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June 22, 2018 | International, C4ISR

Top intelligence officials fear U.S. behind in quantum computing, cyber

By:

The universities and research institutions in the United States focusing on quantum computing are “sub-par,” a top National Security Agency official said June 21.

The complaint is among a laundry list of examples, topped by cybersecurity, where American innovation in the intelligence field is struggling, said George Barnes, deputy director at the NSA.

“We have to be better at playing the long game,” he said. Barnes added that the Chinese “can play the long game” and “they are taking steps that might not be realized for 20 years.”

The warnings, made at the Capitol Hill National Security Forum in Washington, highlighted mistrust between the government and private sector, as well as the structural challenges of supporting innovation.

Whether it is quantum computing, space or artificial intelligence, Robert Cardillo, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency worried that “the moment will be too late” for American innovation.

Experts say that when quantum computers are fully operational, they will upend the use of password-protected systems, artificial intelligence and other areas of information technology.

“Whoever achieves quantum first, everything they are doing and have been doing is irrelevant,” Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, said. He added the United States needs to treat quantum the way it treated the Y2K crisis, where the government “spent billions of dollars and spent a decade preparing ... We need to be the leader.”

Hurd said that he supports a recently proposed bill from Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, that aims to “accelerate quantum research and development.”

But the intelligence officials at the forum said that the very nature of American government that prioritizes short-term gains may harm innovation. With their centralized five-year plans, China does not have the potential sequesters and fluctuating budgets that are features of the U.S. government.

Rob Joyce, the newly installed senior adviser at the NSA, said that government needs to give “more people the license to fail.” He said that while the agency doesn't want to squander taxpayer money, “oversight regulation” does not encourage innovation.

Joyce said that the agency needs to boost partnerships with the banking industry, power companies and other areas of critical infrastructure because government has moved to a “support” role.

“We are not the finishers now,” Joyce said.

Asked what the most important emerging threat was for the NSA, Barnes answered with one word: “Cybersecurity.”

“The attack surface is broad and the solution requires government and the public sector together,”Barnes added.

Barnes said that that agency is not used to working with the private sector however, and it harms cybersecurity. “Trust is an issue.”

https://www.fifthdomain.com/industry/2018/06/21/top-intelligence-officials-fear-us-behind-in-quantum-computing-cyber/

On the same subject

  • For DoD cyber, 2019 is the year of doing

    January 31, 2019 | International, C4ISR

    For DoD cyber, 2019 is the year of doing

    By: Mark Pomerleau Following a year of cyberspace strategizing, 2019 will be all about implementing rules and tools, according to the Department of Defense's top uniformed cyber policy adviser. Appearing Jan. 29 before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Brig. Gen. Dennis Crall said the department knows where it needs to head following last year's DoD cyber strategy (the first in three years) and now is the time to show results. “This is the year of outcomes and that's what we're focused on — delivering the capabilities and improvements that we've discussed for some time,” he told the committee, adding that the strategy process allowed them to take a look at some departmental gaps and get after them. The strategy actually has actionable lines of effort and there are things they can do to measure progress, he said. The document lays out five objectives and five areas of interest under its strategic approach. The five objectives include: Ensuring the joint force can achieve its missions in a contested cyberspace environment; Strengthening the joint force by conducting cyberspace operations that enhance U.S. military advantages; Defending U.S. critical infrastructure from malicious cyber activity that alone, or as part of a campaign, could cause a significant cyber incident; Securing DoD information and systems against malicious cyber activity, including DoD information on non-DoD-owned networks; and Expanding DoD cyber cooperation with interagency, industry, and international partners. The five areas of interest under the guise of its strategic approach include building a more lethal joint force; competing and deterring in cyberspace; strengthening alliances and attracting new partners; reforming the department; and cultivating talent. The strategy also notes DoD must take action in cyberspace during day-to-day competition to preserve U.S. military advantages and defend U.S. interests. The focus will be on nation states that can pose strategic threats to the United States, namely China and Russia. “We will conduct cyberspace operations to collect intelligence and prepare military cyber capabilities to be used in the event of crisis or conflict,” the document says. Dana Deasy, the department's chief information officer, told the same committee that the threat from Russia and China is so acute he is briefed weekly from U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency on them. This allows him to understand their offensive and defensive posture relative to the DoD. “Suffice to say that these are very strong, capable adversaries, but at the same time we have some strong, capable abilities ourselves,” he said. Cyber Command has now assembled a full force of cyberwarriors and received limited acquisition authority to start equipping them. However, there is much more work to be done. In fact, aside from individual tools, the force is still in need of a training range where cyberwarriors can do individual and collective training, as well as mission rehearsal, similar to rifle ranges or national training centers in the physical world. The Persistent Cyber Training Environment, being run by the Army for the joint force, will get after this; however, it is still in the prototype phase with a limited capability delivered to users. Additionally, the force needs a large-scale command-and-control platform that will house tools, provide commanders global situational awareness of forces and enable forces to plug into operations from remote locations. This is the goal of Unified Platform, which is also still in the prototype phase, though officials have said a limited product could be delivered as early as the spring. https://www.fifthdomain.com/dod/2019/01/30/for-dod-cyber-2019-is-the-year-of-doing

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - September 18, 2019

    September 19, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - September 18, 2019

    AIR FORCE Altamira Technologies Corp., McLean, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0700); Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0710); Deloitte Consulting LLP, Arlington, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0720); Fulcrum IT Services, Centreville, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0730); ManTech Advanced Systems International Inc., Herndon, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0740); MCR Federal LLC, McLean, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0750); Novetta Inc., McLean, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0760); and SAIC, Reston, Virginia (FA7146-19-D-0770), have been awarded a not-to-exceed $950,000,000 multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for analytical and technical services. This contract vehicle provides for analytical and technical services for the Secretary of the Air Force's Concepts, Development, and Management Office. Work will be performed as indicated in each order and is expected to be completed by September 2029. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 10 offers received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,000 are being obligated to each of the eight initial task orders. The Secretary of the Air Force's Concepts, Development, and Management Office, Fairfax, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Range Generation Next LLC, Sterling, Virginia, has been awarded a $122,345,824 fixed-price-incentive-firm target modification (P00262) for the previously awarded contract FA8806-15-C-0001 in support of operations, maintenance and sustainment on the Launch and Test Range System. The modification exercises the fifth option period effective Oct. 1, 2019. Work will be performed at the Western Range, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; and the Eastern Range, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity. Thales Air Traffic Management Inc., Clarksburg, Maryland, was awarded a $21,818,801 modification (P00012) to contract FA8730-18-C-0034 for the purchase of six additional deployable instrumental landing systems. Work will be performed in Clarksburg, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2022. This sole source award is the result of a priced option of the contract previously mentioned. Fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2019 other production funds in the amount of $21,818,801 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. L3Harris Technologies Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $12,880,167 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification (P01000) to a previously awarded contract F19628-02-C-0010 for fiscal 2020 Eglin sustainment support. This modification provides sustainment support for the Eglin AN/FPS (Army, Navy/Fixed Ground Detecting/Range and Bearing Search)-85 Radar. The Eglin AN/FPS-85 Radar is a computer-controlled, phased-array radar set operating as a functional entity in the Air Force Space Command Space Surveillance Network. The radar set concurrently performs the functions of detection, target recognition, acquisition and track of many space objects. Work will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2020. Total cumulative face value is $12,880,167. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds are being used and no funds are being obligated at time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity. M1 Support Services, Denton, Texas, has been awarded a $12,366,227 modification (A00038) to contract FA3002-15-C-0006 for Trainer Maintenance Services. This action is to exercise Option Period Five. Work will be performed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; and satellite site at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $76,725,152. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds will be used and no funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The 82d Contracting Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity. ARMY BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $148,271,911 modification (P00018) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0242 for M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System vehicles. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2022. Fiscal 2019 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles, Army funds in the amount of $148,271,911 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Knight Construction & Supply Inc.,* Deer Park, Washington, was awarded an $18,326,100 firm-fixed-price contract for Dalles 480 ton Intake Gantry Crane replacement. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Dalles, Oregon, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2023. Fiscal 2019 Bonneville Power Administration; and operations and maintenance, civil funds in the amount of $517,800 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, Oregon, is the contracting activity (W9127N-19-C-0024). Affolter Contracting Co. Inc.,* La Marque, Texas, was awarded a $9,089,400 firm-fixed-price contract for Peggy Lake Placement Area dewatering and dike raise. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 21, 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, civil funds in the amount of $9,089,400 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912HY-19-C-0017). NAVY J. Walter Thompson U.S.A. LLC, doing business as Wunderman Thompson, of Atlanta, Georgia, is being awarded a $79,169,854 firm-fixed-price, one year contract for full service advertising agency support to furnish supplies and services to enhance the Marine Corps' recruiting efforts. This contract includes four one-year option periods which, if exercised, could bring the cumulative value of this contract to $529,904,636. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed December 2020. If all options are exercised, work will continue through December 2024. This award is subject to the availability of funds. Fiscal 2020 operation and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $79,169,854 will be obligated when funding becomes available and will expire Sept. 30, 2020. This contract was competitively procured via solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three proposals received. The Marine Corps Installations Command Contracting Office, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M95494-19-C-0020). The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded a $30,880,590 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to establish organic depot and intermediate level maintenance repair capability of the Consolidated Automated Support System Operational Test Program Sets for Stores Management System components in support of the P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (80%); and Grand Rapids, Michigan (20%), and is expected to be completed in September 2024. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $30,880,590 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N68335-19-C-0543). Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $25,493,505 cost-plus-fixed fee contract for critical design review of the Tomahawk Weapons System Military Code, to include studies, analysis, design, development, integration and test of hardware and software solutions. In addition, this contract provides for identification of the kit bill of materials, fabrication, assembly, integration, test and documentation of an AGR5 kit. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (55.6%); and Tucson, Arizona (44.4%), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,558,963 will be obligated at time of award, $1,883,848 of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Forcepoint Federal LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded an estimated $13,462,622 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price and time and materials contract for the purchase of software and associated technical support services. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and at contractor facilities in northern Virginia. Work is expected to be completed by 2024. The contract includes a single five year ordering period. No funding is being placed on contract at time of award. Contract funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $414,895 will be obligated on the first delivery order. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured because it is a sole-source acquisition pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) – only one responsible source, and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements (Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 6.302-1(a)). The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N00039-19-D-0034). SCI Technology Inc., Huntsville, Alabama, is being awarded a $13,345,676 firm-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Tactical Operation Center Network (TOCNET) Generation 4 Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 kits and TOCNET G4 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) kits. These kits are in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command family of operations vehicles production sparing efforts for the GMV 1.1 and MRAP system variants. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, and is expected to be completed in September 2023. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (N68335-19-D-0151). Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems Inc.), Northridge, California, is being awarded a $10,640,798 modification (P00001) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price (N00019-19-C-0049) for the full rate production Lot 8 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). This modification provides for conversion of government-provided AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs) into 4 AGM-88E AARGM all up rounds (AURs) for the Navy; and 11 AGM-88E AARGM AURs for the government of Italy, to include related supplies and services necessary for their manufacture, sparing, and fleet deployment. Work will be performed in Northridge, California (80%); Ridgecrest, California (10%); and Sanguinetto, Italy (10%), and is expected to be completed in March 2022. Fiscal 2017 weapons procurement (Navy) funds; and cooperate partner funds in the amount of $10,640,798 will be obligated at time of award, $2,334,813 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchase for the Navy ($2,334,813; 22%); and the government of Italy ($8,305,985; 78%) under a cooperative agreement. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. MBF Architects PA,* New Bern, North Carolina, is being awarded a maximum amount $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering (A-E) contract for a multi-discipline A-E services for Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Cherry Point, North Carolina in Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for comprehensive A-E services required for planning, design and construction services in support of new construction, repair, replacement, demolition, alteration and/or improvement of military and other governmental facilities. Facility types may include, but are not limited to, personnel housing facilities (bachelor enlisted quarters and bachelor officers' quarters, hospitality); office facilities (medical, training, secure facilities); training facilities (operational, maintenance and classroom); industrial maintenance facilities (vehicle maintenance shops, shore intermediate maintenance activities, aircraft maintenance hangars, public works shops and warehouses); and related utilities (steam, natural gas, potable water industrial wastewater, sanitary sewer, storm water, compressed air, fire suppression and alarm systems, electrical distribution, control systems, lighting, energy management and communications). Projects may involve single or multiple disciplines, including, but not limited to, architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, landscape design, fire protection and interior design. Task order 0001 is being issued in the amount of $5,000 for the minimum guarantee. All work on this contract will be performed at MCAS, Cherry Point, North Carolina. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of September 2024. Supervision, inspection and overhead funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction, (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 15 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-19-D-9247). Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $9,179,045 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N00019-19-F-2789) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-12-G-0012) in support of the H-1 Upgrade helicopter. This order provides for five aircraft wiring and integration remote terminal/cockpit wiring and integration remote terminal/flight control computer/flight controller computer refreshed test stations. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in May 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,179,045 will be obligated at time of award, $7,631,175 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Weldin Construction LLC,* Palmer, Alaska , is being awarded an $8,374,300 firm-fixed-price task order N44255-19-F-4422 under a multiple award construction contract for a special project to install new oily wastewater treatment system and associated utilities at Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Washington. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Washington, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $8,374,300 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity (N44255-17-D-4008). Frawner Corp.,* Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded an $8,114,000 firm-fixed-price task order N62473-19-F-5330 at under a multiple award construction contract for repair of Zone one (3rd Street) high temperature hot water at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. This project is for the removal, replacement and new high temperature hot water piping, valves, insulation and incidental related work including, but not limited to, modifications and expansion of associated pipe. This project will provide for the installation of a new high temperature hot water supply and return lines in the existing underground utility corridor. Work will be performed in Twentynine Palms, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2021. Fiscal 2019 operation and maintenance, (Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $8,114,000 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, Facilities Engineering Acquisition Division, Twentynine Palms, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-19-D-1202). Meggitt Defense Systems Inc., Irvine, California, is being awarded an $8,089,578 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for nine liquid palletized system units in support of Lot 8 full rate production P-8A aircraft. Work will be performed in Irvine, California (78%); Sumner, Washington (8%); Niagara, New York (4%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (10%), and is expected to be completed in April 2024. Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,089,578 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-D-0039). WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, Maryland, has been awarded a $11,442,418 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is to support the government with development of prototypes, test plans, rapid fielding, operational experiments and changes in existing acquisition programs with a focus on identification and reduction of programmatic and technical risk provides for applied research. Work performance will take place primarily in Laurel, Maryland. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $607,000; fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,835,418; and fiscal 2019 procurement funds in the amount of $2,000,000 are being obligated on this award. The expected completion date is May 30, 2024. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HQ0034-19-D0006). *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1964752/source/GovDelivery/

  • Northrop to upgrade aircraft mission computers for US and Bahrain

    July 3, 2019 | International, Aerospace

    Northrop to upgrade aircraft mission computers for US and Bahrain

    Northrop Grumman has secured a contract to perform the technical upgrade of UH-1Y, AH-1Z and UH-60V mission computers for the US and Bahrain. The $104m indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) award will see Northrop Grumman deliver production, retrofit and spare units. Under the Foreign Military Sales Act, these units will be supplied for the US Marine Corps, the Defense Logistics Agency, and Bahrain's military. The company noted that by bringing together several mission computer customers, the contract will help deliver greater cost-efficiency while lowering the logistics footprint. The contract has the potential for placing task or delivery order awards up to the ceiling amount. Northrop Grumman is expected to complete the contract work in December 2023. Northrop Grumman land and avionics C4ISR vice-president James Conroy said: “Northrop Grumman's mission computer delivers mission-critical capability to the warfighter. The system provides improved situational understanding in the rapidly changing threat environment.” The mission computer manufactured by the firm can integrate advanced mission, weapons and video processing capabilities into a high-performance airborne computer. The computer's open architecture enables the centralised display and control of all integrated avionics system functions. These include aircraft performance and flight instruments, on-board sensor and survivability displays, in addition to improved situational awareness and health monitoring information. Furthermore, the mission computer is capable of providing improved capability, commonality, reliability and maintainability to the warfighter. Northrop Grumman will supply up to 503 technical refresh mission computers for the three helicopter models. In 2017, The US Marine Corps fielded the Northrop Grumman's Tech Refresh Mission Computer (TRMC) for the first time on the UH‑1Y and AH-1Z helicopters. Equipment was deployed under the H-1 Upgrade programme that involved replacing the UH-1N and AH-1W helicopters with revamped aircraft. https://www.naval-technology.com/news/northrop-to-upgrade-aircraft-mission-computers-for-us-and-bahrain/

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