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Argonne National Lab, Various Companies Partner on Nuclear Energy Projects; Mark Williamson Quoted
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Argonne National Lab, Various Companies Partner on Nuclear Energy Projects; Mark Williamson Quoted

Nuclear scientists and engineers at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois are working with industry partners to further advance U.S. nuclear energy projects as part of efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Experts from Argonne and industry are also developing nuclear technologies using funding from agencies such as the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, the national lab said Thursday.

Some of the companies partnering with Argonne are ARC Clean Technology, Oklo, TerraPower, Terrestrial Energy USA, Westinghouse and X-energy.

ARC Clean Technology, for instance, has worked with the national lab on a sodium cooled reactor development project that could lead to the development of small reactors.

“Nuclear is responsible for about 20% of total U.S. electricity and 50% of the country’s carbon-free electricity,” said Mark Williamson, director of the chemical and fuel cycle technologies division at Argonne National Laboratory.

“More impressively, since 1992, U.S. nuclear reactors have produced power — carbon-free — at 92% capacity per year. That is far better than the capacity of gas and coal,” added Williamson.

SDA Requests Information on Antenna Array Technology for Space Operations
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SDA Requests Information on Antenna Array Technology for Space Operations

The Space Development Agency is requesting industry input on the technical and manufacturing readiness of space antenna array payloads for future SDA tranches or experimentation.

SDA said Tuesday it envisions using antenna arrays to enable smaller, proliferated space vehicles to operate in contested environments in support of future space efforts, including the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Evaluation System and Tranche 3 Transport and Tracking Layers.

The agency is interested in antenna arrays that can operate in L-band, S-band, combined L-band and S-band, Ka-band and ultra-high frequency.

Interested parties have until Nov. 17 to respond to the request for information.

In September, SDA issued a request for proposals for the development of approximately 54 prototype satellites to enable the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer.

State Department Issues Worldwide Travel Advisory as Global Tensions Rise
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State Department Issues Worldwide Travel Advisory as Global Tensions Rise

The Department of State has issued an advisory cautioning United States citizens against travel to more than 200 countries amid rising geopolitical tensions and conflict.

“Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” according to the worldwide caution advisory released Monday by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

State Department Issues Worldwide Travel Advisory as Global Tensions Rise

To stay updated on the latest homeland security threats and global issues, join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2023 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 15. Leaders and decision-makers from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other security agencies are slated to speak and share their insights. Be a part of the conversation — register here.

The State Department warning urges U.S. citizens to “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists,” enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and follow the agency on social media platforms to stay updated with the latest information regarding travel advisories.

The widespread global advisory follows closely behind a State Department travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza on Oct. 14, as well as a level 4 advisory warning citizens against travel to Lebanon on Oct. 17. As global unease deepens due to emerging conflicts, homeland security has come to the fore as a top priority for U.S. officials and industry executives.

SAIC Program Management Director Tina Burnette will be speaking on the “Securing Our Homeland: Technologies, Innovations & Priorities” panel discussion at the Potomac Officers Club’s upcoming Homeland Security Summit.

When asked why homeland security issues are so urgent at this moment, Burnette told Executive Mosaic, “In the present tide of uncertainty, homeland security stands as the vigilant guardian of our collective well-being. As we face a world of evolving challenges, let us recognize that investing in homeland security is an investment in the safeguarding of lives, the preservation of freedoms, and the forging of a future marked by shared peace and prosperity.”

Hear more from Burnette and other homeland security experts and thought leaders on Nov. 15. Register here for your opportunity to meet government and industry executives while expanding your professional network and gaining important insights.

DOD Cautiously Studying Brain-Machine Interfaces
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DOD Cautiously Studying Brain-Machine Interfaces

An information warfare official at the U.S. Department of Defense has urged caution about a capability that can connect directly to electric signals in the human mind, the Washington Times said on Friday.

Referred to as brain-machine interfaces, these technologies are designed to link electrical brain signals with specific devices so users can give commands from their minds.

Lt. Cmdr. Mark Wess, a cryptologic warfare officer, wrote in the May issue of the U.S. Naval Institute’s magazine Proceedings that “no emerging technology is potentially more important to the military.” In the future, Wess sees a world where naval officers can employ BMI tools to control a battleship’s navigation, weapons and engineering systems.

The DOD has made some research and development efforts regarding BMIs. Capt. Ayesha Ahmad analyzed earlier neuroimaging experiments conducted by the department, including a Navy study in which researchers used electroencephalograms to detect lies. The study has a median 95% statistical confidence and error rate lower than 1 percent.

In 2018, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency launched the Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology program to develop BMI tools that could be used to facilitate human-machine interaction with unmanned aerial vehicles and active cyber defense systems.

While the U.S. military is looking into these tools, BMI technologies are also being developed by the nation’s near-peer competitors, according to Wess, who warned against potential negative uses of this technology and its ability to gather information regarding human brain functions.

Brain Talker, a joint project between China’s Tianjin University and China Electronics Corp., was announced in 2019. The press release about its creation said it is designed to understand a person’s goals using neural electric signals.

DOD Cautiously Studying Brain-Machine Interfaces

At the Potomac Officers Club’s 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit, you will have the chance to hear about many more DOD R&D initiatives from officials across the department. Last year’s edition of the event featured keynote speakers from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Defense Innovation Unit and the Air Force. To learn more and register to attend, click here.

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Raylene Yung Steps Down as Head of GSA’s Technology Modernization Fund
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Raylene Yung Steps Down as Head of GSA’s Technology Modernization Fund

Raylene Yung, executive director of the General Services Administration’s Technology Modernization Fund Program Management Office, is stepping down after two years in the position, Federal News Network reported Friday.

Jessie Posilkin, director of TMF’s customer experience portfolio, will serve as acting executive director of the program until a permanent replacement is identified.

Yung joined the TMF PMO in September 2021 and has since overseen the $1.2 billion funding initiative that supports the information technology modernization efforts across the federal government.

She previously served as the co-founder and CEO of the U.S. Digital Response, a nonprofit initiative that facilitates collaboration between government and organizations to address critical public needs amid the pandemic.

The Stanford University graduate was also a tech policy fellow at the Aspen Institute.

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Former CYBERCOM Intelligence Director Maj. Gen. Select Matteo Martemucci Named CSS Deputy Chief
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Former CYBERCOM Intelligence Director Maj. Gen. Select Matteo Martemucci Named CSS Deputy Chief

Maj. Gen. Select Matteo Martemucci has been appointed deputy chief of the Central Security Service.

He will serve under CSS Chief and National Security Agency Director Gen. Paul Nakasone, overseeing military and U.S. Coast Guard signals intelligence missions, NSA announced Friday.

Martemucci most recently served as director of intelligence for the U.S. Cyber Command, which is also led by Nakasone. He was primarily responsible for cyber operation planning and execution, which was critical in the implementation of combat missions around the globe.

As a decorated U.S. Air Force brigadier general, he was deployed in operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Decisive Endeavor and Southern Watch.

He also led intelligence units in the U.S. and overseas, such as the Test Squadron Intelligence Support at Edwards Air Force Base and the 51st Operations Support Squadron at Osan Air Base in South Korea.

“I am excited to continue my working relationship with Brig Gen Martemucci. He is a steadfast leader who will build upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, Maj Gen Douglas Coppinger. I place my full confidence in him to lead the CSS,” remarked Nakasone, a seven-time inductee into the Executive Mosaic Wash100.

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ARServices to Continue Providing Clinical Trial Support for National Cancer Institute Following Contract Recompete Win
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ARServices to Continue Providing Clinical Trial Support for National Cancer Institute Following Contract Recompete Win

Management and technology consulting services provider ARServices has won a recompete contract with the National Institutes of Health.

ARServices said on LinkedIn that the contract involves providing support for clinical trials carried out by the Protocol Information Office within the NIH National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Prevention.

Work under the contract includes maintaining DCP clinical trial records, abstracting elements from protocol-related documents and supporting clinical trial reviews.

Funding from the NCI, NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services is financing the project.

ARServices President and CEO Jay McCargo said his organization is humbled to continue supporting NCI, adding: “Our commitment to excellence and collaboration drives our dedication to advancing medical research and improving lives.”

ARServices to Continue Providing Clinical Trial Support for National Cancer Institute Following Contract Recompete Win

Potomac Officers Club will hold the 2023 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 6. The event will feature top healthcare professionals, who will discuss what’s on the horizon for the sector. Click here to register.

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CISA to Update National Cyber Incident Response Plan in 2024; Eric Goldstein Quoted
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CISA to Update National Cyber Incident Response Plan in 2024; Eric Goldstein Quoted

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is working with the private and public sector to amend the 2016 National Cyber Incident Response Plan next year.

CISA announced Friday that it is preparing to seek input from government agencies, critical infrastructure organizations and other industry partners to align the NCIRP with new cyber policies and technologies.

The NCIRP 2024 Planning Initiative will discuss advancements in ransomware and other cyber threats and improvements in public-private coordination over cyber incident response. It will also take into consideration the evolving capabilities of U.S. adversaries when it comes to online security.

“Our approach to update the NCIRP will be grounded in transparency and collaboration, recognizing that the private sector is often the first responder to many cyber incidents and that adversary campaigns increasingly transcend national borders,” said Eric Goldstein, CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

National security officials and experts from the government and private sectors are gathering at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2023 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 15. Be part of the event by registering now.

POC - 2023 Homeland Security Summit
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Marines Test ‘Robotic Goat’ in Combat Center Rocket Weapon Launch
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Marines Test ‘Robotic Goat’ in Combat Center Rocket Weapon Launch

U.S. Marines with the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group from Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command have partnered with the Office of Naval Research to test a quadruped robotic platform, dubbed “the robotic goat,” at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in California.

During the test, the mechanism carried an M72 light anti-tank weapon rocket launcher, enabling the Marines to control the anti-armor system remotely, the U.S. Marine Corps said Thursday.

“Instead of having a Marine handle the weapon system, manipulate the safeties, we could put a remote trigger mechanism on it that allowed it to all be done remotely,” said 1st Lt. Aaron Safadi, officer in charge of the emerging technology integration section at TTECG.

Safadi said the robotic goat could enable Marines to stay in cover and concealment while the weapon system approaches its target.

MCAGCC is reportedly the largest Marine Corps base that hosts military exercises to test new technologies, including robotic platforms, augmented reality and artificial intelligence systems.

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Scale AI’s Michael Kratsios: Lawmakers Should Advance Sector-Specific, Risk-Based Approach to AI Regulation
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Scale AI’s Michael Kratsios: Lawmakers Should Advance Sector-Specific, Risk-Based Approach to AI Regulation

Michael Kratsios, managing director of Scale AI and the 4th chief technology officer of the U.S., said lawmakers should ensure that federal agencies implement existing laws to advance responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and “pursue a use case and sector-specific, risk-based approach rooted in high quality testing and evaluation.”

Kratsios, a two-time Wash100 awardee, said at a House Science, Space and Technology Committee joint subcommittee hearing on Wednesday that the U.S. government should harness the strength of the country’s innovation ecosystem to push responsible AI development efforts forward.

He noted that Congress has the opportunity to do that by creating and funding the National AI Research Resource.

“Doing so would create a critical shared research infrastructure, providing expanded access to computational capabilities, high-quality datasets, and educational resources. Access to high-quality training data is the bedrock for developing responsible AI systems,” he said at the joint hearing.

“The NAIRR could serve as a crucial engine to drive the curation and availability of such data across government agencies,” Kratsios added.

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