Frank Kendall, secretary of the U.S. Air Force, and Heidi Shyu, under secretary of defense for research and engineering, have warned Congress that delays in the fiscal year 2024 budget directly impact key military technology development programs aimed at winning the technological race with China, Federal Times reported Monday.

Among these programs is the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCA, concept, which seeks to advance air combat operations through manned-unmanned aircraft teaming.

Kendall said during the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California that the service branch has spent two years on the CCA concept and may “lose another year” if it does not get a full-year budget for FY 2024.

Shyu noted that inconsistent funding has also slowed the testing of hypersonic weapon systems, adding that the OUSD(R&E) plans to send Congress a list of systems that would be affected by a yearlong continuing resolution.

“China spends an enormous amount of money on test assets,” Shyu said. “This is where we have [a] shortfall.”

Kendall and Shyu are both 2023 Wash100 awardees.

Shyu is set to speak at the Potomac Officers Club’s 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 31 to discuss the latest developments in the defense technology sector. Register here and save a seat at the highly anticipated event.

The Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum recommending technical best practices for a climate-smart infrastructure as well as guidelines for incorporating climate risk data into the management of federal agencies’ real estate.

The memo aims to spearhead a coordinated action among government departments to ensure climate resilience in infrastructure investments, OMB said Wednesday.

Investing in a climate-smart infrastructure “and proactively managing risks posed by climate change…expands economic opportunities for American workers, and promotes fiscal stewardship,” OMB Director Shalanda Young stated in the document. Such financial decisions “also contribute to ensuring that agencies are investing public dollars effectively and efficiently.”

Federal financial assistance programs should include opportunities for underserved communities and support systems that will help incorporate climate resilience in their project designs. Agencies should also favor applicants that propose to use low-embodied carbon materials and other sustainable materials in their projects.

In compliance with the Disaster Resiliency Planning Act, the memo recommended that government entities conduct climate exposure assessments in their real property management procedures. They should also submit their findings for Climate Adaptation Plans to OMB and the Council on Environmental Quality.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a multi-year strategy outlining its goals and priorities for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 to transform into a data-driven and evidence-based organization.

The FY24-26 USDA Data Strategy aims to achieve the full potential of data in five focus areas: data governance and leadership, data and analytics workforce, common data and analytics, open data architecture and purposeful analytics.

USDA seeks to modernize its enterprise data architecture and upskill its existing workforce in emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to improve the use and management of data across the department.

Building on the earlier accomplishments of the FY 21-23 USDA Data Strategy, the department will advance data skills and enterprise tools, improve governance and policies and expand collaboration.

The data plan also focuses on the ethical use and development of AI technology to improve data analytics and governance.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will accept petitions for participation in the Semiconductor Technology Pilot Program beginning Dec. 1.

The pilot program aims to expedite the examination of patent applications for select innovations involving semiconductor manufacturing, the USPTO said Thursday.

“Fast tracking examination of patent applications related to semiconductor device manufacturing speeds bringing key innovations to market and strengthens our nation’s supply chain,” Kathi Vidal, director of the USPTO, explained.

Vidal, who also serves as Department of Commerce under secretary for intellectual property, added that the program also aims to speed up the delivery of new technologies to users while reducing U.S. reliance on foreign semiconductor chip supplies.

The effort is being carried out in support of the CHIPS for America program.

“This new USPTO program will ensure we are prioritizing critical intellectual property protections to incentivize investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said.

The pilot will run through Dec. 2, 2024, or until 1,000 grantable petitions are accepted.