Acquisition
Lawmakers press White House for space acquisition chief
House appropriators lamented the absence of a dedicated space acquisition chief, challenging the new administration to make a nomination soon.
Acquisition
DOD seeks clean acquisition data for better policy oversight
Shelby Oakley, the director for contracting and national security acquisition for the Government Accountability Office, said the ability to conduct data-driven oversight was the Pentagon's acquisition office's biggest challenge.
People
Biden selects former Army acquisition exec for DOD's top tech job
The White House announced it would nominate Heidi Shyu, former assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, to be DOD's undersecretary for research and engineering.
Modernization
Space Command moves for tighter cyber integration
U.S. Space Command is standing up a dedicated joint cyber center to improve integration with U.S. Cyber Command.
Digital Government
Army kicks off first major test to thwart small drone attacks
The Army is putting its new counter small drone strategy to the test with its first demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, focusing on how to limit damage when facing direct threats.
Cybersecurity
Space Force satellite communications contract gets nod for CMMC
A request for information for the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network and Global Xpress contract was amended March 31 to include requirements for the CMMC pilot program.
People
Air Force seeks 'ubiquitous connectivity' from telework to bases
Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's CIO, said since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the service had increased focus on telework and improving base connectivity.
Digital Government
Air Force Academy IT in dire need of upgrades, superintendent says
Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Air Force Academy’s superintendent, told Congress the academy’s accreditation was threatened by legacy IT.
Cybersecurity
Space Force begins onboarding cyber specialists
The U.S. Space Force has begun transferring more than a thousand cyber professionals into its ranks as of Feb. 1 with plans to start recruiting talent for multiple career fields from across the military branches this year.
People
USAF chief looks to combat extremism in the ranks
To create a better environment for all service members, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the Air Force's chief of staff said leadership will have to lay out "what our expectations are for those who are to be a part of our force."
People
SASC gavel set to change hands
With Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) as the new chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Democrats will set the tone on defense policy and budgets.
Cybersecurity
Software factories are new 'crown jewels,' Air Force official says
Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisition chief, said the massive cybersecurity breach that's plagued several federal government agencies creates "a new kind of target for our adversaries" that must be protected.
People
Telework gets Air Force IT seal of approval
Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's deputy CIO, said IT satisfaction went up significantly once people started working from home.
Digital Government
Congressional leaders push back on NDAA veto threats
Defense committee leaders plan to vote on the annual defense bill without key items on President Trump's wish list.
Digital Government
USAF primed to launch new phase of data strategy
Eileen Vidrine, the Air Force's chief data officer, talks about department's priorities are, how they've changed this year and how the Defense Department's data strategy ties it all together.
People
What to expect from Joe Biden’s DOD
President-elect Joe Biden’s national security team is taking shape. FCW talked with experts to understand exactly what’s at stake for the Defense Department’s modernization efforts over the next four years.
Modernization
Making software more than 'IT thing'
Software modernization has a branding problem, and it's going to take more than the colloquial culture shift to speed up the Defense Department's adoption of modern tech capabilities, according to Deputy CIO Peter Ranks.
Acquisition
From weapons to workforce, digital centricity is the Air Force's new motto
Air Force leadership highlights the need for digitally fluent personnel and digital manufacturing during the 2020 Air, Space, Cyber conference.
Modernization
Kessel Run works through growing pains
The Air Force's deputy CIO, Lauren Knausenberger, said the military branch's popular software factory has been a "victim of its own success" as it navigates trying to keep the spark as it gets bigger.
Acquisition