Artificial Intelligence
AI companies see openings to improve federal, defense operations
Executives at OpenAI and Anthropic have both championed artificial intelligence as the future of government workflows.
Acquisition
AWS launches second secret cloud region for defense, intel customers
The company intends to have the new region live by the end of the year.
Ideas
SecDef’s recipe for procurement: A dash of DOGE with a pinch of Obama
COMMENTARY | The Defense Department’s recent contracting directives are sweeping, but will they be successful?
Emerging Tech
Star Wars gets a step closer with new Space Force satellite jamming capabilities
In a world where code can neutralize a threat before the first missile is even launched, Space Force is betting big on systems to keep the upper hand in space without ever leaving the ground.
Acquisition
Pentagon heightens scrutiny on IT, management consulting contracts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's newest directive for the department zeroes in on providers of “system IT integration, implementation, or advisory services."
People
Intelligence agency employee arrested for trying to share classified info with foreign government
Nathan Vilas Laatsch was allegedly disgruntled by the Trump administration and willing to share sensitive data with the foreign country. The FBI set up a dead drop operation to intercept the classified materials.
People
Kirsten Davies tapped to be DOD CIO
Davies has a largely private sector background and would be expected to take the place of Katie Arrington, who is currently acting DOD CIO.
Acquisition
Pentagon seeks input on plan to streamline software authorizations
A new request for information follows a promise made by Katie Arrington to overhaul how the Defense Department runs its authority-to-operate process.
People
Air Force’s acting CTO officially assumes permanent position
Scott Heitmann has been serving in the acting role since former Air Force CTO Jay Bondi departed the military branch in October.
Acquisition
Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI authorized for IL6 Defense operations
Microsoft’s artificial intelligence offerings are now available at the highest impact level classification for the Department of Defense.
Artificial Intelligence
US needs to fast-track AI to counter China, DOD’s former AI lead says
When it comes to continued U.S. leadership in the AI space, former Pentagon chief digital and artificial intelligence officer Radha Plumb said “I worry sometimes that it’s passing us by.”
Cybersecurity
Contractors could hack back against adversaries, top cyber Democrat says
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said the federal government can’t protect everyone and the concept of asking private sector security companies to conduct offensive cyber operations is worth exploring.
Defense
Intelligence officials remain defensive on Signal debate
House testimony followed release of full group-chat transcript — including attack times and weapons.
Cybersecurity
Phishing campaign seeks to siphon Ukraine war intelligence from defense contractors
Nearly 880 spoofed domains of worldwide IT, defense and aerospace firms were identified between December and March, DomainTools Investigations says.
Defense
DOD cuts $580M in programs, contracts and grants
The latest round of Pentagon spending cuts — which include a delayed HR software program — brings the department’s running total of eliminated programs to $800 million since the start of the Trump administration.
People
Air Force CIO announces retirement
Venice Goodwine is stepping down after more than 30 years of federal service.
Ideas
Agentic AI adoption is a top priority for defense and intelligence leaders. Here’s why
The integration of AI agents will become increasingly critical across the national security space.
Defense
Weeks after CISO announcement, Katie Arrington moves into DOD CIO role
A defense official said that Arrington, who was previously accused of disclosing classified data, does not concurrently have the role of DOD CISO.
Cybersecurity
Hegseth orders suspension of cyber, information operations planning against Russia
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that new U.S. foreign policy configurations “largely coincides with our vision.”
Defense