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Director Chris Scolese Says NRO Focused on Speed, Innovation & Partnerships
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NRO Director Chris Scolese discussed the agency's strategy in a contested space environment.

Chris Scolese, director of the National Reconnaissance Office and a five-time Wash100 Award winner, outlined the agency’s strategy, with an emphasis on speed, innovation and partnerships, at the Maryland Space Business Roundtable on June 18.

NRO Focuses on Partnership, Rapid Development

The NRO said Wednesday Scolese said the agency is fostering and expanding strategic collaborations with government, academia and industry partners in developing innovations addressing challenges in a contested space environment. He stressed that the agency will focus on rapid advancements in research and development, design, manufacturing, acquisition, launch, data collection and operations to meet the demands of warfighters, policymakers, first responders and other stakeholders for innovations enhancing data delivery in customized formats.

Director Chris Scolese Says NRO Focused on Speed, Innovation & Partnerships

Discover the latest intelligence community initiatives centered on innovations intended for national security at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit.

Scolese added that the agency’s recently launched Space Reconnaissance Lab has greatly contributed to encouraging collaboration between public and private industries and accelerating the development and deployment of new innovations related to space architecture, national security and scientific advancements. He added that the collaborations have bolstered capability, resilience and opportunities for new concepts to develop. The NRO director also noted the need for automation and artificial intelligence-driven tools to enhance its systems.

“Our commercial collaborations are flourishing because we have broken down barriers to doing business with the NRO to take advantage of commercially available data as well as commercially available products,” Scolese said. “This is enhancing the viability of the commercial sector even as it delivers greater efficiency and effectiveness for the government,” he added.

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Senator Proposes Bill to Address Deepfake Use in Scams
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Sen. Jon Husted's proposed bill aims to address scams that use artificial intelligence-generated content called deepfakes

Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, has introduced a new bill that seeks to mitigate the use of artificial intelligence to steal information or money from Americans. 

The Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act would establish a task force that would identify measures to safeguard financial institutions from AI-powered fraud and create best practices to protect consumers, Husted’s office said Wednesday. 

Senate Wants to Establish Anti-Financial Crimes Task Force 

The proposed legislation assigns the head of the Department of the Treasury to lead the task force. Members will include representatives from the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, reported CyberScoop.

The group will submit its findings to Congress within a year of the bill’s enactment.. 

AI Use in Fraud

Husted’s office warned that scammers are using AI to generate realistic emails, phone calls and text messages designed to deceive and financially exploit consumers.

“Scammers are using deep fakes to impersonate victims’ family members in order to steal their money. As fraudsters continue to scheme, we need to make sure we utilize AI so that we can better protect innocent Americans and prevent these scams from happening in the first place,” the legislator said in a statement. “My bill would protect Ohio’s seniors, families and small business owners from malicious actors who take advantage of their compassion.”

A companion bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives in February.

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Gen. Christopher Mahoney Nominated as Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman
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Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney emerged as President Trump's nominee for the Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman role

President Donald Trump has nominated Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

According to a congressional notice, the Senate on Tuesday received and referred Mahoney’s nomination to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Navy Adm. Christopher W. Grady currently serves as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

The JCS vice chairman is the country’s second-highest-ranking military officer who oversees joint military requirements and represents the U.S. military in National Security Council deputies meetings.

Who Is the Nominee for the Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Role?

Mahoney is the 37th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, a position he has held since November 2023.

He previously served as deputy commander of the U.S. Marine Forces Pacific; director of strategy and plans at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, or HQMC; deputy commander of U.S. Forces, Japan; commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and deputy commandant for programs and resources at HQMC.

The Top Gun graduate has logged over 5,000 flight hours in the A-6, F-5, F-18 and F-35 fighter aircraft.

Mahoney is a qualified forward air controller and parachutist and has held command at the wing, group and squadron levels.

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Kristen Alexander Named Director of Assessments at Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for R&E
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Kristen Alexander has been appointed director of assessments at OUSD(R&E)

Kristen Alexander shared on LinkedIn Thursday that she has been appointed director of assessments at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

The executive brings 20 years of proven expertise in Department of Defense acquisition, test and evaluation, experimentation, and prototyping. She is well-versed in assessing advanced technology programs and providing technical insights on technical maturity and programmatic risks.

Alexander’s Career Highlights

Alexander joined OUSD(R&E) in March 2024 as deputy director, leading a team composed of government civilians, systems engineering and technical assistance contractors, and personnel from university-affiliated research centers and federally funded research and development centers. She oversaw the experimentation and military utility assessments of emerging technologies.

The director previously served at the Office of the Secretary of Defense for over eight years. She was the chief learning and artificial intelligence officer and director of operational test and evaluation. In her dual role, Alexander spearheaded comprehensive testing efforts for AI-powered systems across academia, industry, and the test and evaluation enterprise. She also pioneered a continuous learning program for enhancing test and evaluation workforce readiness.

Alexander was also the technical adviser to the deputy director of operational test and evaluation, land and expeditionary warfare from 2015 to 2023.

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DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Mandates 5-Day Review for Contracts, Grants Over $100,000
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Kristi Noem, DHS secretary, has ordered all contracts and grants over $100,000 be reviewed and approved

Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has issued a directive requiring the DHS to review and approve all contracts and grants exceeding $100,000, the Federal News Network reported Wednesday.

Details of Kristi Noem’s Memo

According to the memo released by Noem, winner of the 2025 Wash100 Award, proposals submitted for her consideration should have all the significant details, such as “mission impact, dollar values, description of the supplies or services, any timeliness issues and a description of the proposed action.” She also asked that submissions for obligations over $100,000 be submitted in memo form through the Executive Secretary process. Noem emphasized that there is a minimum five-day period for reviewing all contracts and grant awards. The memo also mentioned that the new directive replaces the earlier one requiring her to approve expenditures over $25 million.

DHS Directive’s Anticipated Workload

The DHS secretary’s office should expect to handle over 5,100 contract actions during the federal quarter. This figure is based on data from the last three fiscal years.

“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS is rooting out waste, fraud, abuse and is reprioritizing appropriated dollars,” said a spokesperson for the DHS.

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Space Force, DIU Accelerating Adoption of Commercial Tech
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The U.S. Space Force and DIU are trying to accelerate processes to procure commercial technologies.

The U.S. Space Force and the Defense Innovation Unit are accelerating efforts to bring commercial technologies into military operations in line with the Commercial Space Strategy, released in April 2024, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

Space Force, DIU Accelerating Adoption of Commercial Tech

Air and space defense is a critical component of national security and is increasingly essential in the looming Great Power Competition era. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Defense Summit will provide attendees with insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry to determine how they can contribute to the advancement of air and space defense. Register here.

During a recent AFCEA DC luncheon, Col. Richard Kniseley, the senior materiel leader of the Commercial Space Office in the Space Systems Command for the Space Force, shared that the agency’s use of the strategy reduced the time needed from query to competition to delivery of product to less than 72 hours, in support of a tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking mission area, which involved missions related to Russia and China and counter-drug proliferation.

“So [we are] taking advantage of the phenomenal technologies that are being procured by our intel friends at the National Reconnaissance Office, and utilizing commercial analytics to get things out to the command commands very fast,” Kniseley said.

According to the official, the Space Force introduced a new “front door” aimed at reducing barriers for commercial companies, particularly early-stage businesses, when attempting to work with the service branch.

Focusing on Prototypes to Accelerate Product Development, Procurement 

In line with the Commercial Space Strategy, SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the Space Force, now focuses on investing in prototypes with the potential to become programs of record.

DIU, meanwhile, is implementing brief proposal processes to speed up contract awards for non-traditional commercial technology and prototypes.

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OUSD R&E Awards Up to $42M Funding for Warfighter Tech Development Under APFIT Program
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Emil Michael, under secretary of defense for research and engineering, discusses recent APFIT funding awards

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, or OUSD R&E, has increased its investment in the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies, also known as APFIT, program, which provides financial support to small businesses that develop technologies for warfighters. 

OUSD R&E announced that five companies will receive funding of up to $42 million, which is the largest single award since the program launched in 2022. 

APFIT was established to accelerate the development and delivery of cutting-edge technologies that support warfighters. Since 2022, the program has invested over $925 million across various projects. 

Previous contracts awarded under APFIT ranged between $10 million and $20 million. 

New APFIT Funding Winners

According to OUSD R&E, a company developing electronic warfare capability for the U.S. Army secured the largest single AFIP funding of $42 million. Another contract awardee for a Ku and Ka band communications suite for the U.S. Air Force received $33.3 million.

Four projects each received $30 million under AFIP. The projects are:

  • Expeditionary Manufacturing Cells for the Air Force
  • Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack Systems for the Marine Corps
  • Small Unmanned Aircraft Defense for the Air Force
  • Vanilla Long Endurance UAS for multiple Department of Defense components

“APFIT empowers small and non-traditional companies to play a pivotal role in countering emerging threats,” explained Emil Michael, under secretary of defense for research and engineering. “The investments allow them to scale, hire talent, and deliver solutions that directly enhance warfighter capabilities.”

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PPPL, SOSV & NJEDA Partner to Advance Plasma Technology
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PPPL has partnered with SOSV and NJEDA to advance plasma technology

The Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, or PPPL, has formed a partnership with venture capital firm SOSV and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, or NJEDA, to advance plasma technology.

PPPL said Wednesday the collaborative effort aims to establish a strategic innovation center to facilitate advanced plasma research and accelerate the commercialization of plasma technologies. The center also aims to foster an ecosystem for startups focused on plasma technology.

NJ HAX Plasma Forge

The Strategic Innovation Center, NJ HAX Plasma Forge, will leverage PPPL’s research capabilities with SOSV’s investment expertise to launch and expand new businesses and accelerate the deployment of new plasma technologies. Its focus on low-temperature plasma research will also be instrumental in strengthening the semiconductor supply chain.

The new center will have around 10,000 square feet of space for laboratories and co-working areas. It will be built near the PPPL in New Jersey. The location was selected mainly because of its proximity to Princeton University and Columbia University, which have fusion research programs. New Jersey is also home to companies focused on fusion technology.

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is partnering with inventive entrepreneurs, world-class academic institutions and private sector experts to strengthen the state’s position as a leader in innovation,” said Tim Sullivan, CEO of NJEDA. “With the support of the NJEDA’s Strategic Innovation Center initiative, entrepreneurs will be able to harness transformative advances in plasma research to create businesses that drive this exciting industry forward and further the state’s ambitious clean energy and energy resiliency goals.”

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GAO: Army Should Adopt New Design Tools to Speed Up Air, Missile Defense Modernization
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GAO issued a new report on the Army's air and missile defense system modernization effort

The Government Accountability Office wants the U.S. Army to adopt modern design technologies, such as digital twins and digital threads, to accelerate the modernization of its air and missile defense systems. 

In a report published Wednesday, the congressional watchdog said that fully utilizing such tools would enhance efficiencies, reduce costs and enable decision makers to anticipate design flaws.

GAO Findings in Report on Army Air & Missile Defense Modernization

The Army has been in the process of modernizing its air and missile defense infrastructure for years. The military branch ramped up the initiative in 2018 to ensure that soldiers are well protected against threats from near-peer competitors, such as China and Russia. 

However, GAO pointed out that the Army mostly uses 3D modeling and simulation technology to predict how a product would function in a specific situation. The organization will benefit from using digital twins, which are dynamic virtual representations of products, and digital threats, or tools that deliver real-time data to stakeholders throughout a product lifecycle. 

The report pointed out that the Army has increased its budget requests for seven air and missile defense modernizations since 2021. The service also implemented acquisition pathways that speed up the development and delivery of new capabilities. 

GAO recommended that the Army assess the benefits of modern design tools. The Department of Defense concurred.

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Rodney Scott Confirmed as New CBP Commissioner
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Rodney Scott confirmed as Customs and Border Protection commissioner by U.S. Senate.

The Senate confirmed Rodney Scott to serve as the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. 

Scott’s confirmation comes amid challenges in securing U.S. borders, CBP said Wednesday, noting that the new commissioner will play a critical role in advancing the agency’s mission of protecting the American people, safeguarding borders and enhancing economic prosperity.

Who Is Rodney Scott?

Scott, a career law enforcement professional, has over three decades of service at CBP, beginning in 1992 when he joined as a U.S. Border Patrol agent. In 2020, he assumed command of the U.S. Border Patrol, a position he held until 2021. His promotion to commissioner makes him the first individual to rise from a GS-5 Border Patrol agent trainee to the CBP’s top leader.

“I’m honored that the United States Senate has confirmed me, and I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Noem for their trust and unwavering leadership,” Scott said in a statement following his confirmation. “I started my career on the front lines, and now I am ready to lead my CBP family with integrity and a clear mission to defend our sovereignty, enforce the law, and put America first.”

Amid the Trump administration’s campaign to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants, Scott will face complex issues related to border enforcement and immigration policies.

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