Raytheon Completes Testing of Palletized High-Energy Laser Weapon for USAF; Michael Hofle Quoted
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Raytheon Completes Testing of Palletized High-Energy Laser Weapon for USAF; Michael Hofle Quoted

Raytheon Technologies has successfully tested a palletized high-energy laser weapon for the U.S. Air Force.

Assessed over multiple days of continuous live-fire exercises, the weapon marks the fourth operational laser weapon system Raytheon has delivered to the service branch, the company announced from McKinney, Texas on Monday.

“Anywhere the Air Force sees a threat from drones, they now have four proven laser weapons that can be deployed to stop asymmetrical threats,” said Michael Hofle, senior director of high-energy lasers at Raytheon.

The weapon system, known as H4, is small enough to fit in the bed of a pickup truck and can be moved and mounted in different locations as needed. It includes a high-energy laser weapon module, thermal control, internal electrical power and targeting software as well as a long-range EO/IR sensor that functions as the beam director. Operated with a laptop and video game-style controller, it is compatible with a variety of existing air defense and command and control systems.

During the testing, which took place at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Raytheon’s H4 completed four days of exercises focused on acquiring, targeting, tracking and destroying drone targets in short-range attack, swarm attack and long-range threat situations.

“Whether it’s on a fixed location, a flatbed or even a pickup, these laser weapons are compact, rugged and ready to go. That’s why we’re proud to support the Air Force’s effort to provide this new tech to the personnel who need it in the field, who can trust and be confident in the system’s capabilities,” Hofle said.

H4 is the first stand-alone, mobile 10-kilowatt laser that meets U.S. military specifications. It is the eighth total operational laser weapons system that Raytheon has delivered to the Department of Defense.

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Akima Secures $200M Air Force Award for Base Operations Support; Scott Rauer Quoted
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Akima Secures $200M Air Force Award for Base Operations Support; Scott Rauer Quoted

An Akima business has won a $199.77 contract to deliver base operations support for the 81st Training Wing at Keesler Air Force Base.

Under the potential seven-year award, Akima Intra-Data will provide a variety of management and engineering services to help maintain the training installation, Akima announced from its Herndon, Virginia-headquarters on Monday.

“We are proud to continue our support to the U.S. Air Force, delivering the base operations critical to KAFB achieving their mission objectives,” said Scott Rauer, president of Akima’s Facilities Solutions Group.

“With decades of experience at other Air Education Training Command bases and installations, this award demonstrates the confidence the Air Force continues to show in Akima as a trusted partner,” he added.

Specific contracted responsibilities include installation management, operations management, installation engineering, grounds maintenance, emergency management and vertical transportation equipment as well as supply and logistics, community, human resources and weather services.

The 81st Training Wing serves as a joint training facility, offering its services to Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and civilian agency staff.

Along with the 81st Training Wing, KAFB hosts the 81st Civil Engineering Squadron, the 2nd Air Force, 403rd Wing, 85th Engineering Installation Squadron and Mathies Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.

This contract follows multiple recent wins for Akima. Earlier this year, the organization’s Truestone subsidiary booked a potential five-year, $194 million award from the Army, under which the business is providing logistics and engineering technician support for the Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania.

In October 2022, Akima Infrastructure Services received a potential four-year, $63 million contract from Consolidated Nuclear Security to enhance the proficiency of Department of Energy personnel in engineering, professional and technical services.

Last year, Akima’s logistics services business won a potential 10-year, $109.7 million Air Force Academy award to provide base support services for three flight training groups.

House Bill to Make NOAA an Independent Agency
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House Bill to Make NOAA an Independent Agency

Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, has introduced legislation to formally establish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an independent scientific research and development agency.

Lucas said in a statement published Friday the bill would give NOAA, which operates under the Department of Commerce, formal statutory authority and allow the agency to refocus on its core mission areas.

“This will strengthen NOAA’s important role of protecting people and property through its vital weather forecasts, severe weather monitoring, and communication efforts,” Lucas said.

Co-sponsored by 13 other Republican representatives, the bill would remove the Office of Space Commerce from NOAA and position it as a standalone entity within the Commerce Department.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service will remain within the independent NOAA agency to support weather monitoring and forecasting efforts.

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Linux Foundation & NSC to Create Opportunities for Open RAN Prototype Development via Partnership
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Linux Foundation & NSC to Create Opportunities for Open RAN Prototype Development via Partnership

The Linux Foundation and the National Spectrum Association have signaled intent to help advance the development of open radio access network software prototypes via a memorandum of understanding.

The collaborators will create an open source reference software architecture for Open RAN that will support government, academic and commercial research and development efforts by mitigating barriers to entry and recommend prototype projects to the Department of Defense for funding, the two organizations said in a joint release published Thursday.

“By combining resources, we’ll accelerate access to Open RAN and wireless technology across the United States across verticals and into government, academia, and small business,” said Arpit Joshipura, general manager of networking, edge and internet of things at the Linux Foundation.

“Our robust open source development infrastructure across the networking stack and within the cybersecurity space is a natural partner for the NSC’s spectrum development work already in play,” added Joshipura.

The two organizations will also develop an open source Open RAN initiative that could reportedly aid the DOD and other federal agencies when it comes to coordinating and publicizing the prototype projects.

“We look forward to our ongoing collaboration on Open RAN R&D and other wireless and networking innovation,” said Joe Kochan, executive director of the NSC.

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GAO: DOD’s Modular Open Systems Approach Guidance Should Address Verification Testing Timeline
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GAO: DOD’s Modular Open Systems Approach Guidance Should Address Verification Testing Timeline

The Government Accountability Office has recommended that the Department of Defense ensure that policy updates and new guidance incorporate details on when major defense acquisition programs using a modular open systems approach should complete verification testing and how they should document plans for conducting that testing.

MOSA enables DOD’s weapons programs to easily integrate, replace or remove components throughout the platform’s lifecycle to help warfighters better respond to evolving threats, GAO said in a report published Thursday.

“Ensuring that any new guidance and updates to relevant policies address when programs should conduct verification testing and document planning could help DOD ensure its systems can incorporate innovative technologies over time to remain responsive to emerging threats,” the GAO report states.

According to the report, defense acquisition programs that report use of modern software development processes rose from 73 percent to 78 percent in the past year.

Despite the increase, such initiatives reported limited adoption of the Defense Science Board’s recommended practices to speed up software development.

Out of 45 programs, only five initiatives developed a software factory as a key criterion for source selection, nine programs adopted a software factory and only a dozen conducted iterative development training for program managers and personnel.

The congressional watchdog said a majority of the programs conducted continuous iterative development practices.

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vTech CEO Haresh Vataliya Talks Leadership Style, Career Highlights & Business Challenges
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vTech CEO Haresh Vataliya Talks Leadership Style, Career Highlights & Business Challenges

Haresh Vataliya currently serves as chief executive officer of vTech Solution, a role in which applies his more than 15 years of information technology experience to lead the organization’s day-to-day business operations, client services, client relationship teams and overarching strategy.

Recently, Vataliya participated in an interview with the Potomac Officers Club, during which he detailed his leadership strategy, discussed the most significant aspects of his career and shared his thoughts on the ever-changing business landscape.

In this excerpt from the interview, Vataliya revealed what he sees as the most important elements of building a strong company culture:

“I believe fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency and innovation is vital for cultivating a winning culture. I prioritize creating an environment where open communication, idea-sharing and teamwork are encouraged. We can generate fresh ideas and approaches that drive our business toward success by fostering trust in individuals and providing new opportunities. At the heart of our culture is the belief in creating new opportunities for our team members and leaders to thrive. We strive to build an amazing workplace where everyone enjoys their work while achieving exceptional results.”

For more of Vataliya’s insights, read the full Executive Spotlight interview on the Potomac Officers Club website.

Each Potomac Officers Club member has the opportunity to participate in their very own Executive Spotlight interview! To learn more about membership options and access the full range of benefits the Potomac Officers Club has to offer, click here.

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Danielle Metz on Implementing Customer-Led IT Delivery Model Within OSD
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Danielle Metz on Implementing Customer-Led IT Delivery Model Within OSD

Danielle Metz, chief information officer for the office of the secretary of defense, said the Department of Defense is transforming its service provider-led information technology services delivery model into one that is customer-led through an implementation plan which, in turn, seeks to establish an OSD IT enterprise designed to provide a streamlined user experience, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

“We need to prove the value we’re bringing and how we’re going to do things differently,” Metz told FNN in an interview.

“What we’re offering is a democratization of the accessibility of technology — the ability to be treated as an enterprise … on par with what you see in the military departments and their respective enterprises,” she added.

According to the implementation plan, the office of the director of information management and technology at DOD will develop governance and clear authorities to oversee customer requirements.

Metz discussed how listening sessions and monthly user surveys help the OSD IT organization understand the pain points facing the 17 offices within OSD.

She noted that she hopes to present to Congress a budget request that accounts for all IT requirements from the whole OSD within the next two to three years.

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Dilawar Syed Confirmed for No. 2 SBA Position
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Dilawar Syed Confirmed for No. 2 SBA Position

Dilawar Syed, special representative for commercial and business affairs at the State Department since February 2022, was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-42 vote Thursday to serve as deputy administrator at the Small Business Administration.

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman described her incoming deputy an “accomplished entrepreneurial leader” who could help the agency accelerate the expansion of capital access and assistance programs for smaller companies.

President Joe Biden nominated Syed to the position in March 2021, when the nominee was still serving as CEO of health care technology company Lumiata.

Politico reports his nomination stalled in the prior Congress and moved forward earlier this year through a Senate Small Business Committee vote.

Syed will become the U.S. government’s highest-ranking Muslim official once he takes office. His public sector career includes time as founding chair of an entrepreneurship task force in the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and chairman of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders’ economic growth committee.

The Pakistani-born entrepreneur also led internet media company Yonja as CEO and customer engagement software provider Freshworks as president.

FCC Explores Sharing Models for 42 GHz Spectrum Band; Jessica Rosenworcel Quoted
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FCC Explores Sharing Models for 42 GHz Spectrum Band; Jessica Rosenworcel Quoted

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to explore possible shared use cases for 500 megahertz of spectrum in the 42 GHz.

FCC said Thursday the proceeding is meant to determine sharing models in the high-band spectrum that can be applied particularly by smaller wireless service providers and inform the use of future sharing models in spectrum management.

The agency proposes licensing the 42 GHz band as five 100 megahertz channels using a non-exclusive spectrum access model.

Industry members are asked to provide feedback on three specific shared licensing approaches: a nationwide non-exclusive licensing approach, a site-based licensing approach and a technology-based sensing approach.

“We are exploring non-exclusive access models. This could entail using a technology-based sensing mechanism to help operators actively detect and avoid one another. It could involve non-exclusive nationwide licenses that leverage a database to facilitate coexistence. It could also entail site-based licensing,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a separate announcement.

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ARPA-E Launches 3rd Installment of SCALEUP Program With $100M Funding Opportunity
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ARPA-E Launches 3rd Installment of SCALEUP Program With $100M Funding Opportunity

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy is awarding a total of $100 million in funding to projects with promising clean energy technologies.

The grants will be given to previous ARPA-E awardees through the third iteration of the Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy technologies with Untapped Potential program, the agency announced Thursday.

Previous initiatives under the SCALEUP program focused on areas such as vehicle electrification and grid resiliency. The first and second iterations were launched in 2019 and 2021.

The goal of SCALEUP 2023 is to bridge research projects previously funded by ARPA-E that have been stranded in their development pathways.

“ARPA-E’s SCALEUP program has successfully demonstrated what can happen when technical experts are empowered with the commercialization support to develop a strong pathway to market” ARPA-E Director Evelyn Wang remarked. “I’m excited that we are building on the success of this effort with the third installment of SCALEUP, and I look forward to what the third cohort of teams accomplish.”

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