News
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary to introduce firefighting robot at FDIC International
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary Howe & Howe, Inc. will introduce its Thermite EV1 firefighting robot during the FDIC International conference on April 24-29 in Indianapolis, Ind. “Our EV1 is a powerful force multiplier for our heroes in fire response,” Howe & Howe Senior Vice... Read More »
Justice Department details charges regarding illegal police station operation
U.S. Department of Justice officials have outlined a complaint charging two defendants for allegedly opening and operating an illegal overseas police station for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Justice Department alleges in the complaint unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New... Read More »
CBP seeks ideas for Non-Intrusive Inspection Anomaly Detection Algorithm
This week, a new solicitation from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week sought new Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Anomaly Detection Algorithm solutions to increase inspection efficacy and reduce review times, and support analysis by CBP officers. CBP’s goal for these... Read More »
HHS releases new online educational platform, publication and report to aid cybersecurity in health sector
Due to the rising threat of cyberattacks against the health and public health sector, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week released three new resources under its HHS 405(d) Program to aid cybersecurity efforts. Together with the Health Sector Coordinating Council... Read More »
WHO launches PRET initiative to ready countries for next pandemics
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new initiative to help countries prepare the systems and capabilities to manage emerging threats. The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative (PRET) will officially launch on April 24-26, 2023, during a global... Read More »
DoD details Aerojet Rocketdyne agreement
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has detailed a $215.6 million agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) the agency maintains will bolster the solid rocket motors supply chain. DoD's Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) initiated the pact to expand... Read More »
DHS touts Operation Blue Lotus success
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel are touting Operation Blue Lotus, which has, in collaboration with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), disrupted synthetic drug trafficking. Operation Four Horsemen, the U.S. Border Patrol’s... Read More »
DARPA seeks ideas for novel antenna designs, materials and more under BRIDGES initiative
As a means to improve performance or substantially reduce the size, weight, power, and cost of current antennas, DARPA announced last week that it is soliciting novel designs, materials, manufacturing or processing concepts under its Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems... Read More »
Bill seeks to strengthen DHS law enforcement mental health resources
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a bill to enhance Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel's mental health resources. U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act, which would... Read More »
U.S., international security agencies publish new guidance for secure shipping by software manufacturers
In a collaborative effort, several United States security agencies joined with related authorities in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand last week to launch guidance for technology providers meant to increase security by design and default. In... Read More »
Northrop Grumman F-16 electronic warfare suite capable of countering modern radio frequency threats
In the first LIVE test of Northrop Grumman Corporation’s AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) last week, the system proved capable of countering modern radio frequency (RF) attacks, effectively blocking certain hacking attempts. During testing, simulated air defense... Read More »
Boeing touts satellite’s enhanced battlefield communication capabilities
Aerospace company Boeing is touting the enhanced battlefield communication capabilities of its newly unveiled Protected Wideband Satellite (PWS) design. Boeing said the PWS features the company's Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P) payload hosted aboard the U.S. Space Force’s Wideband... Read More »
Expanding fentanyl crackdown, Biden administration designates xylazine combos emerging threat
Xylazine, a non-opioid tranquilizer approved for veterinary use, was recently declared an emerging threat to the United States by Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), when combined with fentanyl. While never approved for human use,... Read More »
DHS, State Department seek to expand Central American Minors program
Enhancements to the Central American Minors (CAM) program would provide alternatives to perilous and irregular border migration, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State officials. The CAM program enables certain individuals in the United States to request... Read More »
DHS effort to counter small UAS seeks information on kinetic mitigation measures
As part of an ongoing push to counter small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) launched a Request for Information (RFI) on kinetic mitigation technologies and solutions. “This effort is designed... Read More »
TSA procures new x-ray scanners for airport checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has procured three Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray scanner orders worth up to $1.3 billion to be deployed at airport checkpoints. The orders call for up to 426 base, 359 mid-size and 429 full-size scanner units, if all options are exercised, for... Read More »
IMAGES Act introduced to improve accuracy of flood Insurance mapping standards
Reckoning with the increased influx of storms rattling the United States in recent years, United States Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Alex Mooney (R-WV) introduced the Improvement of Mapping, Addresses, Geography, Elevation and Structures (IMAGES) Act (H.R. 2568) this week to improve flood... Read More »
DHS S&T seeks information on drone technologies to counter small UAS swarms
Through a Request for Information (RFI) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) signaled a search for new and emerging counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capable of defending against other small UAS (sUAS). Small UAS are... Read More »
Defense Department releases REPI Program funding guide
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released the agency's 2023 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) Resilience Project Funding Guide this week. “The REPI Program is thrilled to release the first-ever Resilience Project Funding Guide," REPI Program Director... Read More »
DARPA completes third off-road unmanned vehicles test
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) personnel have completed the third test of off-road unmanned vehicles as part of its Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program. The March 12-27 test runs in the Mojave Desert included the first with completely... Read More »
DHS S&T touts new carry-on baggage screening system
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently installed a next generation carry-on baggage screening system at Boston Logan International Airport. “This new carry-on screening system is an important next step in aviation security,” S&T... Read More »
House members rally for military criminal investigative organizations in FY24 Defense Appropriations funding bill
Concerned about inadequacies in Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs), a group of 18 Congress members recently issued a letter calling for adequate, stable funding and resources to aid investigations as part of the fiscal year 2024 Defense Appropriations funding bill. “The... Read More »
Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star returns home following 25,000-mile, 144-day resupply journey of the Antarctic
After a trip that spanned 144 days, stops in four continents, and more than 25,000 miles of ocean covered, all to resupply the United States Antarctic stations, the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star completed its journey home to Seattle on April 8, 2023. “The completion of this mission is a... Read More »
CBP guidance seeks to address supply chain disruption resilience
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently issued new guidance to address bolstered supply chain disruption initiatives. Cyber Incident Guidance for Customs Brokers would aid customs brokers in preparation, response, and recovery regarding cyberattacks, from proactively installing... Read More »
Ravi Chaudhary sworn in as assistant secretary of the USAF for Energy, Installations and Environment
Air Force officials announced that Ravi Chaudhary has been sworn to duty as assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment. The recent ceremony at the Pentagon followed Chaudhary's U.S. Senate confirmation on March 15. In his new position, Chaudhary will be... Read More »
Congressional Singapore trip follows decision to train F-16 squadron at Ebbing Air National Guard base
In order to build relationships with those soon to be training in their state, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) and John Boozman (R-AR) went to Singapore last week. On the heels of a decision to relocate an F-16 squadron to Ebbing Air National Guard base in Arkansas and train Singapore pilots on... Read More »
DEA details life sentence for large-scale drug trafficking organization leader
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials recently announced the sentencing of Jorge Sanchez Morales, aka “Capulina,” 47, to life in prison for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization. In November 2022, an El Paso jury found Sanchez Morales guilty of conspiracies to import... Read More »
Report: Stronger, more frequent hurricanes pose greater risks to U.S. East, Gulf Coasts
According to a new paper from researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), hurricane season is set to worsen in the years ahead in terms of strength and frequency as global warming empowers storms along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. Hurricane frequency could rise by as much... Read More »
Capitol Hill lawmakers vow to end U.S. drug shortages, dependency on Chinese pharma
The rising dependence that the United States has on many Chinese pharmaceuticals is worsening the nation’s drug shortage and creating a national security risk that several members of Congress want to disrupt. Lawmakers, in fact, have introduced legislation in Congress from both sides of the... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Garcia introduces bills to shuffle COVID-19 relief funds into school safety
As the United States continues to reckon with gun violence nationwide, including in its schools, U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) introduced the latest legislative proposals for change, with the Safe Schools Act and the Strengthening School Security for Students Act. Touted as ways to protect... Read More »
DHS event to spotlight national security technologies
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has planned a two-day, in-person event next month to highlight technology addressing DHS challenges and homeland security needs. The Demo Week initiative funded by DHS's Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP)... Read More »
Joint exercise synchronizes cooperation between U.S., Mexican and Canadian water operations
Ships and teams gathered off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico last month for a weeklong exercise under the North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI), which brought together the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Mexican Navy (SEMAR) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). "This exercise provides... Read More »
Northrop Grumman opens new campus in Huntsville, Ala.
Northrop Grumman has opened a two-building campus outside of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. “Our new lab enables us to deliver innovative solutions to our customers on rapid timelines, helping to protect and defend our nation and its allies against evolving threats,” Northrop Grumman... Read More »
CBP, Air and Marine Operations nab vessel transporting cocaine
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along with the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) intercepted a vessel transporting cocaine in waters along northern Puerto Rico. The agencies seized 1,455 pounds of cocaine valued at approximately $15.1 million and arrested four non-citizens from the... Read More »