Airborne directed energy laser beam director tested at high speeds

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AFRL’s Hybrid Aero-Effect Reducing Design with Realistic Optical Components (HARDROC) team has successfully developed and tested a low-power, sub-scale beam director. Over the course of flight-testing, the aircraft achieved high speeds while a range of sensors were deployed to gauge aerodynamic disturbances. The results showed the HARDROC beam director to have “enlarged the envelop airborne... Read more about Airborne directed energy laser beam director tested at high speeds
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Defense Innovation Unit eyes first flight of hypersonic testbed

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WASHINGTON — The Defense Innovation Unit expects to fly an experimental hypersonic cruise vehicle as early as next summer in support of the Pentagon’s drive to boost its flight-test cadence. The agency, which aims to push technology from non-traditional and commercial companies to military users, awarded a contract in March through its Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities, or... Read more about Defense Innovation Unit eyes first flight of hypersonic testbed
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US AATC assesses upgraded SATCOM capabilities of MQ-9 Reaper

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The US Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) has recently tested the upgraded satellite communications (SATCOM) capabilities of MQ-9 Reaper aircraft. The test was conducted as part of a recently held multilateral exercise Northern Edge 2023 at the Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) in Alaska. Sponsored by US Indo-Pacific Command, this joint field training exercise was led by... Read more about US AATC assesses upgraded SATCOM capabilities of MQ-9 Reaper
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Space Force to shift all cyber guardians to defending mission systems and performing ‘core’ tasks

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IndustrySpace Force
Personnel that are protecting “base-level” networks will soon move onto conducting more critical operational cybersecurity missions, the head of Space Operations Command (SpOC) said Wednesday. Guardians that are protecting the Space Force’s “base-level” networks will soon move onto conducting more critical operational cybersecurity missions, the head of Space Operations Command (SpOC) said... Read more about Space Force to shift all cyber guardians to defending mission systems and performing ‘core’ tasks
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THOR Hammers Drone Swarm with High-Power Microwaves

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An experimental directed energy weapon developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory successfully disabled a swarm of drones last month—its first test on such a scale. The Tactical High-power Operational Responder, or THOR, has been in development for years now, generating high levels of interest within the military and beyond. THOR uses bursts of high-power microwave energy to disable small... Read more about THOR Hammers Drone Swarm with High-Power Microwaves
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EXCLUSIVE-Space-Force, IC warily approach agreement on commercial intel imagery buys

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IndustrySpace Force
GEOINT 2023 — The Space Force and the Intelligence Community are slowly honing in on a multi-faceted agreement about their respective roles in buying intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data from commercial satellite operators, according to officials from both sides, centering on how new contracting arrangements could foster sharing and avoid duplication. While nothing official has... Read more about EXCLUSIVE-Space-Force, IC warily approach agreement on commercial intel imagery buys
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A New Robot Blacksmith May Help the Air Force Churn Out Aircraft Spare Parts

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Blacksmiths have produced weapons and armor for thousands of years, and the Air Force still relies on them today to shape metal into aircraft parts. But emerging technology could introduce a new form of blacksmithing where artificial intelligence makes the fine-tuned decisions involved in bending metal into specific shapes that can help military aircraft stay ready for action. A robot prototype... Read more about A New Robot Blacksmith May Help the Air Force Churn Out Aircraft Spare Parts
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Air Force Is Working on Rules for Using ChatGPT

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The Air Force is developing roadmaps to help guide its implementation of the Pentagon’s zero trust strategy and is working to craft guidance around the use of generative artificial intelligence tools to further promote enhanced cybersecurity practices, the military branch’s chief information officer said during a Billington Cybersecurity webinar on Thursday. Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force’s... Read more about Air Force Is Working on Rules for Using ChatGPT
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Space Force wraps initial plan for building "hybrid" commercial/military 'outernet"

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IndustrySpace Force
WASHINGTON — The Space Force’s forward planning unit has completed a “force design” that lays out the parameters of a new hybrid military/commercial internet in space, known as the “outernet,” designed to link all of the service’s mission-specific networks together — and acquisition planners are now working on transferring that plan into a reality, a senior service official said today. The Space... Read more about Space Force wraps initial plan for building "hybrid" commercial/military 'outernet"
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Air Force ready to work with small businesses, AFRL small business director says

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Industry
The Department of Defense released a new small business strategy this year — and for businesses near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, that means new opportunities to connect with Air Force Research Lab and other Air Force missions, said Brian McJilton, AFRL small business director. One of the biggest changes this year: The stand up of new PTACs — otherwise known as “Procurement Technical... Read more about Air Force ready to work with small businesses, AFRL small business director says
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