ACQUISITION NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Modern Software Acquisition to Speed Delivery, Boost Warfighter Lethality DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS C. Todd Lopez and Army Maj. Wes Shinego
Without a modern approach to software acquisition, the DoD risks falling behind adversaries that are better able to exploit rapid technological advances and outpace American capabilities. DoD leaders recognize outdated, bureaucratic processes have slowed the delivery of cutting-edge software to Warfighters, leaving critical department systems vulner- able to adaptation by enemies. (Read more)
AFWERX, SpaceWERX Helping Small Business Innovators Transition Technology From Prototype to Operational Use AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND NEWS Matthew Clouse Within the space and defense industry, small businesses frequently face funding gaps—often referred to as the “val- ley of death”—between developing a prototype and securing the resources for full-scale production and operational de- ployment. Many innovators struggle to obtain the follow-on funding and partnerships needed for an acquisition contract award. AFWERX and SpaceWERX, the innovation arms of the Department of the Air Force and U.S. Space Force, re- spectively, have selected 23 small businesses with Phase II contracts awarded within the last two years to apply for funding through a Program Year 2025.1 Strategic Funding In- crease (STRATFI) annual Notice Of Opportunity. (Read more) Lasers Destroy Drones as Additive Manufacturing Builds Them: NPS Accelerates Emerging Technology at JIFX to Fulfill U.S. Navy and DoD’s Critical Needs U.S. NAVY NEWS Dan Linehan Rapidly fielding emerging technologies and prioritizing in- vestments in AI, drones, and counter-drone systems, among other technologies, are key to military modernization and remaining the strongest, most lethal force in the world. The Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) team at the Naval Postgraduate School is meeting this challenge by ex- ecuting rapid prototyping and defense demonstrations with dozens of emerging technology companies. (Read more) Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the Department of the Air Force, and Arthur Grijalva, SpaceWERX director (forefront, center), pose with industry part- ners and select recipients of the Program Year 2025.1 Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) from Phase II eligible applicants at Capital Factory House in Austin, Texas, March 8, 2025. STRATFI helps bridge the gap between innovation and operational use by providing $3 million to $15 million per project to scale emerging technologies. By connecting private-sector innovators, defense stakeholders, and investors, STRATFI strengthens the defense industrial base and accelerates the transition of advanced ca- pabilities to the Warfighter. Source: U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew Clouse
Space Force’s Fundamental Role: Space Superiority DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS C. Todd Lopez
The U.S. Space Force’s primary function is to ensure control in, from, and to the space domain. Speaking March 3 at the 2025 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colo., Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, didn’t mince words about what the force is meant to do. “Domain control is the special province of Warfighters, a unique responsibility that only military ser- vices hold,” he said. “It is the thing that distinguishes the Navy from the Merchant Marine and the Air Force from Southwest Airlines. It is the purpose of the Space Force to achieve space superiority.” (Read more)
DLA Applying AI to Supply Chain Risk Management, Warfighter Readiness DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY NEWS Beth Reece
Approaching supply chain risk management with a pro- active, data-centric mindset and artificial intelligence will ensure that the Defense Logistics Agency provides stable Warfighter support and reduces the impacts of supply chain disruptions, according to a new white paper. The 14-page document, titled “Utilization of Artificial Intelligence to Il- luminate Supply Chain Risk,” was written by DLA Chief In- formation Officer Adarryl Roberts. (Read more)
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