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Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Guides Defense Science and Technology Strategy

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Guides Defense Science and Technology Strategy

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This office, established under 10 U.S. Code § 133a, is responsible for setting the strategic direction, policy frameworks, and budgetary priorities for defense science and technology. The USD(R&E) is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation and must possess significant background in science, technology, or engineering. The office oversees three principal divisions: Science and Technology (S&T), Critical Technologies, and Mission Capabilities. It also supervises key defense agencies like DARPA and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The USD(R&E) manages research funding across basic research (Budget Activity 6.1), applied research (6.2), and advanced technology development (6.3), enforcing strict compliance mandates including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) protection, cybersecurity standards, and research security disclosures.
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DARPA Launches Intrinsic Market Resilience Program to Combat Adversary Exploitation of Digital Markets

DARPA Launches Intrinsic Market Resilience Program to Combat Adversary Exploitation of Digital Markets

DARPA Launches Intrinsic Market Resilience Program to Combat Adversary Exploitation of Digital Markets
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Redwire Reports Increased Q3 Revenue and Record Gross Margin, Driven by Space Sector Growth

Redwire Reports Increased Q3 Revenue and Record Gross Margin, Driven by Space Sector Growth

Redwire Reports Increased Q3 Revenue and Record Gross Margin, Driven by Space Sector Growth
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Space Force Establishes New Operations Center to Integrate Diverse Satellite Networks

Space Force Establishes New Operations Center to Integrate Diverse Satellite Networks

The U.S. Space Force is establishing a new Mission Operations Center (MOC) to integrate and coordinate various satellite networks from different providers. This hub, developed by Space Systems Command in collaboration with Golden Dome for America, aims to support military operations across air, land, sea, and space. Viasat has been awarded an initial $115 million task order, part of a larger $450 million contract, to design, deploy, and expand this center. The MOC will serve as the ground hub for the Space Data Network Backbone, a component of the Space-Based Sensing and Targeting portfolio. Its primary function is to bring together network and mission systems, enabling operators to manage data traffic across multiple satellite constellations from a single location. The network is designed for secure, high-speed connections with minimal delay, allowing real-time redirection of traffic based on changing mission priorities. This integration of systems from various suppliers is intended to enhance resilience ...
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Department of Defense Innovation Unit Rebrands as 'Department of War Innovation Unit'

Department of Defense Innovation Unit Rebrands as 'Department of War Innovation Unit'

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), established in August 2015 as DIUx under Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, has rebranded its official website to use the name 'Department of War Innovation Unit.' This change reflects a shift in styling, with the organization now describing itself as a 'Department of War field activity.' The DIU's primary objective remains 'rapid prototyping, transition and delivering results.' The Department of Defense (DoD) itself is clarified as the executive department that administers the armed forces, distinct from 'the military' itself. The DIU operates under a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to solicit innovative commercial solutions and primarily uses Other Transaction authority for prototype agreements, aiming for awards in 60 to 90 days. Eligibility for responding to DIU solicitations is broad, allowing any individual or commercial entity to submit a solution brief, regardless of prior government sales.
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DHS Orders Federal Agencies to Remove Acronis Products from Systems

DHS Orders Federal Agencies to Remove Acronis Products from Systems

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a directive requiring federal civilian agencies to cease purchasing and remove all products from Acronis, a Swiss data-backup and cybersecurity firm, from their systems. This order follows similar actions taken by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Department of Defense (DOD). The directive targets Acronis products, which are utilized by various federal agencies for data backup and cybersecurity measures. The specific reasons for this widespread removal order have not been detailed in the provided information, but it indicates a significant concern regarding the security or reliability of Acronis's offerings within federal infrastructure.
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L3Harris Technologies Seeks Assembly B Personnel for Weekend Shift in Londonderry, NH

L3Harris Technologies Seeks Assembly B Personnel for Weekend Shift in Londonderry, NH

L3Harris Technologies Seeks Assembly B Personnel for Weekend Shift in Londonderry, NH
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U.S. Military Advances Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Technology with Standardized Architecture

U.S. Military Advances Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Technology with Standardized Architecture

The U.S. military, under the oversight of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), is advancing its hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) programs through the integration of standardized architectures. A key component of this effort is the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), which has been adapted from the Army Alternate Re-Entry System prototype. This standardization allows for joint qualification across different service branches. The C-HGB serves as a shared All Up Round (AUR) payload for both the Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as Dark Eagle, and the Navy's Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IR CPS). HGVs are unpowered gliders once detached from their rocket booster, distinguishing them from hypersonic cruise missiles that use sustained powered atmospheric flight. Their primary advantage lies in sustained aerodynamic maneuverability along a depressed trajectory, rather than speed alone, as traditional ballistic missile re-entry vehicles also ...
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War Labs Unveils Strategy to Boost U.S. Defense Technology and Manufacturing

War Labs Unveils Strategy to Boost U.S. Defense Technology and Manufacturing

War Labs Unveils Strategy to Boost U.S. Defense Technology and Manufacturing
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Shield AI Acquires Radar Maker Echodyne in $5.3 Billion Deal to Expand Defense Technology Capabilities

Shield AI Acquires Radar Maker Echodyne in $5.3 Billion Deal to Expand Defense Technology Capabilities

Shield AI Acquires Radar Maker Echodyne in $5.3 Billion Deal to Expand Defense Technology Capabilities
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FAA Lacks Real-Time Tools to Detect Air Travel GPS Spoofing and Jamming Threats

FAA Lacks Real-Time Tools to Detect Air Travel GPS Spoofing and Jamming Threats

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently lacks the necessary real-time monitoring and detection capabilities to identify GPS spoofing and jamming incidents that threaten air travel communications. This deficiency leaves the national air system vulnerable to disruptions. The GAO's review identified three primary threats to air travel communications and issued nine recommendations aimed at strengthening the FAA's ability to monitor, detect, and prevent such attacks. Past incidents highlight the problem, including a 2012 event where a truck driver inadvertently disrupted GPS transmissions at Newark Airport, and 2022 attacks that caused over 230 flight departure delays at Dallas and jamming at Denver International Airport. The FAA's inability to proactively address these threats means it cannot prevent them as they occur, posing a significant risk to aviation safety and efficiency. The report does not specify how the FAA plans to fund the ...
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Animal Protein Industry Faces Heightened Cybersecurity Risks, BIO-ISAC Advisor Warns

Animal Protein Industry Faces Heightened Cybersecurity Risks, BIO-ISAC Advisor Warns

Animal Protein Industry Faces Heightened Cybersecurity Risks, BIO-ISAC Advisor Warns