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Space Force Adopts AI Framework to Strengthen Decision-Making
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U.S. Space Force logo. The Space Force is advancing a three-tiered AI framework to improve decision-making.

The U.S. Space Force is implementing a three-tiered artificial intelligence framework designed to improve decision-making across the service and accelerate integration of commercial AI capabilities.

Space Force Adopts AI Framework to Strengthen Decision-Making

As the Space Force advances its AI framework, agency officials and industry executives continue to explore the role of AI and other emerging technologies across the defense landscape. These themes are expected to be part of broader discussions at the 2026 Air and Space Summit. Reserve your seat now!

Space Systems Command said Monday the model establishes a road map for deploying AI tools across the force while supporting Space Force efforts to work with the commercial sector and tap into about $300 billion in annual private AI investment for national defense.

Bartley Stewart, data and AI officer at SSC, said the framework prioritizes decision accuracy over the adoption of AI technologies. He noted that AI supports three key factors in decision-making: accelerating response times, reducing cognitive burden and increasing confidence in data used to inform decisions.

“If we can improve any of those three factors by teaming humans with AI, then we improve decision quality,” he said. “This leads to an asymmetric decision advantage.”

What Are the 3 Tiers of the Space Force’s AI Deployment Framework?

The Space Force’s AI framework consists of three tiers: enterprise, functional and mission-specific AI. Enterprise AI includes general-purpose tools available across the Department of War, such as the Gen.AI platform, which provides a secure, foundational capability built on large-scale models.

Functional AI covers systems tailored to specific professional areas like acquisition, testing and operations. These tools adapt enterprise models using domain-specific data, including policy and regulatory documents, to support specialized workflows.

Mission-specific AI includes custom-built applications designed for particular operational needs. Examples include tools that analyze launch activity for space domain awareness and systems that help missile warning operators identify tracked threats.

How Does the Space Force Framework Align With DOW AI Initiatives?

The framework aligns with DOW’s AI adoption strategy, which aims to accelerate AI integration by reducing bureaucratic barriers, expanding experimentation and shortening mission timelines. The strategy calls for transforming the department into an “AI-first” warfighting force and advancing AI capabilities across intelligence and enterprise operations.

The effort also includes departmentwide initiatives such as GenAI.mil, which provides access to commercial AI models, and service-level programs led by the Navy and Marine Corps to deploy generative AI in secure environments.

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MDA Awards $414M Contract Modification to Utah State’s Space Dynamics Lab
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Space Dynamics Laboratory logo. MDA has awarded Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory a contract modification.

Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory, or USU/SDL, has received a $414 million contract modification from the Missile Defense Agency to continue providing technical and analytical support for missile defense efforts.

Hear from leading national security space officials about Golden Dome and other missile defense systems at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30!

What Is the Scope of the Contract Modification?

The Department of War said Friday that the University Affiliated Research Center, or UARC, will deliver specialized expertise and proprietary data to develop complex systems engineering and integration products under the cost-plus-fixed-fee modification. This partnership ensures MDA maintains access to the proprietary data and technical knowledge held at USU/SDL, which are required to defend against ballistic missile threats at all flight phases.

What Are the Other Details of the Contract?

The award builds on a previously issued sole-source agreement under the UARC Engagement Guide. It raises the total contract ceiling to $714 million and extends the ordering period through Nov. 22, 2031. Work will be carried out in Logan, Utah, with the effort focused on supporting MDA’s mission to develop and sustain an integrated missile defense system capable of countering threats across all ranges and flight phases.

Past Contracts Underscore Ongoing MDA-SDL Partnership

This latest contract modification builds on SDL’s long-standing track record of supporting high-priority defense initiatives. In 2021, the laboratory secured a $300 million contract from MDA to develop sensors for space applications. SDL was also awarded a five-year, $99.4 million contract in 2016 to develop an integrated, layered ballistic missile defense system.

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USPTO Launches ‘Class ACT’ AI Tool to Accelerate Trademark Classification
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Artificial intelligence. USPTO launched the Class ACT AI tool designed to accelerate trademark classification.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has unveiled the Trademark Classification Agentic Codification Tool, or Class ACT, an artificial intelligence platform designed to automate key steps in the pre-processing of trademark applications.

USPTO Launches 'Class ACT' AI Tool to Accelerate Trademark ClassificationUSPTO’s launch of a new AI tool highlights the growing role of advanced technologies in government workflows. Experts will explore ways to operationalize AI in mission-critical environments and discuss responsible AI adoption at the upcoming 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22. Register now to save your spot at this timely event!

What Does Class ACT Do?

USPTO said Thursday that Class ACT is designed to assign international classes, design search codes and pseudo marks to unclassified applications, making such applications searchable in USPTO systems.

According to the agency, the AI tool could help speed up attorneys and practitioner searches and reduce classification preparation time from five months to five minutes.

What Did USPTO Officials Say About the AI Tool?

USPTO Director John Squires said the tool can significantly reduce the time required for classification and design search coding.

“We’re providing specific, task-directed AI agents, which can efficiently tackle the toughest, most information-intensive aspect of pre-examination,” noted Squires.

Rob Hayes, acting chief AI and data officer at USPTO, said the agency is setting the standard.

“AI done right: faster results, higher quality, happier stakeholders,” noted Hayes, who recently participated in a fireside chat at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit about the role of AI in modernizing the U.S. patent system.

“With the development and implementation of AI tools in our workflow, our employees can focus on applying their experienced judgment and reason to the substantive issues in examination, which will benefit our stakeholders,” said Dan Vavonese, acting trademark commissioner at USPTO.

USPTO said it plans to introduce additional AI-enabled trademark tools in the future. In June of last year, the agency issued a request for information to assess AI tools and other IT capabilities that could enhance patent and trademark examination processes.

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Hadrian Opens Navy-Funded Advanced Shipbuilding Facility to Boost Submarine Production
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John Phelan. The Navy secretary said the manufacturing facility will ease shipyard bottlenecks.

An advanced manufacturing facility designed to increase U.S. Navy submarine production capacity has opened in Cherokee, Alabama, marking a new step in efforts to strengthen the maritime industrial base.

Advanced manufacturing company Hadrian built the Factory 4 site, which will support the production of components for Virginia-class attack submarines and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines to help reduce pressure on existing shipyards, the U.S. Navy said Friday.

The Alabama campus is expected to reach full-rate production within two years, with sustained operations projected by its third year.

Hadrian Opens Navy-Funded Advanced Shipbuilding Facility to Boost Submarine Production

The 2026 Navy Summit, hosted by the Potomac Officers Club on Aug, 27, will convene Navy leaders, defense officials and industry executives to examine emerging technologies, modernization efforts and priorities shaping the future of naval operations. Register now to join the conversation.

What Is the “Factory of the Future?”

The 2.2 million-square-foot facility is built around highly-automated manufacturing processes intended to accelerate component production at scale.

By shifting parts manufacturing away from traditional shipyards, the facility enables yards in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Virginia to focus on submarine module production.

“We call this distributed shipbuilding, and it’s a key tenet of our plan to achieve required shipbuilding production rates,” said Jason Potter, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. 

Factory 4 is the first of three planned advanced manufacturing facilities intended to address critical constraints in submarine production and support long-term fleet requirements.

“I look forward to building on this progress together in the months ahead, because we are just getting started,” said Navy Secretary John Phelan, a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient.

How Is the Project Funded?

The project combines approximately $900 million in Navy funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with $1.5 billion in private investment, totaling more than $2.4 billion. According to Hadrian, the effort is expected to create up to 1,000 manufacturing jobs.

How Does This Fit Into Navy Acquisition and Industrial Base Efforts?

The facility aligns with broader Navy initiatives aimed at accelerating shipbuilding and modernizing acquisition.

Recent reforms include the establishment of portfolio acquisition executive organizations to streamline decision-making and improve accountability across major capability areas, including undersea systems.

In parallel, the Department of War has elevated oversight of submarine programs by creating a direct reporting portfolio manager role, currently held by Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, to coordinate production priorities and resources across the enterprise.

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Trump Administration Issues National AI Policy Framework
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White House logo. The Trump administration issued a national policy framework for artificial intelligence.

The Trump administration has released a national legislative framework for artificial intelligence, outlining policy priorities aimed at strengthening U.S. competitiveness, national security and workforce readiness.

Trump Administration Issues National AI Policy FrameworkAs the White House advances a national framework to accelerate AI innovation, government and industry leaders are continuing the conversation at upcoming forums focused on emerging technologies. Attend the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit to join experts as they discuss AI, enterprise IT and federal tech priorities. Sign up today and be part of the dialogue at this timely event!

The White House said Friday the framework is intended to guide Congress in developing legislation that enables innovation while addressing public concerns about the impact of AI on daily life, including child safety and energy costs.

What Are the 6 Key Objectives of the National AI Policy Framework?

The framework outlines six priorities: protecting children and giving parents more control over digital use, strengthening communities by supporting small businesses and addressing AI-related energy demands, and ensuring intellectual property protections while allowing fair use for AI development.

It also calls for safeguarding free speech; advancing innovation by reducing regulatory barriers and expanding AI deployment; and developing an AI-ready workforce through skills training and workforce development programs.

What Congressional Actions Does the Framework Suggest to Advance AI Innovation?

The administration called on Congress to initiate steps to support AI development and deployment across sectors.

These actions include establishing regulatory sandboxes for AI applications, providing resources to make federal datasets accessible to academia and industry in AI-ready formats for use in training AI models and systems, and supporting the development and deployment of sector-specific AI applications through existing regulatory bodies.

In July of last year, the White House unveiled an AI action plan outlining over 90 federal policy actions across three pillars to help the U.S. achieve global dominance in AI.

What Does the Framework Say About State AI Laws?

According to the framework, the federal government must establish a federal AI policy framework to support innovation, protect American rights and prevent a patchwork of state AI laws that could hinder innovation and reduce U.S. competitiveness.

Under the strategy, Congress should preempt state AI laws that create excessive burdens in favor of establishing a consistent national standard aligned with its recommendations.

In December, President Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to establish an AI litigation task force to challenge restrictive state laws.

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DARPA Transfers Autonomous Black Hawk System to Army for Operational Testing
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DARPA logo. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has transferred an autonomous Black Hawk system to the U.S. Army.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, has transitioned an autonomous flight system to the U.S. Army, supporting efforts to transform military aviation and pilot operations.

DARPA Transfers Autonomous Black Hawk System to Army for Operational Testing

Autonomous systems are a top priority in the Army’s effort to transform operations. Learn more about modernization and other Army initiatives at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on June 18. Save your seat now.

What Technology Was Delivered to the Army?

DARPA said Friday it has transferred a fly-by-wire H-60Mx Black Hawk equipped with Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy suite to the Army for advanced operational testing. The platform, developed under the agency’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System, or ALIAS, program, is designed to support automated flight operations and reduce pilot workload in demanding mission environments.

What Is the ALIAS Program?

The ALIAS program is an initiative focused on integrating automation into existing aircraft to support mission flexibility and safety. The MATRIX technology was developed and demonstrated through ALIAS using funding from DARPA. The program also completed the first uncrewed Black Hawk flight in 2022, demonstrating full-mission capability from preflight checks to autonomous landing, including responses to simulated failures.

“The ALIAS program has successfully developed and demonstrated a powerful, flexible automation architecture that is now poised to provide the U.S. Army with a significant operational edge,” said Stuart Young, manager of the ALIAS program. ”This transition is a testament to the power of government and industry partnership to advance technology. It will allow the Army to build on a solid foundation of technical-risk reduction, enabling them to explore new warfighting concepts and push the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation.”

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NSF Teams With Irish Organizations to Accelerate Lab-to-Market Transition of Emerging Technologies
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Erwin Gianchandani. The assistant director at NSF said the new partnership accelerates technology translation

The National Science Foundation’s directorate for technology, innovation and partnerships has teamed with Research Ireland and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies. On Friday, NSF launched the U.S.-Ireland Research Translation and Commercialization Initiative, which aims to provide novel and proven pathways for multi-country teams to translate science and engineering research into market-ready technologies and viable businesses.

What Is the US-Ireland Research Translation and Commercialization Initiative?

The trilateral initiative builds on the U.S.-Ireland Research and Development Partnership established in 2006, which has supported collaborative research in areas such as nanoscale science, telecommunications, cybersecurity and energy.

According to NSF, the new effort will identify previously-funded projects with commercialization potential and provide teams with tailored support to accelerate progress from research to market. Selected teams will receive mentorship from commercialization experts to develop translation roadmaps and may also secure additional funding to launch startups.

“The announcement of the U.S.-Ireland Research Translation and Commercialization Initiative represents a significant step forward in accelerating critical and emerging technology translation in coordination with our transatlantic partners,” Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships, commented. “The effort signals a strong, shared commitment to help researchers and students across borders move their discoveries at speed and scale through lab-to-market pathways, powering market-ready technologies, economic growth and job creation.”

How Can Industry Support the NSF Technology Commercialization Initiative?

NSF is also seeking an industry partner to develop and manage the program’s operational framework, including identifying high-potential research projects and supporting participating teams through mentorship, funding oversight and commercialization planning.

According to a request for information posted on SAM.gov in early March, the selected organization will help coordinate workshops, connect researchers with industry and investor networks and guide teams in areas such as intellectual property, market analysis and product development.

NSF is considering the use of an other transaction agreement with a four-year period of performance for the required program support services. Responses are due April 13.

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Space Force Reassigns GPS III Launch to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Amid ULA Vulcan Review
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SpaceX's Falcon 9. The Space Force selected the launch vehicle to deliver a GPS III satellite

The U.S. Space Force is switching its launch service provider from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX for an upcoming Global Positioning System III national security space launch mission.

The service said Friday that a Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida no earlier than late April to deliver the 10th and final GPS III space vehicle to orbit.

Space Force Reassigns GPS III Launch to SpaceX's Falcon 9 Amid ULA Vulcan Review

Explore the new technologies and defense initiatives that are ensuring the U.S. military maintains an edge over adversaries in the space domain at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. Space Force leaders will be present at the event to discuss opportunities for industry to support American warfighters. Get your tickets for one of the year’s most important GovCon events!

Why Did the Space Force Pause Vulcan’s National Security Missions?

ULA’s Vulcan was scheduled to launch seven national security missions in 2026, but the rocket encountered an anomaly in a Space Force flight in February. Air and Space Forces Magazine reported that, during the USSF-87 mission, ULA observed an issue in one of the Vulcan’s four solid rocket motor boosters. Although the rocket delivered its payloads to orbit, the Space Force paused upcoming military launches on the Vulcan while an investigation into the anomaly is ongoing.

“With this change, we are answering the call for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues,” USSF Col. Ryan Hiserote, commander of System Delta 80 and program director for the NSSL system, stated. “We are once again demonstrating our team’s flexibility and are fully committed to leverage all options available for responsive and reliable launch for the nation.”

The Space Force still plans to use the ULA Vulcan rocket to launch the USSF-70 mission in 2028. USSF-70 will carry Northrop Grumman’s satellite refueling port Geosynchronous Auxiliary Support Tanker, or GAS-T.

What Is GPS III?

GPS III satellites are designed to enhance positioning, navigation and timing capabilities for military and civilian users. According to the Space Force, the Lockheed Martin-built satellites provide three times greater positional accuracy and up to eight times improved resistance to jamming compared to earlier GPS systems.

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Pentagon DIB Cybersecurity Chief Stacy Bostjanick to Retire
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Stacy Bostjanick. The DOW chief of DIB cybersecurity will retire federal service by the end of April.

Stacy Bostjanick, chief of defense industrial base cybersecurity in the Department of War’s Office of the Chief Information Officer, will retire from federal service on April 30 after a 37-year career, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

Bostjanick has led DOW’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program in the past six years and helped guide the initiative from its early development through multiple iterations to its current implementation phase.

Pentagon DIB Cybersecurity Chief Stacy Bostjanick to Retire

As the Pentagon prepares for a leadership transition in its CMMC program, attention is turning to what comes next for defense industrial base cybersecurity. Industry and government leaders will explore these evolving priorities at the 2026 Cyber Summit in May. Sign up now to join the conversation.

Sources said Bostjanick is expected to transition to a role in the private sector.

Who Will Succeed Bostjanick?

Buddy Dees, director of the CMMC program management office, is expected to assume leadership of the DIB cybersecurity program on an interim basis, according to sources.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Dees previously served as nuclear command, control and communications portfolio manager at DOW. He also held program management and analyst roles at SAIC and Harris.

He spent three years at the Defense Information Systems Agency, where he served as director of the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration. He also held leadership positions at the U.S. Air Force, including chief of the resources branch and head of future concepts.

Who Is Stacy Bostjanick?

In 1989, Bostjanick began her federal career as a secretary in the applied math branch at the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s White Oak division.

She later moved into contracting and held several acquisition roles across the department, including serving as a senior contracting official at the Missile Defense Agency and as head of contracting at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Her acquisition experience led her to support the CMMC program in 2018, working with then-DOW CIO Katie Arrington following her involvement in the Protecting Critical Technology Task Force.

“Stacy is truly one of the nation’s greatest national assets. Her knowledge base of how government works and how to make it work for the right things is unparalleled. She will continue to be the heartbeat of the CMMC and ensuring that what is right is done for the right reasons,” Arrington, a previous Wash100 awardee who now serves as CIO at IonQ, told FNN in a statement.

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US, Japan Announce 2nd Tranche of Investments, Unveil Defense & Tech Initiatives
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White House. Trump and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi unveiled a series of economic, energy, defense and technology initiatives.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have announced a series of economic, energy, defense and technology initiatives to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and enhance economic security and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The White House said Thursday the initiatives are aimed at expanding market access for U.S. agriculture, accelerating Japanese investment in U.S. industry and enhancing bilateral cooperation across critical supply chains, energy, emerging technologies and defense.

What Are the US Projects Under the 2nd Tranche of Japanese Investments?

The second tranche includes up to $40 billion from GE Vernova Hitachi to build small modular reactor power plants in Alabama and Tennessee and up to $33 billion in natural gas generation facilities in Pennsylvania and Texas.

The U.S. and Japan will also continue coordination on investment security, with Japan planning to strengthen its inbound investment review processes tied to national security risks.

The previously announced $36 billion commitment under the 2025 U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement represents the first tranche and includes a 9.2-gigawatt natural gas facility in Ohio, a deepwater crude export facility in the Gulf of America and domestic synthetic industrial diamond production.

How Could the US-Japan Partnership Strengthen Deterrence & Defense Cooperation?

The U.S. government welcomed Japan’s plans to increase defense spending and expand its capabilities while continuing joint operations with U.S. forces in the region.

The two countries will deploy advanced military capabilities in Japan; build on the 2025 deployment of the Typhon missile system; expand co-production planning for AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles; and increase production of SM-3 Block IIA interceptors in Japan by fourfold.

Japan will also develop a sovereign cloud platform to support secure data sharing and improve bilateral coordination.

How Will the Partnership Advance Science, Tech & Space Initiatives?

The U.S. and Japan signed a statement of intent to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and quantum technologies.

Argonne National Laboratory, RIKEN, Fujitsu and NVIDIA will collaborate under a new agreement to advance computing architectures.

In space, the two countries will support NASA’s Artemis program, with Japan providing a crewed lunar rover; expand cooperation in low Earth orbit and lunar missions; and launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and Martian Moons eXploration mission this year.

The partnership also includes pharmaceutical supply chain resilience and biotech cooperation under the 2025 Technology Prosperity Deal.

In October, the Trump administration outlined a set of U.S.-Japan agreements and investment commitments intended to strengthen cooperation across defense, manufacturing, energy, technology and supply chains.

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