A KC-46A takes off during a system evaluation at Yokota AB, Japan, on Oct. 25, 2018. Photo Yasuo Osakabe/USAF
LOOK OUT ABOVE
“The most cost-effective and simplistic cyberattack in space, one with the intent to bring down a targeted satellite, is likely to use an older satellite now viewed as space junk that still has fuel and can respond to communications. Hackers could then use that satellite to ram or force targeted space assets out of orbit.”
Jan Kallberg, research scientist at the Army Cyber Institute at West Point, in an opinion column [FifthDomain.com, Dec. 28].
SpaceX launch of the DISCOVR satellite at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Photo: SpaceX
MUST MAKE SPACE FOR “SPACE”
“We will have to wait and see how the Congress actually vets it out. … But on a fundamental basis, whether it’s a [Special Operations Command] model, whether it’s its own command, I definitely support the concept that we do need a center of excellence for Space.”
Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer supporting an organization dedicated to Space operations [Military.com, Dec. 6]
U.S. Capitol building
RUN, DON’T WALK
“Politically, the shutdown seems like a litmus test for everything else to come. If political leaders can’t ‘walk’ through the mere process of keeping the government open, how can they ever hope to ‘run’ through more complex issues?”
William G. Gale, senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution on the ongoing government shutdown [Brookings.edu, Jan. 3].
MIRROR, MIRROR…
Connected fitness started out with apps, “then we went to trackers, and then connected cardio equipment. We’re focused on the next layer, and that’s intelligence.”
Mirror-based, workouts also rely on intelligence, according to founder of Tonal, Aly Orady [Wired.com. Dec. 17].
AI TRACK MEET
“I would say we are not behind. Right now we are actually ahead; however, we are in danger of losing that leadership position.”
Lisa Porter, deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering on the US in the AI arms race [C4ISRnet.com, Dec 14].
US MUST AVOID CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE
“The time for research is running out; we have the data we need. It’s time for bold action.”
R. James Woolsey, former CIA director on preventing electromagnetic pulse attacks against America [Air University report, November 2018].
Michael Griffin, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. Photo: Bryan Bacon/USA
THE TIME IS NOW
“In the last year, China has tested more hypersonics weapons than we have in a decade. We’ve got to fix that.”
Michael Griffin, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering [Defense News, Dec. 13].
GRADE “A”
“As far as we know, this is the first large stealth target drone. … It has had cadet involvement in its evolution over several years. It’s quite rare that a student design has evolved to the point of potential inventory use.”
Thomas McLaughlin, USAFA’s Aeronautic Research Center director, on cadets, aerospace instructors, and industry partners developing DOD’s first large stealth target drone to test missile tracking systems[USAFA, Dec. 12].