Government Technology

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has issued a request for information on quantum computing capabilities that can address hard science and technology challenges. A FedBizOpps notice posted on July 10 says the agency’s Defense Sciences Office aims to determine the limits of quantum computing and its ability to refine artificial intelligence, machine learning and […] More

Brad Smith, president and chief legal officer of Microsoft, recently said that the government must regulate the use of facial recognition technology in light of its potential for abuse. Authorities must “pursue thoughtful government regulation” of facial recognition technology to mitigate the risk of its being used in such a way that would adversely impact […] More

Accenture and Thales have partnered to demonstrate a blockchain-based supply chain security platform at the Farnborough Air Show. The prototype system, based on Linux‘s Hyperledger Fabric project, uses blockchain, internet-of-things and other technologies to detect, trace and authenticate aircraft components, Accenture said Monday. The system is intended to provide a unified view of the supply […] More

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has concluded its two-week evaluation of an RS-25 Space Shuttle Main Engine variant as part of the agency’s Experimental Spaceplane program with Boeing. DARPA said Tuesday it coordinated with Aerojet Rocketdyne in fire testing the AR-22 engine using an aircraft-like approach. Experimental Spaceplane Program Manager Scott Wierzbanowski said the […] More

Inmarsat’s government subsidiary has provided General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. with an L-band satellite communications system to control an MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft on its first flight across the Atlantic. The SwiftBroadband satcom platform supported the medium altitude, long endurance RPA in selecting routes and running data applications throughout the trans-Atlantic journey, Inmarsat said Thursday. […] More

Lockheed Martin will produce additional Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors to meet the increased demand of the U.S. Army and its allies, Defense News reported Wednesday. The increased orders come as the Army’s on-hand stock of PAC-3 is shrinking due to the service’s continuing missions in other countries. The Bethesda, Md.-based firm will […] More

Bellevue, Wash.-based tech software provider Apptio has launched an early adopter program to help government agencies field a machine learning system for technology business management. The Apptio TBM Unified Model can help assist government agencies and participants in the public sector to immediately gauge information technology costs from financial systems like ledgers and vendor invoices, the company said […] More

Coherent Technical Services Inc. has collaborated with L3 Technologies to demonstrate an integrated communication and navigation technology designed to work in a GPS-denied or contested environment. CTSi said Tuesday it developed and flight-tested the Enhanced Link Navigation System prototype under an $8.7 million Small Business Innovative Research phase 3 contract from the U.S. Navy. Pilots at aviation company Airtec provided turn-key support during the flight […] More

Lockheed Martin, Boeing and other defense contractors have invested in startups with emerging technology platforms through their venture capital arms, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Lockheed announced plans in June to double its venture capital fund to $200 million by infusing an additional $100 million saved through the tax reform law to target up […] More

Several industry groups and individuals from the commercial sector and academia have asked the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy to issue a request for information in order to seek comments on its plan to establish a policy on artificial intelligence. The organizations wrote in a Wednesday letter to Michael Kratsios, deputy chief […] More