Signals & Space Monthly Briefing

April 2021

Prepared by the CyberWire (Thursday, April 1, 2021) At a glance. Connectivity delivered from low-earth orbit. Multidomain operations and training. Development of international norms in space, and a strategy consistent with them. Military education for Space Force. Space SPACs. Space junk, and a market for orbital trash collection. UFOs back in the news. Connectivity delivered from low-earth orbit. SpaceX continues to build out its constellation of StarLink satellites with the aim of delivering Internet connectivity to remote or otherwise underserved regions. It put sixty new StarLink satellites up in a March 11th launch, Space.com reports. According to the Verge, the company intends to deliver mobile service as well, and has applied to the FCC for permission to do so. On March 5th SpaceX applied filed for "a blanket license authorizing operation" of Starlink terminals on what the filing called "Earth Stations in Motion," that is, vehicles: cars, trucks, ships, boats, and aircraft. The company summarized its motivation for developing the service as follows: "No longer are users willing to forego connectivity while on the move, whether driving a truck across the country, moving a freighter from Europe to a U.S. port, or while on a domestic or international flight." The SpaceX constellation now has more than a thousand satellites. The Wall Street Journal reports that SpaceX has some competitors in this market, including Amazon, OneWeb, and Telesat. OneWeb, which has emerged from bankruptcy, tells Space News that its focus will be on delivering connectivity to the Arctic, and that it sees the US Government as its principal customer. And one of the big defense integrators, Lockheed Martin, apparently also intends to enter the market, having announced its plans to deliver 5G service from earth orbit. The Motley Fool looks at the investment implications of the move and wonders if this will disrupt terrestrial cell tower technology (and the REITs people buy to invest in the towers). Multidomain operations and training. Multidomain operations, including specifically the fourth and fifth domains of cyber and space, have increasingly become a normal part of major tactical training events. The US Air Force's Red Flag 2021, for example, is paying particular attention to developing agile, cross-domain proficiency and data integration in participating units. Development of international norms in space, and balancing restraint with pursuit of superiority. Great power competition in space continues to intensify. A study published by King's College London outlines the scope and ambitions of China's strategy for space, and they are indeed expansive. Among Beijing's plans is the establishment of a lunar base some time during the 2030s. Ars Technica reports that Russia, turning away during a period of increased tension with the US from such partnership as it's established with NASA, has signed on to cooperate with China's effort to set up an installation on the moon. Robots will go first, to be followed by human taikonauts. The Sino-Russian plans are proceeding outside of the Artemis Accords, which represent an attempt to negotiate international norms for lunar exploration and, possibly, exploitation. The international norms governing space operations remain immature, even after several decades of thought and negotiation. Recent strategic discussions have tended to focus on how to achieve dominance, or at least superiority, in the space domain, but observers think the Biden Administration likely to take a less assertive stance than its predecessor. Breaking Defense reports that the young Administration is likely to emphasize delivery of combat support and service support from space, which is a more traditional understanding of the domain than the previous emphasis on development of space warfighting capabilities. One particularly difficult strategic task the US faces in the near- and mid-term will be reconceptualizing what deterrence would look like in the space domain. On the tactical level, Space Force chief General Raymond tells Air Force Magazine that there's no "one-size fits all" response to hostile activity in space. This discussion isn't confined to the US defense establishment. The Independent reports that the UK is trying to evolve a space strategy, and according to ABC, the Royal Australian Air Force used the occasion of its hundredth anniversary to announce the formation of a Space Command. Such considerations extend beyond the Anglophone powers, too: the Diplomat describes how Taiwan increasingly sees its space capabilities as affording it an essential advantage in its very asymmetrical competition with China. Military education for Space Force. As more military personnel transition into Space Force (and are consulted on what they'd like their enlisted members' insignia of rank to look like) the youngest Service is considering what its professional military education will look like. For senior professional development, an opinion piece in War on the Rocks argues that officers preparing for senior commands and promotion to general officer rank should be educated in Space Force's own war college. The domain in which it operates is radically different from those where the other Services are at home and is subject to markedly different legal and strategic regimes. And besides, Space Force is going to remain relatively small, and its senior personnel will be in such demand that an institution dedicated to their formation is in order. At the other end of the professional military education continuum, the early, pre-career section, Space Force Junior ROTC units will open at ten high schools in the coming academic year. Air Force Magazine reports that the first ten detachments will be established at Arlington Career Center (Arlington, Virginia), Del Norte High School (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Durango High School (Las Vegas, Nevada), Falcon High School (Peyton, Colorado), Huntsville High School (Huntsville, Alabama), Klein High School (Spring, Texas), Shadow Mountain High School (Phoenix, Arizona), Space Coast Junior/Senior High School (Cocoa, Florida), the Academy for Academic Excellence (Apple Valley, California), and Warren County High School (Warrenton, North Carolina). A War on the Rocks op-ed disputes what it sees as conventional Washington wisdom about Space Force, that the Service is in some way troubled, facing headwinds in public opinion. The essay sees none of that, and argues that in fact the public generally gets the point of Space Force and values its mission. "A recent Morning Consult poll showed that 61 percent of American adults support the recent Biden White House statement that the Space Force has the "full support of the Biden administration." Perhaps more notably, more adults (23 percent) had no opinion about the Space Force than those who oppose it (15 percent)." How will Space Force approach recruiting? Defense One thinks the Service has a natural advantage, what it characterizes as the "natural inclusivity of space nerds." Apparently if General Raymond wants to build diversity into the Service, he should pay attention to the Roddenberryesque imagination of the science fiction fans Defense One sees as his natural recruiting pool. Space SPACs. Quartz reports that special purpose acquisition companies, "SPACs," or "blank-check acquisitions," are coming to the space sector as an alternative to the traditional initial public offering (IPO) as a way of taking a company public. Virgin Galactic was a leader, merging with a SPAC as its way of going public in 2019. Space junk, and a market for orbital trash collection. NOAA-17, a US weather satellite decommissioned eight years ago, broke up in orbit on March 10th. The 18th Space Control Squadron tweeted that the spacecraft's disintegration did not appear to have been the result of a collision, and Space News reported that the debris did not pose a threat to the International Space Station or other assets in orbit. On March 11th the International Space Station itself jettisoned almost three tons of used batteries. Space.com says that NASA has reassured everyone that the junk, being tracked as EP9 (Exposed Pallet 9) will decay from orbit and burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere in two to four years. Some tweeted commentary points with concern to the dump, albeit with acknowledgements that it probably doesn't represent a major threat. The space sector sees a business opportunity in cleaning up debris in low earth orbit. Quartz describes how one company, Astroscale, hopes to deploy a system, ELSA-d, as a "robot garbage collector." WIRED explains the spacecraft's name as an acronym, "End of Life Services by Astroscale demonstration," and says that the ELSA-d consists of two spacecraft. One is "a 386-pound mini-fridge-sized servicing satellite armed with a magnet. The other is a smaller, 37-pound client satellite" that will serve as a target for the larger craft. The project is a proof-of-concept intended to demonstrate the feasibility of pursuing, catching, and magnetically capturing an object in space. The program is being conducted in cooperation with JAXA, Japan's space agency. ELSA-d was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 22nd. Flying saucers are back in the news. The Guardian and others are looking forward to the soon-expected release of US Government UFO files. A former senior member of the US Intelligence Community teased that some of the material is "difficult to explain," Space.com says. POLITICO reports that intelligence agencies are being accused of "stiff-arming" (or "ignoring," which in some ways seems more reasonable) requests from UFO researchers and enthusiasts for assistance cataloging sightings. Realistically, those interested in seeing the files are unlikely to be satisfied by anything short of a full acknowledgement of a Government cover-up, accompanied by unambiguous photographic evidence of alien spacecraft. But in any case, live long and prosper, ufologists. [1538]   Today's edition of the CyberWire reports events affecting Australia, China, Iran, Japan, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, NATO/OTAN, Russia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Selected Reading Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities (8) Marketplace (27) Products, Services, and Solutions (25) Technologies, Techniques, and Standards (19) Design and Innovation (10) Research and Development (12) Academia (1) Legislation, Policy, and Regulation (44) Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement (4) Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities U.S. Commander Skeptical on North Korea's Claim of New Missile (Bloomberg) Army General Robert Abrams gives testimony to U.S. House. N. Korea described missile as 'world's most powerful weapon.' South Korea says North Korea fires 2 missiles into sea (Military Times) The launches came a day after U.S. and South Korean officials said the North fired short-range weapons presumed to be cruise missiles into its western sea over the weekend. Report: Iran used commercial satellite images to monitor US forces before attack (C4ISRNET) The news report said Iran monitored the base by purchasing commercial satellite images, but the U.S. military was wise to the efforts. US losing military edge in Asia as China looks like it is planning for war: US Indo-Pacific Command chief (Fox News) The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command told lawmakers this week that the U.S. is losing its edge over the Chinese military as the People's Republic of China faces weakening international deterrence. 'Warning Signs Are Flashing Red' On Chinese Dominance Over Semiconductors, Shipbuilding (Breaking Defense) "We dealt with this in the 5G debate and to me it wasn't just a matter of Huawei and ZTE technology allowing [China] to spy on people around the world," Rep. Mike Gallagher said. "It was them being able to use that dominant market position in 5G in order to either shut down networks or coerce other countries into doing their bidding." () Defunct US weather satellite breaks up in Earth orbit (Space.com) A U.S. weather satellite that retired eight years ago has fallen apart in orbit, breaking into at least 16 pieces, according to government representatives. Baofeng BF-X3 Plus - Tri-Bander To Listen To Illegal Satellite Hijackers (YouTube) Get it here: https://www.banggood.com/BAOFENG-X3-Plus-18W-Walkie-Talkie-20-KM-Tri-band-Radio-Waterproof-UHF-or-VHF-9500mah-Transceiver-220MHz-Radio-Transmit... Marketplace Sen. Young: 'Go On Offense' In China Tech Race; Bipartisan Bill Gathers Steam (Breaking Defense) "Some do not believe this is an appropriate role for the government..." Republican Sen. Young said in an interview. "...[B]ut, simply, the private sector and venture capital community is not up to shouldering this task on its own." Space Force Awards NSTXL Space Consortium Contract (Breaking Defense) The Space & Missile Systems Center has reaffirmed its choice of NSTXL to manage the public-private Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC), rejecting allegations by The Washington Post. U.S. Space Force would support commercial services to remove orbital debris - SpaceNews (SpaceNews) Gen. David Thompson said it would make sense for the government to pay companies to clean up space junk if such services existed. Top Pentagon research arm combats 'aggressive' foreign investors (C4ISRNET) DARPA seeks domestic investors to move 150 projects into the market — and away from unfriendly governments. Space Force issues $385 million in launch orders to SpaceX and ULA (C4ISRNET) The Space Force has now issued task orders for seven of the more than 30 launches expected under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contracts. SpaceX snags two more Space Force national security launches (CNET) Work for the US military is just another project that will keep the company busy in years to come. Air Force Selects General Dynamics, ManTech, Northrop for $4.4B Special Access Program Support IDIQ (GovCon Wire) General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), ManTech International (Nasdaq: MANT) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) h DARPA orders six satellites from Blue Canyon Technologies for Blackjack program (Intelligent Aerospace) The company, which owned by Raytheon Technologies, developed a satellite for DARPA based on its commercial X-SAT bus, Sandra Erwin reports for Space News. Relativity Space wins responsive launch contract (C4ISRNET) The award was made through the Defense Innovation Unit as part of the Pentagon's Rapid Agile Launch Initiative. Amsterdam-based IoT satellite network builder Hiber secures €26 million in EU and private investment (Tech.eu) Keeping track of, and monitoring all those IoT devices can get a bit tricky. Particularly in areas where there's little-to-no affordable cellular network or WiFi connection, read: some of the world's hardest-to-reach places. To this end, Amsterdam-based Hiber has secured €26 million in EU funding and private investments to expand the world's first global IoT […] Boeing's Defense Unit Dealt Setback by Pentagon (Wall Street Journal) Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, instead of Boeing, were selected to compete to provide a new system aimed at knocking out long-range missiles fired by adversaries, estimated to cost $12 billion. How the rocket business launched a wave of blank check acquisitions (Quartz) Rocket Lab, Momentus, BlackSky, and other space firms are diving into public makets. Lockheed Is The Stealth Space Investment (Seeking Alpha) LMT is a significant aerospace and defense company that is also becoming a major space exploration contractor. SpaceX Is Going All In on Its South Texas Starport (Wired) New documents show the company has grand plans for its Boca Chica launch site, providing more evidence that Elon Musk is bullish on SpaceX's future there. Rocket Lab could be SpaceX's biggest rival (MIT Technology Review) With the announcement of a brand-new rocket called Neutron, the private space company is challenging Blue Origin as the main competition to SpaceX. Elon Musk Is Creating a City in Texas. It Will Be Called Starbase and It Will Be Ruled by 'The Doge' (Entrepreneur) The SpaceX CEO's new project would take over the city of Boca Chica, where Elon Musk is building his Starship rocket. Aerojet Rocketdyne stockholders approve proposed acquisition by Lockheed Martin (Intelligent Aerospace) The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021, pending receipt of regulatory approval. Satellogic Partners With Four Major Space Organizations (Satnews) Satellogic has announced new partnerships with four, major, US-based space organizations: The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA), SmallSat Alliance and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). Northrop Grumman's solid propulsion system selected to power Mars Ascent Vehicle (Intelligent Aerospace) The MAV will be launched to Mars in 2026 along with a "fetch" rover that will collect soil and rock samples prepared by NASA's Perseverance rover, which launched in July 2020 and landed on Mars Feb. 18. Raytheon wins $178 million contract to support Air Force intel-sharing system (C4ISRNET) In addition to providing field support to the Air Force's Distributed Common Ground System, Raytheon will help transition the system of systems to an open architecture. NASA picks Mercury Systems to provide data recorders for EMIT instrument aboard International Space Station (Intelligent Aerospace) EMIT maps the surface mineralogy of arid dust regions and helps improve forecasts of mineral dust in the warming or cooling of the Earth's atmosphere. Leanne Caret, Boeing Defense CEO, Inducted into 2021 Wash100 Award for Driving Innovation, Influence in Defense Market (GovCon Wire) Executive Mosaic is pleased to present Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space Peraton Wins Spot on $250M U.S. Navy IDIQ to Develop ISR Systems From Seabed to Space (PR Newswire) Peraton has been awarded a position on a new indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quality (IDIQ) contract supporting Naval Information Warfare Center... Japanese billionaire seeks 8 crewmembers for moon-bound mission on SpaceX's Starship (Space.com) dearMoon is now looking for passengers. Former Raytheon Exec David Ray Named SAIC Space Business SVP (GovCon Wire) David Ray, a former executive and more than 15-year veteran of Raytheon, has joined Science Applicat Deloitte Appoints John Coykendall as Aerospace and Defense Lead (Homeland Security Today) Deloitte has announced the appointment of John Coykendall, a principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, to lead its U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) sector within the U.S. industrial products and construction practice. Navy's New Unmanned Plan Short on Specifics, But Big On Ambition (Breaking Defense) "There is an underlying commitment to move as fast as you can... because the pacing threat is constantly moving and accelerating," said Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Products, Services, and Solutions SpaceX launches Starship SN11 rocket prototype, but misses landing (Space.com) Something went wrong in the fog. () OneWeb looking to fill demand for connectivity in the Arctic (SpaceNews) OneWeb plans to start offering broadband from space in the Arctic region this fall, a capability the company hopes will attract military customers. Lockheed Martin Plans to Build Space-Based 5G Network: Will Cell Tower REITs Be Obsolete? (Millionacres) Lockheed Martin teams up with Omnispace to develop a space-based 5G network and may be replacing the need for cell towers in some areas. Pléiades Neo satellites arrive in Kourou for launch (Intelligent Aerospace) Each satellite will add half a million km² per day at 30cm native resolution. Rocket Lab launches Army satellite (C4ISRNET) Gunsmoke-J will help the Army develop tactical capabilities for the war fighter. Elon Musk and Amazon Are Battling to Put Satellite Internet in Your Backyard (Wall Street Journal) For rural homesteaders and suburbanites alike, no matter where they live on the globe, fast, reliable internet connectivity is on its way —from outer space. Why Boeing's Starliner Test Launch Is Mission Critical (Wall Street Journal) After years of cost overruns, errors and delays, Boeing's space program is facing a major test: Later this year it will likely make its second attempt to launch its Starliner crew capsule to the International Space Station. WSJ looks at the company's path to this crucial moment, and what's riding on the test flight's success. Illustration: Alex Kuzoian/WSJ Boeing Moon Rocket Passes NASA Test (Wall Street Journal) Engines for Artemis mission, which encountered a setback in January, complete an eight-minute run, paving the way for lunar flight this year. Elon Musk shows off SpaceX's 1st Starship Super Heavy booster (Space.com) A massive rocket booster for a massive Starship. L-com Launches 3.5 GHz Small Cell Sector Antenna with 15 dBi of Gain (PR Newswire) L-com, an Infinite Electronics brand and a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has... SpaceX sets new booster reuse mark with Starlink launch - SpaceNews (SpaceNews) A Falcon 9 launched another set of Starlink satellites March 14, with the rocket's first stage setting a record with its ninth launch and landing. SpaceX moves to beam Starlink internet into trucks, boats, and aircraft (The Verge) Pending FCC approval, SpaceX's Starlink internet is expanding beyond homes for the road, sea, and air. Rocket Lab just unveiled plans for a big new rocket called Neutron that could fly astronauts (Space.com) Neutron's first launch could fly in 2024. Virgin Galactic further delays SpaceShipTwo test flights, pushing tourist flights to 2022 (Space.com) Virgin Galactic won't be launching tourists to space this year after technical tweaks delayed the company's upcoming test flight by more than two months. This Bonkers Space Hotel Aims to Open in 2026, and It'll Take Your Reservation Now (Robb Report) The Ferris wheel-like orbital structure is being built to offer a luxury resort-like experience in space. Druva Teams with Leidos on NASA NEST Contract | Druva (Druva) Druva to help the agency enhance productivity, security and connectivity for a modern, mobile workforce () Northrop Grumman's Solid Propulsion System Selected to Power Mars Ascent Vehicle (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), has been selected by NASA to provide solid propulsion systems and controls for NASA's Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). The MAV will be launched to Mars in 2026 along with a "fetch" rover... Space ISAC Selects Cyware for Automated Threat Sharing (PR Newswire) Cyware, the industry's only Virtual Cyber Fusion Platform provider, is partnering with the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space... SpaceX launches 60 new Starlink satellites to orbit, nails rocket landing at sea (Space.com) It was the 6th launch and landing for this Falcon 9 first stage. Raytheon, NASA Build Cloud Platform to Store Sentinel-6 Satellite Data; David Appel Quoted (ExecutiveBiz) Raytheon Technologies' intelligence and space business has worked with NASA to develop a cloud-based Watch live tonight! Arianespace Soyuz rocket launching 36 OneWeb satellites (Space.com) The European launch provider Arianespace will use a Soyuz rocket to launch 36 satellites into orbit for the OneWeb internet constellation. L-com Introduces New 18 GHz Fixed RF Attenuators and RF Loads (PRWeb) L-com, an Infinite Electronics brand and a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has added a new series Inspiration4's civilian space crew is overwhelmed with joy about launching on a SpaceX rocket this year (Space.com) "I got the 'yes,' and it's that life-changing yes moment," Sian Proctor said. Technologies, Techniques, and Standards Red Flag 21-2 creates agile, multi-domain problem-solvers (U.S. Air Force) Understanding how another allied fighting force maintains and conducts its missions is vital to asymmetric strategic advantage. During Red Flag Nellis 21-2, around 2,500 U.S. and international Securing the twins: Space and cyber can't exist without each other | Opinion (Florida Today) Space and cyber represent critical infrastructure twins, born of the same era, that also represent the next warfighting domains for our country. JADC2 Critical To Counter Space Threats, Say Milspace Leaders (Breaking Defense) "If there is an aircraft capable of launching an air-launched anti satellite weapon operating in the air domain, we need to know about it," SPACECOM deputy Lt. Gen. John Shaw says. Robot garbage hunters are coming to clean up space (Quartz) A new industry is emerging to solve an environmental crisis in low-earth orbit. It's Finally Time to Take Out the Space Trash (Wired) Junk satellites can pose risks to other objects in Earth's orbit. Startups are testing out ways to tidy up, from magnets to robotic tentacles. Pentagon must integrate electromagnetic spectrum capabilities at every level, experts say (C4ISRNET) Spectrum capabilities are a military-wide need not a specialty, experts told Congress. Army Rushes To Deploy Anti-Jam GPS Alternative For Armored Force (Breaking Defense) Rather than wait for a much-delayed Air Force system, the Army's plan is to deploy Generation 1 of its new receiver this year, starting with the 2nd Calvary Regiment, the 1st Armored Division, and the 1st Infantry Division. Drone-killing, dune buggy-mounted laser gets tested overseas (C4ISRNET) Affixed to the back of an off-road vehicle, the Raytheon-built High Energy Laser Weapon System uses directed energy to defeat incoming unmanned aerial systems. JAIC Chief: Culture and Process Biggest Barriers to Pentagon Adoption of AI - Air Force Magazine (Air Force Magazine) If DOD is going to get AI-ready by 2025, it will have to get out of its own way, said JAIC Director Lt. Gen. Michael S. Groen. Air Force exercises push data integration from across military domains (UPI) U.S. Air Force "Orange Flag" and "Black Flag" exercises this week tested mission planning with cross-domain data gathering, the Air Force said on Wednesday. New Object Management Group Specification Enables Open Software-Defined Radios for Space/Navigation Communications (Object Management Group) Spec reduces life-cycle costs for space and ground platforms. More work needed to integrate cyber and information ops, former official says (C4ISRNET) The former leader suggests ways the DoD should shift its thinking to meld cyberspace and the information sphere to keep pace with adversaries. NORAD is using artificial intelligence to see the threats it used to miss (C4ISRNET) NORAD's Pathfinder program uses machine learning to fuse data from more than 300 sensors into a common operating picture. Modeling Software Once Led Us to the Precipice of Nuclear War. What Will AI Do? (Defense One) The Pentagon must heed the lessons of RYAN and Able Archer amid its artificial-intelligence aspirations. NAVWAR Meets Milestone Transition to Risk Management Framework; Achieves Improved Cyber Readiness Navy-wide (DVIDS) Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) completed the transition of more than 1,300 systems from the Department of Defense Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) to Risk Management Framework (RMF), ahead of deadline set by U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH FLEET. Space Force is using virtual-reality headsets to train its Guardians to work on satellites (Washington Post) The newest branch of the military uses virtual reality software to simulate national security scenarios Army, Air Force 'Squarely Focused' on Project Convergence 21 Wargame: Generals (Breaking Defense) The task is mammoth and entails integrating "millions of lines of code," according to Air Force Brig. Gen. Jeffery Valenzia. But "with innovation comes opportunity," Army Brig. Gen. Robert Collins observed. "Speed is what will really give us that overmatch against adversaries," said Maj. Gen. Peter Gallagher. Army's network equipment tested for first time with full brigade (C4ISRNET) An airborne combat unit put new communications equipment through its paces, giving the Army critical feedback before fielding to more soldiers this year. America's next missile warning satellite arrives in Florida (C4ISRNET) The fifth Space Based Infrared System satellite was delivered to Florida ahead of an anticipated May launch. Design and Innovation () SMC Building 'Catalog' For Common Satellite C2 Ops (Breaking Defense) Instead of one mega-system to rule them all, the Enterprise Ground System (EGS) is building common components, from messaging standards to shared servers. Air Force seeks cognitive EW | Intelligence Community News (Intelligence Community News) On March 11, the U.S. Air Force posted a request for information on cognitive EW systems. Responses are due by April 12. DARPA builds AI to avoid Army and USAF fratricide (Intelligent Aerospace) JADC2 will need to navigate how to ensure that Air Force and Army weapons developed for long-range precision fires are not redundant or incompatible, reports Theresa Hitchens for Breaking Defense. Defense Innovation Unit Launched 23 Projects Last Year, Up One-Third (Defense One) The group also sent 11 capabilities to Defense Department partners, according to its annual report. 8 ideas for successful technology convergence (C4ISRNET) A consultant proposes principles to manage convergence and disruptive change to maintain the U.S. military's technological edge. The Air Force runs a competition to build a robot you can't even see (Federal News Network) A unit at Hansom Air Force Base, Massachusetts is running a challenge competition to come up with bots with the potential to speed up procurement and acquisition. Army AI helper would suggest actions in multidomain fights (C4ISRNET) The new artificial intelligence tool would recommend options for commanders' battle plans as war-fighting domains become more interconnected. Scientists unlock the 'Cosmos' on the Antikythera Mechanism, the world's first computer (Space.com) Scientists may have finally made a complete digital model for the Cosmos panel of a 2,000-year-old mechanical device called the Antikythera mechanism that's believed to be the world's first computer. Space Force begins loaning anti-jamming GPS tech to allies (C4ISRNET) The three-year arrangement will allow allies to begin testing M-Code-ready equipment. Research and Development Mars helicopter Ingenuity carries piece of Wright brothers' famous plane (Space.com) The first-ever Mars helicopter carried a little piece of aviation history to the Red Planet. DARPA Space Manufacturing Project Sparks Controversy (Breaking Defense) "As you surely know, there is a lot of emotion in this on both sides of the argument, making it as much political as it is legal," said attorney Henry Hertzfeld of the DARPA plans. Air Force begins construction of new space environment lab (C4ISRNET) The Skywave Technology Laboratory will support the Air Force Research Laboratory's space weather studies. NAVAIR looking for emerging cyber research and development (C4ISRNET) Naval Air Systems Command looks to industry to fill gaps in cyber warfare weapon systems. Wanted: high-power RF and microwave amplifiers for electronics-killing electronic warfare (EW) systems (Intelligent Aerospace) WARDEN project seeks to develop high-power microwave amplifiers that generate enough power to disrupt, disable, or damage enemy electronic components, John Keller reports for Military & Aerospace Electronics. Pentagon has new research center to link networks, communications (C4ISRNET) The $7.5 million investment for a new networked systems center of excellence comes as the Defense Department looks to advance its future joint war-fighting concept. Army working on new cyber, electromagnetic weapons after large-scale test event (FedScoop) The Army recently concluded a large event that tested new cyber and electromagnetic spectrum weapons in its tactical operations. SDA & DARPA: June Demos To Prove Optical Sat Link Capability (Breaking Defense) "Getting a laser beam on a spacecraft to point to a laser receiver on another spacecraft accurately enough with the right power levels, the right waveforms, etc.,-- it's not an easy thing," said General Atomics VP Nick Bucci. NASA's Perseverance Rover Just Made Its First Tracks on Mars (Vice) The rover snapped a shot of the wheel prints it made as it traveled across the newly named Octavia E. Butler Landing site. 'Wakeup call': Report calls for massive AI investments to counter China (C4ISRNET) The findings, ordered by Congress, include hundreds of recommendations from experts to get the DoD "AI-ready" by 2025. Space Force launches experimental research payload (C4ISRNET) A sounding rocket, carrying an experimental research payload for the Air Force Research Laboratory, launched from NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Arecibo Observatory telescope cleanup could cost up to $50 million, NSF reports (Space.com) In a report required by Congress, the National Science Foundation (NSF) estimated that cleaning up the collapsed radio telescope at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico could cost between $30 million and $50 million. Academia Virginia Tech to help lead the Department of Defense's new Acquisition Innovation and Research Center (VTNews) The center will bring together higher education expertise to increase efficiency in the U.S. Defense Acquisition System to accompany the expansion of defense technology. Legislation, Policy, and Regulation An Australian 'space command' could be a force for good — or a cause for war (The Conversation) As Australia's efforts in space accelerate, we must avoid escalating a cycle of competition and conflict. The Space Rush: New US Strategy Must Bring Order, Regulation (Breaking Defense) While visionary corporate leaders may be willing to take high risks on space, a space economy will rely on markets to price risk and insure space activity. Normalizing business in space will require the United States to provide the public good of security in Earth orbit, just as the US Navy instills confidence in maritime commerce on the high seas. David vs Goliath: How Space-Based Assets Can Give Taiwan an Edge (Diplomat) SAR technology will be crucial in Indo-Pacific asymmetric conflicts – especially for Taiwan. Opinion: What the militarisation of space means for our armed forces (The Independent) The allocation of £1.4bn on space operations over the decade is an important statement about our military future, writes Kim Sengupta War is Changing. So Should the Pentagon's Budget (Defense One) Beyond aircraft carriers, missiles, and riflemen, the next wars will be fought with data, digital platforms, and networks. The U.S. system created the world's most advanced military. Can it maintain an edge? (Washington Post) As they conduct bombing and surveillance missions around the globe, today's U.S. military pilots rely on aerial refueling aircraft built as early as 1957, when the Soviet Union dominated American security fears, the average home cost $12,000 and "I Love Lucy" was debuting new episodes. Defense acquisition reform is critical going forward (TheHill) The Pentagon, specifically defense acquisition, is hobbled by a self-inflicted risk-averse culture. The Secret to Space Force Success Isn't Complicated (War on the Rocks) The Washington chattering class has apparently decided that the Space Force has a public relations problem. Recent headlines about the new service include UK Unveils Plan for Smaller, More High-Tech Armed Forces (SecurityWeek) Britain plans to cut the size of its army and boost spending on drones, robots and a new "cyber force" under defense plans announced by the government. DoD's Own Bureaucracy Top Barrier To Winning Spectrum Back (Breaking Defense) America's inability to progress beyond "Cold War capabilities" in this "most important environment to modern warfare" follows three EMS strategies over eight years. "They weren't bad strategies," experts agreed, but DoD simply failed to fully implement them. Now GAO is warning the latest strategy, just months old, may face the same fate. Biden Admin Expected To Rein In 'Space Power' Push (Breaking Defense) Instead of focusing on the pressing need to shore up vulnerabilities in current and near-term space capabilities, says one critic, Space Force and SPACECOM are "all off trying to train for how they're going to go fight a space war." Space Force Increasing International Outreach as the Service Grows (Air Force Magazine) As the Space Force grows, it is expanding collaboration with allies through more exchanges, data sharing agreements, and participation in major wargames. New IC Commercial Space Council Hopes To Speed Intel To Users (Breaking Defense) NRO, NGA, CIA, DIA and NSA are the "standing members" of the new council, says its chairman David Gauthier of NGA. DoD Faces Tough Decisions On Space Rules (Breaking Defense) "The understanding of what deterrence is has been misinterpreted, reinterpreted, run through a ringer, chopped up and turned into a hamburger. I mean, it's just that nobody there [at DoD] seems to understand what it means exactly," one former government official said. U.S. defense secretary urges India to avoid buying Russian equipment (Reuters) U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed India's planned purchase of Russia's S400 air defence system at a meeting with his Indian counterpart on Saturday, reiterating U.S. allies should steer clear of Russian equipment to avoid sanctions. () Warfighting in Cyberspace (War on the Rocks) Since the Gulf War, the U.S. military has followed an operational script that exploits technological advantages to fight and win quickly. It starts with Key Official: Defense Information Operations 'Not Evolving Fast Enough' (Defense One) China will soon harness AI to supplant Russia as the world leader in information warfare, a DIA leader said. INDOPACOM Drafts Regional Strategy For All-Domain Ops (Breaking Defense) The emerging Indo-Pacific Warfighting Concept has been drafted, but still has "a ways to go as far as working through the Department of Defense," says INDOPACOM's head of requirements, George Ka'iliwai. There's Not Much For the United States Up in Space (Foreign Policy) The moonshot was always a myth. China's space programme (King's College London) A rising star, a rising challenge Russia turns away from NASA, says it will work with China on a Moon base (Ars Technica) China wants a long-term presence on the Moon in the 2030s. () New Missile Defense Program On Deputy SecDef's Desk, Awaiting Approval (Breaking Defense) An official with knowledge of the program said there have been "no decisions" made on the Next Generation Interceptor program, which is awaiting the approval and award of two development contracts. Space Force Must Move Faster to Counter China (Air Force Magazine) The U.S. Space Force needs to adapt new acquisition practices to stay ahead of China, which can move much faster. SPACECOM To Tighten Ties To Japan (Breaking Defense) "The US doesn't go anywhere alone, we don't do it alone around the world, and we certainly don't do it alone in space," Lt. Gen. Nina M. Armagno, Space Force staff director said yesterday. First Air Force to Become SPACECOM's Air Component (Air Force Magazine) First Air Force will provide Air Force support to the recently re-established U.S. Space Command, making the organization responsible for both protecting the homeland and now supporting operations in space. The numbered Air Force also will continue to support U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. Air Combat Command is working out how to organize, train, and equip First Air Force for the new mission, with initial operational capability expected by the end of calendar year 2021. U.S. Poorly Integrates COCOMs, Hasn't Figured Out Hybrid, Hyten Says (Air Force Magazine) The current system of integrating the responsibilities and actions of regional commanders in chief doesn't work well, said Gen. John E. Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs. No One-Size-Fits-All Response to Space Attacks, Raymond Says (Air Force Magazine) U.S. officials are trying to hash out the ground rules for extraterrestrial combat more than a year after standing up a Space Force to fend off threats. Restraint, Not Superiority, in Space - War on the Rocks (War on the Rocks) In 1977, U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski argued that the existence of Soviet anti-satellite weapons was "no adequate reason" for the Space Force Should Embrace the Natural Inclusivity of Space Nerds (Defense One) It would make the nascent service better at many things, including recruiting. Space Force chief says he's working on a declassification strategy, but offers scant details (C4ISRNET) While military officials have bemoaned the problem of overclassification in the space domain, it remains unclear when broad reforms will be enacted. Guardians, the Space Force wants you to help determine your enlisted rank insignia (Air Force Times) Enlisted guardians can have a say in what their insignia will look like. Military officials plan to rename Vandenberg Air Force Base, more launches in 2021 (Santa Maria Times) More missile, satellite and rocket launches are planned at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2021 than last year, and the installation will also officially change its name to Vandenberg Space An audition for the role of Space Command graphic artist (Military Times) Space Command's graphic game is on point, but we wanted to offer some additional art. New director takes over at Pentagon's top research office (C4ISRNET) An experienced veteran of DARPA is taking the helm. Senators show support for increasing US Southern Command intelligence assets (Defense News) SOUTHCOM wants more ISR, but does it have to come from physical platforms? DoD plan will streamline contractor security clearance appeals (Federal Times) Department of Defense components will all be required to use the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals for final appeals on contractor security clearance denials. Watch, Read: The Guardians We Need —Transitioning into the Space Force (Air Force Magazine) Watch the "The Guardians We Need —Transitioning Into the Space Force" panel during AFA's 2021 virtual Aerospace Warfare Symposium. Why Space Force Needs a War College Just Like Everyone Else — and Why It Should Be Different - War on the Rocks (War on the Rocks) The United States has been active in space since 1958 — does it really need a Space War College to teach its military leaders how to act in, and think Space Force JROTC to Get First Units Starting This Fall (Air Force Magazine) The Space Force and the national Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps announced the first 10 JROTC units to convert their affiliation from the Air Force to the Space Force. All 10 schools converting volunteered. Selections were based on proximity to Space Force or related government agencies, including Space Force bases, facilities, and centers of influence, such as U.S. Space Command Headquarters, or NASA, Missile Defense Agency, and other locations, or where the current instructor cadre had prior space operations experience. GAO to review Space Command headquarters decision (C4ISRNET) The Government Accountability Office will look into the Air Force's decision to move Space Command's headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama, following a request from a Colorado congressman. Senators press for answers in Space Command move decision (TheHill) Senators from Colorado, California, New Mexico and Nebraska joined together to press Pentagon investigators to scrutinize key areas of a Trump administration decision to move U.S. Why Space Command should stay in Colorado Springs (Air Force Times) In this commentary, a former commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM argues why he supports reviewing the process that selected Huntsville, Alabama, over Colorado's Peterson Air Force Base for U.S. Space Command's headquarters. Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement () Raytheon challenging buyout of major rocket-motor supplier by rival Lockheed (Arizona Daily Star) Tucson-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense says sale of main U.S. solid-rocket motor maker Aerojet Rocketdyne would hurt competition and innovation. Military and spy agencies accused of stiff-arming investigators on UFO sightings (POLITICO) A public accounting is proving to be an "onerous job of trying get everyone to come clean," one government adviser said. To be declassified: UFO broke sound barrier with no sonic boom (Space.com) In a Fox News interview, Trump's former intelligence director said the sightings are difficult to explain.

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