for Golden Dome.

Strengthening Space-Based Defense

The U.S. Space Force’s Program Executive Office Space Combat Power in June 2025 sent out a request for information to industry “to identify existing space-based missile defense capabilities and strategize on an architecture of a proliferated [space-based interceptor] constellation capable of boost-phase, mid-course-phase and glide-phase intercepts.”

According to National Defense Magazine, the solicitation sought industry feedback on four areas: exoatmospheric interceptors designed to destroy targets in the boost and mid-course phases outside the Earth’s atmosphere; endoatmospheric systems designed to destroy targets within the Earth’s atmosphere; a common ground element to serve as the central command-and-control hub for generating and sending commands to the space-based interceptor constellation; and a fire control element to perform weapons-target pairing, fire control commanding and in-flight target updates.

In alignment with the Space Force’s requirement, Lockheed Martin Space aims to support the government’s objective to conduct an on-orbit demonstration of space-based interceptors by 2028. L3Harris is supporting the production of space-based missile warning and defense technologies, precision fire-control sensing, targets and propulsion and control systems for interceptors. Meanwhile, Northrop has begun conducting ground tests of space-based interceptors.

Don’t miss the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 GovCon Executive Leadership Summit on Feb. 26 to keep abreast of the latest in GovCon trends, opportunities and innovations. Network, get acquainted with business executives and other industry influencers. Buy your ticket today!

5 Ways Industry Is Collaborating to Develop Golden Dome
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Senate Confirms Trump Nominee John Lamontagne as USAF Vice Chief of Staff
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Gen. John Lamontagne, Air Force vice chief of staff. Lamontagne received Senate confirmation on Friday

The Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee, Gen. John Lamontagne, as the new vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force.

According to congressional records, lawmakers voted to confirm Lamontagne on Friday.

Senate Confirms Trump Nominee John Lamontagne as USAF Vice Chief of Staff

Meet top U.S. Air Force leaders at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. Secure your tickets here.

Who Is John Lamontagne?

Lamontagne has served as commander of Air Mobility Command since September 2024. AMC, the U.S. Transportation Command’s air component, provides global airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and senior leader transport services for the joint force, allies and partners worldwide.

Prior to leading AMC, he held several senior Air Force positions, including deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa, chief of staff of U.S. European Command and commander of the 618th Air Operations Center.

Lamontagne is a command pilot with over 4,000 flight hours in C-12, KC-135R and C-17A aircraft.

What Is the Recent History of the AF Vice Chief of Staff Role?

The Air Force has been without a permanent vice chief since Gen. James Slife stepped down from the role in February 2025. President Trump previously selected Gen. Thomas Bussiere to serve as vice chief, but the former commander of Air Force Global Strike Command retired in October.

Lamontagne will work with Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, who was confirmed as the 24th chief of staff of the Air Force in October, to oversee uniformed and civilian personnel.

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GSA Updates Guide for Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems
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Cybersecurity graphic. GSA issued an updated IT security procedural guide for protecting CUI in nonfederal systems.

The General Services Administration has issued an updated IT security procedural guide outlining processes to ensure that nonfederal systems and organizations protect controlled unclassified information, or CUI, in accordance with the requirements of GSA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

GSA Updates Guide for Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems

As federal agencies continue to update guidance on how contractors protect sensitive information, events like the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit offer an opportunity to stay informed about the broader federal cyber environment. Register early to save your seat at this May 21 event!

Issued on Jan. 5, the document, Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations Process CIO-IT Security-21-112, Revision 1, requires compliance with specific security requirements outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-171r3 and NIST SP 800-172r3 (draft).

What Is the Scope of the GSA IT Security Procedural Guide?

According to GSA, the guide applies when CUI resides in a nonfederal system and the organization is not operating or maintaining that system on behalf of a federal agency.

Under this framework, security and privacy controls apply only to components of nonfederal systems that store, process or transmit CUI.

Organizations must coordinate use of this process with the GSA Office of the Chief Information Security Officer and obtain approval from the agency’s CISO. Once approved, GSA requires the applicable IT security and privacy requirements outlined in its IT Security Procedural Guide 09-48 to be incorporated into contract solicitation documents.

What Are the 5 Phases for Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems?

The procedural guide defines five phases that organizations should follow to protect CUI in nonfederal systems: prepare, document, assess, authorize and monitor.

For the initial phase, key activities include identifying and verifying information types and determining the authorization path; participating in a kickoff meeting with GSA to review the process for protecting CUI in nonfederal systems; and presenting a vendor’s solutions architecture and critical capabilities to GSA.

Under the second phase, the vendor must document the system’s security and privacy requirements using the CUI Nonfederal System Security and Privacy Plan Template provided by GSA. According to the agency, privacy requirements are required for systems with a privacy impact assessment.

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War Department Names Leaders for 6 Critical Technology Areas
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DOW CDAO Cameron Stanley. The OUS(R&E) has named the Department of War's six critical technology areas' senior officials.

The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, or OUSW(R&E), has named the senior officials tasked with overseeing the Department of War’s six Critical Technology Areas, or CTAs.

War Department Names Leaders for 6 Critical Technology Areas

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What Are DOW’s Critical Technology Areas?

The OUSW(R&E) said Thursday the six CTAs announced by 2026 Wash100 Award winner and Under Secretary Emil Michael in November 2025 are applied artificial intelligence, biomanufacturing, contested logistics technologies, quantum and battlefield information dominance, scaled directed energy, and scaled hypersonics. The department said the areas are enterprise-wide priorities aimed at accelerating the transition of research into operational capabilities.

Who Were Selected to Lead the CTAs?

The selected CTA senior officials are:

Cameron Stanley

The War Department’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Cameron Stanley, also a 2026 Wash100 Award winner and a 4×24 Leadership Program member, was named senior official for applied artificial intelligence. The former Amazon Web Services national security transformation lead will direct the department’s use of data, analytics and AI to support warfighter operations across all domains.

Gary Vora

Gary Vora will lead biomanufacturing, overseeing efforts to scale critical materials and strengthen supply chain resilience. He previously served as the Navy’s principal scientist for biotechnology, helping transition biotechnologies from research to programs of record.

Robert Mantz

Robert Mantz will be the contested logistics technologies senior official, responsible for advancing capabilities to enhance operational efficiency across contested logistics operations. He previously held senior leadership roles at the Army Research Office and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Kevin Rudd

Kevin Rudd was selected to direct quantum and battlefield information dominance. He will leverage his extensive experience in electronic warfare, radar, radio frequency systems and advanced sensing to lead the CTA. He previously served at DARPA, the Naval Research Laboratory and the Office of Naval Research.

Christopher Vergien

Christopher Vergien will lead scaled directed energy, overseeing the department’s high-energy laser and high-power microwave programs. His career includes stints at AMERICAN SYTEMS, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

James Weber

James Weber is the senior official for scaled hypersonics, responsible for advancing the deployment of hypersonic capabilities. He previously served at NASA National Aero-Space Plan, Air Force Research Laboratory and DARPA.

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Pentagon Seeks to Strengthen Supplier Readiness With Digital Platform
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Pentagon. The DOW OSBP unveiled LYNX, a digital tool designed to help companies compete in defense markets.

The Department of War’s Office of Small Business Programs, or OSBP, has unveiled LYNX, a digital platform designed to help businesses enter and compete in defense markets.

DOW said Friday the LYNX platform, now open for registration, aims to strengthen supplier readiness and improve visibility into company capabilities across the defense industrial base.

What Is LYNX?

According to the department, LYNX is a comprehensive digital suite designed to assist small businesses, new entrants and nontraditional suppliers in navigating defense contracting requirements and connecting with mission-aligned partners and opportunities.

Under the platform, businesses create a company profile and complete an initial assessment to establish a readiness baseline and identify their next steps.

The platform also provides tools designed to help companies present their capabilities through an exportable profile; assess and clarify their readiness through in-depth assessments; and use artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate roadmaps aligned to business objectives. The tool also provides businesses with access to training resources and expert support.

What Did DOW Leadership Say About LYNX?

Michael Cadenazzi, assistant secretary of war for industrial base policy, described LYNX as a tool that “turns readiness into action” by helping firms prioritize steps and accelerate their transition to mission-aligned opportunities.

OSBP Director James Mismash said the platform reflects his office’s commitment to reducing barriers to entry for companies and broadening participation across the defense industrial base. 

“By providing a common framework for readiness and capability, LYNX supports faster engagement, smarter collaboration, and more resilient supplier growth,” Mismash added.

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NSA Publishes New Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines for Target-Level Maturity
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National Security Agency logo. NSA released Phase One and Two of its Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines

The National Security Agency has published Phase One and Phase Two of its Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines, or ZIGs, to provide organizations with activities needed to advance their cybersecurity journeys.

Phase One and Phase Two outline a total of 77 activities organizations can follow to transition their zero trust implementation from discovery to target-level maturity, the agency said Friday.

The ZIG series organizes the 152 activities in the Department of War’s Zero Trust Strategy.

NSA Publishes New Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines for Target-Level Maturity

Military leaders will provide an update on the zero trust implementation within their respective organizations ahead of the DOW’s 2027 deadline at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Cyber Summit on May 21. Get your tickets here. 

What Are the Zero Trust Implementation Guidelines?

The guidelines offer a five-phase approach to zero trust implementation, allowing organizations to customize activities to align with their unique requirements and goals.

NSA issued the first documents, Primer and Discovery Phase, under the ZIG series in January. The Discovery Phase is intended to enable organizations to identify critical data, applications, assets and services to be prioritized for zero trust implementation.

What Do the Phase One and Phase Two Guidelines Cover?

Phase One provides 36 activities that focus on establishing a secure foundation for supporting 30 zero trust capabilities, including multi-factor authentication, privileged access management, and federation and user credentialing.

Phase Two describes 41 additional activities that initiate the integration of core zero trust tools and enables 34 advanced capabilities. The document aligns with overarching guidance from the Pentagon, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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