Sponsored by Spectra Group
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12 Mar 21. New strategy to unleash the transformational power of Artificial Intelligence.
A new plan to make the UK a global centre for the development, commercialisation and adoption of responsible AI will be published this year, the government has announced. Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden revealed the move as he set out his Ten Tech Priorities to power a golden age of tech in the UK this week.
The new AI strategy will focus on:
- Growth of the economy through widespread use of AI technologies
- Ethical, safe and trustworthy development of responsible AI
- Resilience in the face of change through an emphasis on skills, talent and R&D
Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said, “Unleashing the power of AI is a top priority in our plan to be the most pro-tech government ever. The UK is already a world leader in this revolutionary technology and the new AI Strategy will help us seize its full potential – from creating new jobs and improving productivity to tackling climate change and delivering better public services.”
The Government will build on the UK’s strong foundations put in place through the AI Sector Deal to develop and deliver an AI Strategy that is both globally ambitious and socially inclusive.
It will consider recommendations from the AI Council, an independent expert committee that advises the government, which published its AI Roadmap in January, alongside input from industry, academia and civil society.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said, “The UK is already harnessing the enormous potential of AI to improve all our lives – from faster and more effective disease diagnosis, to controlling the heating in our homes. Through this strategy we will nurture our AI pioneers to accelerate bringing new technologies to market, unlock high-skilled jobs, drive up productivity and cement the UK’s status as a global science superpower.”
The National AI Strategy will align with the government’s plans to support jobs and economic growth through significant investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation. This comes as the UK sees a boost in R&D investment through the government’s Research and Development Roadmap to reach 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027.
Tabitha Goldstaub, Co-founder of CognitionX, AI Council Chair and AI Business Champion said
The Council are thrilled that the key recommendation of the AI Roadmap has been taken forward. We are committed to working with the Office for AI to ensure that the wider AI Ecosystem is represented in the next phase and together ensure the UK economy and society benefits from Artificial Intelligence.
Dame Wendy Hall, UK AI Skills Champion, Regius Professor of Computer Science, University of Southampton said:
I welcome the National AI Strategy and look forward to working with the Office for AI on the recommendations made in the AI Roadmap to scaleup and commit to an on going 10 year programme of high level AI skill-building whilst also committing to achieving AI and data literacy for everyone.
Sir Adrian Smith, Institute Director and Chief Executive, The Alan Turing Institute said, “Artificial intelligence has extraordinary potential to tackle some of the biggest challenges in science, society and the economy. But creating AI for public good, that brings societal benefit to all, and harnesses the UK’s considerable legacy, expertise and innovation in this space requires collaboration and a shared vision. It is extremely welcome to see the commitment to a National Strategy for AI announced today, and we at The Alan Turing Institute look forward to bringing our research excellence, thriving network and national leadership role to this effort.”
Gerard Grech, CEO of Tech Nation said, “UK AI continues to go from strength-to-strength: in 2020 UK firms that were adopting or creating AI-based technologies received £1.78bn in funding, compared to £525m raised by French companies and £386m raised in Germany. It’s exciting and encouraging to hear the government announce a National AI Strategy, which will accelerate the UK’s global strength in AI development. We continue to see scaleups across the UK use AI to solve pressing challenges, and this will be an important catalyst to translate into impact.”
Baroness Joanna Shields OBE, CEO of BenevolentAI, Co-Chair of the GPAI Steering Committee and Chair of the GPAI Multi-stakeholder Experts Group Plenary said, “AI is vital for the future of our economy, security and society. This National Strategy on AI is key to defining and realising this vision, and unlocking the potential of AI to drive innovation, economic growth, job creation and social good. As we build back after COVID-19, this investment in technology could not be more important. Now is the time to work together to build an AI-enabled future that works for everyone, and I welcome this next step.”
Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President of techUK said, “The UK is already a global leader in AI but to remain globally competitive we must keep pace. techUK welcomes the new National AI Strategy, which will enable us to leverage joined-up thinking and investment from across industry and government. Setting a clear vision for the UK to remain at the forefront of the development and use of innovative, responsible and ethical AI could not have come at a better time.”
Dr Bill Mitchell OBE, Director of Policy, BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT said, “Tomorrow’s AI technologies will be capable of transforming how we thrive in our daily lives and work, how we can care for the vulnerable in our society, and how we can build a more sustainable future in a constantly online world. None of that will happen by chance, so the BCS very much welcomes the government’s announcement that it will shape the future of AI through a new national AI strategy that has at its heart inclusivity, fairness to all and ethical values and one that is delivered by world class AI professionals. At BCS we very much look forward to playing our part in supporting that strategy.”
- https://dcms.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0HhcFYAQSbFxJYhThe AI Council and Office for AI have begun engaging with the AI ecosystem on the AI Council’s Roadmap. This engagement will continue with a view to shaping the National AI Strategy.
- Find out more about the AI Strategy and register your interest: https://dcms.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0HhcFYAQSbFxJYh (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
10 Mar 21. Thales has successfully conducted different trials, which have demonstrated the integration capability of its radio communication solutions with the Army’s command and control systems for use cases of a command network, both at brigade and lower echelons levels. The trials of the SYNAPS software-defined radios (SDR) and Line-of-Sight solutions showed full compatibility and new capabilities brought to the command and control and communications systems deployed and in use, such as BMS (Battlefield Management System) and PR4G radios, or will be in the near future by the Army.
These trials took place as part of the Spanish Army’s Force 2035 Experimentation Plan, giving simultaneous support to multimedia services in video, voice and other data. They were conducted under the leadership, coordination and supervision of the Spanish Army’s Information and Telecommunications Systems Technical Assistance (JCISAT), and with the attendance as observers of personnel from the Army’s Academy of Engineers (ACING), the National Cryptologic Centre (CCN) and the Directorate-General for Weaponry and Material (DGAM).
To conduct this, Thales’ Spanish teams used various communications solutions and systems to meet the present and future needs of command capability. The technology presented during the experimentation encompassed different military radio communications solutions: SDR (Software Defined Radio) SYNAPS dual-channel/dual-band radio (VHF/UHF) and the TN4110 unit, offering Line-of-sight capability and demonstrating our capability to operate in wide bandwidth on the move.
The trials demonstrated the capabilities of SYNAPS radios with the current VHF GEOMUX waveform deployed on the PR4G, as well as with the ESSOR European-Secured SOftware Radio HDR WF (High Data Rate Waveform), a UHF waveform brought by the ESSOR Programme to which Spain participates, now funded by 6 European countries. The trials confirmed the high data capacity of ESSOR HDR WF and its full adaptability to Spanish operational requirements, while bringing the full interoperability with the 6 European countries that have developed it. The ESSOR waveform will be soon further financed by the ESSOR Countries and European Defense Funds for the upcoming phase of the Programme, with new capacities at reach.
Interoperability with PR4G radios deployed in the Army has also been demonstrated, as the new voice group capabilities that produce significant savings in both numbers of radios in vehicles and in frequencies. The SYNAPS radios offer a far more efficient management of the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing high densification of the networks, and optimal capacity/attainment ratio with very robust ECCM (Electronic counter-countermeasures) measures.
10 Mar 21. Quantum-proof crypto from Sectra receives SECRET approval from EU. The EU council has approved the latest version of the eavesdrop-proof mobile phone Sectra Tiger/S 7401 LTE from international cybersecurity and medical imaging IT company Sectra (STO: SECT B). This approval, which applies to the security level SECRET, certifies the latest Sectra Tiger/S version for sharing information that, if it fell into the wrong hands, could severely damage the security of the EU and its member nations.
Sectra Tiger/S is quantum-proof, and the latest version includes features such as improved file transfer and chat as well as support for all fixed and mobile 4G networks within Europe. These new features provide the user with improved availability, while also enhancing the user experience and areas of application. The voice and file transfer features are approved for use up to and including the security level SECRET UE/EU SECRET. The messaging feature is approved for use up to and including RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED.
“A quantum-safe solution is crucial for our customers to keep them secure from any possible attack today or in the future. Given the extensive time horizon of 30-40 years for keeping highly sensitive information and national secrets secure, protection against quantum threats is highly relevant for security solutions that are developed today,” says Simo Pykälistö, President of Sectra Communications.
Quantum computers have the capability to perform certain types of calculations much more efficiently than today’s computers. Such computers could thus pose a threat to current encryption methods, and quantum-safe solutions are therefore perceived to be one of the key traits of future-proof confidentiality.
About Sectra Tiger/S
Sectra Tiger/S is a secure communication solution developed in close cooperation with the Dutch and Swedish security authorities. It allows the user to share classified information up to and including the security level SECRET through encrypted speech, messaging and data transfer.
Users include government officials, officials in the diplomatic corps, decision-makers in defense and critical infrastructure, and military personnel in the field. Common to these is that they use security-approved products to communicate securely and that they have high demands on flexibility and mobility.
Sectra Tiger/S is part of the Sectra Tiger Ecosystem, along with the smartphone solution Sectra Tiger/R, approved for RESTRICTED-level communication. More than half of the EU member nations use Sectra Tiger solutions to share classified information. This ecosystem approach creates a secure communications environment without crypto islands, allowing the user organization to balance individual security requirements with the right level solution, supporting current and future encryption needs.
09 Mar 21. TrellisWare Announces First Shipments of TW-135 TSM Shadow® High Power Radio. TrellisWare Technologies, Inc. announced today the first shipments of their new TW-135 TSM Shadow® High Power Radio (HPR) to a North American military customer. Powered by the TrellisWare® TSM™ Mobile Ad-hoc Networking (MANET) waveform, the TW-135 TSM Shadow HPR is the right fit for changing missions and expanding network range.
TrellisWare’s TW-135 TSM Shadow HPR provides up to 20 watts of amplified transmit power across UHF, L-band, and S-band frequencies, extending range for vehicular, airborne, or manpack network configurations. The radio provides the same networking capability, data interfaces, and 2-channel audio as the TW-950/900 TSM Shadow handheld radio. Because of its powerful networking performance, the TW-135 TSM Shadow HPR allows for reliable communications as the network grows and moves.
Interoperable with all TSM enabled radios, the TW-135 TSM Shadow HPR radio supports a true flat network with massive scalability in a single radio frequency (RF) channel, while still delivering rapid position location information (PLI) updates for every radio. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Mar 21. Airbus, Fujitsu and Thales UK have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work collaboratively on the upcoming Systems Integrator (SI) opportunity for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems programme – known as LE TacCIS. Following the signature of the MOU, the partners have formed team ICELUS led by Airbus that will bring together a trusted collective of MOD strategic partners who have a unique breadth of expertise of defence communications networks. ICELUS will offer pioneering change through a coherent systems integration approach to ultimately deliver operational effectiveness and information advantage to the end user, whilst sustaining a UK centric, defence industrial base. The three partners will be able to jointly explore how their respective unique expertise and solutions can be combined in order to put forward the best-possible proposals with regard to capabilities and competitiveness for this major programme.
ICELUS will focus on the upcoming LE TacCIS System Integrator (SI) opportunity to lead on the design and integration of the products & services for applications, infrastructures and networks. The LE TacCIS System Integrator is expected to be contracted by 2023/2024.
The LE TacCIS programme consists of multiple sub-programmes and projects with the aim to deliver the next generation of tactical military communications in the land environment, providing the means to make informed and timely decisions enabled by agile Communication Information Systems (CIS).
LE TacCIS is designed to be resilient, working securely in a congested and contested cyber battlespace. It will degrade gracefully and recover when attacked, continuing to provide essential Command and Control (C2) services and capabilities. It will integrate with other systems to allow the quick and easy sharing of information between platforms and weapon systems, delivering full-spectrum, multi-domain effects.
In contrast to the current system’s single source prime supplier model, elements of the LE TacCIS programme will be competed from industry who will be incentivised to deliver increased system agility, capability and value for money.
BATTLESPACE Comment: This is a very strong consortium to deliver LE TacCIS and may cause a wake up call to other competitors as ICELUS provides a technology solution for LE TacCIS from one source but with the benefit of a competed model The Editor noted the somewhat barbed comment, ‘In contrast to the current system’s single source prime supplier model,’ which is no doubt directed at GDUK, the current incumbent! Expect more of the existing supplier base to form consortia or join ICELUS. The other interesting fact emerging from this Release is the date that the contract is expected, ‘The LE TacCIS System Integrator is expected to be contracted by 2023/2024.’ This suggests that BOWMAN will be extended for longer than expected given the expected budget for LE TACIS which is budgeted at some £3bn, thus the LE TACIS budget can be moved forward as a future cost given the current COVID restrictions can Once again as with BOWMAN, the vehicle manufacturers will have to design the vehicles such as BOXER and Challenger 3 with a BOWMAN suite but allow for a design change in the 2024 timeframe. This will create more costs as the BOWMAN systems will have to be replaced with LE TACIS. Other consortia involved are believed to eb Elbit, a BAE Systems consortium which includes L3Harris, Leidos and KBR and of course a GDUK bid. Ironically the Editor will be 70 in 2024 so as BATTLESPACE was started in 1997 based on my experience in launching the BOWMAN radio for ITT in 1992, LE TACIS could usher in a new Editor?
05 Mar 21. USAF E-4B fleet receives key communication upgrades. The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has announced that key communication upgrades are being delivered to the E-4B fleet.
The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has announced that key communication upgrades are being delivered to the E-4B fleet.
AFLCMC noted that the enhancements are designed to improve communication capabilities and effectiveness, reported Brian Brackens of AFLCMC Public Affairs.
The first of four US Air Force (USAF) E-4B aircraft recently concluded developmental testing. It received the Low Frequency Transmit System (LFTS) and Advanced Extremely High Frequency Presidential National Voice Conferencing Integration Program (APIP) modifications.
Work on the other three aircraft will be performed in the coming years. The modification will be provided during their standard programmed depot maintenance cycle.
Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate E-4B Materiel leader lieutenant colonel Ben Chown said: “These modifications are game-changing. The LFTS mod provides revolutionary single wire low frequency communication capability, while APIP transforms reliability and survivability of the E-4B SATCOM and national leadership command and control systems.”
A major part of the modification effort was carried out by the Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence, and Networks (C3I&N) Directorate.
This effort included escorting, securing, and transferring crypto materials integral to the evaluation, testing, and operation of the aircraft’s communications systems.
The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s (AFNWC) Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Integration Directorate acquired the APIP systems through two different programmatic efforts.
Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate programme executive officer brigadier general Ryan Britton said: “Superior communication capabilities are essential on the battlefield.
“The revolutionary technology that these modifications provide, delivers the US an incredible strategic advantage for command and control.”
Boeing and Collins Aerospace are installing the Low Frequency Transmit System modification, while Raytheon Technologies is responsible for the aircraft’s APIP mod. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
08 Mar 21. US Army seeks spectrum analysis capability, eyes EWPMT integration. US Army officials are in the midst of developing requirements for a spectrum analyser (Spec A) capability focused on identifying electromagnetic spectrum signatures and threats at the operational and tactical level, with plans to transition those requirements into a viable programme of record.
“For years, our spectrum managers have been clamouring for a programme of record spectrum analyser,” said Colonel Dan Holland, the electronic warfare capability manager at the Army Cyber Center of Excellence. Ongoing requirements development work will support efforts to close operational gaps in mission command, command post survivability, and signature management requirements, Col Holland said.
“The Spec A capability that we are pursuing will be a portable piece of equipment deployed in a [tactical operations centre] or on a mobile platform to provide situational awareness by monitoring and analysing the electromagnetic environment,” he said during an AFCEA International-sponsored webinar on the army’s future multidomain operations strategy. Service officials are targeting the third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2021 to have the initiative mature enough to draft informal programme proposals to army leaders at US Army Futures Command, Col Holland said.
As envisioned, the proposed Spec A system would allow army EW personnel “to monitor and analyse the [electromagnetic environment] for signals of interest and sources of interference [and] enable commanders to visualise their [electromagnetic environment] signature”, according to service documents. (Source: Jane’s)
08 Mar 21. Barrett Communications announced the release of the 4050 Control Handset, a further enhancement to the versatility of the Barrett 4050 HF SDR Transceiver. The Barrett 4050 Control Handset combines smartphone-style ease-of-use with the touchscreen intuitiveness that users of the Barrett 4050 HF SDR Transceiver are familiar with. The streamlined design – including a built-in microphone and loudspeaker – makes the 4050 Control Handset the perfect substitution for the Barrett 4050’s control head in mobile installations. Its unobtrusive size easily mounts to a vehicle dashboard or vessel helm. A quick release attachment makes removing the handset a simple and uncomplicated one-hand operation.
The Control Handset can connect to both the front and rear of the transceiver and be used as the primary control interface, completely replacing the standard 4050 HF SDR Transceiver front control panel or as a secondary interface in conjunction with the standard control panel.
Connected to the transceiver body by a 6m cable – incorporating an auxiliary speaker jack – the handset display incorporates a super bright, high definition, 24-bit colour touchscreen which provides optimal viewing ability in all lighting conditions. To learn more about the Barrett 4050 Control Handset, please download the brochure from the website www.barrettcomms.com or contact us at .
05 Mar 21. NORTHCOM Developing, Testing AI Tools To Implement JADC2. The command is leading a virtual exercise, called the Global Information Dominance Exercise (GIDE) 2, March 18-23 to test three “decision aids” using AI to speed commanders’ ability to act. Northern Command is prototyping and testing a set of AI tools to support Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) implementation, NORTHCOM officials tell Breaking Defense. Most importantly, they said, the new artificial intelligence will instantly pull together all sorts of data to give commanders a clear picture of the battlefield, enabling good, fast decisions.
The command is leading a virtual exercise, called the Global Information Dominance Exercise (GIDE) 2, March 18-23 to test three “decision aids” that use artificial intelligence/machine learning software to speed commanders’ ability to act, Col. Matt “Nomad” Strohmeyer, NORAD/USNORTHCOM J8 JADC2 Development Lead, explained in an exclusive interview. The AI algorithms will enable all-domain situational awareness, “information dominance,” and real-time “cross-Combatant Command collaboration,” he said.
The ultimate goal, Strohmeyer explained, is to transition the technology to the services for integration into acquisition programs to implement JADC2 and the emerging Joint Warfighting Strategy.
“It’s not a COCOM’s job to do program development,” he said. (NORTHCOM is one of the military’s regional Combatant Commands, considered operational HQs rather than development organizations). “We just happen to be very close to the operational mission and the operational requirement. We saw an urgent, compelling need, and so that’s when we started working closely with the agencies to build these things out.”
Further, he said, all of the prototype projects are being financially and contractually supported by either a service or a DoD agency, including the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center’s (JAIC) Project Maven. “So just to be clear, it’s not really NORTHCOM that’s funding that stuff at all,” he stressed.
NORTHCOM also is working closely with the Joint Staff, with Strohmeyer briefing the J6 Command, Control Communications, and Computers/Cyber Directorate led by Lt. Gen. Dennis Crall, and the J7 Joint Force Development Directorate led by Vice Adm. Stuart Munsch just before our conversation yesterday.
NORTHCOM Commander Gen. Glen VanHerck, like his predecessor Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, has been a strong proponent of JADC2. NORTHCOM leaders see JADC2 as the key to All Domain Operations, which they have said will be necessary to counter increased threats to the US homeland from Russia and China.
Further, both VanHerck and O’Shaughnessy have publicly fretted about the need for the US to get in front of Russian and Chinese use of influence operations in what DoD calls the “competition phase” of military activity to restrict US room for maneuver in future conflicts. That ability to deter and deny adversary action ‘left of conflict,’ they have argued, requires moving data and information at machine speeds across Combatant Commands.
“We still approach problems regionally. We plan, strategize, and we manage forces regionally,” VanHerck told the Air Force Association’s winter meeting this past Friday. “We need to think about these problems globally.
“I think we’re still just too stovepiped with our data — data that’s not getting shared in a timely enough manner at the operational and strategic level to have influence, especially in the competition stage. … I need decision space for senior leaders, and options for the senior leaders, in competition, and more importantly, in crisis and conflict so that we can de-escalate, and if required to defeat,” he added.
GIDE Series
The upcoming exercise is the second in a planned series of “technology risk reduction events,” that in part are designed to “complement a shift in focus from pure defeat mechanisms towards earlier deter and deny actions well left of the kinetic activity,” a NORTHCOM spokesperson said in an email.
The first was held in December, as a table-top exercise (TTX) conducted in “coordination with U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security,” the spokesperson said. The TTX fed “historic signal intelligence, electronic intelligence, and satellite imagery” of “enemy” force movements to an AI algorithm, that “generated possible enemy course of actions and recommended proactive blue force response options.”
Nine of the 11 Combatant Commands (COCOMS) will participate in GIDE 2, Strohmeyer said. Further, it will be linked to a real-world US and Canadian exercise involving NORTHCOM, European Command (EUCOM) and Strategic Command (STRATCOM). “There will be several assets that are actually transitioning across Combatant Command lines during GIDE 2,” he added. “We want to make sure that we’re testing against real things that are out in the world.”
NORTHCOM is hoping that a third GIDE experiment, involving all 11 COCOMS, can take place sometime in the summer, Strohmeyer said, although he noted that this is still “pre-decisional.” The aim is to include more domains, all of the services and more live action, he said.
Each of the exercises is serving to test and improve the three AI tools developed so far in the process, each of which is at a different developmental stage, Strohmeyer explained. And each of the tools have slightly different jobs to do, he added.
Domain Awareness Tool
The first tool, that NORTHCOM has been using itself for about six months, is called Pathfinder. Pathfinder “takes raw radar feeds off of every military and FAA radar in North America, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam,” he explained, and fuses the data to create a picture of adversary activities. Pathfinder was created “inside NORAD/NORTHCOM, the J6 specifically, working with several different vendors,” he said, as well as partners Air Force Research Laboratory, the Defense Innovation Unit, JAIC and the PEO Digital.
While Strohmeyer wouldn’t name the vendors, he did say “a competitive selection process” was used “to find vendors that built up the initial algorithm for radar feeds. And now we’re working with another vendor that’s doing a lot of the the user interface for us,” as well as upgrading the software to “turn it from a from a situational awareness tool, to now actually a command and control tool.”
The GIDE 2 exercise will use that software to pull in live data from each one of NORTHCOM’s homeland defense airfields,” he explained. “We’re gonna have real threats that we’re representing via bombers, and when those threats are actually flying against North America, the system is going to be recommending the best course of action to launch fighters or other assets to that threat.”
The key here is that the AI system — not a slow human as in the past — will rapidly provide and constantly upgrade best options to ensure a high probability of intercept, the time each solution would take, and the best asset to pair to each. “And the human now can have more time and more options to be able to make a decision,” Strohmeyer explained.
Information Dominance Tool
The second AI system builds from the first, but is bringing together an expanded set of data, Strohmeyer said. It, too, has been deployed to NORTHCOM’s C2 center. “We’re using it right now in real-world scenarios,” he said.
The system is “able to see all domains from subsurface to geosynchronous orbit, bringing in both Blue Force, and Red Force feeds and views,” he explained. Space data is one critical input, he noted, from imagery gathered by military, Intelligence Community and commercial satellites, but also signals intelligence and electronic intelligence data from IC satellites. For this reason, NORTHCOM is working closely with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Further, he noted, open source information is also being fed into the system.
Rather than focusing on real-time object tracking (which is what radar do), this AI tool is aimed a providing commanders “an earlier and better understanding about what competitors are doing,” Strohmeyer said. “This tool allows us to be able to see earlier,” he said. “So, if you can think about how we’re trying to move left in our in our ability to see what competitors are doing, this tool allows us to be able to see: what are the competitors doing on a day-to-day basis, at their airfields, at their command and control facilities, at the places that they would be operating from for their maritime operations.”
The goal, he said, is to make adversaries think twice before taking an unwanted action early in the game, during the ‘competition phase’ of the conflict spectrum — “so, if they start going down a path that would be detrimental to the US and our allies and partners, that we can take an action.”
This software system essentially creates a virtual battlefield picture in 3D from all the data gathered by the first two AI tools, Strohmeyer said, and provides pop up alerts when an adversary does something of potential interest or there is “a change in the competitor’s pattern of life.” (Real-time ‘change detection’ is one of the holy grails for the IC in analyzing imagery, geolocation and other sensor data.)
The goal is two-fold: 1) to provide commanders both with an understanding of what competitors are doing not just in their formal area of operations (AOR) but around the globe; and 2) to provide a collaborative environment where commanders are all looking at the same picture and can work together to decide how to respond.
The tool is still in a prototype phase, he said, being incrementally improved as it is used in various demonstrations. Indeed, it was first deployed in a very early form during the Air Force’s second ‘onramp’ experiment in September of technology being developed under the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). It was refined and used again in GIDE 1, refined again and now will be used in GIDE 2.
Cooperation Efforts
The testing of the NORTHCOM tool during the ABMS experiment is an example of how the command is trying to work with the various other DoD and Joint Staff efforts to implement JADC2, officials said although the GIDE exercises are not directly tied to those initiatives or even to the development of the JADC2 strategy by the Joint Staff.
“There is no formal relationship between the GIDE events and the Globally Integrated Exercises, ABMS, Project Overmatch, Project Convergence, or JADC2,” the NORTHCOM spokesperson said. “However, recognizing that these programs have many goals in common with GIDE, planners have had conversations with several of the programs, and plan to expand those conversations to explore whether partnerships could be of mutual benefit.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
01 Mar 21. Cybersecurity Support Services Sought By DCSA. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has released a Sources Sought Notice to ascertain both the availability and the technical capability of Certified 8(a) companies who can provide Cybersecurity Support Services.
The overall objective is to provide comprehensive cybersecurity support to the current enterprise and transformational cybersecurity support for the future DCSA organizational enterprise. The specific functions required to carry out these objectives are listed below:
- Provide continued cybersecurity development for the agency, to include cloud environments
- Provide continued development of the Enterprise Data Management (EDM) for the agency
- Provide assistance with the DCSA Authorization & Assessment (A&A) process to ensure the Risk Management Framework is implemented on DCSA systems
- Provide assistance with DCSA systems to ensure the cybersecurity framework is implemented for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering from cyber threats & vulnerabilities
- Conduct approved product analysis, to recommend products being considered for inclusion on the DCSA networks ensuring they are properly and uniformly analyzed for compliance with DoD and DCSA security requirements and best practices
- Provide support with issuance and technical assistance with Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet), Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) tokens and Unclassified – Top Secret media destruction of various types of media and guidance to DCSA personnel
- Review Cyber Workforce Improvement program reports/artifacts to ensure validation of requirements to obtain/maintain network access
- Provide and perform incident response, forensics, threat hunt, and cyber operations test and evaluation for the agency
- Use tools to detect, analyze, counter, and mitigate cyber threats and vulnerabilities; as well as to maximize user accessibility and functionality
- Provide configuration and change management practices to establish and maintain consistency of a product or system’s attributes with its requirements and evolving technical baseline over its life
- Conduct assessment to ensure supply chain risk management is supported from a risk based approach.
- Provide support for securely onboarding and off-boarding personnel.
The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 541513- Computer Facilities Management Services, with the corresponding size standard of $30m dollars. This Sources Sought Notice is requesting responses only from certified 8(a) companies that can provide the required services under the NAICS Code.
To assist DCSA in making a determination regarding the level of participation by 8(a) business in any subsequent procurement that may result from this Sources Sought Notice, companies are encouraged to provide information regarding plans to use joint venturing (JV) or partnering to meet each of the requirements areas contained in the announcement, such as how the firm would envision their areas of expertise and those of any proposed JV/partner that would be combined to meet the specific, listed requirements.
To learn more, select this direct infolink…https://beta.sam.gov/opp/b12063bfdea14503bab08a1fb6b0074e/view?keywords=intelligence&sort=-modifiedDate&index=opp&is_active=true&page=2
At the bottom of this page are listed both the primary and secondary contacts for responses to this invitation from the DCSA. All submissions must be received no later than March 12, 2021, 1300 hours. (Source: Satnews)
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Spectra Group Plc
Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, internationally renowned award-winning information security and communications specialist with a proven record of accomplishment.
Spectra is a dynamic, agile and security-accredited organisation that offers secure Hosted and Managed Solutions and Cyber Advisory Services with a track record of delivering on time, to spec and on budget.
With over 15 years of experience in delivering solutions for governments around the globe, elite militaries and private enterprises of all sizes, Spectra’s platinum and gold-level partnerships with third-party vendors ensure the supply of best value leading-edge technology.
Spectra was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) in 2019 for SlingShot.
In November 2017, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd announced its listing as a Top 100 Government SME Supplier by the UK Crown Commercial Services.
Spectra’s CEO, Simon Davies, was awarded 2017 Businessman of the Year by Battlespace magazine.
Founded in 2002, the Company is based in Hereford, UK and holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.
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