State Department Collaborates With SAFE to Create Critical Minerals Investment Network
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State Department Collaborates With SAFE to Create Critical Minerals Investment Network

The Department of State and nonprofit organization SAFE have established a public-private partnership that aims to spur investment in the responsible and sustainable mining and utilization of critical minerals to achieve the country’s clean energy goals.

The Minerals Investment Network for Vital Energy Security and Transition will provide funding opportunities in mining, processing and recycling of lithium and other elements essential to renewable power generation, the department said Friday.

With demand for critical minerals projected to increase four to six times by 2040, the agency is creating environmental, social and governance standards to ensure a transparent, diverse, secure and stable supply chain for such commodities.

MINVEST is led in part by SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy and aligns with the State Department’s commitment to the Minerals Security Partnership.

The agency has launched a page on its website to further discuss MINVEST and encourage participation of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

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NASA Preparing Platform to Demo Technologies Enabling GPS-Like Lunar Navigation
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NASA Preparing Platform to Demo Technologies Enabling GPS-Like Lunar Navigation

NASA intends to launch Lunar Node 1 in early 2024 as part of an effort to establish a capability that would enable Global Positioning System-like navigation near and around the moon.

LN-1, an S-band navigation beacon, will be delivered to the lunar surface aboard aerospace company Intuitive Machines‘ NOVA-C lunar lander as part of the IM-1 mission, NASA said.

The beacon will demonstrate various navigation technologies — including Multi-spacecraft Autonomous Positioning System, or MAPS, algorithms — intended to enable lunar surface and orbital operations.

LN-1 was built at the Marshall Space Flight Center, where it underwent and passed vibration, electromagnetic interference and thermal vacuum testing. It has also undergone radio frequency compatibility testing with the Deep Space Network, whose ground stations will collect measurements to validate LN-1’s capabilities during the actual mission.

The technologies to be demonstrated during the IM-1 mission are expected to enable future lunar assets to navigate autonomously.

DARPA Issues Topics for 2024 Young Faculty Award Research Program
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DARPA Issues Topics for 2024 Young Faculty Award Research Program

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency revealed 24 new technical topics for the 2024 Young Faculty Award research program.

The agency on Wednesday announced that it has begun accepting executive summaries and proposals for next year’s YFA, which provides an opportunity for junior researchers in universities and nonprofit institutions to develop expertise in defense-related technical studies.

In a notice posted on SAM.gov, DARPA stated that it is looking for proposals with a 24-month base performance period in the fields of 3D microphysiologic systems, novel treatments for neuropathologies, additive manufacturing, large language models and low earth orbit spacecraft development.

Applicants may also focus on mitigation strategies for fault injection or glitching in hardware and software, laser-enabled optical power beaming, next-generation underwater propulsion technologies, quantum information science and artificial intelligence-generated content.

Interested parties may submit their executive summaries and proposals until March 23.

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Pacific Air Forces Demonstrates F-16 Aerial Refueling Capability Using Commercial Tankers
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Pacific Air Forces Demonstrates F-16 Aerial Refueling Capability Using Commercial Tankers

A commercial KDC-10 refueler provided F-16 fighter jets aerial refueling while traveling from Osan Air Base in South Korea to Singapore as part of exercise Commando Sling 23.

According to Pacific Air Forces Air Mobility Operations Chief Lt. Col. Curtis Holtman, the proof of concept employment demonstrates a capability that would allow the Air Force to maintain readiness while continuing to conduct exercises, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Thursday.

“If we can use commercial air refueling to cover the point A to point B movements for exercise participation across unit readiness training, then it frees up our warfighter tanker fleet to be ready to respond for emerging contingency requirements,” Holtman explained.

The PACAF official added that the exercise also aims to demonstrate commercial refueling capabilities for F-15C and F-22 fighters.

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DOD OIG Releases Evaluation of Pentagon’s Control Over Biometric Devices
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DOD OIG Releases Evaluation of Pentagon’s Control Over Biometric Devices

The Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General released a report evaluating the DOD’s control and accountability over biometric devices that collect, store and transmit biometric data.

The report revealed that military services and combatant commands complied with DOD policy and their guidance and procedures for biometric devices but found that some devices could not encrypt data because the DOD does not specify information security standards or require encryption on the biometric technologies, the DOD OIG said Thursday.

To address the issue, the inspector general recommended that the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security add data encryption standards to the DOD biometrics policy.

Biometric devices covered in the report include secure electronic enrollment kits, biometric automated toolsets, Javelin, Biosled and handheld interagency identity detection equipment.

“Improving DOD-wide standards for encryption and data protection requirements for biometric devices would help to reduce the risks of inadvertent release of such sensitive information,” said DOD Inspector General Robert Storch.

Thomas Rondeau: DOD Focusing on 5G Tech Security to Broaden Communications Capabilities
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Thomas Rondeau: DOD Focusing on 5G Tech Security to Broaden Communications Capabilities

Thomas Rondeau, principal director for future G at the Department of Defense, said the Pentagon is focused on ensuring the security of future G and 5G technologies as it seeks to strengthen its communications posture and deliver enhanced capabilities to warfighters, the Federal News Network reported Thursday.

“A key tenet here is privacy-enhancing technologies and additional security technologies in order to start breaking down those challenges that this technology will always have for us,” Rondeau said.

The DOD is also investing in technology to help it identify and manage signatures in the electromagnetic spectrum to better protect warfighters against jamming threats.

“[W]e are working closely with our industry base to define new technologies that will help us enhance our low probability of detection, interception, our anti jam capabilities within standard, compliant 5G systems,” Rondeau said.

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Federal Reserve Embraces Generative AI with New Incubator Program
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Federal Reserve Embraces Generative AI with New Incubator Program

The Federal Reserve System has established a new generative artificial intelligence “incubator” program to test out the emerging technology’s potential applications.

Sunayna Tuteja, the Federal Reserve System’s first-ever chief innovation officer, said the Fed needs to start putting generative AI technology into action, with responsibility and ethics at the forefront of their efforts.

Federal Reserve Embraces Generative AI with New Incubator Program

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“This is one of those technologies where you have to think but you also have to do, so how do we create a framework that enables us to do that?” Tuteja said at a conference hosted by FedScoop and Microsoft in Arlington, Virginia earlier this month.

“We’ve got to put hands on keys. This is not a theoretical exercise,” Tuteja added. “So how do we create the right guardrails and safe spaces within our organization that enables and empowers as many of our colleagues to really put hands on keys and start to think about the value of this technology on the businesses that they lead?”

The Federal Reserve is looking at potentially using AI to analyze payment system data and data related to supervision and regulation activities. Tuteja said applying the right AI models, especially in regards to payment system data, could help the Fed better understand its customers’ behavior and make more informed business decisions.

As AI technologies have grown in popularity in recent years, concerns about the workforce have emerged, but Tuteja asserted that the Fed’s use of AI is focused on “augmenting” humans, not replacing them.

“Our thesis is not that AI or generative AI is going to be a replacement, but more so that it will play the role of augmentation and complement. So in a way that humans now have more time and space to do the higher order work,” she explained.

The Federal Reserve’s new incubator program aligns with the objectives and goals outlined in President Biden’s recent landmark executive order on AI.

Senate Bill Looks to Establish Bipartisan Fiscal Commission
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Senate Bill Looks to Establish Bipartisan Fiscal Commission

Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mitt Romney, R-Utah, have introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a bicameral fiscal commission that would present legislative solutions to strengthen the federal government’s long-term fiscal health.

The Fiscal Stability Act aims to stabilize the nation’s finances for future generations and decrease the national debt now exceeding $33.6 trillion, more than double what it was a decade ago, Manchin’s office said Thursday.

The 16-member commission will produce a report and propose legislation to improve the government’s fiscal condition, stabilize debt-to-GDP ratio within 15 years and enhance the solvency of federal trust funds over a 75-year period.

The Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader will each appoint three elected officials and one outside expert to the commission.

“Our national debt weakens our economic and national security and jeopardizes our leadership on the international stage. If we cannot come together to rein in this looming crisis, we will be failing the American people and harming the well-being of our future generations,” Manchin said.

Co-sponsors of the bill are Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind.; Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz.; Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.; John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.; John Cornyn, R-Texas; Mark Warner, D-Va.; Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

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Former Raytheon Exec David Broadbent Joins Intelsat to Lead Government Solutions Arm; Dave Wajsgras Quoted
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Former Raytheon Exec David Broadbent Joins Intelsat to Lead Government Solutions Arm; Dave Wajsgras Quoted

Satellite communications company Intelsat has appointed Raytheon alum David Broadbent as its president of government solutions.

Reporting to CEO and seven-time Wash100 Award recipient Dave Wajsgras, Broadbent will oversee the international government solutions team and has been added to the company’s seven-member management committee, the McLean, Virginia-headquartered organization said Monday.

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Wajsgras highlighted Broadbent’s strengths in sowing cooperation amongst teams, winning new business and his consistent knack for implementing incremental improvement across all operations.

“Broadbent has spent his entire, successful career navigating complex U.S. and international government business environments, and he has a strong track record of delivering exceptional results at every level,” Wajsgras, who is also formerly of Raytheon, continued.

Broadbent devoted over two decades at Raytheon to gaining expertise in program execution, contracts, financial planning, business development and more. He held positions like international director of strategic pursuits, director of contracts for integrated air and defense and, most recently, president of the company’s space systems wing. Earlier in his career, while still in the U.K., Broadbent worked on engineering design and supply chain projects at Vickers Defence Systems.

“The company has a strong global presence and a distinguished history of innovation, customer focus and delivering on its commitments,” Broadbent said of Intelsat. “With an exciting multi-orbit strategy and technology roadmap, we are incredibly well positioned for growth in the rapidly evolving SATCOM and services sector.”

Intelsat is regularly contracted by government customers for broadband connectivity, video communications and mobility services, among other tasks. Its offerings reportedly enable homeland security, disaster preparedness and remote military initiatives.

Former Raytheon Exec David Broadbent Joins Intelsat to Lead Government Solutions Arm; Dave Wajsgras Quoted
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Greenbelt, Maryland Site Chosen for New FBI HQ Campus
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Greenbelt, Maryland Site Chosen for New FBI HQ Campus

The General Services Administration will now kick off the acquisition process after selecting a 61-acre site in Greenbelt, Maryland, as the location for the FBI’s new headquarters campus.

GSA said Thursday it selected Greenbelt over two other sites in Landover, Maryland, and Springfield, Virginia because it offers the best transportation access to the bureau’s employees and visitors, the lowest cost to taxpayers and the most certain schedule when it comes to project delivery.

The factors considered for the site selection include the bureau’s proximity to mission-related locations, site development flexibility and schedule risk, transportation access, cost and promotion of sustainable siting and equity.

GSA will now work on the prospectus or the comprehensive project fact sheet for submission to Congress.

According to GSA, efforts to identify a downtown location in Washington, D.C., are also underway to house approximately 750 to 1,000 FBI employees that will move out of the J. Edgar Hoover Building and provide the bureau continued accessibility to the Department of Justice and other agencies.

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