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Reagan National Defense Survey Assesses Americans’ Confidence in Military, Positions on National Security Issues
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Reagan National Defense Survey Assesses Americans’ Confidence in Military, Positions on National Security Issues

A new survey by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute shows that the level of trust and confidence of U.S. citizens in the U.S. military has been declining due to the perceived politicization of the military.

The 2022 Reagan National Defense Survey was based on responses from more than 2,500 Americans polled by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research from Nov. 9 to Nov. 17, the nonprofit organization said Thursday.

In 2018, 70 percent of respondents stated that they had a “great deal of trust and confidence” in the U.S. military. That figure dropped by over 20 percentage points to 45 percent in 2021 and slightly increased to 48 percent in 2022.

Other reasons that are driving declining public confidence in the military are the performance of presidents as commanders-in-chief, the competence of the military’s civilian leaders and “woke” practices that weaken military effectiveness.

According to the report, 76 percent of U.S. citizens said they view Ukraine as an ally and nearly 60 percent said they believe the U.S. must continue to support the Eastern European country to counter Russian aggression.

The survey showed that 60 percent of respondents stated that they have a favorable view of NATO.

Seventy-five percent of Americans said they consider China an adversary and over half of the respondents said the U.S. lacks a clear strategy for handling its relationship with China.

The report revealed that 70 percent of respondents stated that they are concerned about the invasion threat posed by China to Taiwan and that 43 percent said they would back efforts to deploy U.S. ground troops to help defend Taiwan.

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Stratolaunch Joins Forces With Dynetics Under NSWC Award; Zachary Krevor Quoted
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Stratolaunch Joins Forces With Dynetics Under NSWC Award; Zachary Krevor Quoted

Stratolaunch has been added to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division Multiservice Advanced Capability Test Bed award.

Under the contract, which was granted through the Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems Other Transaction agreement, Stratolaunch will work alongside Dynetics to support the MACH-TB project, the Mojave, California-based organization announced on Thursday.

“We’re excited for the opportunity for Talon-A flights to be integrated into the MACH-TB program as part of the Dynetics team. We look forward to providing flight test opportunities needed to advance hypersonics systems development for the services,” said Stratolaunch CEO Zachary Krevor.

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A vehicle, a reusable autonomous hypersonic testbed, will function as a high-cadence, high-speed testbed and will be used to progress the development of the MACH-TB program.

Dynetics will lead the collaboration, which additionally includes over 20 organizations in the industry spanning small business, national laboratories and academia. Stratolaunch and other entities involved will present strategies to prototype a testbed that leverages commercial launch vehicles while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

The MACH-TB program centers around supporting hypersonic programs with opportunities for flight testing technologies with robust, agile and modular approaches. Stratolaunch’s Talon-A vehicle, which will be utilized for flight testing hypersonic payloads, aligns with these goals.

Data collected in these assessments will provide the Department of Defense with information relevant to technology enhancement and capability validation. Consistent, affordable hypersonic flight testing is aimed to enable productive developments in hypersonic weapon systems.

Dynetics, a Leidos-owned company, was first awarded the contract in October to aid in the construction of a launch vehicle and the development of an experimental glide body to increase the capacity for hypersonic flight testing. The testbed is meant to create a centralized hypersonic testing ability that will benefit various military initiatives and be used for numerous commercial launch vehicles carrying hypersonic payloads.

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Federal Acquisition Regulation Amendment Encourages Government-Industry Communication
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Federal Acquisition Regulation Amendment Encourages Government-Industry Communication

U.S. government acquisition personnel may engage in communications with industry representatives as long as they do not violate laws against unfair competition, according to the amended Federal Acquisition Regulation.

In a notice on Federal Register, the Department of Defense, NASA and the General Services Administration jointly modified FAR policy to encourage constructive government-industry exchanges and improve communication between the two sectors.

The rule, which takes effect on Dec. 30, was initially proposed by the agencies in 2016. They called on the FAR Council to establish a clear provision that allows government officials to communicate with contractors as long as they are “responsible,” “meaningful,” “constructive” and within the limits of acquisition laws. The interactions do not necessarily have to be for market research or procurements.

To make solicitation engagements more productive, the rule encourages agencies to host more meetings with potential vendors and use interactive web-based technology. DOD, NASA and GSA also agreed that post-award exchanges will help minimize contract disputes, clarify roles and responsibilities, and provide opportunities for course correction.

The final rule is implemented under the National Defense Authorization Act and was reviewed by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

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NSF Extends Investment in Wireless Network Research Office; Margaret Martonosi Quoted
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NSF Extends Investment in Wireless Network Research Office; Margaret Martonosi Quoted

The U.S. National Science Foundation will continue to support a program office that oversees the development and deployment of advanced wireless research platforms to boost broadband communications connectivity.

NSF has awarded additional funding to the Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research Project Office (PPO), jointly managed by US Ignite and Northeastern University, to help support its network of testbeds for 5G and 6G technologies, PAWR said Thursday.

“The shared infrastructure assets of the PAWR program play a crucial role in advancing wireless research and innovation,” said Margaret Martonosi, assistant director of NSF.

Martonosi added that the agency is looking forward to seeing the PAWR program “democratizing access to new researchers and expanding the geography of innovation.”

Since its establishment, the PPO has helped create four network testbeds: AERPAW in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina; ARA, a rural broadband testbed for smart and connected communities currently under construction in Ames, Iowa; COSMOS in New York City; and POWDER in Salt Lake City.

This $2.8 million investment from NSF extends PPO’s initial five-year term.

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SpaceX Gets FCC Clearance to Field 7,500 Satellites for Gen2 Starlink Constellation
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SpaceX Gets FCC Clearance to Field 7,500 Satellites for Gen2 Starlink Constellation

The Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX approval to build, deploy and operate up to 7,500 satellites for its second-generation Starlink constellation to provide satellite broadband service to customers across the U.S.

SpaceX originally applied to field nearly 30,000 non-geostationary orbit satellites for Gen2 Starlink but FCC decided to limit that number to 7,500 satellites to address concerns related to space safety and orbital debris, according to an order and authorization released Thursday.

The commission authorized SpaceX to use frequencies in the Ka- and Ku- bands, but deferred acting on the company’s request to use of E-band frequencies and tracking beacons.

FCC also set a number of conditions, such as requiring the company to report mitigation measures to prevent collisions in space, work with NASA to ensure availability of launch windows and delay launch of new spacecraft “if satellite failures exceed a certain threshold.”

“Our action also will enable worldwide satellite broadband service, helping to close the digital divide on a global scale. At the same time, this limited grant and associated conditions will protect other satellite and terrestrial operators from harmful interference and maintain a safe space environment, promoting competition and protecting spectrum and orbital resources for future use,” the commission said in the order.

SpaceX said in a statement the FCC authorization will allow the company to “add even more capacity to the network, ultimately enabling us to add customers and provide faster service,” according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

In April 2021, FCC approved SpaceX’s request for modification of its license for its Starlink network, allowing the company to move the operational altitude for its 2,814 satellites and reduce the number of spacecraft in its constellation, among other changes.

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USAF Completes Loading Process Validation for Air-Launched Hypersonic Weapon
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USAF Completes Loading Process Validation for Air-Launched Hypersonic Weapon

The U.S. Air Force has validated the loading and unloading procedures of its first air-launched hypersonic weapon with a B-52H Stratofortress bomber at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, paving the way for its scheduled deployment in 2023.

The validation of the process enables the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response weapon to undergo live testing before the year ends and move to the production phase, Air Force Global Strike Command said Thursday. 

The ARRW is an air-to-ground missile designed to launch from a B-52H aircraft to neutralize high-value, time-sensitive targets.

During the validation process, airmen from the 2nd Maintenance Group, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron worked with civilians from the ARRW and B-52H Stratofortress Systems Programs Office to develop standard procedures for loading the weapon onto the aircraft and unloading it.

“It demonstrates the far reaching capabilities of the B-52 and now projects its combat capabilities even further with the ARRW system,” said Master Sgt. Caleb Nolen, Air Force Global Strike B-52 armament systems manager.

In May, the ARRW launched from a B-52H bomber off the Southern California coast as part of a hypersonic weapon test effort to advance the development of the weapon system.

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CGI Federal Unveils New Leadership Promotions
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CGI Federal Unveils New Leadership Promotions

CGI Federal has announced the elevations of Errol McEachron to senior vice president of consulting services and Alfred Fraser to vice president of the same department.

While continuing his leadership of the space and intelligence sector for CGI Federal’s defense, intelligence and space business unit, McEachron will assume responsibility for the overall strategy, execution and delivery of information technology, business and technology consulting services. Fraser will apply his business and military experience to his new role, the Fairfax, Virginia-based organization announced on Friday.

McEachron has been with CGI for nearly two decades, beginning as director of consulting services and currently serving as vice president of the space and intelligence sector. During his time with the company, he has supported civilian, defense and intelligence agencies across the areas of software engineering, technology, business consulting, strategic advising and IT leadership.

He is experienced with digital modernization and transformation and has supported agency transitions to modern platforms through services surrounding data security and sharing and advanced analytics.

The executive has a 10-year track record of providing Agile-based enterprise IT, financial management services, enterprise resource planning and cybersecurity offerings.

Currently, McEarchon serves as a representative of CGI Federal at industry conferences and events and before government councils and the U.S. Congress.

Fraser is an Army combat veteran and retired Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. He brings a 40-year history of developing, maintaining and expanding client relationships in the Huntsville, Alabama and Lawton, Oklahoma defense markets.

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HII Ingalls Shipbuilding Transitions Guided Missile Destroyer to U.S. Navy; Capt. Seth Miller Quoted
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HII Ingalls Shipbuilding Transitions Guided Missile Destroyer to U.S. Navy; Capt. Seth Miller Quoted

A new Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer has been officially transferred by HII‘s Ingalls Shipbuilding subsidiary to the U.S. Navy.

The DDG-123 destroyer will be named after Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to be honored with the distinguished Navy Cross for her service as the second Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps during World War I, the branch said Thursday.

The future USS Higbee is the last Flight IIA ship developed by Ingalls before the Navy’s transition to Flight III destroyers. The company built 34 such units with the Aegis Combat System. The system’s Baseline 9C2 allows for optimum electronic countermeasures, high firepower and quick response time to threats.

The construction and delivery of the vessel was commissioned by the Naval Sea Systems Command’s Program Executive Office Ships. Capt. Seth Miller, PEO Ships’ DDG 51 class program manager, said that the arrival of DDG-123 “comes at a critical time to the Nation and will further strengthen the Navy’s Surface Fleet.”

The Ingalls Pascagoula shipyard is working on Flight III DDGs, to be named the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129) and USS George M. McNeal (DDG 131).

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Lauren Knausenberger: Air Force Must Double Down on AI to Maintain Competitive Advantage
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Lauren Knausenberger: Air Force Must Double Down on AI to Maintain Competitive Advantage

Lauren Knausenberger, chief information officer for the Department of the Air Force, said the service branch must intensify the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning in order to further automate its manual processes and maintain dominance over competitors, DefenseNews reported Thursday.

“If we tried to do everything today manually, leveraging the same processes that we always have, we’re not going to have the speed that we need for any of our kill chains,” asserted Knausenberger, a 2022 Wash100 awardee.

According to Knausenberger, the Air Force is developing AI for multiple applications, including “some on the battlefield” and “some embedded in things that we are building today.”

AI serves as the foundation of the Advanced Battle Management System, the Air Force’s contribution to the Department of Defense’s Joint All Domain Command and Control initiative.

In September, the service branch’s AFWERX innovation arm released a request for information for a new Prime program that seeks to advance the development of commercial autonomy technologies for military applications.

“Our secretary has said a few times that in the future, we expect AI to just be a part of all of our weapons platforms,” Knausenberger said.

Lauren Knausenberger: Air Force Must Double Down on AI to Maintain Competitive Advantage

GovCon Wire Events will hold the 3rd Annual AF IT Modernization and Transformation Forum on March 21, 2023, to discuss the service branch’s digital modernization initiatives and priorities. The forum will feature Knausenberger as a speaker.

Click here to register.

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Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden Talks B-21 Raider Debut & Company Growth Forecast
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Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden Talks B-21 Raider Debut & Company Growth Forecast

Northrop Grumman is scheduled to reveal its B-21 Raider during a highly-anticipated unveiling event at the company’s Palmdale, California facility on Friday evening, said CEO, President and Chair Kathy Warden in a CNBC interview.

For the past eight years, Northrop Grumman has been working with the U.S. Air Force to design, test and build the next generation strike aircraft, which Warden anticipates will equip the U.S. and our allies with an “information advantage.”

“The B-21 Raider is a long-range strike aircraft, and what that means is it has the range to go anywhere in the world and keep a target at risk. It also is a platform that is low-observable, and that means it can enter enemy airspace and not be detected,” said the seven-time Wash100 Award winner.

Notably, the B-21 has the ability to connect with other platforms — a function which closely aligns with the Department of Defense’s JADC2 initiative and its overarching goal to more closely link tactical and strategic networks.

Warden credited Northrop Grumman’s ability to deliver the B-21 on schedule and on budget to “digital engineering,” which she said has helped the company “iterate on thousands of designs and then translate those into the platform that the world will see tonight.”

Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider bomber is scheduled to make its first flight in early 2023, and the Falls Church, Virginia-based defense technology contractor currently has six B-21 Raiders in production. Early cost projections for the program hovered around $550 million per aircraft, but due to inflation, that estimation is now up to nearly $700 million per aircraft.

“We see the value creation for Northrop Grumman as still very much ahead of us as we move into this production phase,” Warden predicted. “The Air Force is talking about building at least a hundred aircraft.”

CNBC’s Morgan Brennan noted that Northrop Grumman is uniquely predicting top-line growth next year, while many other defense prime contractors are not. Warden explained that this projected growth is occurring “in spite of supply chain challenges” and because Northrop Grumman’s talent base is expanding.

“We are starting to see labor turn the corner, so we’re optimistic about 2023 and our ability to grow faster than we did in 2022,” said Warden. “The way we’re winning work and being successful on programs like the B-21 Raider is because our people are incredibly innovative and our talent is creating the ideas that solve our customers’ hardest problems.”

Northrop Grumman’s collaboration with the Air Force goes beyond the B-21 program. In late November, the Air Force exercised a contract option to purchase 42 F-16 aircraft radars from Northrop Grumman. Earlier this year, Northrop teamed up with Raytheon Technologies and won a $985 million contract to build and demonstrate a Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile.

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