DARPA to Sponsor Proposers Day for Speed and Runway-Independent X-Plane Project
Published on
DARPA to Sponsor Proposers Day for Speed and Runway-Independent X-Plane Project

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Tactical Technology Office will host a Proposers Day to inform potential proposers on its Speed and Runway Independent Technologies X-Plane Demonstrator initiative on March 23.

To validate technologies and integrated concepts necessary for creating fast, runway-independent air mobility platforms, the SPRINT program aims to design, build and certify an X-plane that will function as a proof-of-concept technology demonstrator, according to a notice posted Thursday on SAM.gov.

Technologies validated by the X-plane testing can be scaled to different sized military aircraft, allowing them to cruise at over 400 knots and hover in harsh, unprepared spaces.

DARPA TTO is planning a 42-month contract to develop the SPRINT X-Plane demonstrator. The first six months will involve conceptual design and review as well as interface definition. It will be followed by simulation, component and subsystem testing, and planning the production and flight test.

The second phase of the project will cover construction, ground test and certification, and the third phase will involve validation in a flight environment.

/
Johns Hopkins APL Publishes Findings From Double Asteroid Redirection Test
Published on
Johns Hopkins APL Publishes Findings From Double Asteroid Redirection Test

The journal Nature published four papers centered on the results of NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test, which aimed to prove that a kinetic impactor can hit and alter the trajectory of the space object, lead investigator Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory reported Wednesday.

The DART mission was able to impact and change the course of the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos by 33 minutes, marking a breakthrough in planetary defense studies.

The DART autonomous spacecraft  was launched in November 2021 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and collided with the moonlet on Sept. 26, 2022. The asteroid, whose diameter measured less than a kilometer, was intercepted because of spacecraft collision as well as ejecta recoil, the researchers found.

While the first paper reported on DART’s completion, the second and third papers detailed the calculations made by the scientists to determine period change from impact as well as momentum change transferred to Dimorphos. Period change was 33 minutes, plus or minus one minute, while momentum was amplified by ejecta recoil by a factor of 2.2 to 4.9, from a speed of about 2.7 millimeters per second.

The fourth paper provides information on the formation of an active asteroid based on Dimorphos transition as a result of DART’S impact. “DART will continue to be the model for studies of newly discovered asteroids that show activity caused by natural impacts,” the authors wrote.

/
CISA, FBI Release Joint Cybersecurity Advisory on Royal Ransomware
Published on
CISA, FBI Release Joint Cybersecurity Advisory on Royal Ransomware

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI have published a joint advisory to provide network administrators with information on indicators of compromise and tactics, techniques and procedures associated with Royal ransomware variants.

Royal threat actors have launched ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure sectors including communications, health care and public healthcare, manufacturing and education, the agencies said Thursday.

According to the advisory, cybercriminals have used a Royal ransomware variant to compromise U.S. and international organizations since September 2022.

Threat actors gain access to networks of victims by disabling antivirus software and exfiltrating large data volumes before fielding the ransomware and encrypting the systems. They demand ransom payments ranging from about $1 million to $11 million in the form of Bitcoin.

CISA and the bureau urge organizations to implement several measures to stop Royal ransomware attacks, such as implementing a recovery plan to retain and maintain multiple copies of proprietary or sensitive data, requiring multifactor authentication, implementing network segmentation and disabling unused ports.

/
DOE Issues Application Guidance for 2nd Civil Nuclear Credit Program Award Cycle
Published on
DOE Issues Application Guidance for 2nd Civil Nuclear Credit Program Award Cycle

The Department of Energy has released guidance for application to the second award cycle of a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded program that seeks to prevent the premature closure of U.S. nuclear reactors.

The $6 billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program intends to ensure the availability of clean electricity by supporting the continued operations of nuclear reactors, DOE said Thursday.

The second award cycle of the program is for operators or owners of nuclear plants that are at risk of ceasing operations by the end of the four-year award period.

In October, the department sought public comments on draft application guidance for the program’s second award cycle.

DOE’s application guidance offers information on deliverables, timelines and supporting data needed to apply for certification and submit offers to secure allocated credits.

Applications are due May 31.

Suggestions Sought on Possible Advanced Technological Uses of ISS National Laboratory
Published on
Suggestions Sought on Possible Advanced Technological Uses of ISS National Laboratory

The International Space Station National Laboratory is seeking flight concepts that can leverage the facility to develop technologies applicable to various fields, from space, to advance materials and medicine.

The research announcement precedes a two-step proposal submission process, with concept summaries due by April 17 and full proposals by July 17, ISS National Lab said Tuesday.

The national laboratory is particularly interested in hardware prototypes for remote sensing, satellite technology, computing, nanotechnologies and robotics. It is also looking for proposals that leverage ISS to create industrial system models, or test new spaceflight research and development methodologies.

Another possible use for the ISS environment could be as a testing hub for advanced, novel or unique materials used in manufacturing, or for the design, analysis, validation and demonstration of novel drugs and diagnostics, ISS National Lab stated.

To further discuss the research announcement, a webinar will be hosted on March 9 by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, which manages the laboratory.

/
GAO Assigns State Department to Evaluate Allied Efforts to Build Counter-Cybercrime Capacity
Published on
GAO Assigns State Department to Evaluate Allied Efforts to Build Counter-Cybercrime Capacity

The Government Accountability Office has urged the Department of State to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of federal agencies’ initiatives to build a global anti-cybercrime capacity.

In a report published Wednesday, the government watchdog disclosed the mutual challenges identified by international governments together with the U.S. Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security in fighting global cybercrime.

The American agencies launched legal, strategic, communication and training activities to help international partners strengthen their IT defense infrastructure. Their efforts include international treaties against online crimes, as well as a regional forensics training center.

U.S. and allied officials enumerated impediments to their initiatives, such as unclear parameters of cybercrime, lack of resources and experts to provide assistance, and difficulty in retaining trained talent.

However, GAO noticed the absence of an evaluation process to review the impact of their collaborative efforts. Since the State Department has the authority to provide financial assistance for capacity building among allies, GAO recommended that the agency spearhead the impact assessment.

The State Department agreed with GAO and will look into assigning the comprehensive evaluation to its assistant secretary for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs.

DOD Authorizes $400M Package of Additional Support Provisions for Ukraine
Published on
DOD Authorizes $400M Package of Additional Support Provisions for Ukraine

The Department of Defense has authorized a Presidential Drawdown with a potential value of $400 million to provide additional security assistance to Ukraine. 

Representing Biden administration’s the 33rd drawdown of equipment from the DOD’s reservoir for Ukraine since August 2021, this package prioritizes ammunition and support equipment for the nation’s precision fires, artillery and armored vehicle operations, the DOD announced on Friday.

To meet Ukraine’s evolving needs, the package includes additional 155 millimeter and 105 millimeter artillery rounds as well as 25 millimeter ammunition and supplementary ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. 

The drawdown will also supply Ukraine with Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges, demolition munitions and equipment for obstacle clearing, testing and diagnostic equipment for vehicle maintenance and repair, spare parts and other field equipment.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the U.S. has adapted its drawdown offerings to meet Ukraine’s changing needs. Early on, the nation required anti-armor and air defense capabilities and later, artillery became another major focus. In total, the U.S. has sent more than $30 billion worth of equipment to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

According to the DOD, over 54 countries have committed to provide more than 1,000 tanks and other armored vehicles to Ukraine. These nations have also delivered or pledged over 800 artillery systems and have supplied Ukraine with more than two million rounds of artillery ammunition and over 50 advanced Multiple Rocket Launch Systems.

Working alongside its partners, the U.S. intends to continue offering support to Ukraine.

/
White House Presents New Strategy to Address Threats Posed by WMD Terrorism
Published on
White House Presents New Strategy to Address Threats Posed by WMD Terrorism

President Joe Biden has signed a new memorandum to combat weapons of mass destruction terrorism and promote nuclear and radioactive material security. 

The National Security Memorandum affirms the current administration’s commitment to working with local, state, tribal, private sector and international partners on efforts to prevent and respond to threats related to WMD terrorism and incorporates policies to fight non-state actors’ use of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.

For the first line of effort, NSM calls for the prevention of non-state actors from acquiring WMD and related materials; detection and disruption of WMD terrorism threats; and enhancement of capabilities to manage emerging technologies that could enable such threats.

The document outlines measures to improve nuclear material security such as minimizing the production and retention of weapons-usable nuclear materials to only those quantities required to support national security interests, disposing of nuclear material that is in excess to national security or civil needs in a secure and safe manner and promoting safe nuclear material management policies and best practices.

To mitigate the threat of radiological terrorism, the memo calls for maintaining security for all high-activity radioactive sources, encouraging the replacement of source-based devices with non-radioisotopic alternative technologies and coordinating efforts to locate and secure lost or stolen radioactive materials and returning them to regulatory control.

/
Maxar’s Tony Frazier & HHS’ Karl Mathias Spotlighted as 2023 Wash100 Award Winners
Published on
Maxar’s Tony Frazier & HHS’ Karl Mathias Spotlighted as 2023 Wash100 Award Winners

On Friday, Executive Mosaic highlighted the impressive accomplishments of notable leaders Tony Frazier and Karl Mathias in honor of their 2023 Wash100 Award wins.

This year marks the acclaimed Wash100 Award’s 10th anniversary, a testament to its standing as the most prestigious recognition in the expansive government contracting industry. These distinguished executives emerged from its annual selection process as top figures in the field, earning them each a spot in the 2023 Wash100 class.

Don’t miss your chance to cast a vote for Tony Frazier and Karl Mathias in the annual Wash100 popular vote contest! To participate in the exciting competition, which lets you choose your favorite 2023 Wash100 winner, please visit Wash100.com.

Frazier, who currently serves as executive vice president and general manager of Maxar Technologies’ public sector Earth intelligence arm, claimed his sixth Wash100 Award this year. Continuing his incredible leadership, Frazier has worked tirelessly to incorporate new capabilities, such as 3D satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, into Maxar’s portfolio of geospatial intelligence capabilities. He has also been outspoken about the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors. To read Frazier’s full profile, click here.

Mathias secured his first win for his dedication to bolstering the Department of Health and Human Services’ information technology portfolio. Since being appointed as the department’s chief information officer in March 2022, Mathias has guided the development of HHS’ new cybersecurity strategy and extensively advocated for collaboration between government and industry. Click here to read his full profile.

Maxar’s Tony Frazier & HHS’ Karl Mathias Spotlighted as 2023 Wash100 Award Winners

On May 16, Mathias will deliver a keynote address at the Potomac Officers Club’s 4th Annual CIO Summit, which will connect prominent GovCon CIOs to discuss IT problems and solutions. To learn more and register to attend, please visit the Potomac Officers Club events page.

/
Space Systems Command’s Hack-A-Sat Competition Begins Registration Phase
Published on
Space Systems Command’s Hack-A-Sat Competition Begins Registration Phase

The U.S. Space Systems Command has kicked off the registration period for Hack-A-Sat, an annual satellite-hacking competition challenging security researchers to address cybersecurity obstacles in space technologies.

Hack-A-Sat is in its fourth year and will take place in both on-orbit and digital twin environments for the first time, SSC said Tuesday.

The competition was conceptualized by the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and the security research community, and was previously held either in a physical laboratory hardware or in a digital twin platform.

For Hack-A-Sat 4, participants will experiment on the on-orbit satellite Moonlighter, which is targeted for launch in early summer.

The event will start with a virtual qualification from April 1 to 2, and the top four teams will advance with last year’s winner to the final stage on Aug. 11 to 13.

“Space cybersecurity is a global issue, which is why it is important that Hack-A-Sat is open to the global security researcher community,” said Col. Kenneth Decker, SSC director of Engineering, Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power; and Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications. “By sharing our tools and knowledge, we encourage these talented individuals to understand the nuances in building space system resilience and to work in this ever-important domain.”

1 … 586 587 588 589 590 … 2,597