Pentagon CTO eyes increased experiments with Australia in rapid tech push

Pentagon CTO eyes increased experiments with Australia in rapid tech push
Pentagon CTO eyes increased experiments with Australia in rapid tech push

Although slim on details, Heidi Shyu told reporters today that DoD will conduct a Technology Readiness Experimentation event sometime this year with its Australian counterparts and will conduct a new sprint of RDER with them next year.

Pentagon seeks to jumpstart ‘nascent’ biomanufacturing industry with new strategy

Pentagon seeks to jumpstart ‘nascent’ biomanufacturing industry with new strategy
Pentagon seeks to jumpstart ‘nascent’ biomanufacturing industry with new strategy

DoD’s new Biomanufacturing Strategy and an accompanying RFI from industry both aim to help companies using biological processes to make potentially revolutionary materials — and to keep them from moving offshore like semiconductors.

Pentagon to pour $1.2 billion into ‘critical’ biomanufacturing industry

Pentagon to pour $1.2 billion into ‘critical’ biomanufacturing industry
Pentagon to pour $1.2 billion into ‘critical’ biomanufacturing industry

A month after a think tank said US was losing race to China, DoD hopes the tech will help fix a number of problems, including avoiding supply chain woes.

US at ‘relative disadvantage’ in biotech compared to China, report finds

US at ‘relative disadvantage’ in biotech compared to China, report finds
US at ‘relative disadvantage’ in biotech compared to China, report finds

“A successful U.S. biotechnology strategy will not be about biotechnology on its own; it will connect growth in the biotech industry to broader U.S. strategic objectives […],” according to a new CNAS report.

SOCOM To Test Anti-Aging Pill Next Year

SOCOM To Test Anti-Aging Pill Next Year
SOCOM To Test Anti-Aging Pill Next Year

“These efforts are not about creating physical traits that don’t already exist naturally. This is about enhancing the mission readiness of our forces by improving performance characteristics that typically decline with age,” Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, SOCOM spokesperson, said.

HASC Emerging Threats Bolsters JAIC: NDAA 2021 Markup

HASC Emerging Threats Bolsters JAIC: NDAA 2021 Markup
HASC Emerging Threats Bolsters JAIC: NDAA 2021 Markup

“Our ability to apply AI and other emerging technologies faster than our adversaries will allow us to maintain our competitive edge over Russia and China,” Rep. Elise Stefanik, ranking of the HASC emerging threats subcommittee, said.

Roper Eyes Biotech, New Materials Funding; NGAD Gets PEO

Roper Eyes Biotech, New Materials Funding; NGAD Gets PEO
Roper Eyes Biotech, New Materials Funding; NGAD Gets PEO

The Air Force is creating a new PEO for “Fighters and Advanced Aircraft” this summer, combining NGAD with the Digital Century Series program, says acquisition czar Will Roper.

COVID-19: Biotech Innovators Pitch Army Rapid Test Kits & More

COVID-19: Biotech Innovators Pitch Army Rapid Test Kits & More
COVID-19: Biotech Innovators Pitch Army Rapid Test Kits & More

The Army launched its Shark Tank-style xTechSearch before coronavirus hit, but several of the small firms competing for $1.2 million in prizes are working on ways to help.

DoD Stands Up New Biotech Manufacturing Center: Griffin

DoD Stands Up New Biotech Manufacturing Center: Griffin
DoD Stands Up New Biotech Manufacturing Center: Griffin

This “key new initiative,” Griffin stressed, could lead to DoD being able to such breakthroughs as creating its own fuel.

DoD On Biotech: Build Sound Defenses First

DoD On Biotech: Build Sound Defenses First
DoD On Biotech: Build Sound Defenses First

Instead of augmenting super-soldiers, DARPA wants to boost troops’ natural defenses against engineered diseases — and even undo gene-editing altogether.

Biotech: Can Microscopic Sentries Protect US Troops?

Biotech: Can Microscopic Sentries Protect US Troops?
Biotech: Can Microscopic Sentries Protect US Troops?

From repelling bugs to protecting divers in dangerous waters, scientists are pushing the boundaries of biotech.

GAO Decision Threatens US Military Dominance; Reject It

GAO Decision Threatens US Military Dominance; Reject It
GAO Decision Threatens US Military Dominance; Reject It

Bill Greenwalt is sort of the Pied Piper of military acquisition policy. Where he leads, others often follow. After he wrote a series of op-eds for Breaking Defense recommending major changes to the Pentagon’s acquisition system, Sen. John McCain lured Bill back to his old job at the Senate Armed Services Committee. Greenwalt rewrote the laws, shaking up Defense Department acquisition. Bill is back, pointing to new acquisition problems, this latest one with his former employer — the Government Accountability Office. It’s a doozy, as you’ll see.

Mattis’ Defense Strategy Raises China To Top Threat; Allies Feature Prominently

Mattis’ Defense Strategy Raises China To Top Threat; Allies Feature Prominently
Mattis’ Defense Strategy Raises China To Top Threat; Allies Feature Prominently

UPDATED: Adds Text Of SecDef Mattis’ Speech At SAIS WASHINGTON: The Trump Administration’s first National Defense Strategy is a vigorously and well written document that marks a major shift from the policies of the Obama and Bush Administrations, calling China and Russia the “central challenge” to the United States. The strategy, a late draft of…

DIU(X) Funds Brain-Hacking Headset; Boston Branch Opens

DIU(X) Funds Brain-Hacking Headset; Boston Branch Opens
DIU(X) Funds Brain-Hacking Headset; Boston Branch Opens

UPDATED: Carter Touts Import Of Biotech CAMBRIDGE, MASS.: Special operations troops will test a high-tech headset that “uses noninvasive electrical stimulation” to help the brain learn better marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat skills, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said here today. This cutting edge example of “enhanced human operations” — a highly controversial field — is just…