Acquisition

DOD pulls the trigger on the DPA

DOD to issue $133 million in production contracts for N95 masks under the Defense Production Act.

Acquisition

DOD cuts red tape to support fast prototyping

Ellen Lord, DOD's acquisition head, issued new guidance for prototype contracts issued through other transaction authorities.

Cybersecurity

Navy CIO: Don't worry about shakeups at the top

The Navy CIO updated the workforce on telework practices, COVID-19 disclosures and what the change in service leadership means for the tech mission.

People

Army accelerates virtualization of training, recruitment

Army training and recruiting leaders said the service has been gradually digitizing recruiting and training, but has now shifted online amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

People

Acting Navy secretary resigns

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned after audio surfaced of him calling the now-ex commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt “stupid” in front of crew members.

Modernization

How will DOD’s workforce shift post-COVID-19?

What will working in DOD look like on the other side of the COVID-19 curve?

People

Lawmakers look to shield defense contractors from COVID-19 fallout

Virginia Democrat Sen. Mark Warner and Texas Republican Rep. Mac Thornberry hope to protect national security by bolstering the industrial base.

People

DOD issues permission slips for workers in national capital region

The Defense Department issued memos and permission letters for personnel working in the Washington, D.C. region as local and state governments' stay-at-home orders go into effect.

Digital Government

Congress questions Navy's plan to build large drone ships before full testing

The Navy wants to increase production of unmanned surface vessels, but Congress remains wary of long-term success.

People

Esper says he didn't seek the authority to gut DOD unions

Defense Secretary Mark Esper told lawmakers he was waiting for a staff analysis of a recent presidential memo before deciding whether to leverage new authority.

Cybersecurity

TRANSCOM head says contractors struggle with advanced persistent threats

The lead general for TRANSCOM threw support behind the Defense Department's impending unified cybersecurity standard for contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, as contractors struggle with advanced persistent threats.

Modernization

DOD releases first AI ethics principles, but there’s work left to on implementation

The Defense Department released its first official artificial intelligence ethics principles that it says will shape how it develops and implements the technology.

Digital Government

Air Force wants $150 million for Space Force software pilot in 2021

The Air Force is staying on brand with its 2021 budget request for $150 million for a software and digital technology pilot program for the new Space Force.

Cybersecurity

Navy 2021 budget shows IT, cyber adjustments

The Navy has realigned cyber spending into a new category that includes the Joint Regional Security Stacks program.

Acquisition

Augmented reality headset is the breakout star of Army's 2021 budget request

The Army's focused on finding savings so it can boost modernization funding and the 2021 budget request shows how it wants the initial fielding of augmented reality night goggles to stand out.

Modernization

Court orders temporary block on JEDI

JEDI, the Defense Department’s multi-billion-dollar cloud procurement, is officially on hold, according to a federal court announcement Feb. 13.

Modernization

Army accelerates push to the cloud

The Army wants 2020 to be the year of the cloud and hopes to carry that momentum into 2021 with its cloud implementation plan.

Modernization

The Army turns to automation for officer assignments

The Army is hoping a little automation and more "back of the resume" data will better tell an officer's story when searching for next assignment and crack down on nepotism.

Modernization

Pentagon focuses on research, cyber in 2021 budget request

The Defense Department wants to significantly increase funds for research, cyber, and cloud.

Modernization

Why Congress holds the key to DOD tech

Defense company leaders said Congress may have to relax its oversight -- or at least learn to take leaps of faith -- when funding defense technology research if it wants to see dramatic improvements in capabilities.