News
Triad National Security takes over management of national laboratory
Triad National Security (Triad) recently began the management and operation of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. In June, Triad signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The contract took effect Thursday and expires... Read More »
DHS unveils virtual training program for critical school safety situations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has introduced a new training platform to help teachers, staff, first responders, and local law enforcement prepare for response plans to critical incidents at schools. The virtual training platform is called the... Read More »
Conference addresses chemical terrorism
INTERPOL’s General Secretariat headquarters served as the backdrop for the recent Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats conference, which was designed to address chemical terrorism and related factors. “This Congress comes at a pivotal time in the international security... Read More »
Lawmakers seek Saudi nuclear pact talks suspension
In the wake of recent developments in Saudi Arabia, several lawmakers are seeking suspension of civil nuclear cooperation talks with that nation's government. Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) has forwarded correspondence to President Donald Trump requesting... Read More »
New FirstNet board members appointed
The Board of the First Responder Network Authority gained six new members this week, appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. Its newest members include Richard Carrizzo, chief of the Southern Platte Fire Protection District in Kansas City, Missouri; Welton Chase, former General... Read More »
Chagas disease threatens US service dogs
Researchers have found dogs working for the U.S. government are at an increased risk of Chagas disease, and the associated parasite is riddling them with heart disease. At one time found only in Mexico, Central America and South America, Chagas has begun pressing forward into the United States,... Read More »
DHS calling for submissions for Biometric Technology Rally
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has opened submissions for its Biometric Technology Rally that will be held in the spring. Biometric systems include fingerprint, iris or face recognition. The rally challenges participants to develop... Read More »
Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Pittsburgh Synagogue Murders
The man charged with murdering 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last Saturday was indicted on 44 counts, including hate crimes, by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Robert Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pa., was indicted on 44-counts,... Read More »
Groups address nuclear waste, fuel disposal
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently met with waste management personnel to discuss safe, efficient disposal of high level radioactive waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel. The session at the IAEA in Vienna included a delegation from the International Association for... Read More »
Payan named Chief Patrol Agent for Buffalo Sector in New York
Eduardo Payan, a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, was recently appointed as Chief Patrol Agent for Border Patrol’s Buffalo Sector, the regional water border between ports of entry in New York and Pennsylvania. Payan was appointed by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost, following... Read More »
Lockheed Martin presses forward on laser-based missile interception system
Defense contractor Lockheed Martin is proceeding with a Missile Defense Agency contract to develop a Low Power Laser Demonstrator (LPLD) missile interceptor, which utilizes a laser and beam control system to intercept hostile missiles. Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will improve and mature... Read More »
DHS hosts international first responders conference
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently hosted the first North American International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation (IFAFRI) Industry Stakeholder Summit. IFAFRI’s goal is to advance the development of innovative yet... Read More »
Air Force leadership discusses trends, changes at symposium
Top Air Force leadership convened last week in Grapevine, Texas, to discuss critical issues and upcoming changes within the Air Force at the 50th annual Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium. “We have returned to an era of great power competition where the challenges we face are complex and... Read More »
15 technologies may change how to monitor, treat infectious disease during catastrophe
Combating diseases such as Ebola, influenza, and a host of other global catastrophic biological risks could be addressed by 15 emerging technologies, many of which are easy to use, high-tech and low cost. In “Technologies to Address Global Catastrophic Biological Risks,” the report issued... Read More »
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 »
Industrial chemical incidents HazMat risks examined
A blog post written by Stephen Pike, managing director at UK-based Argon Electronics, recently examined the HazMat risks that accompany industrial chemical incidents. Pike maintains chemical manufacturing facilities present potential hazards that, if not properly addressed, could place workers... Read More »
British study discovers flu virus capable of developing resistance to pandemic drug
A drug currently under development for use against flu pandemics is at risk of being outpaced by the virus it is meant to prevent, according to researchers at Imperial College London and Public Health England. In a study, the organizations found that two genetic mutations could bring the flu... Read More »
DOD builds on crowdsourced digital security program with three new contracts
A U.S. government program designed to crowdsource digital security expanded this week through the awarding of three contracts to Silicon Valley-based firms: Bugcrowd, HackerOne, and Synack. Hack the Pentagon, which awards cash bounties for bugs found in Department of Defense (DOD) websites and... Read More »
Raytheon missiles successfully complete test during South Korean Navy exercises
Five SM-2 surface-to-air missiles built by Raytheon Co. recently completed five test flights successfully in exercises conducted at sea by the Republic of Korea Navy. The SM-2 missile allows navies to defend against aircraft and anti-ship missiles as far away as 90 nautical miles and an altitude... Read More »
Emergent launches opioid awareness campaign through nation’s libraries, YMCAs
Emergent BioSolutions is launching a campaign to raise public awareness of the risks of opioids through public libraries and YMCAs. Emergent, through its subsidiary Adapt Pharma, will provide one free box of its NARCAN Nasal Spray along with educational materials to all 16,568 public... Read More »
S&T program seeks to overcome roadblocks to cybersecurity strategy development
Recognizing the need for comprehensive cybersecurity programs, while also realizing the economic difficulties that hinder their development, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently formed a program to answer and address these issues. S&T... Read More »