The current approach “is more akin to innovation tourism—with the DoD sampling the local fare of the United States’ various tech hubs—than a bona fide strategy for bringing emerging technologies into the department,” the report notes.
By Brad D. WilliamsNew Army mounted system won’t play favorites when it comes to C5ISR, EW and A-PNT
The CMOSS Mounted Form Factor will facilitate tech insertion for new capabilities while co-existing with the Mounted Family of Computer Systems.
The F-35 aside, the report recommends that the Air Force “resist future participation in any joint aircraft procurement or development programs.”
By Theresa Hitchens
Space acquisition reform so far has been focused on “small dollar” activities, with most big-ticket programs such as NSSL stuck in the bad old ways, says a new report by Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.
By Theresa Hitchens
The Space Prime effort could support game-changing “space transport and logistics” capabilities, says Col. Eric Felt, head of AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate.
By Theresa Hitchens
“We will begin designing future ‘Prime’ programs focused on space, autonomy, energy, gaming, supersonics and microelectronics,” Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett said.
By Theresa Hitchens
“We’re learning from industry as we go,” said Eileene Vidrine, Air Force chief data officer.
By Theresa Hitchens
A new approach to speed, scale and efficiency for the industrial base
Radars, EW, EO/IR, space imagery, and microelectronics are brought under one roof for a streamlined approach to common people and factories.
“I’m not sure yet if we figured out a way to ensure part of that (commercial market) will survive,” Gen. DT Thompson said.
By Theresa Hitchens
“I think we need something like a PEO that is wholly focused on commercial enterprise,” says Air Force acquisition czar Will Roper.
By Theresa Hitchens
“It’s gonna hurt a little bit,” said new AFRL Commander Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle. “We can’t do everything — we don’t have the budget to do everything under the sun.”
By Theresa Hitchens
The near-term focus is on rebuilding hurricane-ravaged Tyndall AFB, but the long-term goal is to build more resilient bases around the world — including in war zones.
By Theresa Hitchens
The Air Force is creating a new PEO for “Fighters and Advanced Aircraft” this summer, combining NGAD with the Digital Century Series program, says acquisition czar Will Roper.
By Theresa Hitchens
NGA’s 2020 Technology Focus Areas are “what we’re looking for;” whereas the upcoming technology strategy outlines “how we’d like to change,” explains Mark Munsell, NGA chief technology officer.
By Theresa Hitchens “In space, particularly, we’ve got to have a model that is very different than the one we used the last century,” Roper summed up. “We’re going to need to evaluate companies that have the potential to commercialize successfully as a delineator of who we partner with.”
By Theresa Hitchens
Congress and the new Pentagon leadership must act now and expand the program to the Army and Navy, and the defense agencies. Scaling the program up will not cure all the department’s innovation woes but it will send an important message to our next generation of entrepreneurs that the Pentagon really is open for business.
By Eric Snelgrove