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USAF Exhibits Enhanced Lethality of New Anti-Ship Weapon Version
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A new QUICKSINK maritime weapon is positioned to enhance the Air Force’s operational flexibility.

The U.S. Air Force has showcased the enhanced lethality of a new 500-lb QUICKSINK maritime weapon, a variant of the service’s air-delivered munition for neutralizing surface vessels.

During a recent live-fire test at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber delivered the anti-ship weapon, exhibiting the aircraft’s increased targeting range, the USAF said Wednesday.

Learn more about the strategic importance of air and space defense at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Defense Summit on July 31. Book a spot now!

USAF Exhibits Enhanced Lethality of New Anti-Ship Weapon Version

Enhancing USAF’s Operational Flexibility

Col. Dan Lehoski, commander of the Air Force’s 53rd Wing, described the weapon as a “game-changing solution to rapidly and efficiently sink maritime targets.” He added that the new Air Force Research Laboratory version “adds options for the warfighter and enhances operational flexibility.”

Enabling the US to Project Maritime Power

QUICKSINK is designed to provide combatant commanders with expanded warfighting capabilities. It reportedly strengthens the USAF’s counter-maritime deterrence and operations, allowing the service to rapidly address maritime threats worldwide. The weapon also advances efforts by the United States to project maritime power and maintain freedom of navigation in critical waterways.

The QUICKSINK live-fire tests were conducted in coordination with the Air Force Materiel Command’s AFRL and Air Force Test Center and Air Combat Command’s 53rd Wing.

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GAO: Army Should Apply Iterative Development Approach to Long-Range Fires Systems
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The Army should incorporate iterative product development practices to its long-range fires programs, according to GSA.

The Government Accountability Office has called on the secretary of the Army to ensure the application of leading practices for iterative product development to rapidly develop and field self-propelled howitzer and other long-range fires capabilities against near-peer adversaries.

In a report published Thursday, GAO recommended the move after finding that the U.S. Army did not consistently apply practices for iterative product development to its long-range fires programs.

For instance, the military branch did not maintain a sound business case for its Extended Range Cannon Artillery effort by reassessing its technical feasibility, which resulted in its discontinuation.

GAO: Army Should Apply Iterative Development Approach to Long-Range Fires Systems

Gain insights into the service branch’s modernization imperatives, force structure optimization, national security missions and more at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit on June 18.

Use of Digital Twins & Other Digital Engineering Tools

The congressional watchdog also recommended that the Army ensure that the Precision Strike Missile program and Mid-Range Capability, or MRC, missile system assess the benefits, practicality and affordability of implementing digital twins and other digital engineering techniques as part of the adoption of an iterative product development approach.

With the MRC program, GAO found that the Army demonstrated several attributes of an iterative product development approach by establishing a business case with flexible requirements. However, the MRC effort does not intend to create a digital twin to help develop and improve the minimum viable product.

According to the report, implementing digital engineering and other iterative development approaches could help accelerate the development of future increments.

“Additionally, digital tools can help reduce time and cost by improving the ability to anticipate potential design flaws and optimizing manufacturing,” GAO wrote in the report.

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Jim O’Neill Confirmed as HHS Deputy Secretary
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Headshot of Jim O’Neill, deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Jim O’Neill, co-founder of the Thiel Fellowship, as deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a 52-43 vote.

In November, Politico reported the selection of O’Neill by then-President-elect Donald Trump for the deputy secretary role at HHS.

“He will oversee all operations and improve Management, Transparency, and Accountability to, Make America Healthy Again,” Trump said in a statement.

Jim O’Neill’s Career Background

O’Neill co-founded the Thiel Fellowship in 2010 and served as CEO of SENS Research Foundation.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he sits on the board of Advantage Therapeutics and is an adviser at FounderPool.

The Yale University graduate was managing director at Mithril Capital Management and Clarium Capital Management.

O’Neill also held leadership roles at HHS during President George W. Bush’s administration, including principal associate deputy secretary, member of the steering committee for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and associate deputy secretary.

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Senate Confirms Eglin AFB Head as ASD for Energy, Installations, Environment
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The U.S. senate has confirmed Dale Marks as the assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment.

The Senate has confirmed Dale Marks as assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment.

On Tuesday, legislators voted 72-26 in favor of Marks’ appointment to the role. He succeeds Brendan Owens, who led as assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment until January 2025.

Who Is Dale Marks?

Marks currently serves as executive director for the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. In the role, he leads 10,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel and oversees all base operations.

Before his assignment to Eglin AFB, he was appointed as deputy director for strategy, plans, programming and analysis for the National Guard Bureau’s Space Operations, where he contributed to requirements and policy processes that impact the U.S. Space Force, Department of Defense and National Guard organizations.

According to his bio on the Air Force’s website, Marks also held the roles of deputy chief of staff at Continental North American Aerospace Defense Command Region – 1st Air Force at Tyndall AFB and chief of staff for operational sustainment in Kabul, Afghanistan, with the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan and the NATO-led Resolute Support.

Marks has over two decades of service in both active duty and as National Guard in the Air Force. He has over 3,000 flight hours as a combat fighter pilot of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-15E Strike Eagle, AT-38 Talon and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

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Air Force Names John Patrick O’Donnell as Deputy CDO for Intelligence Community
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Former USAF data scientist John Patrick O’Donnell has been named deputy chief data officer for the AF intelligence community

John Patrick O’Donnell, former data scientist at the U.S. Air Force, announced in a LinkedIn post his appointment as chief data officer for the service branch’s intelligence community. 

In his new role, he will also serve as the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data portfolio manager for the Air Force chief information office. according to his LinkedIn profile.

O’Donnell’s Career

O’Donnell served in his former position as a data scientist for over two years in the human-machine co-learning section of the 711th Human Performance Wing of the Air Force Research Laboratory. He joined the service in 2020, concurrently as a master’s student at the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, where he obtained an MS degree in operations research in 2022. 

Before joining the service, O’Donnell underwent more than two years’ training at the Air Force ROTC in Charlotte, North Carolina, where cadet wing recruiting officer was his last post. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in bachelor of science in mathematics.

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Commerce Dept to Reorganize AI Safety Institute to Advance AI Development
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Department of Commerce logo

The Department of Commerce has announced plans to rebrand the AI Safety Institute into the Center for AI Standards and Innovation to address hindrances to advancing the development of artificial intelligence systems. 

“For far too long, censorship and regulations have been used under the guise of national security,” said Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. “Innovators will no longer be limited by these standards. CAISI will evaluate and enhance U.S. innovation of these rapidly developing commercial AI systems while ensuring they remain secure to our national security standards.” 

Global AI Dominance

The planned reform comes after the Trump administration repealed former President Joe Biden’s AI executive order and issued an EO to remove barriers to U.S. leadership in AI.

AISI, operating within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, was established in 2023 under the Biden administration. According to a press release from the Commerce Department, the new body will remain a part of NIST and will have responsibilities similar to AISI, including developing guidance and best practices for AI system security, working with industry to develop voluntary standards, conducting evaluations of models to identify potential risks to national security and coordinating with other agencies on the development of evaluation methods. 

The department said the change will ensure that it uses its scientific and industrial expertise to evaluate and understand the capabilities of AI products and identify vulnerabilities and threats within systems developed in the United States and abroad.

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DISA Publishes Guidebook for Managing Data
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DISA's Effective Data Lifecycle Management Guidebook provides industry best practices and government standards.

The Defense Information Systems Agency has issued a guide for managing data assets and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. 

The Effective Data Lifecycle Management Guidebook is a result of nearly 12 months of development and is designed to support the Department of Defense’s mission objectives, DISA said in a LinkedIn post Wednesday. 

What the DLM Guidebook Offers

The 29-page document covers the full data lifecycle, including planning and preparation, identification of sources, and retirement or redesignation. It offers industry best practices and standards and regulatory requirements from across DISA, DOD and the federal government for managing data and minimizing risks. 

The guidebook also offers templates and frameworks to eliminate ambiguity around policies, procedures and practices and to create a more consistent approach to data lifecycle management. 

It is intended for use within DISA, specifically to personnel who play critical roles in the creation, handling, oversight and retirement of the agency’s data assets.

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NIST Releases Security, Privacy & CSRM Special Publication for Public Comment
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology has expanded guidelines for security, privacy and cybersecurity SCRM plans

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has announced the release of Special Publication 800-18r2, a revision that expands the guidelines for security, privacy and cybersecurity supply chain risk management system plans.

Consolidating Security, Privacy and Supply Chain Risk Management

According to the initial public draft issued Wednesday, these system plans gather all critical information and serve as a centralized point of reference for assets and individuals safeguarded within an authorization boundary and interconnected systems. These centralized system plans also contain system and risk management decisions and the responsible individuals. The consolidated information on risk management decisions includes details on data creation, collection, dissemination, utilization, storage and disposal. They also include internal and external environments of operation, system components, data flows and controls for managing risks.

Key Revisions

The revised guideline details include enhanced guidance on developing system plans, insights into the development of system plans, revised system plan elements addressing security, privacy and cybersecurity supply chain risks, and considerations for the automated generation and maintenance of system plans using information management tools.

The draft includes supplemental materials such as system plan example outlines and updated roles and responsibilities related to system plan development.

Comments on the draft will be accepted until July 30.

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USPTO Issues RFI for AI Tools for Enhanced Patent & Trademark Processes
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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is looking for AI tech and other IT capabilities that could help transform its processes

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has begun soliciting industry information on artificial intelligence technologies and other IT capabilities to enhance the patent and trademark examination processes.

Enhancing USPTO Efficiency 

According to the request for information posted on SAM.gov Wednesday, USPTO is seeking contractors with new AI tools or IT capabilities that could boost the agency’s efficiency in granting patents, registering trademarks and advancing intellectual property policies. The new technologies will be used to assist patent examiners and trademark examining attorneys while minimizing application pendency.

The agency intends to utilize the technologies to establish an enhanced AI infrastructure focused on accelerating the application process, minimizing backlogs and reinforcing applicant data security to prevent IP theft. The tools should also be capable of developing a feedback system to facilitate future enhancements.

Through the RFI, USPTO aims to gain a better understanding of the commercial market to determine the potential of integrating low or no cost AI-powered tools or IT services into their operations to enhance their efficiency. Aside from agency operations, the potential project intends to bolster employee effectiveness, public service and accessibility to the IP system.

The AI tool should be capable of leveraging machine learning, neural networks, computer vision, natural language processing, large language models, deep learning, Big Data-driven analytics, blockchain, and analogous data science and information retrieval approaches. Examples of potential approaches include IT refinements, robotic process automation bot development and implementation, new code and other concepts to optimize current processes.

Interested vendors have until June 17 to submit their responses.

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Non-Profit Tech Center & IT Council Forge Alliance to Accelerate Digital Modernization
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The DOD-wide agreement between TAC and IT-AAC aims to fast-track digital modernization and strengthen warfighter capabilities

The Technology Advancement Center and IT Acquisition Advisory Council have signed a Department of Defense-wide Partnership Intermediary Agreement, or PIA.

TAC said Wednesday its strategic partnership with the Interoperability Clearinghouse subsidiary aims to expedite digital modernization efforts across all DOD components. The initiative aligns with the Executive Order on Defense IT Acquisition reform and the directive issued by Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth to accelerate the delivery of advanced software capabilities to the warfighters.

Non-Profit Tech Center & IT Council Forge Alliance to Accelerate Digital Modernization

Get insights on the Army’s modernization efforts to accelerate the development and delivery of emerging technologies to the warfighter. Register and join Army officials, government leaders and industry trailblazers at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Army Summit.

Empowering Agencies With Advanced Tools and Expert Guidance

The PIA provides agencies with a portfolio of strategic tools to foster innovation despite budget limitations. These resources include proven agile acquisition and digital transformation frameworks to enhance acquisition and transformation strategies, on-demand “tiger teams” to support workforce development and mentorship, and a virtual Tech Proving Ground that leverages expertise from multiple nonprofit groups and testing laboratories. The agreement also enables agencies to utilize specialized tools and expert guidance to enhance legacy systems.

The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, in coordination with the Army chief information officer, is slated to be the first to implement this capability. It is intended to enforce compliance with federal IT reform mandates and expand DOD software acquisition pathways.

“I’m honored to partner with IT-AAC and the U.S. Army to help accelerate the delivery of emerging technologies to the warfighter. Together, we’re creating a faster, more agile pathway for innovation that directly supports mission readiness and operational advantage,” added Gregg Smith, CEO of the TAC.

“Having invested over two decades in advancing defense IT reforms, we are honored to have an opportunity to work with one of the best CIO’s in government to advance Army’s top priorities,” stated John Weiler, IT-AAC co-founder and Interoperability Clearinghouse CEO.

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