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.

Since its unveiling in December 2022, the company reports that the stealth bomber now undergoes up to two test flights per week, demonstrating its commitment to making the warplane operational as soon as possible.

Northrop also currently possesses three Raiders in various configurations, of which two are for ground testing and one for flight trials.

Recently, the B-21 assigned for ground testing completed a static test, verifying its structural design.

The one designated for flight trials also conducted fatigue testing that simulated real, long-term flight conditions.

“We’re really starting to strike up quite a cadence,” Northrop President of Aeronautics Systems Tom Jones said. “I think we’re well on the way to delivering a kind of asset that can be that daily flier for US warfighters out there.”

From flight test to production, our continued progress on the B-21 Raider is backed by its digital ecosystem and high-fidelity models. Learn more: https://t.co/zDE7sBzYRt pic.twitter.com/6jvICwNeBQ

— Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) September 18, 2024

Preparing for Tomorrow

The B-21 is the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft, featuring a significant leap in capability beyond fifth-generation fighter jets such as the F-35 and China’s J-31.

It is designed to defeat the most sophisticated threats in modern warfare.

The plane incorporates stealth technology to minimize its signature, making it harder for adversaries to detect and counter.

It is also capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.

The US Air Force said it plans to procure at least 100 B-21s to replace its older B-1 and B-2 bombers.

“The progress we’ve made on B-21 in the last 12 months is remarkable,” Jones stated, adding that this development “gives us additional confidence as we look ahead to delivering on B-21.”

The post Northrop Stepping Up B-21 Stealth Bomber Testing, Production appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under the partnership, Anduril will integrate its Lattice open software platform into the revolutionary goggles to enable operators to see threats faster across the battlespace.

The software utilizes sensor fusion, computer vision, edge computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect, track, and classify every object of interest in the operator’s surroundings.

Once activated, Lattice is expected to augment IVAS’ capabilities, enhancing soldier survivability in complex and contested environments.

“It’s one of the Army’s most critical programs being fielded in the near future,” Anduril founder Palmer Luckey said, referring to the IVAS. He added that the goal of the partnership is to ensure the device “gets the right data to the right people at the right time.”

‘Bringing a Full Picture’

According to Anduril, Lattice works by fusing multiple sensors, data, and assets into a single, AI-enabled software interface to automatically detect and monitor threats.

It employs advanced data processing techniques to filter high-value information, enabling operators to react to the most immediate threats first.

The software can also be used to further investigate threats by coordinating with other available platforms, such as drones and aircraft.

The company noted that its Lattice platform is also suited for monitoring land and maritime borders, as it can alert human operators to objects of interest through their desktop or mobile phones.

“IVAS brings a full picture of the battlefield to every soldier, enabling safer and more effective operations,” Microsoft VP of Mixed Reality Robin Seiler stated.

“Our collaboration with Anduril to integrate their suite of critical sensors … demonstrates the transformative capability of this fighting goggle and will allow us to further expand the impact IVAS will have for every US soldier.”

Struggling Program

Launched in 2018, the IVAS program aims to produce augmented reality goggles that are said to revolutionize how soldiers train and operate on the battlefield.

However, the initiative has faced challenges, with soldiers reporting disorientation, dizziness, eyestrain, and headaches after trying the equipment.

User feedback also revealed that fewer targets were hit when they used the early versions of the device.

The US Congress has already withheld nearly $350 million in funding for the goggles, with a Pentagon official claiming that the US Army might just waste billions of dollars on the program.

US Army Futures Command head Gen. James Rainey also stated that the upcoming operational tests of the IVAS goggles may determine the fate of the troubled initiative.

The post Anduril to Revive US Army’s Troubled IVAS Program, Partners With Microsoft 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.

Named the Stationary and Mobile UAS Reveal and Intercept, the system combines beyond-visual-line-of-sight communication with advanced command-and-control capabilities to effectively detect, track, and counter drone swarms.

It integrates cutting-edge components, such as radars, radio frequency defeat capabilities, and AI-driven detectors for enhanced threat monitoring.

The weapon can be mounted on vehicles or deployed in fixed positions to protect high-value assets.

According to Honeywell electronic warfare director Norm Balchunas, the system can detect and neutralize drones while traveling at speeds reaching 70 miles (112 kilometers) per hour.

That capability is significant, he noted, because detecting a low, slow drone that suddenly accelerates poses a considerable challenge.

‘Multi-Layered Defensive Capabilities’

Unlike other counter-UAS solutions, the Stationary and Mobile UAS Reveal and Intercept system features multi-layered defensive capabilities to address multiple threats simultaneously.

It can disable drones by launching a kinetic interceptor, utilizing a directed energy weapon, or employing a soft kill method to disrupt their radio frequency.

AI also plays a crucial role in the system, enabling rapid threat detection in crowded environments and accelerating human operators’ decision-making.

“[The operators] got to make a decision. What target path is that? What effector should I use? Is this authorized within my rules of engagement?” Balchunas said. “Using AI, I can implement my rules of engagement so they’re automated.”

Honeywell is set to demonstrate the ground-breaking system to the US Air Force in January 2025.

The post Honeywell Unveils AI-Enabled System for Countering Drone Swarms appeared first on The Defense Post.

Called the Barracuda-M, the low-cost munition is designed to provide warfighters with an adaptable and upgradable capability to address both current and emerging threats.

It is equipped with a guidance system to accurately neutralize static or moving targets through body-to-body contact, supporting direct, stand-in, or stand-off strike missions.

It can be launched from a variety of ground, air, and land platforms, including the latest fighter jets, helicopters, surface vessels, and drones.

The weapon also features a range of common subsystems to ensure it can be rapidly optimized to meet evolving needs.

Variants

The Barracuda-M comes in three variants: Barracuda-100, Barracuda-250, and Barracuda-500 — each offering unique capabilities.

The Barracuda-100 is the smallest and shortest-ranged version, with a maximum payload capacity of 35 pounds (15.8 kilograms) and an operational range of up to 85 nautical miles (157 kilometers) when launched from the air.

The Barracuda-250 offers the same payload capacity, but has a greater strike range of 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers).

Anduril said this version is well-suited for combat jets and bomber aircraft, as well as for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.

The Barracuda-500, meanwhile, boasts a superior payload capacity of 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and a range not exceeding 500 miles (800 kilometers).

Supports Hyper-Scale Production

According to the manufacturer, the Barracuda-M is the “most producible cruise missile” on the market, as a single munition takes 50 percent less time to produce.

It also requires 50 percent fewer parts, enabling affordable, large-scale production.

“Barracuda is purpose-built to bring mass to the fight,” Anduril stated. “Barracuda production rates are designed to keep pace with the threat and can be doubled on-call to meet short-term surges in demand.”

The post Anduril Introduces Barracuda-M Family of Low-Cost Cruise Missiles appeared first on The Defense Post.

Named DOT-Chain, the digital system simplifies the entire logistics process, reducing delivery time from the usual two months to just 15 days.

It enables military units to digitize requests, sales invoices, and other essential logistical procedures.

“Our task was to change the old system so that non-lethal support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine would be more effective,” State Logistics Operator adviser Alona Zhuzha said.

Currently, the DOT-Chain handles only food and clothing supplies. Zhuzha noted that the team plans to enhance the system to include additional categories of goods.

‘A Few Clicks in the System’

The traditional process of supplying non-lethal materials to the frontline involves manually processing hundreds of documents for approval.

However, with the DOT-Chain, bureaucratic paperwork will be significantly reduced, as the process can now be completed with just “a few clicks” in the system.

Expenditure invoices will also be instantly accessible in the system, enabling the military to make payments and initiate shipping right away.

Additionally, DOT-Chain will automatically display necessary supply data, including the number of requests and the quantities of goods accepted or rejected by military units.

“Digitizing procurement processes in defense is a strategic step toward improving the efficiency of supplying everything needed by the Armed Forces,” Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. “Creating an effective supply management system for the army has been a priority for our team.”

Focusing on Logistics

In addition to deterrence, the Ukrainian military is placing significant emphasis on effectively supplying its troops with materials necessary to survive the war.

In 2022, Rheinmetall sent 26 logistics trucks for transporting weapons and equipment through mine-laden routes. However, the vehicles are too large for covert operations, prompting Ukraine to explore robotic platforms for cargo and medical transport.

The Ukrainian military has also deployed cargo drones donated by the UK, capable of delivering up to 180 kilograms (397 pounds) of equipment to frontline troops.

The post Ukraine Launches New System That Expedites Military Supplies Fourfold 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.

Under the agreement, the company will leverage machine learning technology to produce simulation models of existing electronic warfare solutions, sensors, and weapons in “dynamic” and operational environments.

The approach will cover related physics of aerial maneuvers and systems to finalize processes for rapid design, testing, and delivery of future software products for the program.

BAE’s autonomy segment FAST Labs will lead works for the contract in Arlington, Virginia, and Burlington, Massachusetts.

“Generating reliable, consistent air combat performance requires a vast amount of data and rapid, robust testing cycles,” FAST Labs Principal Investigator Michael Planer explained.

“Using machine learning, we will train the models used to make dynamic decisions – ensuring that the Artificial Intelligence pilot is tested and trusted by human pilots.”

Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements Program

The latest deal will be facilitated as part of DARPA’s Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) Phase 1 initiative.

The effort will address and enhance the US military’s autonomy requirements to match the “fast-paced and uncertain environment” inherent to modern aerial combat.

Resulting AIR solutions will be demonstrated on F-16 Fighting Falcon testbeds and applied for beyond-visual range tactical missions on unmanned aerial systems.

Partnership With Lockheed Martin

In July 2024, DARPA awarded Lockheed Martin $4.6 million to develop AIR tools for 18 months.

Similar to BAE, the firm will apply machine learning techniques to create proxy models of aircraft sensors and electronic warfare capabilities for testing in virtual environments.

Lockheed will also provide its proprietary ARISE family of integrated toolkits to engineer “digital twins” of planned program components.

The post BAE Systems to Support DARPA AI Airborne Combat Program appeared first on The Defense Post.

A helmet-mounted device, the AN/PVS-14 allows soldiers to move rapidly at night without the need for multiple specialized equipment.

It incorporates high-magnification lenses and an infrared illuminator for capturing clear images in low-light conditions.

It can also spot targets at an effective range of 150 meters (492 feet).

While the exact number of devices was not disclosed, the announcement said the tech will be assembled at its facility in Roanoke, Virginia.

Work for the deal is also expected to be completed by March 2026.

Enhancing Night Vision Capabilities

Earlier this year, Elbit Systems secured a $12-million contract to supply the army with an undisclosed number of its AN/PVS-14 devices.

In April, L3Harris signed a $256-million deal with the US Army for its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular.

The tech incorporates white phosphor and thermal technologies for precision targeting and identification.

The army also tapped Elbit Systems in 2021 to produce AN/PVS-14s under a $54-million contract.

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