DARPA autonomous flight system tested
The U.S. Army recently tested a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) - developed autonomous flight system designed to deliver advances from unmanned aircraft to piloted aircraft via innovative interfaces. During the demonstration, the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System... Read More »
Justice Department launches new hate crimes site, updates related prosecutions
In response to a series of violent hate crimes throughout the United States this year, the U.S. Department of Justice has updated its prosecution efforts and launched a new website to serve as a centralized port of resources for handling them. These resources include training materials,... Read More »
Durable immune response found under three experimental Ebola vaccines
A new study found that the immune response to three experimental Ebola vaccines last at least two and a half years, opening the door of possibility for further vaccine development -- far beyond Ebola’s limited scope. Katie Ewer, the co-author of the study, said the findings could encourage... Read More »
Florida delegation urges repairs of Air Force base damaged by Hurricane Michael
Florida’s members of Congress recently sent a letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urging the government to provide funding and support for the repair of Tyndall Air Force Base that was damaged by Hurricane Michael. Tyndall is where airmen train to fly the F-22 Raptor, and it is home base... Read More »
Speaker Ryan appoints three to cyberspace commission
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Samantha Ravich, and Frank Cilluffo were appointed this week by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. The commission was established by the National Defense Authorization Act to develop a framework for U.S. cybersecurity... Read More »
OPCW aligns with UN peace, security initiatives
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) member states said they are working in concert with the United Nations (UN) to achieve international peace and security through economic and technological development. OPCW officials said during the recently conducted third edition of... Read More »Facial comparison biometric tech at Port of San Luis leads to arrest
For the third time this month, a person attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexican border at the Port of San Luis was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after they were discovered to be an imposter by facial biometric technology. The technology helps agents detect impersonators more... Read More »
Study charts potential path to vaccine improvements for immunocompromised patients
Patients with compromised immune systems are highly vulnerable to infection, but a new study focused on mice at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine appears to have identified a cellular target that could improve vaccine efficacy. The study is being conducted by Dr. Som... Read More »
Strike force to target violence, drugs in Cleveland
A new Cleveland Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force will target violent crime and drug trafficking in the city. The force, scheduled to be operational by mid-2019, will be comprised of more than 200 local police, federal agents and prosecutors. Participating groups include... Read More »
DHS workshop looks at the future of airport security
Attendees of the second annual Aviation Security Futures Workshop held in Reston, Va., addressed the central question of what airport security screening will look like in 20 years. The workshop -- hosted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate Apex Screening... Read More »
Royal Australian Air Force completing aircraft upgrade
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) effort to place its Hawk Mk127 fleet among the most advanced in the world is nearing completion, with an assist from BAE Systems Australia. BAE Systems Australia has inducted the final aircraft into its Williamtown maintenance facility as part of the... Read More »
Armed rebellion impedes Democratic Republic of the Congo’s response to Ebola outbreak
Continued attacks by rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is keeping health officials from combatting the spread of an Ebola outbreak in the affected areas. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health has been trying to contain the outbreak, which is... Read More »
Swanton Sector appoints new chief patrol agent
Robert Garcia recently was appointed chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector along the U.S.-Canada border. Garcia replaces Chief John C. Pfeifer who retired. “It is a privilege to serve as the chief of Swanton Sector and to work alongside the dedicated and hardworking... Read More »
DOD opens new “Tatooine” cybersecurity facility in Georgia
The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Digital Service (DDS) is opening a new cybersecurity workspace in Augusta, Ga., called Tatooine, named after the fictional Star Wars planet. Tatooine is designed to house tech teams – including cyber soldiers and civilian technologists -- cultivate... Read More »