Awarded by the US Defense Information Systems Agency, the agreement covers the continuance of operational and sustainment services for the Pentagon and the National Capital Region’s digital connectivity.

Work for the network, used by over 55,000 users, will be accompanied by the optimization of related IT environments to enhance the “speed, security, and reliability” of the infrastructure.

Associated tasks will be performed for a one-year base period and two six-month options.

“Enhancing the Pentagon’s network infrastructure will further advance technological superiority for our warfighters,” GDIT Defense Senior Vice President Brian Sheridan stated.

“We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with [Defense Information Systems Agency] and reimagining new ways to provide a modern, secure and reliable network.”

GDIT’s Latest DoD Projects

GDIT’s renewal contract followed the firm’s acquisition of a cyber firm based in Florida to improve its ongoing support for the US Special Operations Command and international allies.

In May 2024, the company received a $185-million award to provide digital security services for the US Air Force’s civil engineering division in Texas.

This followed another $922-million project two months earlier to apply a widescale update for the US Central Command’s IT infrastructure.

Alongside technical support, GDIT has also partnered with the Department of Defense to assist in training courses for over 200,000 combatants under the US Army’s III Armored Corps.

The post Pentagon Renews General Dynamics Network Infrastructure Support Contract appeared first on The Defense Post.

The accused is a 39-year-old engineer named Song Wu who works at AVIC, one of the world’s largest defense contractors based in Beijing.

Song’s alleged scheme was impersonating US-based researchers’ and engineers’ email accounts to obtain proprietary software with industrial and military uses, such as the development of advanced tactical missiles, aerodynamic design, and weapons assessment. 

The targets were select employees he believed had access to the source code or software from US agencies such as NASA, the US Air Force, Navy, Army, and the FAA.

Other victims included those working at major research universities in Georgia, Michigan, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio, and private aerospace industries.

Song Wu’s Charges

Song is charged with 14 counts of wire fraud and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft. He’s facing a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence in prison if convicted of aggravated identity theft.

“Efforts to obtain our nation’s valuable research software pose a grave threat to our national security,” US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated. “However, this indictment demonstrates that borders are not barriers to prosecuting bad actors who threaten our national security.”

According to Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta Keri Farley, the indictment demonstrates that “cyber criminals around the world who are seeking to steal our companies’ most sensitive and valuable information can and will be exposed and held accountable.”

“As this indictment shows, the FBI is committed to pursuing the arrest and prosecution of anyone who engages in illegal and deceptive practices to steal protected information,” she added.

The post US Indicts Chinese Aerospace Employee for Spear Phishing Attack appeared first on The Defense Post.

The investment is part of the government’s “Secure Enclave” strategy, which seeks a secure, reliable supply of microelectronic hardware for defense applications.

Funding for the initiative was sourced through Washington’s CHIPS and Science Act, bipartisan legislation signed in 2022 to improve production, supply chains, corresponding research and development, and the workforce associated with the semiconductors used for national security purposes.

“Intel is proud of our ongoing collaboration with the US Department of Defense to help strengthen America’s defense and national security systems,” Intel Federal General Manager and President Chris George stated.

“Today’s announcement highlights our joint commitment with the US government to fortify the domestic semiconductor supply chain and to ensure the United States maintains its leadership in advanced manufacturing, microelectronics systems, and process technology.”

Intel’s award follows another $8.5-billion CHIPS and Science Act award received by the company in March 2024 to develop critical semiconductor infrastructure at multiple US locations.

The project sites will be built in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon and will incorporate manufacturing and experimentation facilities.

“With this agreement, we are helping to incentivize over $100 billion in investments from Intel – marking one of the largest investments ever in US semiconductor manufacturing, which will create over 30,000 good-paying jobs and ignite the next generation of innovation,” US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said during the previous award.

“This announcement is the culmination of years of work by President Biden and bipartisan efforts in Congress to ensure that the leading-edge chips we need to secure our economic and national security are made in the US.”

The post Intel Bags $3B for Military-Grade Microchip Production in US appeared first on The Defense Post.

Founded in 2017, Iron EagleX offers solutions in cyber, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and cloud services.

The firm is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and employs “hundreds” of personnel at 18 locations, all to join GDIT’s 28,000 existing workforce.

“This acquisition demonstrates GDIT’s continued commitment to accelerate innovation for our customers,” GDIT President Amy Gilliland stated.

“Iron EagleX joining GDIT will provide our Special Operations Forces and Intelligence customers with broader capabilities, skills, and expertise from both businesses while offering employees greater opportunities for growth and mobility.”

Aiming for ‘Generational Impact’

GDIT highlighted that the integration of Iron EagleX expands its portfolio and capability to manage defense and intelligence missions in all warfighting domains.

It aligns with General Dynamics’ strategy launched in 2023 to invest in primary accelerator solutions, research and development laboratories, as well as collaborations with leading information technology enterprises to modernize its services for its military, logistics, healthcare, supply chain, and education customers.

“The combination of Iron EagleX and GDIT represents a new chapter in our company’s stated goal of having a ‘generational impact on national security,” Iron EagleX CEO Michael Grochol. 

“Our team has always focused on delivering positive disruptive change in national security, and as part of GDIT, Iron EagleX will gain access to a tremendous amount of new customers and opportunities to expand on that mission and help make our nation a safer place.”

Recent US Defense Projects

GDIT accepted a $185-million contract in May 2024 to deliver cybersecurity services for the US Air Force’s civil engineering arm base in Texas.

Two months earlier, the company secured a $922-million deal to conduct a major information technology infrastructure upgrade for the US Central Command.

In February, the US Army ordered services from GDIT to aid mission training centers in preparing more than 200,000 personnel under the III Armored Corps.

GDIT signed another contract worth almost $1 billion to provide network services for the US Air Force in Europe and Africa.

The post General Dynamics Adds Florida Segment to Enhance US Special Ops Services appeared first on The Defense Post.

In a major restructuring move, several key JMSDF units — including the Fleet Intelligence Command, Oceanography ASW Support Command, Guard Post, and Communications Command — will be merged into a single, unified entity focused on information warfare.

The new Fleet Information Warfare Command will then comprise two groups, Operational Intelligence and Cyber Defense. 

It will carry out a broad range of information warfare (IW) duties, such as enemy movement analysis, submarine sound signature analysis, cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and C4ISR. 

This reorganization will enable Japan’s Navy “to strengthen response capabilities to information warfare, including in the cognitive domain, and to establish a system capable of rapid decision-making,” according to the country’s Ministry of Defense.  

Former JMSDF intelligence officer Kenji Yoshinaga revealed to Naval News that this new command was modeled after the US Fleet Cyber Command/US 10th Fleet.

Preparations have been underway since the JMSDF conducted the first-ever joint Japan-US IW training in 2021. The plan for the command’s establishment was stated in the approved Defense Buildup Program in December 2022.

In an additional reorganization, the JMSDF’s Fleet Escort Force and the Mine Warfare Force will be replaced by a new “Fleet Surface Force” by March 2026. 

Strategic Partnerships

Last April 2024, the JMSDF, US Pacific Fleet, and Royal Australian Navy signed the Trilateral Maritime Information Warfare Memorandum.

The agreement was intended to strengthen cooperation on “non-kinetic information operations related to intelligence, communications, meteorology/oceanography, electromagnetic, cyber and space domains, in addition to kinetic operations of the three fleets, for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific.’”

Since then, the three countries have joined forces for their first information warfare event, Exercise Blue Spectrum, held in Sydney in July 2024. 

External Threats

In the 2024 Defense of Japan white paper, territorial disputes with China, North Korea’s missile tests infringing on Japanese territory, and China-Russia joint activities involving operating aircraft and vessels around Japan were identified among the country’s security threats.

Japan’s largest-ever reorganization of its maritime self-defense force and enhanced strategic partnerships are responses to the current security landscape. 

The post Japan Restructures to Create ‘Fleet Information Warfare’ Command appeared first on The Defense Post.

BFT incorporates digital navigation systems informing allied forces and commanders on location data of “friendlies” on the battlefield.

The company will leverage engineering, operation, and technical expertise to support the capability’s connectivity and readiness.

Additional tasks include maintenance and configuration of related hardware and software suites. Upgrades, development, and modifications will also be facilitated to support future BFT network modernization objectives.

Viasat’s contract includes a base period with an additional four-year option.

“Viasat is honored to continue its history of providing support for the global L-Band BFT network and systems, and the continued modernization of how critical situational awareness is made available across the tactical edge at scale,” Viasat Government Mission Connections and Cybersecurity VP David Schmolke stated.

“Our team will deliver the engineering and networking services, and technology innovation required to continue evolving the BFT network operations and capability.”

“We have a deep understanding of the BFT mission and the information warfighters need to make real-time decisions that support operations and save lives.”

Satellite Communication System for Army

Viasat first engaged with the US Army’s BFT effort in 2010, in which it received a $477-million award to supply “next-generation” satellite equipment with high speed and low latency features.

The resulting solutions were applied to the service’s Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below Program, which distributes BFT communication and navigational systems between troops, vehicles, aircraft, and command and control facilities.

The post Viasat to Supply Blue Force Tracker Networking Services for US Army appeared first on The Defense Post.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered the launch of the segment, according to Jakarta’s news agency Antara, with National Armed Forces Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto confirming this in a recent meeting with the House of Representatives.

The branch will add to an existing cyber unit that is already “highly dependent on the capability of human resources.”

“I have been ordered by the president, following his speech at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), to create the cyber military force,” Subiyanto stated.

The framework for a new cybersecurity body will involve the integration of centers in each military branch and all primary armed forces headquarters.

Recruits for the program will include civilians, with the majority to be sourced from high school and university graduates, according to the general.

Strategy on Track

Jakarta’s initiative follows evaluations by government officials and cybersecurity experts to form a fourth military branch specializing in the digital domain.

The effort is expected to adapt Indonesia’s defense assets to the evolving “cyber war” and further protect the country’s economy.

In July 2024, discussions intensified after the nation encountered its largest cyber attack, which affected major airports, immigration operations, and about 230 public agencies.

Cooperation With US

Before this recent announcement, Indonesia signed a bilateral defense agreement with the US Department of Defense to heighten the Southeast Asian country’s cyber competitiveness.

The partnership allows for continuous proficiency programs related to cyberspace, with additional applications to be explored for future tools and objectives.

“Cyber is one of those areas where you don’t have to be an enormous country with a significant inventory of armament,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin commented on the teaming agreement.

“You can bring capability to the table in the cyber domain even if you’re a smaller country with limited capability.”

The post Indonesia to Form Cyber Military Branch appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal stipulates the production of the Quebec-based company’s video distribution and combat visualization systems to enable “mission-critical display” for the service’s Surface Combatant Fleet.

The package incorporates transcoding, storage, and distribution assets, enabling coordination between the navy’s Combat Information Centers and multiple warships.

Alongside the naval combat systems, Haivision’s capabilities will support the US Coast Guard’s next-generation cutters.

Work for the contract will be conducted over five years by the company’s MCS subsidiary in Atlanta, Georgia.

“We are honored to continue our partnership with the US Navy and to be entrusted with this crucial responsibility,” Haivision MCS Strategic Programs VP Robert Kaufman said.

“This award is a testament to the excellence of our technology and our dedicated team. We are committed to delivering high-quality systems that will support the Navy’s mission and enhance the operational effectiveness of its Surface Combatant Fleet.”

Extending US Navy Support

Haivision’s award builds on its existing engagement with the US Navy’s Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) program, which promotes the use of a Common Computing Environment to sustain on-board network connectivity across active surface vessels.

CANES is currently leveraging the firm’s real-time video recording, encoding, transcoding, and playback technology for associated ship-wide video distribution.

In 2021, the Canadian company expanded its ongoing support for the US Department of Defense by acquiring video solutions developer CineMassive, allowing the launch of its new Mission-Critical Systems segment.

The post Quebec Company to Supply Video Processing Suites for US Navy appeared first on The Defense Post.

The project will primarily focus on data protection, asset and network security, and identity and access management for CISA’s Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program.

Additional work involves support for covered civilian agencies to modernize to the “zero trust” framework “in a coordinated, accelerated way.”

Work for the three-year agreement has a base value of $421 million.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to continue our longstanding partnership with CDM, which aligns squarely with our VoLT (Velocity, Leadership, Technology) business strategy to innovate at the speed of need,” Booz Allen Hamilton Vice President and CDM Lead Erica Banks stated.

“We look forward to helping the nation’s agencies improve their own cybersecurity postures and help them perform critical data-enabled missions in service of millions of Americans every day.”

Supporting ‘Key Mechanism’

CISA’s CDM Program assists US Homeland Security to monitor the cybersecurity posture of federal government agencies.

The initiative supervises the acquisition, tests, distribution, and upgrades of “risk-based, consistent, and cost-effective” digital protection capabilities across all organizational tiers.

For the contract, CISA and the Virginia-based intelligence company’s teaming will encompass 13 agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, NASA, and the IRS.

“The threat environment is constantly evolving and growing more complex as the nation pivots to strategic competition,” Booz Allen Hamilton SVP and National Cyber Defense Lead Kelly Rozumalski explained.

“Federal agencies must be able to respond quickly to emerging threats in a matter of minutes or seconds, not months or weeks, to mitigate risks to US critical infrastructure and civilians.”

“The CDM program is a key mechanism the federal government has to provide visibility across the federal civilian space, and we are proud to support this program to build resilience into the nation’s critical infrastructure.”

The post Booz Allen Hamilton Secures $1.2B Award Ceiling for CISA Cyber Ops Services appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal covers the continuous supply of Halo, the firm’s proprietary BYOD solution emulating a virtual workspace on servicemen’s devices.

Halo enables access to the US Department of Defense’s cloud-based enterprise operating system “DoD 365” and allows the signing of digital documents.

The mobile software’s zero-trust architecture enhances remote connectivity and privacy without the use of a common access card, preventing risk to critical information.

Alongside the provision of Halo, the firm will assist the army in transitioning its data applications into the Pentagon’s Impact Level 5 information technology (IT) infrastructure to further boost cyber protection, resiliency, and compliance.

Work for the project will cover active duty, reserve, and national guard members.

“The US Army is committed to leveraging and authorizing secure Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to reduce Army cloud spending on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) deployment models and administrative overhead, so applying this to our BYOD solutions is a logical step toward transforming and modernizing our operations,” US Army Chief Information Officer Leonel Garciga stated.

Approved for Army Enterprise

Hypori’s latest BYOD agreement followed Halo’s approval as an enterprise capability for US Army use in 2023. The company supports approximately 50,000 army users.

“This contract underscores our commitment to delivering superior IT solutions for the Army and supporting our nation’s defenders,” Hypori CEO and President Jared Shepard said.

“As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, government networks and data must be protected without compromising user privacy. We’re proud to be the mobile BYOD solution provider that meets these critical needs.” 

Halo for Air Force

Hypori accepted a separate $4.1-million award in August 2024 for similar support of the US Air Force.

It stipulated the distribution of 10,000 licenses of the Halo software across the service, with enlistment to begin in the fall.

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