DefenseScoop

🏆 We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 #DefenseScoop50 Awards! These visionary leaders and innovative programs are at the forefront of revolutionizing defense through advanced technology. Join us in congratulating these pioneers who are not only redefining the future of military strategies but also ensuring our national security. Explore the full list of this year's remarkable recipients: https://lnkd.in/d3ED45ST

The Navy is looking for options to enable its future fleets of uncrewed platforms to steam ahead even if they can’t access satellite navigation systems. The sea service plans to add a slew of robo-ships of various shapes, sizes and mission sets to its inventory in the coming years. Last month, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti laid out a new initiative called Project 33 that aims to scale robotic and autonomous systems across the fleet by 2027 so that maritime forces will be ready for a potential war against China. https://hubs.li/Q02Wg8km0

The Pentagon’s Chief Information Office is planning to publish new guidance and instruction for the department’s military services and components on accelerating software modernization efforts, according to a senior official. The new document will be released “fairly shortly,” Kevin Mulvihill, acting principal deputy CIO, said Monday during the Defense Information Systems Agency’s annual forecast to industry. The directives will build upon the Pentagon’s Software Modernization Strategy published in 2022, as well as the follow-on implementation plan published in 2023, he said at the event. https://hubs.li/Q02Wg70k0

Navy Capt. Chris “Chowdah” Hill is unapologetically bullish about elevating crew morale across every level of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier he commands, which recently returned from an extended and high-stress combat deployment in the Red Sea. Providing sailors with secure access to internet connectivity — explicitly for personal use — proved to be a key morale-builder during the nine months that “the Ike” was deployed, according to Hill, where they frequently faced a barrage of threats from the Iran-backed Houthis and others. https://hubs.li/Q02Wg5L60

Close to 60 nations now back the Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, more than a year after U.S. leadership unveiled that international norms and arms control proposal and it was accepted for adoption with partners, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks. https://hubs.li/Q02Wg5Hx0

The Pentagon on Tuesday released its implementation plan for the National Defense Industrial Strategy, which calls for boosting production of solid rocket motors as a “complement” to its Replicator unmanned systems initiative. https://hubs.li/Q02Wg70c0

Mark Munsell has been tapped to serve as the chief AI officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the spy organization announced Tuesday. The move comes amid a broader push by the U.S. intelligence community and Defense Department to onboard more AI technologies. Last week, President Biden issued a new national security memorandum that prods the Defense Department and IC to go faster in adopting these types of capabilities. Munsell was at National Defense University where National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan rolled out the memo, according to a post on LinkedIn. https://hubs.li/Q02Wg6bR0

📍 Today’s the day! Get ready to tackle the evolving cyber landscape at #CyberTalks. Join us at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where leading minds from government and technology unite to address critical cybersecurity challenges. 🌐 In our interconnected world, the surge in cyberattacks demands immediate action across all sectors. With advancements in AI and the expanded capabilities of nation-state and criminal hackers, the stakes are higher than ever—threatening privacy, corporate interests, and global stability. This forum provides a unique opportunity to gain insights into cutting-edge tactics and strategies to combat these emerging threats. Arrive early to enjoy breakfast and network with industry peers. Share your insights using #CyberTalks and stay connected with live updates throughout the event.

NGA gets new chief AI officer https://hubs.li/Q02WdS630

A new national security memorandum from President Biden aims to speed up the Pentagon’s and intelligence community’s adoption of emerging artificial intelligence capabilities while addressing security concerns associated with the technology. The document, released Thursday, includes provisions to accelerate the U.S. government’s use of AI to further national security missions, including by tapping into fast-moving innovation in the private sector. https://hubs.li/Q02W9mdh0