News
Senators press Attorney General for answers over alleged Chinese Intelligence outposts on U.S. soil
Through a letter written to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, 10 senators pressed for details of reports alleging that Chinese Intelligence outposts are operating inside the United States. Citing details from conservative news outlets, the lawmakers spoke of grave concerns about Overseas... Read More »
United States completes destruction of obsolete chemical weapons stockpile
Last week the United States destroyed its last declared chemical weapons stockpile, allowing the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to confirm that all such stockpiles worldwide are now verified gone. It was work spanning decades, following on from the ratification of... Read More »
DHS details new family reunification parole processes for South American countries
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have outlined the implementation of new family reunification parole (FRP) processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. “These new processes promote family unity and provide lawful pathways consistent with our laws and our... Read More »
FEMA urges communities to purchase flood insurance heading into hurricane season
All summer long, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will be reaching out to communities across the country encouraging them to get insured before peak hurricane seasons hits, and brings the waves with it. This year’s campaign theme is “Keep Home,” and it encourages residents... Read More »
BAE Systems details new FalconWorks endeavor
BAE Systems has outlined the nuances of its new FalconWorks initiative within the company's Air Sector platform. which targets advanced and agile research to deliver varied combat air capabilities. "Defending our freedoms is becoming ever more unpredictable – the only constant is change," BAE... Read More »
Major collaborative study shows preparedness made largest difference in COVID-19 pandemic
Nations with the best capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease threats weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with lower overall mortality rates than less prepared nations, according to a new study from partners at the Brown University School of Public Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security awards $3.15M in research contracts to 20 small businesses for R&D needs
Through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week awarded research contracts amounting to $3.15 million to 20 small businesses, to advance proof of concept research in seven areas. This will advance in phases, with... Read More »
Measure eyes improvement of tribal law enforcement
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) are espousing the benefits of legislation that improves hiring and increase retention of tribal law enforcement officers. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would also better protect native communities... Read More »
Democratic legislators seek insight on U.S. airstrike in Syria
Three lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, seeking insight regarding a recent U.S. airstrike in Syria. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) expressed concerns that the May 23 action may... Read More »
GAO issues recommendations on counterterrorism information sharing
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a series of recommendations to agencies and leadership regarding counterterrorism information sharing enhancements. According to the GAO, it remains unclear if federal programs designed to improve how terrorism-related information is shared... Read More »
Cathinone analogue shipment bound for Washington D.C. halted at Washington Dulles airport
Last month, officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stationed at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted two boxes destined for Washington, D.C. that turned out to possess about 71 pounds of a cathinone analogue. Cathinone is a substance similar to amphetamines,... Read More »
U.S. Army awards RTX $117.5M contract for 3rd generation targeting sensor systems
Looking to improve its lethality, survivability and situational awareness in harsh situations, the U.S. Army turned to RTX this week with a $117.5 million contract for a next-generation targeting and surveillance system meant to support its Abrams Tanks and other fighting vehicles. "This... Read More »
Northrop Grumman touts Integrated Battle Command System benefits
Aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman Corporation is espousing the benefits of its Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), noting it was delivered two years ahead of schedule. Poland is the first U.S. ally to field IBCS and Polish soldiers will be trained to use the system,... Read More »
New DARPA program targets bloodstream infections
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are touting a new program they maintain addresses bloodstream infections (BSI)-causing fungal and bacterial pathogens. The Synthetic Hemo-technologIEs that Locate & Disinfect (SHIELD) program seeks to develop broad, preventive... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee seeks feedback on proposal to reauthorize public health emergency preparations
Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a discussion draft of a reauthorization for the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), in search of feedback. PAHPA, first created in 2006, established the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and... Read More »
RTX grows networking capabilities and Joint All Domain Command Control in Northern Edge exercise
At a test conducted at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska last month, RTX showed off advanced Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) capabilities, displaying multi-level security networking. "We're working across our company to mature and demonstrate... Read More »
CBP thwarts narcotics smuggling attempt in California
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have detailed the interception of nearly 900,000 fentanyl pills concealed inside porcelain sinks at the Otay Mesa port of entry’s facility in California. “Narcotics traffickers will try new and innovative ways to smuggle dangerous drugs across... Read More »
Bipartisan bill would require federal flags to be fully American-made
The phrase “Made in the U.S.A” would take on greater importance under a new bill in the Senate, which would require federally-purchased flags to be 100 percent produced and manufactured in the United States. All-American Flag Act is the brainchild of U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Sherrod... Read More »
Smiths Detection outlines Swiss DOD chemical detector contract
Threat detection and security screening company Smiths Detection is slated to manufacture and deliver up to 1,050 Lightweight Chemical Detectors (LCD) to the Swiss Federal Department of Defense (DOD). The action would aid in replacing the existing fleet of personal chemical... Read More »
Lockheed Martin wins three contracts to mentor smaller defense industrial businesses
As part of the United States Department of Defense’s Mentor-Protégé Program, Lockheed Martin recently won contracts to support three small businesses from the nation’s defense industrial base, and will help them to develop technical and business capabilities. Run by the Missile Defense... Read More »
Inaugural FirstNet Authority Board member receives communications award
FirstNet Authority Board officials are commending a member of the inaugural Board for receiving a communications award for contributions to advancement of public safety broadband communications. Teri Takai received the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award during... Read More »
GAO calls for Navy to update best practices, designs and cost estimates for shipyard projects
The U.S Navy has trouble with accurately estimating project costs according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and with much of its shipyards in poor and outdated condition, evaluators determined changes are needed to properly address the larger design process. In a prominently cited... Read More »
Northrop Grumman outlines successful EGI-M test flight
Northrop Grumman Corporation has detailed the successful flight test of its advanced airborne navigation solution, Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) / Inertial Navigation System (INS) Modernization - known as EGI-M. “This flight test is a major step forward in developing our next... Read More »
New FDA draft guidances offers psychedelic drugs focus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a new draft guidance the agency noted focuses on considerations to researchers investigating psychedelic drugs for potential treatment of medical conditions. “Psychedelic drugs show initial promise as potential treatments for mood,... Read More »
Justice Department creates regional outreach program for missing or murdered indigenous persons
After years of warnings about the growing number of missing or murdered Indigenous people, and a traveling federal commission investigating the issue, the Justice Department this week announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program. The new... Read More »
DHS S&T details flood, wildfire alerting technology testing
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently outlined results of a demonstration testing new flood and wildfire alerting technology. DHS S&T partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert Warning System... Read More »
Lockheed Martin secures Army TLS-EAB program pact
Global aerospace company Lockheed Martin has been selected by the U.S. Army to address the second phase of the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) – Echelons Above Brigade (TLS-EAB) program. “The U.S. Army’s Family of Systems concept is a proven model for developing and delivering converged... Read More »
New international partnership seeks improvements to registry, sharing of medical product regulatory information
A new connection announced between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) will spur development of a common language and registry of medical product regulatory information globally. The... Read More »
Vulnerability Disclosure Program at DoD Cyber Crime Center sees major growth through partnership with George Mason University
Thanks to a partnership with George Mason University (GMU), the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Crime Center Vulnerability Disclosure Program has grown significantly and successfully on the heels of an award-winning pilot. Utilizing the National Security Innovation Network Capstone... Read More »
DARPA touts INGOTS program benefits
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are espousing the benefits of its Intelligent Generation of Tools for Security (INGOTS) program, which they maintain would bolster cybersecurity efforts. "In an attack paradigm where exploitability depends on the emergent behavior of... Read More »
DEA, FBI and state law enforcement warn of growing threat of fentanyl in Colorado
In a joint statement, Colorado field offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), together with state law enforcement, this week warned people to use only prescription medications as the fentanyl poisonings surge. According to the DEA, fentanyl... Read More »
Senate advances bills to close foreign lobbying loophole
Two bills authored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) won the approval of their colleagues this week, putting it to the House whether efforts will be taken to close lobbying loopholes the pair fear foreign adversaries could exploit. Respectively, the bills include the... Read More »
CBP issues customs broker education guidance
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is espousing the benefits of newly issued customs broker education guidance, which would bolster compliant trade and protect against illicit trade entering domestic commerce. Senior Official Performing the Duties of Commissioner Troy A. Miller said the new... Read More »
Rep. Newhouse introduces amendment to prohibit who can purchase American farmland
Through an amendment to the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill, adopted last week by a vote of 34-26, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) proposed a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit purchase of agricultural land by specific entities. “Increased ownership... Read More »