Small victories: Army Applications Lab issues first progress report

Small victories: Army Applications Lab issues first progress report
Small victories: Army Applications Lab issues first progress report

45 percent of AAL’s completed projects have “transitioned” into regular DoD programs, but AAL admits others “end up in the valley of death due to factors external to the project, even if the project meets all milestones and the technology solves the military problem.”

Congress saves SBIR program at the last minute, with strings attached

Congress saves SBIR program at the last minute, with strings attached
Congress saves SBIR program at the last minute, with strings attached

After lawmakers raised concerns about potential abuse, there was a “Herculean” effort to rewrite the legislation.

Lawmakers propose changes to SBIR as program renewal deadline nears

Lawmakers propose changes to SBIR as program renewal deadline nears
Lawmakers propose changes to SBIR as program renewal deadline nears

However the tech-focused small business program proceeds, some lawmakers are calling for change in how SBIR operates, according to documents obtained by Breaking Defense.

Startup SCOUT piques Space Force interest with space data software

Startup SCOUT piques Space Force interest with space data software
Startup SCOUT piques Space Force interest with space data software

Sergio Gallucci, SCOUT co-founder and chief technology officer, told Breaking Defense that its new AFWERX contract is focused on demonstrating its software for integrating and streamlining unclassified data from multiple satellites.

After hearing Silicon Valley complaints, Hicks says no ‘magical’ fix to acquisition

After hearing Silicon Valley complaints, Hicks says no ‘magical’ fix to acquisition
After hearing Silicon Valley complaints, Hicks says no ‘magical’ fix to acquisition

“My view isn’t like, I’m going to magically unlock special secret approaches that haven’t been touched before,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kath Hicks said Wednesday. “I think it’s more about how you start to shift the incentives”

Air Force To Fund, Test Unmanned Hypersonic Plane

Air Force To Fund, Test Unmanned Hypersonic Plane
Air Force To Fund, Test Unmanned Hypersonic Plane

“There are so many building block technologies that need to happen first. So, it’s a bit silly, but the appeal of the theoretical end result is undeniable,” says Teal Group’s Richard Aboulafia.

Could ‘Weather Intelligence’ Take The Pentagon By Storm?

Could ‘Weather Intelligence’ Take The Pentagon By Storm?
Could ‘Weather Intelligence’ Take The Pentagon By Storm?

A weather “data coverage gap exists in areas that we operate on a regular basis in the military,” says Dan Stillman, director of marketing for Tomorrow.io’s space and government division.

Acquisition Reform That Works & No One Has Heard Of

Acquisition Reform That Works & No One Has Heard Of
Acquisition Reform That Works & No One Has Heard Of

Congress and the new Pentagon leadership must act now and expand the program to the Army and Navy, and the defense agencies. Scaling the program up will not cure all the department’s innovation woes but it will send an important message to our next generation of entrepreneurs that the Pentagon really is open for business.

SOFWERX Boosts Small Biz At SOCOM; Faster Turnaround

SOFWERX Boosts Small Biz At SOCOM; Faster Turnaround
SOFWERX Boosts Small Biz At SOCOM; Faster Turnaround

“If you can give me a white paper in three weeks, I’ll pay for your white paper in three weeks, if you can give me a prototype in three months, I’ll [pay for] your prototype in three months,” said James Smith, SOCOM’s acquisition chief.

ERCA: Army Contracts To Help New Cannon ‘Fire Faster’

ERCA: Army Contracts To Help New Cannon ‘Fire Faster’
ERCA: Army Contracts To Help New Cannon ‘Fire Faster’

Five small businesses won SBIR Phase II awards to build robotic arms to handle shells, software to manage ammo inventory, and other prototype technologies.

AFWERX Seeks Next Breakthrough Tech Market For Investment

AFWERX Seeks Next Breakthrough Tech Market For Investment
AFWERX Seeks Next Breakthrough Tech Market For Investment

“I think we need something like a PEO that is wholly focused on commercial enterprise,” says Air Force acquisition czar Will Roper.

AFRL’s ‘Quantum Collider’ Focuses On Boosting ISR, PNT

AFRL’s ‘Quantum Collider’ Focuses On Boosting ISR, PNT
AFRL’s ‘Quantum Collider’ Focuses On Boosting ISR, PNT

The lab is also kicking off “a worldwide $1 million challenge that canvases the international quantum research community for novel solutions in the emerging field,” AFRL says.

New NGA Tech Strategy Aims At AI Integration

New NGA Tech Strategy Aims At AI Integration
New NGA Tech Strategy Aims At AI Integration

NGA’s 2020 Technology Focus Areas are “what we’re looking for;” whereas the upcoming technology strategy outlines “how we’d like to change,” explains Mark Munsell, NGA chief technology officer.

Space AQ Council Eyes Helping Space Startups Crack CARES Act

Space AQ Council Eyes Helping Space Startups Crack CARES Act
Space AQ Council Eyes Helping Space Startups Crack CARES Act

“In space, particularly, we’ve got to have a model that is very different than the one we used the last century,” Roper summed up. “We’re going to need to evaluate companies that have the potential to commercialize successfully as a delineator of who we partner with.”