Author Archive
Cyber
Vendors prep for new cyber rules of the road
Federal policy is shifting to impose tighter cybersecurity requirements on government contractors and Congress appears poised to impose new standards throughout the private sector.
Policy
Pentagon's classification system lacks consistency, IG finds
The inspector general wrote that inaccurate or incomplete security classification guides “increase the risk” of over- or under-classification due to incorrect interpretation or application.
Connected Warrior
Marine Corps shares new information warfare doctrine
The Corps wants commanders to start thinking about the role of information in war.
Emerging Tech
Air Force looks to HBCUs to lead its first university applied research center
The tactical autonomy-focused center will focus on key areas including human-machine teaming, trust and collaboration between platforms.
Policy
Top military space buyer eyes fixed-price contracts
Frank Calvelli, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, said "fixed-price contracting is not a bad approach for space things" and could help keep acquisitions on time.
AI & Analytics
The Pentagon's plan for 'responsible AI'
A 47-page document released this week outlines the Pentagon's plan to incorporate its two-year old ethical AI principles throughout a system's design, development and use.
Emerging Tech
Spotlight on innovation in the 2023 defense policy bill
The Defense Innovation Unit stands to get $81 million, double its requested budget, for fiscal 2023, under the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Emerging Tech
IARPA researchers want immersive, 3D imagery for training and simulation
The project seeks software and applications to enhance the intelligence community’s geospatial surveillance images.
IT Infrastructure
The Pentagon should keep better tabs on IT cybersecurity, supply chain risks, GAO says
The findings come as the Defense Department continues to increase its investment in information technology and cybersecurity year over year—a trend that could likely mean more scrutiny.
Congress
Defense topline funding could see a bump, panel chairman says
The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told reporters he was confident that defense budget limits could be increased beyond the White House's request.
Policy
Lack of Space National Guard could hurt training, recruiting
National Guard directors are worried about losing key talent for space capabilities without the creation of a specified guard and reserve component.
Congress
Lawmakers want to know how much bad software costs DOD
When the House Armed Services Committee begins its markup process of the annual defense authorization bill on June 8, look out for a provision asking the Pentagon to account for wasted money and lost productivity caused by poorly performing software.
Connected Warrior
Space Force preps to take on Army, Navy SATCOM this year, official said
Lt. Gen. William Liquori, the Space Force's deputy chief of space operations, strategy, plans, programs, requirements, and analysis, said there have been discussions to ensure a smooth transition "and ultimately have no impact on the end users."
Policy
How the Pentagon plans to manage inflation costs in contracts
The Defense Department urged contracting officers to "be mindful" of the varying impacts of inflation and "limit the scope" of equity pay adjustment clauses, according to new guidance.
AI & Analytics
How ‘cultural artifacts’ impede DOD's ability to go big on AI
Pushing AI to the battlefield to help commanders make more informed decisions also means confronting the Defense Department’s worst enemy: the budget process.
IT Infrastructure
Coast Guard's small IT programs suffer from inconsistent oversight policy, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office found inconsistent evaluations of baseline goals, like cost changes, for the Coast Guard's non-major IT acquisition programs which led to inaccurate estimates of cost increases.
IT Infrastructure
DOD to debut virtual desktops for certain highly classified programs
The effort, which sunsets "Chinstrap" desktop hardware, has been a key priority in the Pentagon's CIO shop.
IT Infrastructure
The Navy has saved $150 million by consolidating IT systems, official says
The Cattle Drive effort, which was announced in 2020, aims to reduce duplicative systems, their data, and save money.
Cyber
DOD isn't meeting some of the cybersecurity standards it set for contractors
A recent Government Accountability Office report highlighted that the Defense Department wasn't meeting all of the requirements it sets for contractors when it comes to protecting sensitive, unclassified information.
Cloud