Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering

OUSD R&E would like to spotlight Clark Atlanta University for their exemplary work leveraging our VICEROY Scholars Initiative to build capacity and depth within their academic programs. As a VICEROY Virtual Institute, they are providing more students access to hands-on, mission-relevant, experiential learning. Advances in their curriculum include new courses in cybersecurity and computer forensics and the development of graduate degrees in cyber-physical systems. In tandem with our support, these efforts are attracting additional funding from Congress and Industry to round out critical infrastructure initiatives and courses.   “The Clark-Atlanta University enhancement of its cyber-physical systems program is a prime example of how university cybersecurity programs of study can be more responsive to national security challenges and ignite student interest through practical application of advanced studies.” - Director of Cyber-Spectrum Academic Outreach, @ChesterMaciag   Through the efforts of #VICEROY and our 13 partner Virtual Institutes, students nationwide are equipped with the skills and experiences necessary for future careers within the Department of Defense, cultivating the next generation of cyber and electromagnetic spectrum leaders in national security. OUSD R&E is committed to growing cyber career pathways to meet current and future challenges to secure our Nation, assure the mission of our Department of Defense, and protect vital industries that are the foundation upon which we rely. 🚀✨ Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eVA_atUg #STEM #Innovation #AFRL #Research #VICEROY #HBCU

October 17, 2024   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   First round of FutureG office interns commission as Air Force officers The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s (OUSD(R&E)), FutureG office, celebrated the graduation of their first group of interns from the U.S. Air Force Academy in the summer of 2023. This year, the FutureG office embraced the opportunity to collaborate with the service academies to establish an internship program focused on wireless communication technologies related to national security. Throughout this summer’s internship, s, cadets and midshipmen were encouraged to propose ideas for the FutureG office’s consideration, while also receiving guided instruction from Dr. Lloyd Thrall, FutureG program manager, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Readiness. Reflecting on her experience in the FutureG internship program, Second Lieutenant (2d Lt.)  Allison Langenburg noted, “Working with the FutureG office expanded my understanding of the tools and technology that enable communication national defense.” 2d Lt. Langenburg used her pprojects,and the insights gained from the FutureG internship to gain acceptance into, the Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy, where she is currently studying. “Gaining real-world experiences with cyber research was a valuable first step towards a future in cyber-oriented work,” added Cadet First Class Jackson Long, who supported the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) in Estonia during his internship assignment said, “The research skills I learned during the internship will only improve my career moving forward.” By creating these opportunities for cadets and midshipmen, the FutureG office aims to contribute to increased awareness of advanced communications, military technology development, and collaborative civil-military problem solving to the future officer corps. The FutureG office expanded the internship program in 2024, bringing in cadets and midshipmen from West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy, all of whom reported positive results.  The FutureG office plans to expand its internship opportunities even further in 2025, with a focus on workforce development, economic, military, and security advantages to the United States of America and its allies. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e3vWEVaq

Last week, Dr. Kimberly Sablon, Principal Director for Trusted Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomy, was recognized as one of the 2024 MeriTalk AI Honors awardees. MeriTalk is a public-private partnership that engages Federal chief information officers, along with their industry counterparts and Federal IT policymakers, at the most senior levels of government. Held at Planet Word in Washington, D.C., the ceremony awarded 48 innovators who are leading the charge in harnessing AI’s potential for government agencies. The awards recognize individuals in government and industry who are helping agencies realize the transformative power of AI on agency missions through experimentation, adoption, management, and partnership. Dr. Sablon was the only awardee from the Department of Defense.   To read the official press release, click here: https://lnkd.in/eq52gbAc #AI #Innovators #DepartmentofDefense

Recently, Dr. Aprille Ericsson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, represented the Department of Defense at the annual White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Principals Meeting. “The Arctic is a strategic region for the DoD as it provides defense from northern approaches and serves as a direct gateway to major world powers,” said Ericsson. “The annual IARPC meeting was productive as we continue to emphasize the importance of effective communication with our interagency partners, co-researching climate change impacts and co-developing long-term solutions to benefit the region.”

Introducing the Digital Engineering Body of Knowledge #DEBoK Community Calendar! This calendar features upcoming engagements within the Digital Engineering (DE) and Modeling & Simulation (M&S) community, aiming to foster collaboration across the DoD and drive DE practices forward. Practitioners can stay up-to-date on events from organizations such as International Council on Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech (INCOSE), National Defense Industrial Association - (NDIA), or the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics CPP (AIAA) (and more!) all in one place. The DEBoK is a valuable online resource established for DoD Services and Agencies supporting DE transformation. Have an upcoming engagement to share to the Community? Nominate it for the Calendar here: https://lnkd.in/eCiHKEmj #digitalengineering #debok

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We are pleased to announce that Keith DeVries joined the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering OUSD(R&E) as the new DoD Manufacturing Technology Director. As Director, he will lead efforts to accelerate the advancement and adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies that are critical to our national security and economic resilience. Most recently, DeVries served as the Deputy Director of DoD ManTech, where he played a crucial role in advancing the department's manufacturing capabilities. Please join in congratulating DeVries on his well-deserved promotion and welcoming his leadership in this vital role! Read his biography here: https://lnkd.in/dNZxAD2f

The @National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining has launched an enhanced CORE platform and introduced Roadmapper 2.0, a new data tool. CORE, a secure online platform, helps @America Makes members identify and utilize intellectual capital assets aligned with the Technology Development Roadmap. America Makes, a DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institute, benefits from CORE’s improved features, including mobile accessibility, custom reporting, and streamlined project deliverables. Roadmapper 2.0, unveiled at the America Makes 2024 Members Meeting and Exchange in August, offers real-time collaboration and project progress monitoring. It’s designed to make roadmapping dynamic and actionable, guiding stakeholders toward their goals with a seamless integration into CORE. These advancements mark a significant step in operationalizing data and enhancing efficiency for America Makes members. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eVnsThVh

The Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) has launched its first credit product to provide equipment finance to U.S. businesses who need flexible financing to unlock growth opportunities, expand manufacturing, and modernize operations. To learn more about eligibility and the application process, visit https://lnkd.in/e33xZeGu

DoD Instruction 4245.14, DoD Value Engineering (VE) Program   Value engineering (VE) is a methodology used to reduce acquisition and ownership costs or delivery timelines, while maintaining or improving required functionality. VE is integral to supporting DoD’s national security mission.   R&E has released an updated DoD Instruction (DODI) 4245.14, DoD Value Engineering (VE) Program, to reinvigorate VE practice in the DoD.     DoD Components use VE to analyze programs, systems, services, products, and more to ensure they accomplish essential functions at the lowest life-cycle cost consistent with the required performance, quality and safety. Components retain their VE savings for allocation to other internal priorities to achieve a better value for the money. The instruction is available here. For more information on VE, visit its Community of Practice webpage: https://lnkd.in/ee358kad .   -----------   Link to WHS portal: https://lnkd.in/eCAXYWkE   Full document link: https://lnkd.in/eBKmT3yt