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ISR

Joe DiBenedetto, a civilian contractor aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) does flight pre-checks on a Mk. 4.7 Golf Aerosonde drone on the flight deck while operating in the Philippine Sea, March 30, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Hannah Fry)

Navy aims to expand vendor pool for COCO drones and ISR support

The Navy announced it wants to bring on new vendors as current deals are nearing expiration next year.
A Special Tactics Airman, assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, signals a plane to land at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico on March 1, 2024. Supported by U.S. Special Operations Command, Emerald Warrior is a joint special operations exercise that prepares U.S. Special Operations Command forces, Conventional Enablers, Partner Forces, and Interagency Elements to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Vandergriff)

Special ops forces seek to manage digital footprints, achieve ‘security through obscurity’

With focus now turned toward competition with China and Russia, special operations forces need to hone their ability to achieve “security through obscurity.”
A quantum sensor-based magnetic anomaly navigation system gathers data on a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft during a flight over Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 22, 2024. SandboxAQ’s concept relies on quantum sensors that detect the Earth’s magnetic field for navigation in the event that the Global Positioning System is jammed or rendered ineffective. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley N. Mikaio)

DARPA eyeing new quantum sensing program

Defense officials see quantum sensors as promising capabilities for alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
Edward Ramey, space domain characterization common operating picture segment (SDCCS) lead integration and training support for the Joint Task Force-Space Defense, looks at a computer screen at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 19, 2022. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Space Force expands top secret intel-sharing program with industry to support new mission areas

The Commercial Integration Cell looks to improve how the Space Force and commercial industry share classified information on threats in the space domain.
1st Space Brigade soldiers observe a U.S. Army Ranger raid during a large-scale combat scenario at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Capabilities Exercise 2024 at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, April 5-12, 2024. The exercise demonstrated how Army space operations integrate with cyber and special operation forces partners to enable the warfighter on the ground. (U.S. Army photo by Brooke Nevins)

‘This is not enough’: Army grappling with increased demand for space capabilities, personnel

“As I look at the priorities within the command as we move forward, probably our top priority is how do we deliver that capability responsive to the…
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Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, speaks during the panel discussion “Answering the Warfighters’ Needs” at the Air and Space Forces Association 2023 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colo., March 7, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

Air Force aims to field new moving target indication capability in 2027

The new capability is currently being funded by the Defense Department's Quick Start authorities, according to an Air Force spokesperson.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the fiscal year 2025 budget requests for the Department of the Air Force and Space Force, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., April 9, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Air Force using ‘Quick Start’ authorities for resilient GPS, moving target indication programs

The new Quick Start rapid acquisition authority allows the Air Force and other services to begin development on new programs without a congressionally approved budget.
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