Radar Sweep
Snapshot: DOD and COVID-19
Here's a look at how the Defense Department is being impacted by and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Half of Troops See Coronavirus as a Major Threat for the Military: Poll
About half of Active-duty troops surveyed in the latest Military Times Poll believe the ongoing coronavirus pandemic represents a significant threat to military readiness and operations, but respondents were split over whether service leaders have done enough to respond to the problem.
Defense Innovation Board to Discuss Autonomous Systems, Software in Rescheduled Meeting
The Defense Innovation Board will meet next week to discuss recommendations on autonomous systems testing, as well as the Defense Department's progress in training software acquisition professionals, according to a Federal Register notice.
Lawmakers Cautiously Optimistic about Creation of National Cyber Director
The position—which has support from both Democrats and Republicans and is the brainchild of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission—would serve as the principal advisor to the president on cybersecurity strategy and policy. The role would also consult with federal departments to develop the U.S. national cyber strategy and supervise its implementation.
Mercury Introduces First in Family of Trusted, Secure System-in-Package Products
“Late last year we announced a strategic investment in our custom microelectronics capabilities in support of the DOD’s mandate for trusted microelectronics and to make commercial technology profoundly more accessible to aerospace and defense,” said Tom Smelker, vice president and general manager, Microsystems. “Our customizable RFS1080 RF SiP is the first generally available output from that investment, delivering high-speed RF processing in a compact, rugged package as well as providing customers with a trusted supply of highly integrated processing modules. Through Innovation That Matters®, Mercury Systems is uniquely capable of providing solutions from chip scale to system scale.”
The Navy Is Preparing for a Major Unmanned Battle Test in the Pacific
The Navy will deploy drones that operate in the air, underwater, and on the surface to the Pacific next year in a big test of how the service can incorporate unmanned technology into combat situations.
From Racism to Russia, Top General Says Army Must Change
Army Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville addressed the nation’s internal unrest, trust of the military, even QAnon, in a wide-ranging interview with Defense One.
The Latest on JADC2
Joint all-domain command and control is redefining how the U.S. military will operate in the future joint fight—and how systems must be designed today. For the latest on all things JADC2 and to stay tuned to the latest developments, check out our JADC2 landing page.
How One Airman’s Experiences Gave Birth to New Policy on Maternity Uniforms
When Senior Master Sgt. Genevieve, superintendent of the 13th Reconnaissance Squadron, 926th Wing, became pregnant in 2018, she discovered a problem: Maternity uniforms were in short supply both online and in stores. Genevieve, whose last name has been omitted due to security concerns related to her job and mission, refused to accept the typical solution: wearing tennis shoes and a physical training uniform in lieu of an Occupational Camouflage Pattern uniform. And wearing a uniform several sizes too big was not a viable solution either.
Veterans’ Experiences with VA’s Health Care System Improve
The Veterans Affairs Department offered better experiences than community-based care except when it comes to access to care, according to a recent study.
NGA, Department of Defense Launch Initiative to Unlock Economic Potential of Defense Assets
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices will work with the Defense Department Office of Economic Adjustment to help states develop and execute strategic, evidence-based action plans for promoting a resilient national defense industry, economic vitality, and increased resiliency within the defense industrial base. Through seven reports and topical and regional workshops in 2020 and 2021, NGA and OEA will provide policy analysis and guidance on how state and territorial leaders can enhance their role in national defense while realizing the economic benefits of a vibrant, resilient defense sector.
Major General Charles Bolden Honored with 2020 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
The National Aeronautic Association is pleased to announce that retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for … “his impassioned commitment to public service in aviation and aerospace as an aviator, astronaut, and leader and his dedication to excellence for the advancement of all humanity.”
This Remote Base With A Massive Runway Looks To Be Where China's Secretive Spacecraft Landed
The craft, which is thought to be a spaceplane designed to land on a traditional runway, also appears to have launched a small payload into orbit.