Air Force researchers ask industry for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for military C4ISR

ROME, N.Y. – U.S. Air Force computer scientists are reaching out to industry for help in developing advanced technologies that involve disciplines such as nano-computing, neuromorphic computing, machine learning, and embedded deep learning. Officials of the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome, N.Y., have issued a broad agency announcement (FA875023S7004) for the four-year... Read more about Air Force researchers ask industry for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for military C4ISR

Air Force Research Lab opens new 'extreme computing' facility amid international arms race for quantum tech

The information directorate for the Air and Space Forces’ premier research arm has opened a new center aimed at boosting the department’s quantum prowess, as the United States and China compete for new high-tech computing capabilities that could alter the military balance of power. A ribbon cutting for the Extreme Computing Facility located in Rome, New York, was held Aug. 8, according to a... Read more about Air Force Research Lab opens new 'extreme computing' facility amid international arms race for quantum tech

Space Force pitch to private sector: 'Help us with space protection'

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is tasked with keeping a watchful eye on foreign rivals’ activities in outer space, and avoiding surprise attacks. To accomplish these tasks the service can’t rely on existing technologies alone, and is turning to the private sector to fill critical gaps, officials said Aug. 12 during a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies podcast. Companies that can... Read more about Space Force pitch to private sector: 'Help us with space protection'

Companies Ask if Pentagon's Innovation Ecosystem Is Getting Out of Hand

For years, technology companies and defense officials lamented that the Defense Department’s acquisition system — built for procuring battleships and bombers — was too complicated and cumbersome to acquire commercial technology. Thus, officials like the late Secretary of Defense Ash Carter worked on creating new pathways and offices for the department to rapidly ingest cutting-edge products from... Read more about Companies Ask if Pentagon's Innovation Ecosystem Is Getting Out of Hand

Six F-16s Getting Autonomous Computer Brains For Combat Drone Trials

To lay the groundwork for the U.S. Air Force’s Combat Collaborative Aircraft (CCA) program , which will explore tactical human-machine teaming concepts, the service will be giving select F-16 Viper fighter jets the ability to fly themselves. Dubbed Project Viper Experimentation and Next-Gen Operations Mode (VENOM), the initiative will outfit six F-16s from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida with... Read more about Six F-16s Getting Autonomous Computer Brains For Combat Drone Trials

US Space Force’s responsive space strategy taking shape

WASHINGTON — U.S. Space Force officials said they are refining their understanding of what it means to quickly react to threats that impact operational satellites as the service prepares for its second Tactically Responsive Space mission this summer, dubbed Victus Nox. The service last September issued contracts for Victus Nox to Boeing subsidiary Millennium Space Systems to build a satellite and... Read more about US Space Force’s responsive space strategy taking shape

GAO Tells Congress: Pentagon Still Needs a Portfolio Plan for Tactical Aviation

With a flood of new aircraft programs taking shape, the Pentagon still doesn’t have a portfolio plan that rationalizes its all-service tactical aviation activities, the Government Accountability Office told the House Armed Services Committee this week. Creating such a plan would help the Defense Department and Congress alike size up the true priorities in TacAir and put funds against the most... Read more about GAO Tells Congress: Pentagon Still Needs a Portfolio Plan for Tactical Aviation

Space Development Agency Successfully Launches Tranche 0 Satellites

The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the successful initial launch of Tranche 0 (T0) of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), the Transport and Tracking Layer satellites that will demonstrate the low-latency communication links to support the warfighter with a resilient network of integrated capabilities, including tracking of advanced missile threats, from low-Earth... Read more about Space Development Agency Successfully Launches Tranche 0 Satellites

DAF leaders stress importance of transformation, partnerships, and on-time appropriations

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of the Air Force’s top civilian and military leaders spoke with defense experts and industry partners during the 14th Annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference March 15. Attendees heard Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speak on a range of topics, including... Read more about DAF leaders stress importance of transformation, partnerships, and on-time appropriations

Lockheed delivers airborne laser LANCE to Air Force Research Lab

WASHINGTON: Lockheed Martin today revealed that it delivered a compact directed energy weapon to the Air Force Research Lab in February, a key milestone in the service’s effort to equip a tactical fighter jet with a laser capable of shooting down anti-aircraft missiles. Read more about Lockheed delivers airborne laser LANCE to Air Force Research Lab