Sponsored by Spectra Group
https://spectra-group.co.uk/
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28 Sep 22. NRO partners with commercial space firms on signal detection tech. The National Reconnaissance Office awarded study contracts today to six commercial space companies to explore the potential of satellite radio frequency detection to meet military intelligence needs.
The NRO, charged with designing, launching and operating U.S. spy satellites, issued the Sept. 28 awards as part of a broader effort called Strategic Commercial Enhancement, which aims to better leverage commercial space capabilities alongside the bespoke systems it has traditionally developed.
While past study work focused on commercial radar technology, today’s awards are geared toward companies that provide radio frequency detection services. These satellites, which detect RF emissions from space, can be used to improve maritime domain awareness by locating ships with disabled identification systems. And in the months leading up to the war in Ukraine, the technology was used to pick up GPS interference signals across Eastern Europe that offered a glimpse into Russia’s activity in the region.
The six commercial space technology companies selected to participate in the NRO study are: Aurora Insight, Hawkeye 360, Kleos Space, PredaSAR, Spire Global and Umbra Lab. An NRO spokesman told C4ISRNET the contracts will have a six-month base period of performance, two initial options to extend the agreement by 24 months and potential opportunities to continue the work beyond that. Each company was awarded about $300,000, but funding could increase “as mission value, customer requirements and on-orbit provider capabilities are confirmed,” the spokesman said.
“Today’s awards are another great example of NRO’s efforts to innovate on all fronts as we continue to work with our partners in government to find new ways to build capacity, agility, speed and resilience into everything we do,” NRO Director Chris Scolese said in a statement.
Under the study contracts, companies will help the agency operationalize its use of commercial RF to support military users, the intelligence community and policymakers. In a statement, Hawkeye 360 said the program strengthens the NRO’s partnerships in this area “to explore the near- and long-term, high-impact capabilities commercial RF can deliver.”
Commercial radio frequency is unclassified and has been in high demand in recent years. The NRO noted it has seen a greater call for the capability across its user base since 2019, when it issued its first contracts to study RF integration.
“As evidenced by the quality and quantity of commercial data flowing to our partners and allies, commercial remote sensing is a mainstay not only for security and intelligence applications but also for helping manage humanitarian crises,” Pete Muend, director of NRO’s Commercial Systems Program Office, said in a statement.
NRO released its Strategic Commercial Enhancement framework in 2021 and awarded study contracts to radar providers earlier this year. (Source: Defense News)
28 Sep 22. New £50m cyber academy to benefit influential UK-US relationship. A new £50m UK centre will support the training of world-class cyber experts, both domestically and internationally, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced.
* World-class cyber training in the UK to be expanded thanks to £50m investment.
* New academy will benefit international partners, including the US, through exchanging knowledge and ideas in cyberspace operations.
* Announcement made during defence summit onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, anchored in New York City.
The announcement comes as UK and US defence chiefs attend the Atlantic Future Forum 2022 in New York City this week.
The two-day forum seeks to advance vital defence, security, trading and economic partnerships between the UK and US, and explore how to boost innovation, economic growth and resilience.
Building on the success of the UK’s Defence Cyber School, the new Defence Cyber Academy will develop sovereign and international courses and support wider UK endeavours in developing the national cyber profession – launching in 2022.
It will bolster the ranks of the UK and international allies, including the United States, training high-quality defence personnel to be at the forefront of cyber technology, strategy and operational preparedness. Closer alliances between our nations, delivered through shared experiences and training, will allow our personnel to better prepare for NATO, joint and multi-domain operations of the future.
Backed by £50m, the academy will support the wider development of the national cyber profession, as part of the National Cyber Strategy. It will:
* Increase the volume and scope of training and education, supporting the growth of Defence’s cyber workforce
* Collaborate with global allies, to identify and adopt best-practice, and provide international products and services
* Engage with industry and academia to enhance its Higher Education and research programme
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Defence co-operation between the United Kingdom and the United States is the broadest and deepest of any two countries in the world, and will continue to expand in the coming decades. The Defence Cyber Academy builds on that collaboration, defining closer integration and shared capability, helping us and our allies counter global cyber security threats, staying one step ahead and at the forefront of this cutting-edge military domain.”
Based in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, the launch of the academy comes after the DCMS revealed cyber-attacks, including espionage activity and ransomware infiltration, across Government has cost an estimated £100m in the last year.
Commander of Strategic Command, General Sir Jim Hockenhull said:
As Defence’s leader for the cyber domain, Strategic Command is committed to ensuring our personnel have the cyber skills needed to maintain a competitive edge against our adversaries. The Defence Cyber Academy will allow us to expand the training opportunities we offer, and share these with our international allies. This new development will help us share our expertise and better conduct the integrated operations needed in a modern battlespace.
The Atlantic Future Forum is taking place on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, anchored in the Hudson River just off New York City’s financial district. In the coming months, the aircraft carrier will be at the heart of a powerful task group made up of thousands of sailors, up to ten ships, F-35B Lightning jets, helicopter squadrons and Royal Marines Commandos which will operate across Europe this autumn.
The conference is an opportunity to discuss the success of the UK and US working collaboratively at unprecedented speed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine with crucial military capabilities since Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.
The continued and very close relationships between US and UK suppliers and governments has seen typical procurement timelines shortened from months to days, allowing the supply of military aid in record speed.
As well as the large capabilities, such as multi-launch rocket systems, ground-to-air missiles and anti-tank weapons, non-lethal military aid has been procured at pace. For example, around 200 armoured vehicles have been fitted with sophisticated military communications capabilities and delivered to Ukraine, involving the designing of dozens of components from scratch. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
27 Sep 22. AUVSI Collaborates with DIU on Cybersecurity Certification Pilot for Commercial Drones. The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s leading trade association for uncrewed vehicle systems, has announced a collaboration with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to further commercial cyber methodologies to build a shared standard—like the one used to develop the DIU’s Blue UAS “Cleared List.” AUVSI’s effort is designed to expand the number of vetted Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, or UAS, that meet Congressional and federal agency drone security requirements.
“The goal of this new pilot initiative is to extend relevant cyber credentialing across the U.S. industrial base, proactively, streamlining and accelerating capabilities available to the Department of Defense (DoD) and the rest of the U.S. government,” said Brian Wynne, AUVSI President and CEO. “We are grateful for DIU’s partnership and look forward to working with them to make the U.S. drone industry more resilient and secure.”
AUVSI efforts will streamline the vetting process and further expand the potential small UAS entrants to the government through its Trusted Cyber Program. The industry-led cyber compliance effort will work with a suite of cybersecurity firms to provide technical cyber assessments before DIU, DoD, and government organizations can then conduct additional vetting, if needed.
The Blue UAS program has helped establish a cybersecurity baseline and coordinate government efforts to streamline the approval process for commercially available NDAA-compliant drones. There are currently 13 drones scheduled to be added to the Blue UAS Cleared List, but demand for additional cleared drones with new capabilities has outpaced DIU’s ability to scale this critical program due to…
26 Sep 22. DASA is searching over the horizon for generation-after-next beyond line of sight communication technologies.
This new Innovation Focus Area seeks novel beyond line of sight (BLOS) communication technologies
- DASA has launched an Innovation Focus Area called Beyond Line of Sight Communications
- Funding provided by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
- Funding available for Generation-After-Next (GAN) proposals, which explore and develop new / novel beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications technologies
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch an Innovation Focus Area (IFA) called Beyond Line of Sight Communications. This IFA seeks innovations that will help contribute to the development of Generation-After-Next beyond line of sight communication options.
This IFA is run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
Do you have an innovation which could help develop Generation-After-Next beyond line of sight communication options?
The need for novel and efficient beyond line of sight communications
Defence relies heavily on the mature BLOS communication technologies, such as military High Frequency (HF), troposcatter or satellite communications. However, to maintain robust communications in highly disruptive, congested and contested environments, it is vital that military communications change conventional assumptions about BLOS capability.
It is crucial to build a pipeline of future BLOS technologies and have a diverse repertoire of communication approaches to overcome any potential threat and ensure that if one form of communications is denied, there are alternatives available.
This IFA is seeks GAN proposals that explore and develop new / novel BLOS communication options, and alternatives to traditional methods of military that may provide advantage in highly disruptive threat environments. For example:
- BLOS system development
- approaches to understand the “Channel”
- signal processing for new approaches to BLOS communications
- waveforms
- solution hardware development
Submit a proposal
Do you have a solution or novel approach that may help Dstl understand what lies ahead for GAN BLOS technologies?
Read the full competition document to learn more and submit a proposal: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-and-security-accelerator-dasa-open-call-for-innovation/open-call-innovation-focus-areas#IFA036 (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
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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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