The U.S. Army has decided to scrap its current Abrams main battle tank modernization program and embark on another initiative to increase the vehicle’s mobility and survivability against future threats on the battlefield.

Work on version 4 of the M1A2 System Enhancement Package will end to give way to M1E3 Abrams development as part of the Army’s strategy to confront battlefield threats in 2040 and beyond, the service branch said Wednesday.

M1E3 Abrams will include some M1A2 SEPv4 features and comply with modular open systems architecture standards to enable faster technology upgrades in the future.

According to the Army, the new modernization program will provide reduced sustainment and logistical footprint, enhancing the maneuverability of armored brigade combat teams in conflicts.

“The Abrams Tank can no longer grow its capabilities without adding weight, and we need to reduce its logistical footprint,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer for ground combat systems. 

The branch will produce the M1A2 SEPv3 at a reduced rate until it transitions the M1E3 Abrams into production.

A digital security enterprise platform developed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is showing promise as a primary tool in streamlining data consolidation and processing while safeguarding classified information for the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

AFRL reported Tuesday that the software known as the Security Enterprise Communication and User Reporting Environment helped the command accurately track foreign travel and contacts to ensure that employees with security clearances were in compliance with reporting requirements.

The system follows the Director of National Intelligence’s Security Agent Directive on reporting requirements for employees who hold a sensitive position or have access to classified data. Users at all levels can input data from multiple systems into SECURE, where they are all consolidated to achieve an enterprise risk picture.

After the pilot at USAFE-AFAFRICA, the service branch intends to test two more SECURE modules early next year to maximize its potential as an alternative to manual processing of personnel monitoring.

The U.S. Army’s soldier tuition and credentialing assistance portal has been fully deployed across the service branch to enable service members and Army civilians to request financial assistance for learning courses.

The Army Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems and the Army Credentialing and Continuing Education Services for Soldiers announced the full deployment of ArmyIgnitED a year after the Army completed the first phase of the portal’s rollout, PEO EIS said Tuesday.

The milestone follows the implementation of ArmyIgnitED’s interface with the General Fund Enterprise Business System to automate payment processing and launching of functionality for Army civilian professional development.

Additional enhancements will be added to the tuition assistance portal including an interface with the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army to enable rapid data access and timely responses to applications.

The Navy’s innovation arm has launched its redesigned website USNavalX.com to streamline how users access information via simplified navigation and to reflect its ability to adapt.

“Because at NavalX, adaptation is in our DNA. It is the driving force behind our agile approach — and the solutions we seek and deliver to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. We know the best ideas, systems and strategies thrive from evolution and revolution,” its LinkedIn post reads.

Through evolution and with a focus on naval enterprise approach, NavalX is reportedly working to improve its support to the service branches amid rapid technological advancements and changing threats.

Its mission is to drive accelerated development and deployment of technologies relevant to addressing fleet challenges. 

The organization also aims to optimize processes to enable nontraditionals to work with it more easily and bring in new technologies from industry for a more diversified defense industrial base.

Purdue University expanded its partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center to advance research and development efforts for defense microelectronics.

Their new initiative, dubbed Purdue@Crane, involves the Purdue Applied Research Institute, Purdue Research Foundation and NSWC Crane Division in Indiana, the university announced Tuesday.

Purdue@Crane will initially collaborate with NHanced Semiconductors and Everspin Technologies to foster innovation in secure, reliable and trusted microelectronics, as well as hypersonics and energetic materials. The initiative will begin with an annual budget of $2 million, with funding expected to reach $40 million as it continues to engage with more local companies until 2030.

Everspin President and CEO Sanjeev Aggarwal said the company is “excited to collaborate with Purdue University on the next generation of [magnetoresistive random-access memory] use cases related to artificial intelligence and high-density memory applications.”

The new endeavor is relevant to NSWC Crane’s Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement microelectronics workforce development program. The SCALE project recently received a $19 million investment from the Department of Defense, $3.8 million of which is earmarked for Purdue.

The General Services Administration has established an office to support the implementation of the Biden administration’s national action plan to advance open government initiatives.

The Open Government Secretariat Program Management Office includes a permanent team to help implement the Fifth Open Government National Action Plan, which was issued in December 2022 and designed to improve the public’s access to government data, research and information, GSA said Tuesday.

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan unveiled the new office at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, where she represented the U.S. on the OGP steering committee.

“The U.S. Government is pleased to be deepening its commitment to open government and GSA is proud to be home to a new Secretariat that will help us coordinate and drive toward our goals of empowering people to fully participate in democracy,” Carnahan said. 

“Through our upcoming work on the OGP Steering Committee and through many other efforts, we will continue to deepen relationships among civil society in the U.S. as well as globally,” she added.

The U.S. will serve on the committee for the next three years starting in October.