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Report: China Eyes Lunar Base by 2028
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Report: China Eyes Lunar Base by 2028

China intends to establish its first outpost on the lunar surface by 2028 with plans to expand it into an international research station, Bloomberg reported Friday.

The country’s Chang’e 6, 7 and 8 missions would develop the lander, orbiter, rover and hopper that would make up the lunar base’s basic configuration.

According to Caixin, nuclear energy is likely to power the lunar base.

China, which became the first country to send a rover to the moon’s far side in 2019, also plans to bring astronauts to the moon in a move to challenge NASA’s edge in space exploration.

“Our astronauts will likely be able to go to the moon within 10 years,” Wu Weiran, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, told state broadcaster CCTV in an interview.

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Navy Integrates New Unmanned, AI Systems Into Middle East Operations
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Navy Integrates New Unmanned, AI Systems Into Middle East Operations

The U.S. Navy has launched a new event in the Middle East that aims to integrate artificial intelligence and unmanned systems into the U.S. 5th Fleet operations in the region.

The three-week Digital Horizon event, managed by Task Force 59 in Bahrain, will include 15 different types of unmanned systems—10 of which will operate in the area for the first time—as well as several AI and data integration systems, the Navy said Wednesday. 

Some of the featured systems include Elbit Systems‘ Seagull unmanned surface vessel, L3Harris Technologies‘ Arabian Fox MAST-13 autonomous vessel, Marine Advanced Robotics’ WAM-V watercraft and Ocean Aero’s TRITON autonomous underwater and surface vehicle. 

Digital Horizon will also employ unmanned surface vessels from Maritime Tactical Systems, Ocius, Open Ocean Robotics, Saildrone, Seasats and SeaTrac as well as unmanned aerial vehicles from Aerovel, Shield AI and Easy Aerial.

Other companies participating in the event are Accenture Federal Services, BigBear.ai and Silvus Technologies.

“By harnessing these new unmanned technologies and combining them with artificial intelligence, we will enhance regional maritime security and strengthen deterrence,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black Discusses Changes to Improve Personnel System
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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black Discusses Changes to Improve Personnel System

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black said he intends to redesign the service’s personnel system by updating their technical skills, modernizing their technologies and upgrading compensation plans for the soldiers and their families.

In an interview with Government Matters, Black referred to Talent Management 2030 and the Marine Innovation Unit as two of the programs through which the changes will be implemented.

Talent Management 2030 will involve using novel algorithms to match servicemen to the job that best fits them, Black explained. They are also conducting additional tests to assess the Marines’ technical capabilities, particularly in digital applications.

Regular and reserve personnel with technology backgrounds will be processed through the new Marine Innovation Unit, Black noted.

To retain people with experience, Black stated that the branch is incentivizing its top talent and speeding up reenlistment processes. The sergeant cited these programs as the reasons why they achieved their retention goal for the first time in 10 years.

For fiscal year 2023, Black pledged to prioritize personnel by reviewing the base pay scale of enlisted members and investing in mechanisms to help their families.

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FCC Bans Telecom, Surveillance Equipment Produced by Companies in Covered List; Jessica Rosenworcel Quoted
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FCC Bans Telecom, Surveillance Equipment Produced by Companies in Covered List; Jessica Rosenworcel Quoted

The Federal Communications Commission is banning telecommunications and video surveillance equipment manufactured by a number of Chinese and Russian companies that have been declared as a threat to national security.

The agency announced Friday that it amended its equipment authorization program to prohibit the importation or sale of the identified equipment in the U.S., as well as their authorization through the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity process.

“The FCC is committed to protecting our national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our borders, and we are continuing that work here,” Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said. “These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications.”

In connection with the Report and Order, the commission is seeking comment on possible revisions to the rules and procedures governing “covered” equipment authorization prohibition, as well as action needed on current approval processes. It is also soliciting opinion for potential changes to its competitive bidding program.

The companies involved were previously included in FCC’s Covered List of products and services found to pose unacceptable U.S. security risk. They are:

  • AO Kaspersky Lab
  • China Mobile International USA
  • China Telecom (Americas)
  • China Unicom (Americas) Operations Ltd.
  • Dahua Technology
  • Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology
  • Huawei Technologies
  • Hytera Communications
  • Pacific Network
  • ZTE Corporation

Subsidiaries of these organizations are also banned under the new FCC rule, which is being implemented under the Secure Equipment Act of 2021.

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White House Proposes Environmental Rule That Would Impact Government Contractors
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White House Proposes Environmental Rule That Would Impact Government Contractors

A proposed Biden-Harris administration rule would require a large portion of federal contractors to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks while setting emissions reduction goals.

Supporting the administration’s earlier environmental executive orders, the new Federal Supplier Risks and Resilience Rule would make the U.S. the first national government to require its major suppliers to set emissions reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement if approved.

The White House stated that the order covers approximately 85 percent of emissions tied to the federal supply chain. According to the fact sheet, those emissions are over two-times as much as emissions from maintaining the government’s 300,000 buildings and 600,000 vehicles.

If implemented, the rule would focus on “major” federal contractors, which are defined as companies that receive over $50 million in contracts each year. These organizations would be required to publicly report Scope 1 (direct-from-source) and Scope 2 (indirect from purchased energy) emissions as well as select Scope 3 (indirect value chain) emissions categories. They would also be required to disclose climate-related financial risks and set emission reduction targets.

Contractors within the $7.5 million to $50 million annual funding range, designated as “significant” contractors, would be required to divulge Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, while contractors receiving less than $7.5 million in yearly contracts would not be affected. Small businesses exceeding $7.5 million in contract awards each year would only be required to disclose Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

Data from the Federal Procurement Data System shows that the significant contractors range includes approximately 4,413 organizations and estimates that 64 percent of these are small businesses. Within the 1,353 major contractors, 29 percent are estimated to be small businesses.

FPDS data also indicates that 31 percent of major contractors already report their emissions, while 10 percent of significant contractors currently disclose their emissions.

The expected first-year cost of compliance is over $604 billion, with an additional $442 billion annually.

As reported by the Washington Times, Christoph Mlinarchik, an experienced government contracting advisor and author, expressed his concern that new compliance costs may hurt small businesses that already have thin profit margins.

The Washington Times article included additional commentary from Markus Speidel, a government contracts attorney, who also expects the compliance costs to be significant. At the same time, he said that he foresees a widespread, cross-industry push for tightened environmental laws in the future and predicts that early participants will have an advantage.

According to the White House, the rule would provide economic benefits to both the federal government and its contractors as earlier emissions reduction strategies have reduced spending for both the government and companies across various sectors.

The White House is accepting input on the proposed rule until January 13.

Top 7 Honeywell Government Contracts
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Top 7 Honeywell Government Contracts

As a multinational technology and manufacturing company, Honeywell International Inc. invents and manufactures aerospace products and services, as well as control, sensing, and security technologies for commercial buildings, safety, and productivity solutions, advanced materials, specialty chemicals, process technology for refining and petrochemicals, and energy-efficient products and solutions.

Here are the top Honeywell government contracts the company successfully won over the past years:

1. Fort Benning Contracts to Facilities Upgrade and Overall Energy Usage Reduction (2019)

On April 2019, Honeywell announced a new collaboration with Fort Benning to upgrade base facilities that reduce energy usage. Fort Benning is a U.S. Army post that is home to more than 100,000 U.S. Army personnel, trainees, dependents, retirees, and civilian government employees.

Throughout the 25-year funding contract, Honeywell is tasked to take charge of facility modifications to lower energy consumption by 23%,  generating roughly $1.3 million in yearly savings.

According to a press release by Honeywell, the $19 million project entailed the following:

  • Facility upgrades, including utility monitoring and control system (UMCS) installation
  • Advanced lighting controls and occupancy sensors
  • Modifications to the building envelope to reduce overall energy use and increase energy resilience

The agreement also permitted modification funding through annual energy and operational savings from the project work.

2. Repair and Overhaul Contract for U.S. Army Chinook Fleet (2020)

A five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract was awarded to Honeywell to repair and overhaul T55-GA-714A engines that operate on the U.S. Army’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The contract award aimed to ensure that the U.S. Army’s Chinook fleet has spare engines for future missions and overall readiness.

The engines were maintained at Honeywell’s new maintenance facility located at the company’s global headquarters for Aerospace in Phoenix. Repairs and overhaul work is facilitated in the same location as the new engine production. This transfer of location allows the workforce to pool resources across both engine lines, resulting in a possible surge in output of 20 engines per month that can be delivered to the U.S. Army, foreign military, and commercial customers.

3. $476 Million Engine Production Contract for U.S. Army Chinook Fleet (2021)

A $476 million contract was awarded to Honeywell to manufacture T55-GA-714A engines and spares for the U.S. Army’s CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet.

Honeywell is contracted to supply the Chinook fleet with spare engines until 2024. This IDIQ contract that spans four years will handle future missions for Boeing’s Philadelphia Production Line.

So far, Honeywell has produced approximately 6,000 T55 engines, which have logged nearly 12 million flight hours on Boeing CH-47 Chinook and MH-47 helicopters. The company ensured that Chinook helicopters satisfied the new aircraft specifications of the United States Army and its international partners. It assembled and tested the engines at its production plant near the company’s global headquarters for aerospace in Phoenix, Arizona, United States.

4. Collaboration with Leading Health Providers for Global Healthcare Digitalization (2022)

Two top healthcare companies recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Honeywell International. This proves Honeywell’s commitment to accelerating the healthcare industry’s digitization process. Through advanced digitalization, the partnerships aim to improve patient experience and operational effectiveness.

Honeywell has made significant contributions to the industry’s reaction to the pandemic. One of its projects includes the safety of frontline workers with personal protective equipment and the creation of sensors and switch solutions to improve the performance and dependability of ventilators. This was all made possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic which stressed the need to increase healthcare delivery efficiency greatly.

To date, Honeywell’s engineered solutions deliver the quality, durability, and value required to help deliver safer, more effective healthcare.

5. Partnership with Mangata Networks for New Satellite Constellations Control Systems (2022)

Mangata Networks, a Phoenix-based telecommunications company, chose Honeywell’s space-integrated attitude control system (IACS) to support its 32-satellite constellations.

Honeywell’s IACS platform guarantees uninterrupted connectivity which Mangata Networks have seen as the most reliable choice to facilitate its network of telecommunications satellites. What traditionally lacked access to a high-speed Internet connection — crucial to Mangata’s communications and weather monitoring, will now work seamlessly thanks to Honeywell’s support. Contracting Honeywell will likewise improve the high-speed connection between Mangata Network’s businesses and individuals in distant places.

6. T55 Engine Contract from The U.S. Army In Support of The U.K. Ministry of Defence (2022)

Honeywell Aerospace has signed a contract to supply the United Kingdom military with 34 of its workhorse T55 engines.

The U.S. Army’s Foreign Military Sales office has granted a contract for the production of the latest model of the Honeywell T55-GA-714A engine for the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s fleet of H-47 Extended Range Chinook helicopters.

Currently, more than 900 CH-47 helicopters powered by T55 engines are employed by militaries and civil aviation organizations worldwide. The most recent T55-GA-714A engine from Honeywell provides up to 5,000 shaft horsepower, allowing Chinook aircraft to reach 170 knots under the most demanding operating conditions. This makes the company’s masterpiece the industry standard for powering heavy-lift helicopters.

7. Joint Venture Agreement for New Intelligent Operations Software Solution (2022)

Under the Aramco Namaat Industrial Investments Program, Honeywell and Aramco have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement. The objective of this JV is to equip industrial enterprises with the necessary tools, methods, and procedures.

Honeywell’s main task is to supply a set of end-to-end business process automation solutions to operate plants more efficiently and to expedite sustainable digital transformation and operational excellence efforts.

The agreement will combine Aramco’s Plant.Digital platform (previously known as Integrated Manufacturing Operations Management System – iMOMS) and Honeywell Connected Enterprise’s technology development and industrial digital solutions implementation experience. In addition, it is anticipated that the JV will generate over 300 jobs in Saudi Arabia within five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honeywell & Department of Defense

Below are some of the frequently asked questions about Honeywell International:

Does Honeywell have defense contracts?

Honeywell International provides commercial capabilities and innovative technologies to their clients and customers to advance modernization demands across a full spectrum of operations that facilitate better decision-making, agility, resiliency, and mission readiness.

The Department of Defense, Armed forces, and space-defense programs worldwide are continuously improving their defense means and adopting modern solutions.

Does Honeywell work with the government?

Honeywell International has worked closely with government administrations, military bases, and federal institutions for decades, delivering the world’s most effective technologies and solutions for energy management and facility modifications.

Honeywell International mainly operates in four areas of business:

  • Aerospace
  • Building technologies
  • Performance materials and technologies (PMT)
  • Safety and productivity solutions (SPS)

What does Honeywell do for the military?

Honeywell International services the military’s tough and dependable defense systems. Whether it is military-grade protection equipment or sensor technology, the company offers safe, quality, accurate, and reliable solutions with the durability required for the most severe and hostile settings.

Honeywell Government Contracts At Its Best

Honeywell collaborating with federal government

For over three decades, Honeywell executives have assisted government entities, providing systems definition, design, and comprehensive logistics management for military deployment operations and ongoing support of essential public services.

Honeywell enables federal agencies and state and local governments to establish improved assets, operations, and service delivery processes.

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Senators Ask DOD to Supply Gray Eagle Drones to Ukraine
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Senators Ask DOD to Supply Gray Eagle Drones to Ukraine

A bipartisan group of 16 senators called on the Department of Defense to provide Ukraine with MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft systems to support the Eastern European country’s fight against Russian invasion.

The lawmakers led by Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa., and Joe Manchin, D-W.V., made the request through a Tuesday letter addressed to Lloyd Austin, secretary of DOD and a two-time Wash100 awardee.

“The MQ-1C’s short training timeline of 27 days and availability for transfer present a profound near-term upgrade to Ukraine’s military,” the senators wrote.

According to the letter, the General Atomics-built Gray Eagle drone could provide long-range fires capabilities that could help Ukraine counter Russian forces and recover its occupied territory.

The legislators also ask the DOD secretary several questions, including the operational advantages of Gray Eagle drones to Ukraine’s armed forces and specific risks of conflict escalation related to the use of the UAS. Responses are due Nov. 30.

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OMB Urged to ‘Harmonize’ Secure Software Development Requirements
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OMB Urged to ‘Harmonize’ Secure Software Development Requirements

The Information Technology Industry Council has called on the Office of Management and Budget to create a standardized rulemaking process for the implementation of secure software development requirements across the federal government.

The letter, which is addressed to OMB Director Shalanda Young, includes recommendations to support the government’s progress in achieving these milestones, the council disclosed on Monday.

Gordon Bitko, executive vice president of policy for public sector at ITI, expressed his concerns regarding potential variation in the government’s movement within secure software development, which can cause ambiguity and slow the attainment of federal software security goals.

“Software producers face significant barriers, including ambiguous terminology, confusing timelines, and the potential for regulatory fragmentation,” Bitko said.

In the letter, ITI refers to an OMB memo released in September that aims to require agencies obtain a self-attestation from software developers before using their products, which the letter states is currently not mandated under any FAR clause. According to ITI, this may lead to unnecessary agency investments in developing tailored requirements that may not meet the updated standards of a new clause.

To address these concerns, ITI urged the OMB to ensure that federal agencies are using one standardized form when requesting self-attestation from software companies that includes the option to request addendums for mission-specific requirements.

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NAVSEA Seeks Out Potential Services to Upgrade USS Zumwald
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NAVSEA Seeks Out Potential Services to Upgrade USS Zumwald

The Naval Sea Systems Command has released a sources sought announcement regarding a new program that aims to upgrade various components and systems of Zumwalt-class destroyers.

To enhance the supportability and interoperability of the Zumwalt Class destroyers, the command is currently conducting market research to assess opportunities to achieve this goal, according to a SAM.gov notice issued last week.

The new Zumwalt Enterprise Upgrade Solution concept strives support these improvements through the replacement of Zumwalt-specific components and systems with analogous systems typically used with other Navy surface combatants.

As stated on the announcement, the command is seeking industry input to determine potential sources for software development, technical leadership and facilities and manpower to support this combat system equipment integration.

NAVSEA said the ZEUS program seeks to replace Zumwalt’s AN/SPY-3 radar with the AN/SPY-6(v)3 air and missile defense radar.

Items being considered in the upgrade include the destroyers’ common displays, internal electronics, combat system computer program, the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program and the SQQ-89 undersea warfare combat system.

Responses to the RFI are due Dec. 16.

The notice follows the deployment of the USS Zumwalt, the lead ship of the Zumwalt class, for a three-month underway in the Western Pacific. Services sought out are intended to be utilized during the ship’s maintenance availability in late 2023, according to a report from USNI News.

During this period, HII‘s Ingalls Shipbuilding division will also outfit USS Zumwalt with hypersonic missiles at its shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the report stated.

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NASA to Test Communications Tech for Air Mobility Ecosystem With PC-12 Aircraft
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NASA to Test Communications Tech for Air Mobility Ecosystem With PC-12 Aircraft

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has acquired a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to support aeronautic research efforts, including the assessment of commercial communications technology platforms for the national airspace.

PC-12 is a turboprop aircraft that has a pressurized cabin, can operate at altitudes of up 30,000 feet at a speed of 322 miles per hour and can land on short runways, NASA said Monday.

“We plan to evaluate the performance of a NASA partner prototype radio system, cellular services, and satellite technologies for critical information exchanges between aircraft and air traffic service providers during flight in an urban environment,” said Rafael Apaza, associate project manager for the Air Traffic Management eXploration project.

“The PC-12 allows us to put these technologies through good, rigorous tests in optimal locations and at altitudes where new urban vehicles will likely operate,” added Apaza.

Apaza’s team will test data exchanges and transfer rates to radio ground platforms by mounting commercial antenna systems on the aircraft’s belly.

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