Defense Systems

Navy awards contract for unmanned sea mine hunter

Raytheon takes a potential $362.7 million contract to develop an autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle for the Navy to use in the detection and mitigation of sea mines.

Threats

The US Navy Wants a Better Way to Keep China’s Nose Out of Its Contracts

A subcontract with a Huawei partner has the secretary looking for an ‘institutional algorithm’ for spotting dicey partnerships.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Is Building an AI Product Factory

Job One for the new Joint Artificial Intelligence Center will be delivering solutions for services’ specific problems.

Science & Tech

The US Military Will Award $10 Million to the Company That Can Launch Satellites on Short Notice

The Air Force is desperate to replace larger satellites that are vulnerable to attack, and fast.

Ideas

The Pursuit of AI Is More Than an Arms Race

Dealing wisely with the challenges of artificial intelligence requires reframing the current debates.

Ideas

Pompeo’s Secret Korea Trip May Not Save His Nomination, But It Could Save Trump’s Summit

The president needs a "win" somewhere so badly that at the summit he may accept a nuclear freeze and a determined process as a major victory. That is a good thing.

Ideas

What Austria Can Teach the US About Civil-Military Relations

I was raised in a culture in which soldiering is seen as just another dangerous profession.

Defense Systems

Thornberry puts DISA on the chopping block

House Armed Services Committee chairman's reform bill calls for a 25 percent cut in back-office spending and the elimination of seven supporting agencies.

Business

US Air Force Is Moving Faster on Space Contracts, Industry Execs Say

The service has new purchasing authorities, a planned new structure for its satellite-buying arm — and a new attitude, company leaders say.

Threats

Three Things to Watch from the PACOM’s (Likely) Next Commander

The current leader of U.S. Fleet Forces command says he would work on the U.S.-India relationship “with great energy.”

Science & Tech

US Army Figures Out How To Do Facial Recognition in the Dark

New method uses machine learning to extrapolate features from thermal images.

Ideas

The Corker-Kaine Bill Would Codify, not End, the Forever War

The replacement AUMF would formalize a reversal of the Constitution, allowing the president to declare wars and Congress — if it dares — to veto them.

Defense Systems

DISA awards $592M computer chip services contract

The Defense Information Services Agency awards a $592 million contract for processor capacity services related to computer chips.

Defense Systems

Navy awards $105M warfare systems order

Delta Resources takes in a $105 million task order to help the Navy design, deploy and integrate warfare =systems onto vessels and other platforms.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Releases Second Draft RFP For Multibillion Dollar JEDI Cloud

The final JEDI draft request for proposal includes answers to more than 1,000 questions industry posed in the first draft RFP.

Ideas

US Military Dominance Requires Better Command-and-Control Tools

Commanders need an AI-infused infrastructure to keep tabs on friendly and hostile forces, suggest actions, and help carry out orders.