Acquisition & Logistics Excellence

DoD Announces Fiscal Year 2019 University Research Shanahan, Wilson, Goldfein Offer Views for Ensuring Funding Awards U.S. Superiority in Space DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS RELEASE (APRIL 3, 2019) SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS (APRIL 9, 2019) Arlington, Va.—The Department of Defense (DoD) announced Charles Pope $169 million in its long-running multidisciplinary university re- COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The top echelon of the United search initiative (MURI) awards to 24 research teams pursuing States’ civilian and military leadership offered unflinching basic research spanning multiple scientific disciplines. Since assurances April 9, that America’s superiority in space will its inception in 1985, the tri-Service MURI program has suc- endure even as competition—and the stakes—for primacy cessfully convened teams of investigators to combine insights intensify. from multiple disciplines to both facilitate the growth of newly emerging technologies and address the Department’s unique In remarks to more than 1,500 government, military, industry, problem sets. and international leaders at the 35th Space Symposium, Act- ing Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan set a tone on at least “The challenges we face today are highly complex in nature one dominant point that was followed in quick succession in and do not fall in line with a single discipline,” said Dr. Mitch speeches by Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Nikolich, director of Defense Research and Engineering for Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. Research and Technology. “MURIs acknowledge these complexities by supporting teams whose members have diverse “The threat is clear,” Shanahan said. “We’re in an era of great sets of expertise as well as creative and different approaches power competition, and the next major conflict may be won to tackling problems. It’s a program that remains a cornerstone or lost in space.” of the DoD’s legacy of scientific impact.” Because of actions by Russia, China, and other nations, “space The highly competitive MURI complements the department’s is no longer a sanctuary—it is now a warfighting domain,” Sha- single-investigator basic research grants and has made im- nahan said. “This is not a future or theoretical threat; this is mense contributions to both defense and society at large. For today’s threat. We are not going to sit back and watch—we example, a 1987 MURI team provided the first demonstration are going to act.” of self-assembled materials and micro-contact printing. These demonstrations provided a vital foundational framework in Wilson and Goldfein echoed and amplified those themes while nanosciences that had transformative effects on fields includ- also offering details for how the Air Force is meeting the new ing microfluidics, novel sensors, diagnostics, and electronics. dynamic in space. Additional notable MURI results include nanostructured materials to achieve new materials properties for phototronics “America is the best in the world at space, and our adversaries applications, advances in computer vision systems, and new know it,” Wilson said. Rather than becoming complacent, Wil- pathways optoelectronics with micro-optics and microme- son said the Air Force’s comprehensive approach is grounded chanical subsystems. in “a clear-eyed assessment of the world as it is.”

For the fiscal 2019 competition, the Army Research Office, Wilson also highlighted how the Air Force is driving the change the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Office of to field tomorrow’s capabilities faster and smarter by using Naval Research solicited proposals in 24 areas important to authorities given to the Service by Congress. That includes DoD and the military services. From a merit-based review of flattening the Space and Missile System Center organization the 295 proposals received, a panel of experts narrowed the and using the “speed as demonstrated” approach as employed proposals to a subset from which the 24 final awards were by the Space Enterprise Consortium. selected. Awards of about $1.5 million per year for three to five years will be provided to these teams located across 73 For Wilson, that “clear eyed” assessment also extended to the U.S. academic institutions, subject to satisfactory research upcoming debate in Congress and within the administration progress and the availability of funds. that will produce the critical details on the Space Force, a new 6th branch of the military. For a list of the winning teams, visit https://media.defense. gov/2019/Apr/03/2002109216/-1/-1/1/MURI-2019-SE- “Different missions will require different solutions. One size LECTED-TEAMS.PDF. does not fit all,” she said.

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Such speed and innovation is crucial, Wilson and Goldfein said, since the United States is no longer alone.

“China is militarizing commercial space technologies and incorpo- rating counter-space technologies into warfighting strategies,” she said. “Russia is developing ground- launched missiles, directed-energy weapons, and sophisticated satellites to advance their counter- space capabilities.

“We must be able to leverage innovation in the commercial space industry to stay at the forefront of technology and ensure our access to space,” she said.

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson emphasized the importance of the U.S. Goldfein touched on similar con- maintaining its dominance in space during a speech April 9, 2019, at the 35th Space cepts but presented them through Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo. “America is the best in the world at space, and our the lens of a warfighter. adversaries know it,” she said. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Mathews “The ultimate objective is to make the prospect of conflict so painful for an adversary that they should She and Goldfein highlighted changes the Air Force has already prefer dealing with the secretary of state rather than the sec- instituted that include revamping the acquisition process to retary of defense,” Goldfein said. make it faster and more nimble. As part of that effort, Wilson announced that a “Pitch Day” event devoted specifically to ACE Helps Programs Avoid Risk and Grows Managers space will be held this fall in Los Angeles. It follows one in 66TH AIR BASE GROUP PUBLIC AFFAIRS (APRIL 10, 2019) March in New York in which 51 contracts, valued at $8.75 mil- Benjamin Newell lion, were awarded in a single day. Most were completed in 15 HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass.—When the Combat minutes, the fastest being awarded in less than three minutes. Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission-planning application needed modernization, its program managers turned to the “To further develop the force, we are graduating our first class Acquisition Center of Excellence at Hanscom Air Force Base of Schriever Scholars and expanding education on space to to chart a process for fast fielding using CSAR Airmen’s fre- include junior officer, enlisted, and international students,” quent input. Goldfein noted on the advent of new training efforts focusing on space. The application, CSAR Pedro King, is a system designed to help mission planners track Airmen, equipment and weather in Both emphasized the need to collaborate with allies and in- order to build better blueprints for rescue training and opera- dustry. “We prefer the power of collaboration over coercion,” tions. The application was originally built on a ‘waterfall’ ac- Goldfein said to draw the comparison. quisition strategy, meaning a fully functional system is fielded all at once. Reviews showed prototyping and agile acquisition A sufficient budget, delivered on time also helps, Wilson said, principles could improve performance. in thanking Congress for its action on the current fiscal year budget. Space is a prominent fixture in the White House bud- “I think they realized that this way of fielding software, all at get proposed for fiscal 2020. That budget calls for a 17 percent once, wasn’t an effective strategy anymore,” said Dr. Charles increase on space, pushing the total to $14 billion. Kelley, chief of the Hanscom arm of the Acquisition Center of

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Excellence. “We helped them use a Section 804 strategy for 2018 Nuclear Deterrence Operations and Nuclear & the first time, and I think that’s helping them field faster and Missile Operations Awards Winners Announced work closer with the CSAR community.” SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS (APRIL 15, 2019) ARLINGTON, Va.—Air Force officials recently named the win- The ACE, which staffs acquisition experts at most Air Force ners of the 2018 Nuclear Deterrence Operations Award and Life Cycle Management Center locations, is responsible for the Nuclear & Missile Operations Award. providing a one-stop-shop for programs. There, personnel can find the latest tactics and training to tackle everything from These awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of complex, expensive Acquisition Category 1 weapons systems Airmen contributing to nuclear deterrence operations and the to more rapidly executed other transaction authorities and missile operations career field respectively. prototype agreements, like Section 804. “Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Nuclear Deter- At the end of March, the site senior functional for project man- rence Operations Awards and the Nuclear and Missile Op- agers held a town hall for PMs to encourage workforce devel- erations Awards. These individuals have made a significant opment across program executive offices at Hanscom AFB. impact on the nuclear deterrent mission and exemplified the The acquisition functional at operating location-Hanscom AFB professionalism we value in our Airmen,” said Lt. Gen. Rich- also promotes the re-assignment of program managers from ard Clark, Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Integration deputy one directorate to another for those individuals who want to chief of staff. broaden their experience by working in different divisions on base. These outstanding nuclear professionals were selected from a diverse field within the Air Force’s major commands, unified “My role is to be an advocate for the PM workforce,” said Pat- combatant commands and other agencies including the Air rick Marr, who previously headed up ACE and now serves as Force Reserve and Air National Guard. functional lead for all Hanscom AFB program managers, as well as the PMs at geographically separated units reporting Nuclear Deterrence Operations Award winners are: to PEO Digital and PEO Command, Control, Communications, • Airman of the Year: Airman 1st Class Anthony K. Solvedt, Intelligence and Networks. “We’re a portal for training and 595th Strategic Communications Squadron, 595th Com- resource materials, but we also want Hanscom [AFB] to be mand & Control Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska a place where the culture of our program managers grows • Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Scott B. and thrives.” Stanton, 31st Munitions Squadron, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy At the next AFLCMC Focus Week, the ACE will continue its • Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year: Master Sgt. efforts to spread the message of agile, creative program man- Michael A. Rickman, 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th agement by hosting classes on Agile Development Operations Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming PMs can take through the ACE, though they won’t be listed on • Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Travis C. Miller, Focus Week material. Continuous learning points are neces- 741st Maintenance Squadron, 341st Missile Wing, Malm- sary for career progression, according to Marr. strom AFB, Montana • Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Clinton H. Chandler, Kelley and Marr encourage the workforce to reach out to them 532nd Training Squadron, 381st Training Group, Vanden- for both career development advice and program management berg AFB, California assistance. One major project they’re working is to assemble a • Category I Civilian of the Year: Leslie A. Salloum, 740th Mis- series of ‘cheat sheets’ on how to trim the Department of De- sile Squadron, 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota fense acquisition regulations to suit acquisition strategies that • Category II Civilian of the Year: Matthew J. Bianco, 791st deliver warfighting capabilities at “the speed of relevance,” as Maintenance Squadron, 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, directed by the National Security Strategy. They want to boil North Dakota the most complex authorities and guidelines down to simple • Category III Civilian of the Year: Dr. Joseph P. Morris, Air language and clear checklists that acquisition program teams Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico can use when critically thinking about how to field the weap- • Professional Team: 701st Munitions Support Squadron/ ons systems our Airmen need. MXMM, Maintenance Flight (Capt. Scott A. Jensen, Capt. Kory T. Kluge, Master Sgt. Heath M. York, Master Sgt. Cleveland G. Coley, Master Sgt. Jason W. Buchanan, Tech. Sgt. Christopher C. Paolucci, Tech. Sgt. John M. Rasband,

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Tech. Sgt. Jess B. Roach, Staff Sgt. Maurice J. Alcampor, director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research Staff Sgt. Nicole A. Almario, Staff Sgt. Michael P. Harris, Staff and Technology. “The department’s unique STEM programs Sgt. Richard J. Bischel III, Staff Sgt. Elijah A. Miller, Staff Sgt. align with the newly released five-year Federal STEM Strat- Oswaldo Orozco III, Staff Sgt. Carter E. Strader, Staff Sgt. egy, entitled Charting a Course for Success: America’s Strategy for Gregory J. Washington, Staff Sgt. Richard Flores, Staff Sgt. STEM Education, by exposing students of all ages to ground- Colton J. Winkle, Staff Sgt. James W. Russell Jr., Staff Sgt. breaking, forward-looking research and development that sup- Matthias P. Houldieson, Senior Airman Cheyenne A. Bernier, ports the warfighter and provides science, technology, and Senior Airman Myles C. Taylor, Senior Airman Savannah M. engineering expertise to develop technologies that benefit the Chiles, Airman 1st Class Tyler M. Kuykendall) U.S. and directly contribute to protecting national security.”

Nuclear & Missile Operations Award winners are: DSEC members and their STEM education and outreach ef- • Operator of the Year: Capt. Jeremy L. Kittle, 341st Opera- forts will include programs such as For Inspiration and Recog- tions Support Squadron, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom nition Science and Technology, National Math and Science Ini- AFB, Montana tiative, MATHCOUNTS, USA Science and Engineering Festival, • Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Maurice E. LeFe- and more. These programs will help the Department continue ver, 10th Missile Squadron, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom to attract, inspire, and develop exceptional STEM talent across AFB, Montana the education continuum and advance the current DoD STEM • Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Kristine E. Poblete, workforce to meet current and future defense technological Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale challenges. AFB, Louisiana The DSEC will allow the Department to directly support im- Since 2014, the Nuclear Operations Awards Program has been proving permeability and recruitment through strategically administered and overseen by deputy chief of staff, Strategic investing in students of all ages in STEM education and out- Deterrence and Nuclear Integration. reach activities, giving them more exposure to DoD research and career opportunities. These partnerships will enable the DoD Announces Award for STEM Education and DoD to encourage underserved, underrepresented, and mili- Outreach Efforts tary dependent students to pursue STEM careers and consider DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS RELEASE (APRIL 16, 2019) defense laboratories as a place of employment. Additionally, WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Department of Defense (DoD) the DSEC will provide unique hands-on learning experiences recently announced the award of the Defense Science, Tech- where students can work side-by-side with the nation’s best nology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education scientists and engineers helping to create cutting-edge re- Consortium (DSEC) cooperative agreement. The coopera- search and development. They will learn to transform new tive agreement was awarded to Research Triangle Institute ideas into innovative solutions, helping the nation thrive by (RTI), who will receive up to $15 million a year over the course solving the complex problems of today’s world and its future. of five years. New Air Force Science & Technology Strategy Puts The goal of the DSEC is to identify and support stronger pro- Focus on Speed grams for conducting Kindergarten–12 and undergraduate SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS (APRIL 17, 2019) STEM education and outreach efforts. It will provide the DoD ARLINGTON, Va.—Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson with far-reaching, sustainable, and scalable programs through unveiled a new and ambitious Science and Technology Strat- a consortium of organizations that have similar STEM goals. egy designed to better identify, develop, and deploy break- RTI will identify strategies to meet the vision and goals of the through technologies, April 17. DoD STEM Strategic Plan, including: (1) building a highly quali- fied STEM workforce in mission critical areas; (2) enhancing The 32-page report is a blueprint for the next decade and be- the preparation of dependents of our Armed Forces for careers yond. The strategy includes an array of changes allowing the in STEM; (3) providing education, outreach programs, and ac- Air Force to maximize—and expand—its technological advan- tivities that stimulate an interest in STEM; and (4) promoting tage in the new era of peer-to-peer threats. increased participation of underserved groups. “This strategy isn’t just a list of technologies. Our approach “STEM is a national priority. In the 21st century, scientific and will be to predict where adversaries cannot easily go and make technological innovations have given rise to major economic sure the Air Force gets there first,” Wilson said. and political shifts across the globe,” said Dr. Milan Nikolich,

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The plan for executing this strategy is divided into three objec- intention is to elevate the advocacy for science and technology tives to make the vision a reality. within the Air Force.

Develop and Deliver Transformational Capabilities The person selected for this newly created senior position will The Air Force will focus on developing and delivering transfor- guide strategic scientific and technical decisions, prioritize ac- mational, operational capabilities by restructuring its science tivities, and coordinate across the Service to convert scientific and technology portfolio. and technical investments into new disruptive capabilities.

“The Air Force will prioritize five strategic capabilities while Deepen and Expand Scientific and Technical Enterprise maintaining the ability to dominate time, space, and complex- The Air Force will deepen and expand the enterprise by en- ity across all operating domains,” she said. gaging the workforce and leveraging partnerships with partner organizations. Enhancing the recruitment of national and The five capabilities are: global talent, advancing workforce development, creating a • Global persistent awareness, which may include advances stronger pipeline of technology-proficient military Airmen, in “multimodal sensing” and developing new laser and mul- and implementing agile workforce practices will significantly tistatic radars strengthen Air Force scientific and technical expertise. • Resilient information sharing, which may include developing mesh networks and “agile systems with real-time spectrum Expanding the Air Force’s scientific presence in innovation awareness” hotspots, funding research in universities and with partner- • Rapid, effective decision-making, which may include ad- ships, creating a more visible Air Force science and technology vances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and pre- front door, and strengthening partnerships increases discov- dictive data analytics ery, innovation, and technology transition. This will strengthen • Complexity, unpredictability, and mass, which may include the workforce and strengthen its connections to the broader upgrades to multi-domain command and control, develop- scientific enterprise. ing low-cost air and space platforms, and other advances • Speed and reach of disruption and lethality, which may “Transforming the force will require a change in mindset re- include hypersonic flight, scramjet propulsion, and a new quiring everyone involved to stretch their thinking from what generation of smart munitions and tools for cyberwarfare is possible to what is conceivable,” said Dr. Richard Joseph, the chief scientist of the Air Force. “Most of all, it requires that the While the strategy will spur innovation and efficiencies across S&T and operational elements of the Air Force work together a broad range of programs, Wilson said the document places to confound the strategies of our adversaries.” a special emphasis on hard-to-crack efforts related to multi- domain warfare. While the strategy features a collection of Through sustained commitment to implementing the goals of new policies, tools, and practices, it also calls for a modified this strategy, the Air Force will position itself to deliver disrup- “return to our roots” by focusing 20 percent of Air Force sci- tive innovations to the joint warfighter. ence and technology (a subset of research, development, test and evaluation) funds on path-breaking “Vanguard” projects. Nunn-Perry Awards Recognizes Excellence in DoD Mentor Protégé Program This effort will advance emerging weapon systems and war DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS RELEASE (APRIL 17, 2019) fighting concepts through prototyping and experimentation. The Defense Department announced the winners of the 2018 The concept is drawn from past successes such as the “Cen- Nunn-Perry Awards today, recognizing excellence in the DoD tury Series aircraft.” These aircraft, ranging from the F-100 to Mentor Protégé Program. F-106 developed in the 1950s and 1960s, broke new ground, marking the first supersonic and double supersonic fight- The nomination review process, completed during the sec- ers and the first tactical aircraft designed to carry nuclear ond quarter of fiscal year 2019, evaluated 21 submissions. The weapons. competition was rigorous and the results incredibly close, with 10 awardees who support three military departments and two Reform the Way Science and Technology defense agencies among them. is Led and Managed The Air Force proposes to reform the way they lead and man- The DoD Mentor Protégé Program was established Nov. 5, age through the appointment of a chief technology officer. The 1990, in response to concerns raised by DoD prime contractors regarding their inability to meet Small Disadvantaged

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Business (SDB) subcontracting goals. At the time, many SDBs • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: Booz Allen Hamil- did not possess the technical capabilities to meet DoD sub- ton, Darkblade, Virginia State University, Howard University, contract requirements. Elon University

Today, DoD Mentor Protégé Program participants deliver ca- DoD Announces Winners of the 2019 Secretary of pabilities across major defense programs in support of the Defense Environmental Awards warfighter. Named for the contributions of Sen. Sam Nunn DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS RELEASE (APRIL 17, 2019) and the former Defense Secretary William Perry, who both The Department of Defense announces today the 2019 Sec- played critical roles in the implementation of the DoD Mentor retary of Defense Environmental Awards winners. Since 1962, Protégé Program, recipients of the Nunn-Perry Award excel in the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards have hon- technical assistance, protégé growth, and impact on protégé ored the outstanding efforts of service members and civilians development. across the Department of Defense to conserve the nation’s natural and cultural resources, protect human health, prevent Shannon Jackson, acting director of the Small Business Pro- or eliminate pollution at the source, clean up contaminated grams within the Office of Industrial Policy, recently congratu- DoD sites, and incorporate environmental requirements into lated the winners and discussed the important collaborative weapon system acquisition. The DoD components leverage roles that the mentors, protégés, and historically black colleges technology to develop innovative solutions to existing and and universities (HBCU) play in the nation’s small business emerging human health and environmental challenges. economy and the defense industrial base. “Strong environmental programs increase training access, im- “As our nation continues to face new and increasingly dynamic prove mission readiness, and provide the capabilities required threats from across the globe, it must leverage the talents and to prevail in conflict and preserve peace, all of which support capabilities of large and small businesses and HBCUs within DoD’s lines of effort to accomplish National Defense Strategy the defense industrial base. These small businesses and uni- objectives,” said Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for versities not only include some of our nation’s brightest inno- Acquisition and Sustainment. vators, but are major contributors to the American workforce and our economy,” Jackson said. A diverse panel of 58 judges from federal and state agencies, academia, and the private sector evaluated nominations from “Just as they have been key to the technological advancements the DoD components to help determine winners. that have fueled our past successes, today and in the future, we lean on them to lead in innovation and to help bring the lat- In 2019, DoD selected the following nine winners from a total est in conventional and unconventional warfighting technology of 32 nominees: to the warfighter,” he added. Natural Resources Conservation, Large Installation: Eglin The program looks forward to celebrating the accomplish- Air Force Base, Florida – relocated 1,030 gopher tortoises ments of the winners, listed below, at the upcoming Nunn- to avoid its listing under the Endangered Species Act and Perry Award Celebration in September. potential mission encumbrances. Eglin also conducted 160 • Air Force: CACI, Crystal Clear Technologies, Morgan State prescribed burns across more than 145,000 acres on base, University removing 290,000 tons of hazardous fuel biomass, and reduc- • Air Force: IBM, Redhorse, Morgan State University ing wildfires caused by mission activities on test areas by 20%. • Army: Leidos, Time Systems Inc., George Mason University • Army: Perspecta, CSCI, Morehouse College Entrepreneur- Environmental Quality, Industrial Installation: Wisconsin ship Center Army National Guard – updated nine fueling systems as part • Army: CACI, Athena Technology Group, Morgan State Uni- of an effort to replace and update underground storage tanks versity at the end of their life cycle. This work helps intercept potential • Missile Defense Agency: Parsons, Trident, Alabama State fuel spills and save tens of thousands of dollars in potential University cleanup costs. • MDA: Tec-Masters Inc., ITSC Secure Solutions, Oakwood University, University of Alabama Huntsville Environmental Quality, Overseas Installation: Marine Corps • MDA: Tec-Masters Inc., People, Technology, & Processes, Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan – initiated Oakwood University, University of Alabama Huntsville a hazardous waste risk reduction audit, effectively reducing • Navy: Raytheon, EEI, Bethune Cookman University liability by ensuring accuracy and complete life cycle tracking

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of hazardous waste containers. Camp Butler also performed mental Awards Program is online at: http://www.denix.osd. radon testing in 200 buildings, completed radon mitigation di- mil/awards. agnostics in five buildings, and mitigated radon in 10 buildings. Department of Defense Launches New Chief Sustainability, Non-Industrial Installation: Marine Corps Air Technologist Website Station Miramar, California – constructed an installation-wide DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, NEWS RELEASE (APRIL 24, 2019) microgrid that provides 100% renewable energy and offers April 24, 2019 energy distribution capable of supporting over 100 mission- Today, the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Re- critical facilities for three weeks if disconnected from the grid. search and Engineering, (OUSD(R&E), launched a new public website, https://www.cto.mil. Sustainability, Individual/Team: East Campus Reclaimed Water Team, National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Mary- The new website will help members from the different Ser- land – led an unprecedented military construction program vices, industry, academia, allied partners, and the American that developed a financially and environmentally beneficial public to stay informed on happenings in the DoD research, water-cooling supply system for high-performing comput- development, engineering, and technology enterprise. ers. This water-cooling system uses reclaimed water, reducing costs by 80 percent when compared to a conventional “We are very excited to launch our new website,” said Deputy potable water-cooling method. Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Dr. Lisa Porter. “Our goal is to increase awareness of our efforts, Environmental Restoration, Installation: Naval Base Ven- and to utilize these platforms to engage with the broader tura County, California – used adaptive management tech- research and development community, as we endeavor to niques to achieve final cleanup of a methyl tertiary butyl ether develop innovative solutions that bring new capabilities and groundwater plume 22 years ahead of schedule, resulting in technology to the warfighter.” $5.5 million in cost savings. The website is launched in advance of DoD Lab Day, on April Cultural Resources Management, Small Installation: Wash- 25, 2019, showcasing the innovative research and develop- ington Army National Guard – implemented maintenance ment performed across the department’s laboratories, war- and treatment plans for historic sites to improve management fare centers, and engineering centers. More than 80 exhibits and streamline State Historic Preservation Officer consulta- will highlight key innovations in areas including artificial in- tion time. telligence, autonomy, robotics, directed energy, hypersonics, advanced computing, “big data” analytics, and biotechnology. Cultural Resources Management, Individual/Team: Rita McCarty, Mississippi Army National Guard – saved re- This unique opportunity to interact with the scientists and en- sources by establishing curation facilities on the installation. gineers will be showcased on the OUSD(R&E) Twitter page, This allowed full public access to all holdings and eliminated @DoDInnovation. the annual $5,000 university curation facility fee. The OUSD(R&E) mission is to foster technological dominance Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition, across the Department of Defense and ensure the advantage Small Program: Tagnite Technical Working Group, U.S. Army of the American warfighter. Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland – developed and demonstrated a magnesium weapon system For more information about OUSD(R&E), refer to https:// component manufacturing capability using both Tagnite anod- www.cto.mil/. izing immersion and brush application. This method reduces exposure to hexavalent chromium, a human carcinogen, and Pentagon Showcases Its Organic Laboratories provides a more durable and corrosion resistant surface com- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, NEWS RELEASE (APRIL 25, 2019) pared to traditional finishes. Switching to Tagnite anodizing is David Vergun projected to save the Apache H-64 Helicopter program nearly WASHINGTON—The Defense Department’s organic labora- $1.2 million per year through fiscal 2024. tories develop weapons, medical technology, and other equipment. Hundreds had exhibit booths set up in the Pentagon For more information on the 2019 winners, visit: http://www. courtyard as part of its biennial DoD Lab Day today. denix.osd.mil/awards/2019secdef/. Additional information, including past winners, for the Secretary of Defense Environ-

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First and foremost, DoD’s labs develop emerging technologies collaborative effort between the Army and Marine Corps on that make warfighters a more lethal and protected force, the development of an autonomous mine clearing vehicle devel- Under Secretary of Defense For Research and Engineering Mi- oped by the Marine Corps and the autonomous component chael D. Griffin said at the Lab Day opening ceremony. These that sits on the chassis developed by ERDC. emerging technologies are not replicated in the commercial sector. There were a lot of failures along the way before success was achieved in the proof-of-concept stage, he said. Engineers who work in the labs must strike the right balance of speed, diligence, and quality, Griffin said. Someday, the vehicle could clear mines and put Soldiers and Marine combat engineers out of harm’s way, he said. Emerging and disruptive technologies are being developed by adversaries, so speed matters, he said. Congress Recognizes Lab Day Defense officials announced today that Congress passed a A better word for speed is velocity, Griffin noted, which is an resolution recognizing the contributions of defense laborato- expression of speed and direction of motion. Engineers need ries to the technological dominance of U.S. armed forces and to be working fast, but in the right direction, to develop some- supporting the designation of April 25, 2019, as “Department thing that matters to the warfighter and can be integrated with of Defense Laboratory Day 2019.” other systems, he said. AFNWC Product Support Manager Quality also matters, Griffin said. This doesn’t mean an ab- Receives High-Level DoD Award sence of failures, he said, noting that failure is inevitable in AIR FORCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS the design process. (APRIL 30, 2019) Leah Bryant But there are two types of failures: acceptable and unaccept- KIRTLAND AFB, N.M.—The Defense Department recently able, Griffin noted. Acceptable failures can come from calcu- recognized an Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center employee lated risk and things can be learned from them, he explained. for outstanding product support management. Unacceptable failures are such things as sloppiness in program management and ignoring the nature or physics aspects. The 2018 Secretary of Defense Product Support Manager Award was awarded to Lynn Betts in the category of Major Science is Collaborative Defense Acquisition Programs (Acquisition Category I and It’s important to work across the Services, Griffin said. Loyalty Other Weapon Systems). to one’s Service and organization should come second to engineers’ loyalty to truth, excellence, and favorable outcomes The award recognizes Betts’ product support efforts for the for the warfighter, he added. $83 billion Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program, currently one of the Air Force’s largest acquisition programs. Air Force Maj. Gen. William T Cooley, commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, provided follow-on comments to Grif- Among his accomplishments, he completed a product support fin’s emphasis on collaboration. “We work closely with our strategy that resulted in the award of GBSD contracts, valued partners from the other DoD labs, government agencies like at over $718 million, one month early and without a contrac- the National Science Foundation and Energy Department labs, tor protest. In addition, he led the GBSD program’s first-ever as well as industry and academia,” he said. logistics health assessment and developed a requirements list that helped the chosen contractors’ gain a deep understanding In the era of great power competition between the U.S., Russia, of nuclear operations. and China, “we have to be on the same team and collaborate,” so good ideas bubble up and best practices are shared, Cooley “This award represents the highest level of recognition for Lynn added. as an effective, motivated leader who gets superior results for cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives,” said Maj. Gen. Lab commanders meet regularly to share ideas and compare Shaun Morris, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander notes at a synchronization meeting, he said. and Air Force program executive officer for strategic systems.

David W. Pittman, director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research “Lynn has put GBSD on a path to bring the future faster for and Development Center (ERDC), provided an example of a nuclear sustainment,” said Col. Jason Bartolomei, GBSD pro-

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program aims to advance transformative, university-based fundamental research.

“The Department of Defense is the home of big ideas for unique problem sets,” said Dr. Bindu Nair, deputy director for Basic Research in the Office of the Under Sec- retary of Defense for Research and En- gineering. “The Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship reflects the Department’s commitment to support paradigm-shift- ing research that explores the unknown, engages outstanding scientists and engineers on these challenges, and helps to define and transform our research agen- das of the future.”

The 2019 class will join a cadre of 55 current fellows, who conduct basic research in areas of importance to the DoD, ranging from materials science and cognitive neuroscience to quantum information sciences and applied mathematics. In addition to their research Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary for Product Support Gary Motsek presents Lynn projects, Fellows engage directly with Betts, product support manager for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, the DoD enterprise to collaborate with with the 2018 Secretary of Defense Product Support Manager Award in the category of Major Defense Acquisition Programs (Acquisition Category I and Other Weapon DoD laboratories and share insights with Systems) on April 11 at Hill AFB, Utah. The award recognized Betts’ innovative ap- DoD leadership and the broader national proach to life cycle and product support management for the $83 billion GBSD pro- security community. gram, currently one of the Air Force’s largest acquisition programs. Courtesy photo by Tyler Deamer For the fiscal year 2019 competition, the Basic Research Office received over 250 white papers, from which panels of experts selected the final 10 Fellows. Each gram manager. “The innovative thinking he and his team have Fellow will receive up to $3 million over the 5-year fellowship brought into the program, including digital engineering and term to pursue cutting-edge fundamental research projects. flexible system design, will reduce both acquisition redundan- More information about the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellow- cies and logistics footprints throughout the weapon system’s ship is available on the Basic Research Office website: https:// 50-year design life. The whole ICBM family is proud to see basicresearch.defense.gov. Lynn get the recognition he deserves.” The 2019 Class of Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows can be found DoD Announces 2019 Class of Vannevar Bush Faculty at https://media.defense.gov/2019/May/01/2002125335/- Fellowship 1/-1/1/2019-CLASS-VBFF.PDF. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS RELEASE (MAY 1, 2019) The Department of Defense (DoD) announced the selection of DoD Reform Strides Lauded by Senior Defense 10 distinguished faculty scientists and engineers for the 2019 Officials Class of Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows, today. The highly DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS RELEASE (MAY 2, 2019) competitive fellowship is the Department’s flagship single David Vergun investigator award for basic research, and is named in honor WASHINGTON—Performing the duties of deputy defense of Dr. Vannevar Bush, the director of the Office of Scientific secretary, David L. Norquist spoke at the Defense Department Research and Development after World War II. This fellowship Gears of Government Awards Ceremony in the Pentagon May 1.

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The team “began an initiative to get our arms around how the Department spends its money, using internal com- parisons as well as a commercial reference to enable organizations at all levels of the Department to analyze, spend, and find opportunities to improve business operations,” he said.

Additionally, the team is developing an enterprise business data analytics capability, he said. “This data and the visualizations will speed understanding of what the data is telling us and be very useful.”

Other Reform Efforts Lisa Hershman, acting chief management officer, also spoke. David L. Norquist, performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, presents Lisa Hershman, acting chief management officer, the DoD Gears of Government The President’s Management Council Award for her DoD Regulatory Reform Task Force team at the Pentagon, May 1, has prioritized reform of information 2019. technology, the workforce, and data DoD photo accountability in the Federal Govern- ment, she said. The agenda sets forth “The reason reform is in the National Defense Strategy is be- a long-term vision for effective govern- cause it’s so essential to what we’re trying to do to defend the ment that works on behalf of the American people. That’s country and protect the taxpayer,” Norquist said. something near and dear to DoD.

Norquist then went on to recognize stellar reform efforts in That means looking at problems and complexities that need to the Defense Department. be solved, she said. That requires a shift in the way of thinking and approaching problems. DoD Regulatory Reform Task Force The DoD Regulatory Reform Task Force helped fight back on “Federal employees, who underpin nearly all the operations of regulations, he said. The task force completed its review of 716 government, are ensuring the smooth functioning of our de- rules. To date, 81 repeals and other streamlining have been mocracy,” she said. “Many of those employees are here today.” completed. Work continues on 291 regulations targeted for change. Of these, 55 repeals, 21 replacements, and 21 modi- AFRL Achieves “Shocking” Materials Technology fications currently are underway. Breakthrough AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY MATERIALS AND MANUFAC- “Using [the Office of Management and Budget’s] formula, we TURING DIRECTORATE (MAY 9, 2019) conservatively calculate that this effort will save the taxpayer Holly Jordan over $5 million per year, with the potential to save $25 million WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio—The Air per year,” he said. “That is serious, real money.” Force Research Laboratory, along with research partners at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Washington, are working to Defense Repository for Common Enterprise Data change the shape of materials technology with a breakthrough The Defense Repository of Common Enterprise Data team’s development that could open up a new range of possibilities work has been essential to the DoD-wide audit, Norquist said. for the military and beyond. Among the keys to its success are access to, and use of, perti- nent data and correcting deficiencies in each notice of findings Through an Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded and recommendations, he said. basic research effort, the collaborative team developed a 3-D printed polymer-based foam structure that responds to

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the force of a shock wave to act as a one-way switch, a long “This new imaging capability, together with the new manufac- sought-after goal in shock research. turing technology and computer simulations, allowed the team to obtain images and evaluate concepts in ways that were well According to Dr. Jonathan Spowart, AFRL senior materials re- beyond reach just a few years ago,” said Dr. Christopher Neel, search engineer, this novel material configuration, although in AFRL senior mechanical engineer. the early stages of development, has the potential to be scaled up in order to be used in different ways for a variety of applica- “The Dynamic Compression Sector is a unique facility that tions, including for the protection of structures. enables in-situ imaging of dynamic events giving us unprecedented information of the microstructural effects on dynamic Spowart describes the material as a foam-like structure that behavior,” added Brittany Branch, Los Alamos National Labo- contains a series of specifically engineered tiny holes that de- ratory scientist, who led the dynamic experiments. “Traditional termine the overall behavioral characteristics. Over a period shock compression diagnostics would not elucidate the local- of months, AFRL experts used computer modeling to run trials ization phenomena that is occurring during shock compres- to determine the most effective hole geometries to achieve sion. We would see a difference in shock velocity with tradi- the desired material response. When they would arrive at a tional techniques, but not understand why. These experiments promising configuration, Spowart says the team would print were very exciting, since we demonstrated a shock diode for a small test article, a flat plate not much bigger than a pen- the first time.” cil eraser. With the help of Los Alamos National Laboratory, working on-site at the Dynamic Compression Sector user facil- Spowart said the team plans to publish their findings and work ity at Argonne National Laboratory, Washington, they would toward transitioning the technology for further maturation and then conduct tests and image the specimen using X-rays to integration into existing systems, where he believes this tech- determine performance. nology has tremendous potential. “We are very excited about this effort and the teamwork that made it possible. This is a From there, the AFRL team would review results and fine-tune great example of what basic research can do to strengthen the material configuration to further refine the product through our capabilities.” additional modeling and testing. Spowart described the end product as containing a series of hollow cones. When these Air Force Research Laboratory Completes Successful cones encounter a shock wave, they collapse inward, form- Shoot Down of Air-Launched Missiles ing jet protrusions that project from the opposite side. These 88TH AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS (MAY 3, 2019) jets localize the shock wave energy, which is the origin of the WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M.—The Air Force Re- material’s unique directional behavior. search Laboratory Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstra- tor Advanced Technology Demonstration Program success- Spowart says this effort represents a significant breakthrough fully completed a major program milestone with the successful in materials engineering. He attributes this success to the surrogate laser weapon system shoot down of multiple air collaboration, communication, and expertise of the teams at launched missiles in flight, April 23. AFRL, Los Alamos, and Argonne National Laboratory, as well as the basic research funding from AFOSR. The SHiELD program is developing a directed energy laser system on an aircraft pod that will serve to demonstrate self- “The materials technology came from AFRL,” he said, credit- defense of aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. ing the modeling and materials expertise of the project team. “The testing facilities and test methodology came from Los “This critical demonstration shows that our directed energy Alamos. So when you put the two things together, you get a systems are on track to be a game changer for our warfight- really good team.” ers,” said Dr. Kelly Hammett, AFRL’s Directed Energy Direc- torate director. He adds that the remarkable test imaging provided by Argonne National Laboratory was crucial in proving out the concept. During the series of tests at the High Energy Laser System He explained that the laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source Test Facility, the Demonstrator Laser Weapon System, acting synchrotron is a unique piece of equipment that fires a very as a ground-based test surrogate for the SHiELD system, was powerful and concentrated X-ray beam at the test article, al- able to engage and shoot down several air launched missiles lowing frame-by-frame imaging of a shock wave penetrating in flight. The demonstration is an important step of the SHiELD the specimen, all of which occurs within a few nanoseconds. system development, by validating laser effectiveness against the target missiles. The final SHiELD system, however, will be

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much smaller and lighter, as well as ruggedized for an airborne environment.

“The successful test is a big step ahead for directed energy systems and protection against adversarial threats,” said Maj. Gen. William Cooley, AFRL commander. “The ability to shoot down missiles with speed-of-light technology will enable air operation in denied environ- ments. I am proud of the AFRL team advancing our Air Force’s directed energy capability.”

High Energy Laser technology has made significant gains in performance and maturity due to continued research and development by AFRL and others in the science and technology eco- system. It is considered to be a game changing technology that will bring new capabilities to the warfighter.

For more information about the Air Force Research Laboratory, visit http://www.afre- searchlab.com.

Cybersecurity Town Hall Emphasizes Information Protection for Supply Chain, Acquisition AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS (MAY 10, 2019) Marisa Alia-Novobilski WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio—The importance of protecting the De- fense Department’s controlled unclassified information during acquisition and contract- During the series of tests at the High Energy Laser System Test Facility at ing processes was stressed during a series of White Sands Missile Range, N.M., April 23, 2019, the Demonstrator Laser Weapon System, acting as a ground-based test surrogate for the Self-Protect cybersecurity town hall events hosted by the High Energy Laser Demonstrator system, was able to engage and shoot down Air Force Materiel Command, May 7. several air-launched missiles in flight. The demonstration is an important step for the SHiELD system development, by validating laser effectiveness More than 200 AFMC acquisition team pro- against the target missiles. The final SHiELD system, however, will be much fessionals, including contracting officers, cy- smaller and lighter, as well as ruggedized for an airborne environment. bersecurity specialists, program managers, Courtesy photo security specialists, and more attended the briefings, led by leaders from DoD acquisition, contracting, and information protection offices in conjunction to pay attention to it, we have to know the regulations, and we with the Defense Acquisition University. have to care about it.”

“Our responsibility is to know, understand, and identify the in- The event served as an opportunity to educate the acquisition formation that needs to be protected,” said Melinda Reed, Of- and cybersecurity workforce on the implementation of the fice of Strategic Technology Protection and Exploitation under Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Clause the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information Engineering, deputy director for program protection. “We have and Cyber Incident Reporting, which requires contractors and their subcontractors to safeguard covered defense information

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and CUI stored, processed, or transmitted on a contractor’s in- Dunford Accepts Eisenhower Award, Calls for ternal information system or networks. Information protection Industry, DoD Cooperation throughout the supply chain was stressed during the event, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS RELEASE (MAY 12, 2019 which focused on the responsibility of stakeholders across Jim Garamone DoD and industry. WASHINGTON—The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff accepted the Eisenhower Award May 10 from the National Reed emphasized the importance of marking and identifying Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) on behalf of all service information that needs protection throughout the acquisition members and called on the organization to encourage mem- process. bers to cooperate with the Defense Department to ensure service members never fight in a fair fight. “Anything that is not public information that is provided to a contractor needs to be provided with some kind of protection Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford noted that NDIA, which was for that information on their systems,” Reed said. “However, founded in the wake of America’s woeful industrial perfor- if we don’t tell the contractor what he needs to protect, then mance in World War I, is marking its 100th anniversary this he may not know what he needs to do with that information.” year.

She used an example of contracting for screws to illustrate Becoming the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ the importance of the ‘need to know’ concept in reference to American service members fought in France using French information protection. and British weapons. American airmen flew French Nieuport and SPAD aircraft. American divisions went into battle firing “A contract for screws does not require the contractor to have French heavy artillery. Some American doughboys carried Brit- the full data package for a platform,” Reed said. “We need to ish or French personal weapons. Advances were supported by be more diligent about what information is actually needed soldiers and Marines firing French machine guns. by the contractor for performance of the contract and provide what is needed.” The situation was vastly different just 20 years later, when the United States had truly become the arsenal of democracy. Vicki Michetti, DoD Chief Information Office, director of cy- Cooperation between the military and the government led to bersecurity policy, strategy, international engagement, and the the production of nearly 300,000 aircraft of all types between Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Program, a co-presenter 1941-45. at the event, underscored the department’s multi-pronged approach to safeguard information on non-federal information In that same period, the United States produced almost systems, to include the role of DFARS Clause 252.204-7012 88,000 tanks and armored vehicles. The country built com- and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special bat ships, cargo ships, oilers, patrol craft, and landing craft at Publication 800-171, protecting controlled unclassified infor- an unprecedented rate. At the end of the war, the U.S. Pacific mation in nonfederal systems and organizations. Fleet alone was larger than any other nation’s navy.

Though the town hall was heavily focused on information pro- Since then, public-private cooperation has had its ups and tection, the presenters also acknowledged the challenges of downs, Dunford said. But, he added, American service mem- overrestriction of information, particularly when it comes to bers have had the equipment and supplies they needed to cross-service problem-solving needs. secure America’s status as a great power able to deter nuclear war, fulfill alliance commitments, and maintain a competitive “We have to not only restrict information, but figure out how advantage over any potential adversary. to share so we can collaboratively meet our technical challenges across Services,” Reed said. “Safeguarding information Interesting Times is a team sport.” Dunford said this is the most complex time he has seen in his 40-plus years of service. As an example of this complexity, he Though the event was aimed at AFMC acquisition profession- described a recent day in his calendar. On May 3, he said, he als, the information has value across the program footprint. held discussions on the situation in Venezuela. Then he dealt Understanding one’s role as an acquisition team member in with specific “threat streams” emanating from Iran. That was the implementation of cybersecurity requirements is the first followed by reports from North Korea about missile shots into step, said Col. Rick Johns, Air Space and Cyberspace Opera- the East China Sea. tions, AFMC deputy director and chief information officer.

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Maintaining America’s competitive advantage is a crucial element of its defense strategy, Dunford said.

This is where industry must step forward, he said. “Our ability to leverage industry here in the United States; our ability to maintain a technological edge over any potential adversary, is going to very much depend on the partnership between industry and the Department of Defense,” he said.

Patriotism vs. Profit There are global industry partners “that don’t cooperate fully with the Depart- ment of Defense,” he said. “In their own minds, they rationalize that their own President Dwight D. Eisenhower meets with E. Frederic Morrow shortly after Morrow was ap- ethos is not consistent with pointed to the White House staff in 1955. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps what we do.” Gen. Joe Dunford accepted an award named for Eisenhower from the National Defense Indus- trial Association, May 10, 2019. Dunford said he is address- Photo courtesy Dwight D. Eisenhower Library ing this directly because, “I have a hard time reconcil- ing a company that is doing The whole time, Dunford said, negotiations over Syria and dis- business in China, which indirectly—if not directly—supports cussions about Afghanistan were weighing heavily, and even the Chinese military.” those issues were tinged by concerns over the great power competition with China and Russia. Any company of note in China has a base in the Chinese Com- munist Party, the chairman said. The Chinese will steal intel- “The challenge for all of us … is to try to deal with all of those lectual property from these companies, and that will benefit operations … today, while keeping an eye on tomorrow, and the Chinese military, he said. making sure we continue to have a competitive advantage,” the chairman said. “As we think about the future, we think about those individuals who benefit from our systems, who benefit from our values. I Competitive Edge think there has to be some responsibility, some accountability But, Dunford said, America’s continued competitive advantage in terms of who they do business with,” Dunford said. is not guaranteed. In fact, he said, it is being eroded. “When I talk about competitive advantage, I mean being able to project These companies need to help the United States develop its power when and where necessary to advance our national technology to maintain the technological edge that will be interests and being able to operate freely across all domains,” crucial in the future, he said. the chairman said. Companies need to understand what they are doing when they Russia and China are building capabilities aimed at defeating do business in countries that don’t hold democratic values, America’s ability to project power, he said. Dunford said.

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“I understand … about quarterly earnings statements and bot- and technology strategy for 2030 and beyond. The strategy is tom lines,” the chairman said. “But, just as I have to think about a blueprint for maximizing its technological advantage. the close fight and the deep fight; what I am asking industry to do is think about the close fight and the deep fight. What may The Air Force’s rapid acquisition efforts have been supported be convenient for you in the close fight, may be inconsistent by a number of other highly targeted practices, including ex- with your interests is the deep fight, as you start seeing a world pedited software development at new Air Force “software fac- that isn’t informed by U.S. leadership—that isn’t informed by tories” and streamlined small business outreach efforts that U.S. values.” have resulted in some initial contract awards made in hours, not months. Need for Speed: Air Force Meets Acquisition Acceleration “Century Challenge” Milestone AFMC Team Receives Prestigious Award for SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS (MAY 23, 2019) Life-Saving Aircraft Technology ARLINGTON, Va.—Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY CORPORATE COMMUNICA- announced the Air Force met its “Century Challenge” mile- TIONS (MAY 28, 2019) stone this month, cutting 100.5 years of unnecessary sched- Whitney Wetsig ule from existing weapons development programs since May ARLINGTON, Va.—The Automatic Ground Collision Avoid- 2018. ance System (Auto-GCAS) team won the 2018 Robert J. Collier Trophy, an award bestowed annually by the National The challenge to streamline and accelerate programs was put Aeronautic Association (NAA) that recognizes “the greatest forth to the Service’s acquisition community as the Air Force achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with focuses on adversaries who are rapidly innovating. “We have respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety to get critical technologies to the warfighter faster,” Wilson of air or space vehicles.” said. “Cost and performance matter a lot. So does speed.” The NAA selected the Auto-GCAS team for “successfully Wilson credited the Air Force’s success to Congressional sup- completing a rapid design, integration, and flight test of criti- port that provided new legal authorities to rapidly prototype cal, lifesaving technology for the worldwide F-35 [Lighting II] and test weapons in Section 804 of the Fiscal 2016 National fleet.” Defense Authorization Act, which the Air Force is implementing. The winning team comprises representatives from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Lockheed-Martin, the F-35 Joint “History will look back on this era and see how the Air Force Program Office, NASA, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, outpaced its competitors because of these authorities,” the Defense Safety Oversight Council, and other U.S. Air Force Wilson said. “The Air Force established guidelines for rapid entities. prototyping and fielding in May of last year. This put greater control in the hands of our program managers, at a level where AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate at Wright-Patterson decision-making is critical.” Air Force Base, Ohio, led the development of Auto-GCAS while members of the F-35 Integrated Task Force at Edwards Air “We’re able to dismiss things that don’t add value to our pro- Force Base, California, led the flight-test program. grams while remaining exceptionally disciplined on things that do,” said Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Kevin Price, AFRL program manager and retired Air Force F-16 Technology and Logistics Dr. Will Roper. Roper challenged Fighting Falcon pilot, says the team is honored and especially each program executive office to track both schedule and de- grateful for the resulting public awareness. Price explains that livery acceleration over traditional approaches in a May 2018 the “greatest reward comes from the knowledge that pilots memorandum to the force. have come home from missions” safely due to the development and transition of Auto-GCAS. Among the systems that have benefitted from this streamlined approach are communications and defensive systems on the We are “most proud” of the “precious lives and combat re- F-22 Raptor and F-15 Strike Eagle, cyber networks, satellites, sources [that] have been preserved through this revolutionary, hypersonic weapons, and key intelligence technologies. life-saving technology,” he said.

Underscoring a broader cultural shift beyond the Century Auto-GCAS relies on GPS and a digital terrain database. The Challenge, the Air Force also recently released a new science system employs complex algorithms and scans the digital ter-

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rain around an aircraft’s current and projected area to initiate an automatic recovery at the last instant to avoid a ground collision when needed.

Auto-GCAS saves pilots’ lives by preventing the most common reason for crashes: Controlled Flight Into Terrain. According to Air Force statistics, CFIT is responsible for 75% of all F-16 crashes. The leading causes of CFIT are spatial disorientation, target fixation, and G-force induced loss of consciousness.

Mark Wilkins, a senior aviation safety analyst for OSD personnel readiness and safety, praises the “entire team and their commitment and dedication to saving lives through this revolutionary technology.” He described this award as “deeply humbling considering the aviation greats who won previously.”

Since being fielded on F-16 Block 40/50 aircraft in 2014, Auto- GCAS has saved seven aircraft and the lives of eight Air Force pilots. Today, more than 600 F-16 Block 40/50 aircraft have the capability. Development efforts are in the works to field the system on an additional 330 Pre-Block 40 aircraft in 2021.

In April 2019, the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, recom- mended that Auto-GCAS be fielded on the F-35 following a series of flight tests. The Pentagon estimates that this technology will potentially save 40 pilots as well as 57 F-16s and F-35s through 2040.

Greg Principato, NAA president and CEO, said that Auto- GCAS is “a game-changing advance in safety that has already changed military aviation and can one day change the game for everyone.” The Collier Trophy, on display at the Smithsonian Museum. The NAA committee, comprised of 30 aviation and aerospace Courtesy photo professionals, selected Auto-GCAS over 10 other nominees.

The Collier Trophy, which is on display at the Smithsonian which prevented a successful escape. The freefall parachute National Air and Space Museum, will be presented during a enabled pilots to clear the airplane before manually deploying formal ceremony on June 13, in Washington D.C. the canopy, which greatly increased survivability and became the standard worldwide. This achievement marks the sixth time AFRL and its predecessors have won the Collier Trophy since 1926. However, AFRL 1934: Blind Landing System, McCook/Wright Field has made significant, though unnamed, contributions to at “(D)epending solely upon instruments from take-off to land- least 10 other winning technologies. ing, the blind-landing system reached complete development and was put into actual use in 1934. It overcomes one of fly- Past Collier Trophy Winners - AFRL and its Predecessors ing’s greatest hazards and (is) the most practical system de- 1926: Practical Parachute, McCook Field Engineering Division veloped to date for either military or commercial purpose.” McCook Field contributed to parachuting, beginning with the invention, development, demonstration, and standardization 1937: Pressure Cabin Airplane, Army Air Corps (Wright Field) of the free-fall ripcord-operated parachute for airplanes in “For having designed, constructed, and completely equipped 1918. Previous parachutes used a cord attached to the aircraft the XC-35 Electra sub-stratosphere airplane, the first success- that opened when the pilot bailed out, but these often tangled, ful pressure cabin airplane to be flown anywhere in the world.”

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Prior to this development, aircraft had no means of counter- 1959: Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (U.S. Air Force acting the decreased pressure at high altitudes that led to and Convair) aeroembolism, or the expansion of dissolved gas bubbles in The Propulsion Lab provided rocket engine expertise, as well the bloodstream. as new testing facilities at Edwards AFB.

1939: Aviation Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Corps at Wright 1961: North American X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered experi- Field mental aircraft (Pilots and North American Aviation) Awarded to “Airlines of the U.S. for their record of safety in air The Aircraft Lab and Propulsion Lab were primary contributors travel, with special recognition to Drs. Walter M. Boothby and to the technical development of the X-15, while Aero Med Lab W. Randolph Lovelace II of the Mayo Foundation for Medical provided aeromedical expertise and pressure suits. Education and Research and Captain Harry G. Armstrong of the U.S. Army Medical Corps at Wright Field, for their con- 1975: F-16, (General Dynamics-U.S. Air Force team) tribution to this safety record through their work in aviation The Flight Dynamics Lab proved viability of Fly-by-Wire flight medicine in general and pilot fatigue in particular.” (Note: In controls and developed engine inlet (under Tailor-Mate Pro- 1940, “pilot fatigue” was a catch-all term for effects of oxygen gram). deprivation and low pressure at high altitude.) 1989: F-117 Nighthawk (Lockheed & U.S. Air Force) 1940: Turbosuperchargers, Army Air Force at Wright Field The Avionics Lab (along with Materials & Flight Dynamics & GE Labs) predecessors developed the key principles of low ob- Turbosuperchargers compress incoming engine air by using servable technology (shaping and radar absorbing materials) the exhaust to rotate a turbine in the exhaust stream, which that enabled the F-117 and other stealth aircraft (along with runs the air compressor. This enables an engine to increase fly-by-wire that enabled control of unstable aircraft designs). power at any altitude, but is especially useful for maintaining These principles also applied to the B-2, named in the 1991 power at high altitudes with low air pressure. Collier Trophy.

Selected AFRL Contributions to other Collier Trophy Win- 1992: Global Positioning System, (Navstar GPS, U.S. Air Force, ners (People and organization[s] named in the award) Naval Research Lab, Aerospace Corp., etc.) 1947: Bell X-1 first supersonic flight (NACA, Bell Aircraft and AFOSR-funded technologies such as atomic clocks, Kalman Chuck Yeager) filter, Viterbi algorithm, etc, which enabled GPS. Wright Field provided the airframe and engine, and the Aircraft Lab’s Ezra Kotcher conceived the program. Some content in the article was originally published in an Air Force News story and a National Aeronautic Association press release.

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