Modernization
Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms
A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech.
Defense
The Netherlands joins US Air Force’s robot wingman program
The U.S. ally also agreed to develop small drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with General Atomics.
Defense
The Army’s giant data deal with Palantir is a harbinger: service CIO
The 10-year, up-to-$10 billion deal is part of a larger effort to consolidate IT contracts and save money, Leonel Garciga told reporters.
Emerging Tech
SECNAV: Robots won’t replace shipbuilders, but they could make jobs ‘easier’
Phelan said shipyards should equip workers with tools like automation and robotics to boost training.
Defense
Secure comms with allies is hard. The Pentagon wants to change that
The department is working on an effort to streamline a complex set of classified networks they use with allies and partners.
Defense
Trump’s Pentagon-personnel nominee wants to curb DOGE data access
But Anthony Tata, a retired Army general, couldn’t outrun past inflammatory and social media posts during his confirmation hearing.
Artificial Intelligence
The Army has rolled out a generative AI workspace to improve daily operations
And because those tools guzzle cloud compute, the service is also looking at ways to cut costs and maintain efficiency.
Emerging Tech
Navy ops centers need AI to sift through troves of intel data
As ships collect ever more sensor data, Navy information warfare officers have to figure out how to quickly process information without getting bogged down.
Defense
Army aims to move its pay system to the cloud by 2027
Oracle will soon host the service’s HR systems, under the Pentagon’s biggest cloud contracting vehicle.
Defense
Pentagon puts a dent in cyber workforce vacancies
Nearly a quarter of the Defense Department’s cyber jobs went unfilled last year.
Emerging Tech
Who tells satellites where to take pictures? Increasingly, it’ll be robots, Maxar says
Automated scans of low-res imagery will cue high-res passes, while simulations will help manage ever-growing queues for service.
Defense
The Army’s dream of vastly simplified networking is starting to come true
Field commanders want even less gear to tend, but two divisions are showing how things are improving.
People
Mike Gallagher talks priorities as Palantir’s new defense business chief
The former lawmaker is looking to draw on a decade of national security policy work in the new position.
Emerging Tech
The Pentagon’s IT agency looks to expand cloud offshore
The agency has been expanding services outside the continental U.S. while reworking tools to ease data access.
Defense
Pentagon’s new cyber rules are ‘stifling’ foreign suppliers, advisors say
The soon-to-be-mandatory cybersecurity certification—and a 2018 OSD reorganization—are slowing vital work, the Defense Innovation Board says.
Defense
Info warriors coming to Navy subs in the Pacific
The move follows two other pilot efforts with Naval Submarine Forces, said Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, the service’s outgoing “I-boss.”
Defense
Space operations boss wants more virtual simulations to boost training
After a recent demo, Lt. Gen. David Miller said Space Operations Command needs realistic simulations to train at the highest levels.
Defense
Pentagon background-check systems at risk of hacking, GAO says
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency didn’t fully implement DOD’s cybersecurity process, a new report finds.
Defense
US Army, Navy reduce dependence on China for ‘critical technology’
But the Air Force and other Pentagon agencies are using even more Chinese suppliers, a report finds.
Defense