Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force announced the six Spark Tank 2024 finalists Dec. 14 following the announcement of the 15 semifinalists Dec. 5.

The Spark Tank team presented the top 15 ideas identified through pairwise voting and subject matter expert evaluations from this year’s pool of submissions. DAF senior leaders convened to review and discuss the merits of each idea, reaching consensus to identify Spark Tank 2024’s six finalists.

Out of 138 submissions from across the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force, the following were selected for the semifinals round:
Air Traffic Control Situational Awareness Mobile Network – a man portable combination system that provides a RADAR-like capability in austere environments

CLEAR skies, safe eyes: Protecting aircrews from laser strikes – technology to triangulate locations of ground-based laser attacks directed at aircrews

COMMERCIAL CHECK – Pioneering the Path to Eradicate Acquisition Delays – harnessing automated intelligence and machine learning to securely expedite acquisitions

Enterprise Digital Credentialing Service – a user-centric integration of credentials from both DAF and external systems to provide a wholistic view of Airmen’s knowledge, skills, and abilities

Increasing USAF Air Dominance Lethality and Survivability through M&S – an application for advanced framework for simulation, integration and modeling for rapid tactics evaluation tool

Project Spectrum Shield – a network of connected devices that detect and locate intrusion by unauthorized devices collecting against air bases and sensitive operating locations

Revolutionize the PCS Process–Bring Transportation of HHG from 1975 to 2023 – an application that fully automates household goods shipping management

Secure Agile Communications System – a self-contained fly-away kit that establishes secure communication channels for forward operating bases

Unmanned Flight Interface – a unified dashboard that provides a reliable, seamless integration of all software tools utilized by unmanned vehicle pilots

The following were selected as the finalists from the top 15:
Autonomous Vehicles for Flightline Resupply* – automated delivery vehicles to provide supplies to maintenance crews working on aircraft on the flightline

CyberAssess – like TurboTax for your Authority to Operate* – an application that simplifies the steps and automates the paperwork required to introduce new technology into the Air Force information architecture

F-16 Collapsible Cockpit ACE Ladder* – a collapsible ladder that can be carried inside the cockpit thus removing the need to preposition bulky legacy ladders

Flyways Defender for Airspace Awareness and Defense* – an artificial intelligence-enabled to provide air defense situational awareness and aid decision making

Load Plan+* – an interactive load plan application that allows medevac crews to label patients, select equipment needed for the mission, and optimize placement within the aircraft

Project Lavoy (formerly Project Lifesaver)* – advanced technology for contingency blood transfusions

The six finalist teams will travel to Arlington, Virginia, in January 2024 to refine their pitches and stage presence in preparation for their presentation to the secretary of the Air Force, chief of Space Operations, chief of staff of the Air Force, chief master sergeant of the Space Force, and chief master sergeant of the Air Force next year at a yet-to-be-announced location.

Spark Tank is DAF’s flagship competition in which innovators from across the department pitch their ideas to a panel of top leadership and industry experts in pursuit of sponsorship to realize their idea.

Source: United States Air Force

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Ontario (AFNS) —  

The United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force recently demonstrated their commitment to a strong partnership through the Enlisted Professional Military Education, or EPME, exchange initiative. This initiative has seen mutual collaboration, with four non-commissioned Airmen from the USAF completing the RCAF Primary Leadership Qualification course at the RCAF Academy in Borden. 
 
Participating in this exchange program were two French scholars in the Language Enabled Airman Program, or LEAP; U.S. Air Force technical sergeants, Ndap Tah and Sanvi Panou. As Canada has two official languages, English and French, with most military courses being taught in both languages, their involvement in the program provided them with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture of their Canadian counterparts. This fostered a close collaboration and mutual understanding of each other’s perspectives. 
 
“The experience of constantly speaking French with my Canadian counterparts was very interesting. It helped us learn about each other’s cultures, our shared goals of serving our countries, and it created a partnership and a very close collaboration,” Tah said.

In a reciprocated gesture, three RCAF members recently graduated from the Airman Leadership School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, underscoring the mutual commitment to cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two air forces. 
 
“This program further strengthens our friendship and partnership between our two great air forces,” said Chief Warrant Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force Chief Warrant Officer John Hall. “On exercises, operations, and through the bi-national command NORAD, USAF and RCAF members routinely serve side by side.” 
 
This strategic collaboration signifies a significant step in fortifying the interoperability and professional development of noncommissioned leaders, highlighting the commitment to mutual learning and shared expertise. The EPME exchange initiative, which began in 2021, aims to foster greater cooperation and understanding between the enlisted ranks of the two air forces. The RCAF Academy, a modern institution providing leadership and management training to over 1,000 annual students, plays a pivotal role in this initiative. 
 
“The cross-national Enlisted PME initiative illustrates our dedication to nurturing airmen’s development through diverse learning environments. It encompasses more than education; it involves building connections, fostering global perspectives, and strengthening strategic partnerships,” said Chief Master Sgt. Denny Richardson, command chief master sergeant, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Region (CONR)-First Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Northern and U.S. Air Forces Space). “I would like to express my gratitude to Senior Master Sgt. Alejandro Velez from the CONR-1AF(AFNORTH/AFSPACE)/A5/A8 for playing a crucial role in bringing the program to fruition.” 
 
The partnership between the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, as demonstrated through the EPME exchange initiative, is a testament to their commitment to mutual learning and collaboration. These joint initiatives signify a significant step in strengthening the professional development of non-commissioned leaders, showcasing the depth and resilience of their partnership. This ongoing collaboration is expected to make a noteworthy contribution to the security landscape in North America. 

 

Source: United States Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

The Office of the Secretary of Defense Chief Digital and AI Office, Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Army Pacific Command and the U.S. Air Force will host a multi-classification hackathon open to all U.S. citizens, Feb. 5-9, 2024.

A hackathon is an innovation event commonly employed by technology companies in which teams develop prototypes in response to enterprise challenges associated with data. The BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects hackathon will occur at one of the DOD AI Battle Labs on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Any American citizen is eligible to apply, regardless of whether they currently work for the federal government or possess a security clearance. Applications, available online here, will be accepted on a rolling first-come-first-serve basis with the first group of acceptances taking place in mid-December. Due to past events exceeding 400 participants, BRAVO has secured an over-flow room, although organizers still expect demand to exceed supply.

Attendees are not required to hold a security clearance. However, certain spaces, use-cases and datasets may require a U.S. secret security clearance or higher. Applicants may apply as an employee for the U.S. government, a U.S. government contractor working on behalf of a federal contract or as U.S. citizen either affiliated or unaffiliated with a company. Any U.S. federal employees or federal contractors are eligible to submit potential use-cases and proposed collaborations within the application process. Sourcing a use-case to these hackathons often results in an operational prototype and feedback for the sourcing organization.

Starting in 2021, the U.S. Air Force began organizing multi-service prototyping events, known as BRAVO hackathons, to expedite learning and capability development from classified and protected operational data. This year’s BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects, the fourth BRAVO hackathon and first-held inside a combatant command, is seeking to produce solutions to combatant command challenges utilizing Indo-Pacific operational theater data. BRAVO utilizes a permissive software development environment that permits the co-mingling of classified and protected data with untrusted open-source and commercial software otherwise not approved for production systems within minutes.

Prior hackathons have produced prototypes influencing major Defense Department programs in areas including large language models, space launch, flight telemetry and biometrics, unmanned systems, personnel recovery, security classification, sensing and targeting and battle damage assessment among others.

“In the early 1920s, Army Col. Billy Mitchell assessed battleships, a top military funding priority of the Department of War, could be sunk by bombers just 1/80th the cost,” said Stuart Wagner, Chief Digital Transformation Officer for the Department of the Air Force and BRAVO AI Battle Labs Executive Agent. “To disprove widely held resourcing beliefs of senators, four-star generals and the Secretary of War, Mitchell organized the Project B exercises where bombers repeatedly sunk German-captured battleships, changing warfare by turning investments to airpower in the leadup of World War II.

The BRAVO DoD AI Battle Labs are again seeking to change how warfare is conducted by enabling innovators to develop and employ data driven effects during competition and conflict.”

Applicants looking to participate may do so in one of three roles:

The “Hacker” role is open to all applicants and expects project builders with varying skill sets and experience, including operational and warfighter expertise, software development, data science, machine learning, design and user interface/user design, data visualization and product management. Hackers may optionally supply a use case during the application process.

The “Hacker Subject Matter Expert” role is open to government and government contractors who lead one or more teams with specific expertise about a use case or dataset or supplies and administers infrastructure utilized at the hackathon. HackerSMEs will be required to supply a use case during the application process.

The “Supporter” role, open to government and government contractors, provides administrative support to the event by running security, facilitating supplies delivery, organizing social events and facilitating the delivery of science fair materials and attendee check-in.

Any federal government organization (contractor or government) is eligible to submit a use case, dataset, infrastructure or potential collaboration with the hackathon by submitting a Hacker/HackerSME application to the event. Further clarification can be obtained via saf.cn.bravo@us.af.mil. U.S. citizens and industry not leveraging an existing DoD contract for their proposed collaboration are encouraged to contact the Defense Innovation Unit at onramp-hack-bravo@diu.mil.

Source: United States Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

The Office of the Secretary of Defense Chief Digital and AI Office, Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Army Pacific Command and the U.S. Air Force will host a multi-classification hackathon open to all U.S. citizens, Feb. 5-9, 2024.

A hackathon is an innovation event commonly employed by technology companies in which teams develop prototypes in response to enterprise challenges associated with data. The BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects hackathon will occur at one of the DOD AI Battle Labs on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Any American citizen is eligible to apply, regardless of whether they currently work for the federal government or possess a security clearance. Applications, available online here, will be accepted on a rolling first-come-first-serve basis with the first group of acceptances taking place in mid-December. Due to past events exceeding 400 participants, BRAVO has secured an over-flow room, although organizers still expect demand to exceed supply.

Attendees are not required to hold a security clearance. However, certain spaces, use-cases and datasets may require a U.S. secret security clearance or higher. Applicants may apply as an employee for the U.S. government, a U.S. government contractor working on behalf of a federal contract or as U.S. citizen either affiliated or unaffiliated with a company. Any U.S. federal employees or federal contractors are eligible to submit potential use-cases and proposed collaborations within the application process. Sourcing a use-case to these hackathons often results in an operational prototype and feedback for the sourcing organization.

Starting in 2021, the U.S. Air Force began organizing multi-service prototyping events, known as BRAVO hackathons, to expedite learning and capability development from classified and protected operational data. This year’s BRAVO 11 Bits2Effects, the fourth BRAVO hackathon and first-held inside a combatant command, is seeking to produce solutions to combatant command challenges utilizing Indo-Pacific operational theater data. BRAVO utilizes a permissive software development environment that permits the co-mingling of classified and protected data with untrusted open-source and commercial software otherwise not approved for production systems within minutes.

Prior hackathons have produced prototypes influencing major Defense Department programs in areas including large language models, space launch, flight telemetry and biometrics, unmanned systems, personnel recovery, security classification, sensing and targeting and battle damage assessment among others.

“In the early 1920s, Army Col. Billy Mitchell assessed battleships, a top military funding priority of the Department of War, could be sunk by bombers just 1/80th the cost,” said Stuart Wagner, Chief Digital Transformation Officer for the Department of the Air Force and BRAVO AI Battle Labs Executive Agent. “To disprove widely held resourcing beliefs of senators, four-star generals and the Secretary of War, Mitchell organized the Project B exercises where bombers repeatedly sunk German-captured battleships, changing warfare by turning investments to airpower in the leadup of World War II.

The BRAVO DoD AI Battle Labs are again seeking to change how warfare is conducted by enabling innovators to develop and employ data driven effects during competition and conflict.”

Applicants looking to participate may do so in one of three roles:

The “Hacker” role is open to all applicants and expects project builders with varying skill sets and experience, including operational and warfighter expertise, software development, data science, machine learning, design and user interface/user design, data visualization and product management. Hackers may optionally supply a use case during the application process.

The “Hacker Subject Matter Expert” role is open to government and government contractors who lead one or more teams with specific expertise about a use case or dataset or supplies and administers infrastructure utilized at the hackathon. HackerSMEs will be required to supply a use case during the application process.

The “Supporter” role, open to government and government contractors, provides administrative support to the event by running security, facilitating supplies delivery, organizing social events and facilitating the delivery of science fair materials and attendee check-in.

Any federal government organization (contractor or government) is eligible to submit a use case, dataset, infrastructure or potential collaboration with the hackathon by submitting a Hacker/HackerSME application to the event. Further clarification can be obtained via saf.cn.bravo@us.af.mil. U.S. citizens and industry not leveraging an existing DoD contract for their proposed collaboration are encouraged to contact the Defense Innovation Unit at onramp-hack-bravo@diu.mil.

Source: United States Air Force

Fort George G. Meade, Md. (AFNS) —  

This week’s look around the Air Force highlights Operation Christmas Drop 2023, a humanitarian event that brings the U.S. and partner nations together to deliver essentials to remote islands in the Indo-Pacific region. (Hosted by Staff Sgt. Milton Hamilton)

Watch on DVIDS | Watch on YouTube
For previous episodes, click here for the Air Force TV page.

Source: United States Air Force

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE AMBERLEY, Queensland (AFNS) —  

U.S. Air Force 15th Wing, Royal Australian Air Force No. 36 Squadron and Royal Air Force 99 Squadron trained together during Exercise Global Dexterity 23-2 at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, Australia, Nov. 27-Dec. 8.

During the two-week exercise, the U.S. Air Force, RAAF and RAF integrated personnel with the goal to help develop multilateral tactical airlift and airdrop capabilities between the three nations while achieving mission success across multiple areas, including humanitarian disaster and assistance, disaster relief situation or contingency operations.

“One of the main objectives of the exercise is to allow us the opportunity to fly with multi-country crews to see the differences between techniques, tactics and procedures, but also to learn little tips and tricks that other defense forces might have that we haven’t necessarily considered ourselves,” said Flight Lieutenant Josh Wright, Royal Australian Air Force No. 36 Squadron pilot. “This exercise has given us the opportunity to conduct airdrop operations, air refueling, formation operations, low level tactical flight and general low level awareness training.”

In addition to integrating aircrews, the RAAF, U.S. Air Force and RAF maintainers worked together to ensure all nations’ aircraft were safe to train and fly daily.

 
“Not only are three countries flying our aircraft together, but the crews flying the aircraft are made up of all three countries,” said Lt. Col. Chris Gilbert, 535th Airlift Squadron director of operations. “Once we return and hand the aircraft back to the maintenance professionals, fully integrated teams work to prepare the aircraft to fly again.”

This is the first time that the RAF members have participated in this exercise working together with U.S. Air Force and RAAF members to strengthen military partnerships and demonstrate mission capabilities in wartime, peacetime and humanitarian operations throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

“It’s critical as we go forward, I think, because we have an opportunity to both learn from each other and capitalize on each of our unique capabilities that we bring and learn from each other,” said Col. Michael Lewis, 15th Operations Group commander. “It’s those things that we bring together to sharpen each other and make each other better as a crew force across the C- 17 fleet.”

During this exercise, additional training was accomplished by including Australian Defence Force cargo requirements into the mission planning and transporting ADF cargo from Momote Airport, Papua New Guinea in support of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.

“It’s really important to work with your mates before you have to, whether it’s humanitarian assistance, disaster relief situations or a combat situation,” Lewis said. “You want to work with your mates so that you know both their capabilities, as well as the things that they can’t do whether it’s limited by government or by fleet size or by crew size. So that’s why it’s so important that we’re doing this now .We’re learning and growing together in a way that helps us in those situations in the future if we have a humanitarian disaster.”

 
Exercise Global Dexterity allows all three nations the unique experience of multilateral interoperability through blended aircrews and maintenance teams that work together from combined mission planning to execution. This partnership between nations is especially important given the changing strategic environment in the region.

“This training exercise is a fantastic opportunity not only for our countries, but for the Airmen that get to develop personal relationships with our Allies,” Gilbert said. “We achieve interoperability and integrated deterrence only when we play together, eat together, work together, debrief together and put in the effort to make each other better.”

 

Source: United States Air Force

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) —  

Air Force Global Strike Command recently stood up a new directorate, AFGSC/A10, the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization Directorate, at Barksdale Air Force Base.

This directorate is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of the Air Force in support of the deployment of the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM weapon system and the retirement of the LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM weapon system.

“Section 1638 of the [Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act] directed the establishment of the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Site Activation Task Force within Air Force Global Strike Command,” said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC commander. “Brig. Gen. Colin Connor will lead the ICBM Modernization Directorate [AFGSC/A10], which organizationally consists of a Sentinel Operating Location team, a Sentinel Requirements Division, and a Sentinel Operations Division. I have absolute confidence that he and the entire A10 team will prepare the command for one of the most critical upgrades to our nation’s deterrence capabilities in history.”

Connor stepped into his role in August of this year and says he is excited about his new position, leading the new organization and the Sentinel project.

“The Sentinel project is a monumental one for the United States,” Connor said. “It aims to field 400 missiles, modernize 450 silos and more than 600 facilities across almost 40,000 square miles of U.S. territory over six states, three operational wings and a test location, to replace the Minuteman III ICBM weapon system. I am honored to be part of the team that shapes the ICBM enterprise for the future nuclear community.”

The weapon system overhaul will take place in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, California, Colorado and Nebraska over the next 20 years. All components of the previous weapon system will be replaced, including the motors, interstages, propulsion system rocket engine, and missile guidance set. The number, size, configuration and design of the nuclear warheads provided by the Department of Energy will remain unchanged.

With nuclear deterrence as the Department of Defense’s top priority mission, the standup of the A10 directorate represents one of the first steps in ensuring the United States’ nuclear capability is strong enough to withstand any threat to the United States and its allies. The work the directorate accomplishes over the coming years will ensure the Sentinel weapon system is the most cost-effective option for maintaining a safe, secure, and effective land-based leg of the nuclear triad and would extend its capabilities through 2075.

For more information regarding the Sentinel Program, click here.