/
Veteran Business Exec Phil Fuster Named CRO of Hitachi Vantara Federal; Mark Serway Quoted
Published on
Veteran Business Exec Phil Fuster Named CRO of Hitachi Vantara Federal; Mark Serway Quoted

Phil Fuster has joined Hitachi Vantara Federal as its new chief revenue officer, a role in which he will head the company’s revenue strategy including growth plans, go-to-market strategies, logo acquisitions and partnerships.

In his new position, Fuster will also supervise Hitachi Vantara Federal’s sales, inside sales, channel and marketing teams, the Reston, Virginia-based company announced on Tuesday.

Hitachi Vantara Federal CEO Mark Serway emphasized Fuster’s proven experience as a business and team leader.

“We look forward to Phil spearheading our growth as we continue to explore how our data-driven solutions can better enable federal agencies. We see a tremendous opportunity in front of us and look forward to continued success in the federal market,” Serway said.

Fuster holds four decades of experience in revenue leadership across a multitude of companies. His expertise in technology, cybersecurity and AI sales began in startups and has grown to include roles in many large enterprises.

Before joining Hitachi Vantara Federal, Fuster served as vice president of federal markets at Proofpoint. Prior to his time there, he was senior director of public sector sales at Rackspace.

Earlier, Fuster spent four years at Dell Technologies, during which he held numerous director roles spanning different sales areas focused on the public sector. Most recently, he served as director of sales for systems integrators in the organization’s federal business.

Fuster has also been an advisor to the board of the Maryland Technology Council and has helped lead various working groups and conferences across Maryland as a chair and in other committee leadership positions.

“Hitachi Vantara Federal has already established itself as a leading partner to federal agencies, leveraging best-in-class solutions to help federal agencies improve performance and increase efficiency. I’m excited to join a team with a tremendous brand and foundation of technology success,” Fuster commented.

/
Space Force CTIO Lisa Costa Underscores Importance of Digital Training for Guardians
Published on
Space Force CTIO Lisa Costa Underscores Importance of Digital Training for Guardians

Lisa Costa, chief technology and innovation officer of the U.S. Space Force, deemed advanced IT capabilities imperative to the service because its guardians experience their domain mostly through data.

In an interview with FedTech Magazine, Costa discussed USSF’s major technological programs such as SpaceVerse, Software Development Immersive and Delta 6.

Unlike other branches of the Armed Forces, in which soldiers utilize their skills in real-world scenarios, USSF servicemen currently gain experience through information technology. To hone their skill sets, USSF launched SpaceVerse, a virtual environment that uses artificial intelligence to train guardians on resilient networks, leap-ahead capabilities, and high throughput end devices relevant to their domain, Costa explained.

She also gave an update about the Software Development Immersive, which commenced last year to build internal digital literacy and develop “Supra Coders” knowledgeable in software mission requirements for weapons and operations. So far, the program has graduated 52 specialists and will train at least 90 more this fiscal year.

To protect USSF’s IT infrastructure, the branch established different cybersecurity defenses such as an organization within the Space Operations Command called Delta 6. The team is tasked to ensure IT protection in space mission systems, and will serve as a model for similar teams to be integrated into other space mission sets, according to Costa

Space Force CTIO Lisa Costa Underscores Importance of Digital Training for Guardians

Hear more from Costa, a 2022 Wash100 Award winner, as she delivers a keynote speech at GovCon Wire’s 2023 DOD: Digital Modernization Forum on Jan. 12. Click here to register for the virtual event.

/
Bill Nelson: NASA Gets Assurance Musk’s Twitter Purchase Won’t Distract SpaceX
Published on
Bill Nelson: NASA Gets Assurance Musk’s Twitter Purchase Won’t Distract SpaceX

Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has prompted NASA to ask whether the transaction would have an impact on the business magnate’s rocket company, SpaceX, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he was assured by SpaceX President and four-time Wash100 awardee Gwynne Shotwell that the purchase of the social media platform would not distract the launch services provider from its mission.

The administrator’s statement comes as NASA prepares for its next mission under the Artemis lunar exploration program.

On Sunday, NASA’s uncrewed Orion spacecraft returned to Earth and made a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after 25.5 days of traveling around the moon as part of the Artemis I mission.

Artemis I is an unmanned flight test that lifted off in November to assess the performance of the Space Launch System rocket and the capabilities of Orion to support future lunar exploration missions.

In November, SpaceX secured a potential $1.15 billion contract modification from NASA to continue development work on its Starship human landing system and provide a second crewed demonstration landing on the moon as part of the Artemis program.

Nelson said SpaceX plans to launch Starship for an uncrewed lunar landing in 2023 and a manned test in 2024.

Sen. Chuck Schumer: One-Week Stopgap Bill to Extend Funding Deadline
Published on
Sen. Chuck Schumer: One-Week Stopgap Bill to Extend Funding Deadline

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that senators should expect a short-term continuing resolution that would fund government operations at current funding levels while negotiations remain on a full-year funding agreement, NBC News reported Tuesday.

“Later this week, members should be prepared to take quick action on a CR — a one-week CR, so we can give appropriators more time to finish a full funding bill before the holidays,” Schumer remarked. 

In September, President Biden signed a stopgap bill to keep U.S. government operations funded at the existing level through Dec. 16. Congress must pass an omnibus appropriations package before the deadline ends to prevent a federal shutdown.

As the funding deadline approaches, Schumer said appropriators have been negotiating to “reach a deal, even if it’s not going to be everything both sides want.”

Republican leaders are calling for a higher level of military funding than domestic funding in the spending package. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said that Democrats have previously increased domestic spending “using party-line reconciliation bills outside the normal appropriations process.”

“If our Democratic colleagues can’t accept those realities, the option will be a short-term bipartisan funding bill into early next year,” McConnell stated.

Defense Innovation Unit, NCMA Collaborate on Emerging Commercial Technologies Practices
Published on
Defense Innovation Unit, NCMA Collaborate on Emerging Commercial Technologies Practices

Defense Innovation Unit and the National Contract Management Association will collaborate on implementing practices for acquiring emerging commercial technologies under a memorandum of understanding.

Both companies will exchange information and resources on programs and activities to co-develop best practices and advance technology acquisition processes for the Defense Department and the U.S. government through the utilization of DIU’s Other Transaction authority, the DIU said Monday.

The partnership reflects DIU’s refined processes around its Commercial Solutions Opening, aimed at offering new capabilities to the DOD.

“This partnership brings robust and powerful education and networking opportunities for the community to best deliver innovation,” said NCMA CEO Kraig Conrad.

Sec. Del Toro Says Navy to Test Platforms for Future Naval, Aviation Systems
Published on
Sec. Del Toro Says Navy to Test Platforms for Future Naval, Aviation Systems

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said the service branch will test the technologies developed for its future destroyer, attack submarine and fighter before moving forward with large-scale production to ensure the maturity and cost-effectiveness of the platforms, USNI News reported Monday. 

“So, my hope, in the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps, is that before we move forward with producing the next DDG(X), SSN(X) and NGAD, is that we have designed maturity on these platforms,” Del Toro said.

The Navy is working on new programs to develop a new class of guided-missile destroyers, a next-generation nuclear attack submarine and future fighter and unmanned combat aircraft.

Del Toro noted that cost performance and risk management will be prioritized for the new systems. 

The official said the Navy must “be realistic” about how fast it should make progress with the development of the new platform before committing to a major acquisition program.

/
Gabe Camarillo: Army Must Rethink Its Acquisition Practices to Effectively Accelerate Digital Transformation
Published on
Gabe Camarillo: Army Must Rethink Its Acquisition Practices to Effectively Accelerate Digital Transformation

The U.S. Army is keeping up with the increasing speed of technological change by taking advantage of different acquisition pathways to accelerate its own digital transformation, said Army Undersecretary Gabe Camarillo.

At the Capability Set Technical Exchange Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, Camarillo and other Army leaders gave an overview of initiatives to modernize their IT infrastructure.

According to Camarillo, the service branch intends to expedite experimentation, prototyping and deployment of network technologies that are designed for emerging threats and operational landscapes. They will advance joint operations by using modern software and their accompanying development practices. He added that they plan to open up data silos, establish a link between enterprise and tactical networks and adopt systems that securely transmit data wherever it is requested.

Camarillo cited two transformational challenges faced by the Army. One is the evolution of combat operations into large-scale landscapes with modernized maneuver capabilities, and the other is the exchange of critical data in those complex situations.

To effectively modernize its infrastructure, the service branch feels it needs to reform its acquisition practices. The Army must “fundamentally rethink its buying models, accept different lifecycle assumptions, and review investment strategies and the incentives they create,” he stated.

Boeing Finalizes Historic Deal to Bolster United’s Fleet; Stan Deal Quoted
Published on
Boeing Finalizes Historic Deal to Bolster United’s Fleet; Stan Deal Quoted

Boeing has finalized an order from United Airlines for 100 787 Dreamliner airplanes with the option to purchase 100 more, marking the largest widebody order by a U.S. carrier in commercial aviation history.

The notable aerospace contractor’s deal with the airline expands the multitude of current United orders for Boeing jets, which have surpassed 530 in total, Boeing announced from North Charleston, South Carolina on Tuesday.

“With this investment in its future fleet, the 737 MAX and 787 will help United accelerate its fleet modernization and global growth strategy,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 

“The Boeing team is honored by United’s trust in our family of airplanes to connect people and transport cargo around the world for decades to come,” he added.

Boeing is expected to deliver the 787 planes between 2024 and 2032. United is able to choose from the 787-8, 9, and 10 models to ensure adaptability across the airline’s wide expanse of routes. 

Selected planes will succeed retiring 767 and 777 aircraft to enhance United’s efficiency and flexibility. These aircraft offer a potential 25 percent improvement in fuel use, which is determined by the configuration of the plane it replaces.

United will also exercise 44 existing options and place 56 new orders for 100 total 737 MAX jets, a line designed to maximize fuel efficiency and increase reliability in the single-aisle market. Depending on the configuration of the plane it supplants, the 737 MAX may reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent.

The first 44 737 MAX aircraft are to be delivered between 2024 and 2026, while the 56 new orders will be provided between 2027 and 2028.

“This order further solidifies our lead and creates new opportunities for our customers, employees and shareholders by accelerating our plan to connect more people to more places around the globe and deliver the best experience in the sky,” United CEO Scott Kirby commented.

Boeing’s provision of these planes will progress the United Next plan, which is intended to update and elevate the airline’s fleet.

/
L3Harris Wins $886M Army Contract for ISR Support; Brendan O’Connell Quoted
Published on
L3Harris Wins $886M Army Contract for ISR Support; Brendan O’Connell Quoted

L3Harris Technologies has received a potential 10-year, $886 million contract to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support for the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.

The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity award requires L3Harris to deliver datalink architecture, network design enhancements for both aerial and ground-based communications and lifecycle management services, the Melbourne, Florida-based company announced on Tuesday.

“These links will deliver resilient, fast and discreet multi-domain communications across the globe,” stated Brendan O’Connell, president of broadband communications systems at L3Harris.

Work performed under the contract is expected to increase critical data sharing speed and dissemination across multiple domains for warfighters and analysts and provide datalink architecture and network design improvements. It will also allow resilient, discreet global communications capabilities for aerial and ground-based units.

The award has a five-year base period with five one-year follow-on options.

In conducting these duties, L3Harris aims to utilize its disruptor approach in continuing to modify its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and communications offerings to better inform clients’ planning and timely decision making.

Targeted areas for these transformations include multi-beam, active electronically scanned array techniques and multi-constellation orbit data transports for aerial and ground systems as well as protected datalink and smart network exploitation capabilities.

“As a provider of Army aerial ISR, ground line-of-sight and satellite communications terminal solutions for over 40 years, we look forward to continuing to build on this legacy of providing timely, relevant solutions that meet the expanding needs of our customers,” O’Connell added.

L3Harris has supported numerous Army initiatives within the past year. Most recently, the company delivered nearly 600 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular units to the branch, which brought the total number of units supplied to 10,000.

Earlier this year, L3Harris partnered with MAG Aerospace to develop a commercial aircraft holding intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as part of the Army’s Theater Level High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR radar program.

The organization also won a contract in June for image intensification technology used with AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Devices.

/
CISA Develops New Program to Support National Security, Emergency Preparedness Communications
Published on
CISA Develops New Program to Support National Security, Emergency Preparedness Communications

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has developed a new program intended to provide priority voice, data, video and information services to meet the government’s national security and emergency preparedness communications requirements.

The Next Generation Network Priority Services program is divided into two phases, with the first one aiming to transition NS/EP communications from circuit to packet voice priority service, An Nguyen, an electronics engineer for CISA, wrote in a blog post published Friday.

During Phase 2, CISA will work to extend priority service to multimedia applications and information services such as cloud services, enterprise web applications and online photo storage.

Priority capabilities will also be added to the network service providers’ environments to facilitate interoperable priority across government, commercial, wireless and private networks. 

“These capabilities will ensure that NS/EP officials have the prioritized network connectivity for communications in disaster and disadvantaged scenarios,” Nguyen said. 

CISA is also working with standards organizations and industry partners to standardize the priority access capabilities and is planning to engage with network service providers to determine the readiness of their communication platforms for deployment.

A 2012 executive order tasked the Department of Homeland Security to manage the development, testing, implementation and sustainment of NS/EP communications.

1 … 646 647 648 649 650 … 2,598