DIU picks 7 companies to support Replicator autonomy, C2 efforts

DIU picks 7 companies to support Replicator autonomy, C2 efforts
DIU picks 7 companies to support Replicator autonomy, C2 efforts

“We are seeing the strength of the joint teams that assemble to collaborate on the challenges of deploying autonomous systems including policy, software architecture, experimentation, and more,” said Pentagon AI chief Radha Plumb. 

White House advisory group blasts US government, DoD inattention to GPS woes

White House advisory group blasts US government, DoD inattention to GPS woes
White House advisory group blasts US government, DoD inattention to GPS woes

The President’s National Space-based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board recommends that the Biden administration create a new “locus of authority and accountability for PNT decision-making beyond DoD GPS program management.”

Pentagon No. 2 Hicks defends her Replicator drone initiative after Hill scrutiny

Pentagon No. 2 Hicks defends her Replicator drone initiative after Hill scrutiny
Pentagon No. 2 Hicks defends her Replicator drone initiative after Hill scrutiny

Congress needs to stop grilling Pentagon officials about the Pentagon’s plan to bulk-buy cheap unmanned weapons and start actually helping, the Deputy Secretary of Defense said: “We’ve done nearly 40 Hill briefings since last October, averaging almost one a week. …That depth of engagement isn’t scalable for Congress.”

NATO rolls out new defense industrial pledge for 75th anniversary

NATO rolls out new defense industrial pledge for 75th anniversary
NATO rolls out new defense industrial pledge for 75th anniversary

During a Tuesday event, several chief executives from US and European weapons companies pointed to interoperability as a key consideration as defense firms ramp up munitions production and nail down new coproduction agreements.

First Replicator systems delivered to users, Hicks says

First Replicator systems delivered to users, Hicks says
First Replicator systems delivered to users, Hicks says

“The delivery of Replicator systems to the warfighter began earlier this month. This shows that warfighter-centric innovation is not only possible; it’s producing real results,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said in a statement.

First version of all-service battle network is ‘real and ready now’: Hicks

First version of all-service battle network is ‘real and ready now’: Hicks
First version of all-service battle network is ‘real and ready now’: Hicks

“The Minimum Viable Capability for CJADC2 [Combined Joint All Domain Command & Control] is real and ready now,” said Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks. “It’s low latency and extremely reliable.” But budget gridlock blocks deployment.

DoD selects first Replicator systems, eyeing software focus for second iteration

DoD selects first Replicator systems, eyeing software focus for second iteration
DoD selects first Replicator systems, eyeing software focus for second iteration

Which specific systems have been selected haven’t been publicly announced, a “very deliberate” strategy from the Pentagon, Navy Capt. Alex Campbell, director of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) maritime portfolio, said today.

Pentagon to pick first Replicator drone tranche by mid-December, though secrecy abound

Pentagon to pick first Replicator drone tranche by mid-December, though secrecy abound
Pentagon to pick first Replicator drone tranche by mid-December, though secrecy abound

“I’ve talked to Congress in classified sessions on this, but how we choose to speak about it, in terms of the particular programs or projects that will be accelerating through Replicator is to be determined,” said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

DoD releases new AI adoption strategy building on industry advancements

DoD releases new AI adoption strategy building on industry advancements
DoD releases new AI adoption strategy building on industry advancements

“Meanwhile, as commercial tech companies and others continue to push forward the frontiers of AI, we’re making sure we stay at the cutting edge with foresight, responsibility and a deep understanding of the broader implications for our nation,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said.

Lawmakers, experts raise concerns over Pentagon’s ambitious Replicator drone initiative

Lawmakers, experts raise concerns over Pentagon’s ambitious Replicator drone initiative
Lawmakers, experts raise concerns over Pentagon’s ambitious Replicator drone initiative

As it currently stands, Replicator “is kind of aiming at the wrong problem,” Bryan Clark, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute said.

‘On the table’: Hicks says DoD, IC considering indemnifying commercial space providers

‘On the table’: Hicks says DoD, IC considering indemnifying commercial space providers
‘On the table’: Hicks says DoD, IC considering indemnifying commercial space providers

“[T]he IC Commercial Space Council is discussing commercial protection right now. We had a meeting on Tuesday, and it came up,” said NGA’s David Gauthier, who chairs the council.

Senate advances CHIPS-plus bill, with $2 billion designated for military microelectronics

Senate advances CHIPS-plus bill, with $2 billion designated for military microelectronics
Senate advances CHIPS-plus bill, with $2 billion designated for military microelectronics

Kea Matory, director of legislative policy at NDIA, told Breaking Defense the bill is a “positive first step” but won’t solve America’s semiconductor chip woes in the face of growing competition from China.

Pentagon’s long-awaited ‘Responsible AI’ pathway highlights flexibility, ‘trust’

Pentagon’s long-awaited ‘Responsible AI’ pathway highlights flexibility, ‘trust’
Pentagon’s long-awaited ‘Responsible AI’ pathway highlights flexibility, ‘trust’

One key element is ensuring a transformation from “viewing AI as an enigmatic and incomprehensible technology to understanding the capabilities and limitations of this widely adopted and accepted technology.”

DoD info, AI chiefs see potential ‘diversity pipeline for Silicon Valley’

DoD info, AI chiefs see potential ‘diversity pipeline for Silicon Valley’
DoD info, AI chiefs see potential ‘diversity pipeline for Silicon Valley’

“So when they come to government, we have to give them the right skills, we have to give them the right experience so that when they’re done Silicon Valley or industry in general is willing to grab them, right?” CDAO Craig Martell said.