January 23, 2019 | International, C4ISR
By: Mark Pomerleau
The Department of Defense, in conjunction with the National Guard, has drafted a plan to allow for better coordination and information sharing to states in the event of a cyber emergency.
Aside from the typical assistance the National Guard offers states, such as natural disaster cleanup, the Guard also helps states respond to major cyber threats or incidents. This can include securing critical infrastructure such as power plants, water treatment plants or major ports.
The new plan, known as a concept of operation, describes a framework for how information flows from the federal government — Department of Homeland Security and Cyber Command — to the states to help government officials improve their cybersecurity.
The plan is still in draft form, Lt. Col. Jody Ogle, director of communications for cyber programs at the West Virginia National Guard, told reporters Jan. 17.
“That concept of operation helps shape that framework for how that information can flow up and down” the government, Ogle said. For example, if an IT technician working for a secretary of state notices something out of the ordinary on the network, that can be passed up to higher levels of the government and included with other threat signals across sensors on the network making that initial small tidbit of information more actionable.
Ogle said he helped write the concept during a recent stint at U.S. Cyber Command's Joint Force Headquarters-DoD Information Networks, which is tasked with defending DoD's network.
Full article: https://www.fifthdomain.com/dod/2019/01/22/can-the-national-guard-help-solve-states-cyber-problems
January 25, 2024 | International, Land
In January 2024, NATO unveiled a 15-metre high street mural in Vilnius, Lithuania, which symbolises the security and protection provided by NATO across the Alliance. We spoke with the creative mind behind the urban art piece, Lithuanian street artist and co-founder of the “Living Graphics” art collective, Žygimantas Amelynas.
September 24, 2019 | International, Aerospace
Adaptive engine technology faces its first major funding crisis as a 13-year-long, $4 billion investment by the U.S. Defense Department approaches a key milestone. Senate appropriators have threatened to reduce the fiscal 2020 budget for the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) by nearly one-third. The $270 million cut would be “pretty devastating,” says David Tweedie, general manager of GE's advanced combat engine program. https://aviationweek.com/defense/us-air-force-faces-next-generation-engine-funding-crisis
February 19, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land
By: Jeff Martin ABU DHABI--In a massive announcement, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces announced more than $1.3 billion in both orders for new equipment and sustainment of existing ones at the 2019 International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi. Some of the highlights include $355 million worth of Patriot interceptors for the UAE Air Force and Air Defense Force, a $39 million award to the Russian Joint Stock Company for EM150 Kornet antitank missiles for the UAE Army, and a $109 million deal with Lockheed Martin to upgrade radars in the UAE Air Force, presumably for the country's F-16 fighter fleet. The deals, announced on the first day of the massive exposition in the UAE's capital city, also included more than $300 million worth of awards to local companies. Highlights included a $2.1 million contract with NIMR automotive for vehicle maintenance and a $15 million deal with Al Fattan Ship Industries to purchase an unnamed amount of vessels for the UAE Navy. In total, 15 of the 33 deals announced, totalling $1.05 billion, were with international companies, while 18, totalling $300 million, were with local countries. The makeup of the announced deals also offers a window into the unique place in the world's militaries that the UAE occupies, operating a mix of America, European, Russian, and Chinese equipment. What's notable is that at past shows like IDEX, many announced deals for the UAE Armed Forces were for new equipment, but this year, a vast majority were for support. That marks a big shift as the UAE appears to be pivoting to supporting existing systems, not just buying new ones continually. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2019/02/18/united-arab-emirates-announces-13-billion-in-defense-deals-at-idex