The Hatch Report (Issue #9)
Top Stories
1) CRS Releases Helpful Summary of Defense Supplemental Funding for Ukraine
To date, Congress has appropriated $174.2 billion. Of this amount, $110.7 billion (64%) was provided for DOD and certain other defense-related activities. This document summarizes such funding by appropriations act and by major DOD appropriation category, or title. It also provides information about related funding transfers and reprogramming actions, Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports, and potential issues for Congress on this topic.
2) USAF Could Take Over Air Base Defense Mission From Army: Kendall
Argues the Army has not sufficiently prioritized this mission. *rest of article behind paywall
Thoughts
Given the USAF’s current resource limitations, any move to take on new responsibilities will almost certainly come with a request for additional funding, potentially at the Army’s expense. This potential shift in responsibilities would also likely entail a complex set of DOTMLPF-P implications. This is a heavy and politically challenging undertaking, to say the least.
It’s important for policymakers to fully appreciate the magnitude and scope of this challenge in tangible terms. Although detailed threat assessments and operational plans are classified, publicly available information should be sufficient to provide a reasonably close estimate of the number of air bases that would need to be protected, necessary force structures, and the requisite munitions capacity/magazine depth.
If fully protecting critical air bases during a protracted, high-intensity conflict proves too costly or impractical, DoD may need to consider alternative strategies. Expanding the bomber force would allow these high-value assets to operate from air bases outside the adversary’s WEZ, while increasing ground-launched long-range strike capabilities could reduce certain air-base defense requirements.
3) UK MoD embarking on its most significant reforms in over half a century
This includes establishing a new National Armaments Director (NAD), a role currently being recruited. The NAD will oversee the timely delivery of critical industry capabilities, shape and deliver the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, and ensure a resilient supply chain and a robust national arsenal. This role will also lead UK defense exports, advance acquisition reform, and synchronize procurement efforts through close collaboration with government, industry, academia, and international allies.
The reforms will also see the Chief of the Defence Staff overseeing a new Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) where he/she will formally command the individual Service Chiefs for the first time.
4) Advanced Air Mobility Insights
Check out SMG Consulting’s data-rich platform for insights into the air mobility market. A key feature is the AAM Reality Index (ARI), a rating tool evaluating companies on five factors: funding, leadership team, technology readiness, certification progress, and production readiness for full-scale manufacturing. It segments the AAM market into air taxis, regional, cargo, and others. Very helpful!
5) Air Force launches new Squadron Innovation Fund (SIF) Marketplace
The new Marketplace seeks to empower squadron commanders with greater flexibility and control over innovation funding. This token-based system allows commanders to allocate virtual tokens, each worth $100, to support promising initiatives. By creating an account on the Vision Joint Innovation System platform, Airmen can submit innovative ideas year-round, with quarterly funding windows to secure support. This innovative approach fosters collaboration between different units and Major Commands (pooling resources), breaking down traditional funding barriers and enabling the most promising innovations to receive the necessary backing.
6) Switchblade 600s Destroy $25 Million Russian SA-15 Gauntlet
Excellent example of bending the cost curve. Key takeaway centers on the C2 coordination between UAS reconnaissance units and strike units employing the Switchblade 600. UKR officials also championed Switchblade 600’s performance against enemy EW. Notably, enemy EW systems may have inadvertently compromised the SA-15's effectiveness.
FYSA: The US Army has announced it will field more than 1,000 Switchblade 600s over the next year as part of the DOD’s Replicator initiative.
7) Navy Establishing a Naval Strategic Studies Group (NSSG) Program
Set to begin in January and administered by the DON Office of Strategic Assessment (OSA), the program has a dual mission: training future flag officers in strategic thinking and researching the DON’s most pressing strategic challenges.
Industry Activity
8) Valid Eval
Selected by DARPA to evaluate AI Biotech Pitch Event submissions. The event calls for proposals for same-day awards of up to $300,000 each, with a $4.5M total award value available. Valid Eval is a secure SaaS platform that manages complex group evaluations.
9) Shield AI
Recent report highlights V-BAT’s strong performance in Ukraine, where it began counter-EW testing in June and reportedly withstood intense Russian jamming. Notably, V-BAT addresses limitations in Ukraine’s current EW-resistant drones, such as shorter ranges/less time on station and the inability to transmit real-time targeting and BDA data back to artillery and rocket units. Additionally, V-BAT’s VTOL capability enhances operational flexibility and complicates enemy targeting.
FYSA - V-BAT did not progress in the U.S. Army’s April downselect for the Future FTUAS program. According to recent reports, no additional funding is available to accelerate the program timeline, which seeks to equip the first unit in 2026. FTUAS will provide ISR-T at the Brigade level.
10) Island
The enterprise browser company has announced Citi Ventures’ participation in its recent Series D funding round. Coatue Management and Sequoia Capital led the Series D round, which valued the company at $3 billion. Follows the growing trend of enterprise applications moving into the browser and off the operating system.
Using the Island Enterprise Browser, organizations can provide control at the last mile of any browser-based application, ensuring protections such as copy, paste, download, upload, and screenshot capture, to more advanced security demands such as data redaction, watermarking, and multi-factor authentication.
This opens up unprecedented enterprise browser use cases, including securing applications from data leakage, safe access for contractors and BYOD workers, and full governance over privileged user accounts. Island reduces network complexity for IT teams by delivering a native user experience for the hybrid worker in contrast to costly and poor-performing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) while supporting built-in safe browsing, web filtering, web isolation, exploit prevention, and zero-trust network access at much lower cost. (All sounds very relevant to DoD)
FYSA - Earlier this year, the Army launched a BYOD initiative, offering two voluntary enterprise capabilities—Hypori Halo for mobile access and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) for desktop functionality. These tools are designed to complement each other, providing Army personnel mobile connectivity on the go and full access to Army 365 and Army desktop tools when needed for in-depth tasks.
Army Mobile: Hypori Halo - offers zero-trust, on-the-go access to Army 365 and CAC-enabled sites without the need for a physical CAC. Available to all Army 365 users—including Soldiers, civilians, and contractors—at no cost, Hypori allows secure email and web access from iOS, Android, and Windows devices. It prevents data storage on personal devices, reducing security risks if a device is lost or stolen. Hypori, which started as a pilot in 2022, is now approved for enterprise-wide use.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure: Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) - enables Army 365 users to access the full Army network from personal Windows or Mac devices via a Windows 11 virtual machine. This virtual desktop setup ensures Army data stays secure in the cloud without storing any information on personal devices. Users enjoy a secure, single-sign-on experience without compromising the privacy of their own data, as the device only serves as a “window” to the cloud-based Army environment.
11) SkySafe
Awarded a two-year renewal agreement from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to continue its work to help combat drone threats. SkySafe’s system enables the university to monitor, identify and track drone activity, providing warning of drone threats across campus. In the past year, SkySafe’s system recorded over 7,500 drone flights in the university’s airspace.
12) Sentrycs / Third Eye Systems
Sentrycs' precise detection and tracking system seamlessly integrates with Third Eye's imaging technology, allowing for real-time visual identification via thermal and VIS imaging. This integration offers fast and accurate threat classification, distinguishing between UAVs, drones, birds, and other objects. It also enables users to identify whether a drone is carrying a payload, providing an additional layer of threat assessment.
13) Umbra
Awarded a multi-million dollar contract by the Space Development Agency (SDA) to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating its commercial optical inter-satellite link (OISL) into SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). Umbra purportedly operates the world’s highest-resolution commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites.
14) Second Front / Chainguard
When deploying onto Game Warden to accelerate accreditation, it's imperative to have clean, secure images to facilitate the onboarding process and keep your application healthy. As a developer working with Second Front, you might typically spend a significant amount of time identifying and verifying container images for security and compatibility—a task that's both time-consuming and fraught with risk if vulnerabilities are present. By leveraging our partnership with Chainguard and with the support of our team, you gain access to a discounted registry of pre-vetted, hardened container images that are secure, reliable, and up-to-date.
15) ARX Robotics
In talks to raise Series A as it sets out to build Europe’s next defense prime. The startup builds unmanned ground vehicles to do everything from supplying and rescuing troops on the front lines to deceiving the enemy with imitation gunshot noises, lasers, and other distractions in training. This June, the startup announced a €9m seed round, from investors including Project A, the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and Discovery Ventures (Chris O'Connor from the NIF and Uwe Horstmann from Project A sit on ARX’s board). The startup has more than 10 government contracts, and its robots have been deployed in Ukraine for roughly a year.
16) Coframe
AI startup Coframe announced raising $9.3 million in seed funding, co-led by Khosla Ventures and NFDG, an AI-focused fund by former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and former Apple executive Daniel Gross. Partnering with OpenAI, Coframe has developed an AI model to automate the generation of website code, focusing on visually consistent and brand-aligned user interfaces. In tests with a major international client, campaigns using Coframe’s solution saw an average 42% improvement in click-through rates, with one segment achieving a 352% increase.
Thoughts - Possible applicability to DoD’s struggling recruiting efforts.
17) Siemens
Acquiring Michigan-based Altair Engineering for $10.6 billion in a strategic bid to boost its position in the fast-growing industrial software market. This acquisition will advance Siemens' capabilities in data analytics and AI within product lifecycle management (PLM), an industry valued at around $10 billion annually with a projected 10% growth over the next five years. With this acquisition, Siemens will raise its PLM market share from 9% to 15%, moving up to second place behind Ansys (23%) and ahead of competitors like MathWorks (14%) and Dassault Systèmes (10%).
18) KEF Robotics
Announced the opening of its new European office in Oslo, Norway. KEF Robotics is a computer vision company that provides autonomy software to fly aircraft without a human pilot. KEF Robotics was originally founded in 2018 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Government Opportunities
19) Command Post Decision Support Tools
DEVCOM C5ISR Center Sources Sought // Responses due by 27 NOV
Seeking advanced decision support capabilities to improve command post (CP) operations. The goal is to enhance the speed and quality of human decision-making within military command posts, which are unit headquarters where commanders and staff perform their activities. They're specifically looking for technologies that can work with both structured and unstructured data, including geospatial information, real-time feeds, imagery, and staff communications.
The RFI outlines ten key capability areas, including warfighting function decision support, textual and imagery analysis, geospatial analysis, interoperability with existing systems, real-time data integration, predictive analytics, security considerations, infrastructure requirements, and training needs. A key objective is to mitigate the need for human experts to be physically present in forward danger areas while maintaining expert-level system monitoring and assessment capabilities. The RFI emphasizes the desire for systems that can learn from user interactions and adapt to individual commanders' decision-making patterns.
20) Robotic Human Type Targets (RHTT)
USSOCOM Sources Sought // The response window was only from 30 OCT to 1 NOV.
This Sources Sought document is designed to gauge industry interest and identify capable providers for Robotic Human Type Targets (RHTT) for training purposes. The contractor must supply all necessary components, including personnel, equipment, and supervision, to deliver and support RHTT units.
The RHTTs must meet specific requirements: they should be commercially available, featuring a 3D mannequin on an all-terrain, armored base tested with ballistic protection. These targets are fully autonomous, GPS-enabled, and equipped with laser range finders for self-navigation across various terrains. They feature onboard speakers for sound effects, respond to hits with realistic movements, and operate seamlessly in both indoor and outdoor environments, including GPS-denied areas. The robots incorporate AI-driven behaviors to mimic realistic enemy actions, such as moving in formation or taking cover. Additionally, they are equipped with hit detection sensors, can register head or body shots, and autonomously return to maintenance zones. The RHTTs are designed for easy transport and can simulate realistic thermal and visual cues for effective live-fire training.
Thoughts
I was reminded of a 2022 Politico article that compared the USMC and the Army’s approaches to acquiring similar robotic training targets. It’s a fascinating and insightful read—worth checking out if you haven’t already seen it. Essentially, the USMC was testing a system that was reportedly very successful, but a lack of a clear acquisition plan delayed its fielding. It ultimately required significant pressure from Congress and buy-in from top USMC leadership to get it across the finish line. The Army, facing a similar capability need, chose not to adopt the USMC’s solution and instead opted for a different, costlier approach that would take longer to deploy.
A key takeaway from the article was the innovative 'training-as-a-service' model employed in the USMC approach. Leasing a trailer of eight robots for just over $1 million per year, this model is relatively cost-effective with a clear value proposition. By allowing military customers to lease rather than purchase the systems, the company retains responsibility for maintenance and program updates, while also providing flexibility for customers to adjust quantities or even switch providers if needed.
There have been growing calls for an “Anything as a Service” approach. Something to keep an eye on for other capability areas like ISR and C-UAS.
21) Counter Uncrewed Systems Support Services
NAWCAD Sources Sought // Responses due by 15 NOV
As the organic Lead Systems Integrator (oLSI) for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) operates under a product-based business model whereby NAWCAD WOLF civilians lead and manage the execution of the requirements with combined Government-Industry teams. Using this oLSI approach, the Government maintains ownership of intellectual property and data rights, enabling WOLF to rapidly adapt solutions to the dynamic needs of the warfighter.
The NAWCAD WOLF Combat Integration & Identification Systems (CI&IDS) Division, operating under the oLSI® model, has requirements for the support and sustainment of Counter Uncrewed Systems (C-UXS) including, but not limited to, systems that provide detection, characterization, identification, mitigation, and assessment of friendly or adversarial platforms to include the tasks of provide support for system integration, production and fabrication, in-service engineering, training, logistics engineering, supply and material control, testing, C-UXS operations, laboratory and test bed maintenance, C-UXS engineering, frequency spectrum authorization, and technical management.
22) Air Dominance
AFRL Munitions Directorate BAA // Responses due by OCT 2029
The BAA provides a helpful breakdown of the three divisions within the Munitions Directorate along with context for each of the 13 munitions-focused research areas and the designated TPOCs. These research areas include Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (MS&A); Innovative Aircraft Integration; Find Fix Target Track (F2T2) & Datalink; Engagement Management Systems; High-Velocity Fuzing; Missile Electronics; Missile Guidance and Control; Advanced Warhead; Advanced Missile Propulsion; Control Actuation; Missile Carriage and Release; Missile Test and Evaluation; and Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy. While the cumulative awards under this BAA are expected not to exceed $750 million, there is no inherent funding guaranteed in the Open BAA. All funding depends on government discretion and availability, and each Call will specify funding profiles relevant to that effort. Offerors should note that budget changes may affect funding availability with little or no notice.
23) Autonomous Vision Sensor (AVS) Development
NSWC PCD Sources Sought // Responses due by 15 NOV
Has a requirement for the development of large-scale circuit designs for various image-sensor, memory, and computationlogic components that will be used as part of a high-throughput, low- power, low-bandwidth vision sensor with reconfigurable analog processing logic.
24) Data Management Platform - MAMMOTH
NGA Sources Sought // Responses due by 15 NOV
MAMMOTH will require the contractor to provide a cloud-based data management platform with a modern technology stack consisting of tools and functions to ingest, organize, store, transform, and export data while interfacing with other systems in a capabilities development ecosystem. The objective of the RFI is to identify sources capable of performing the required services and to seek comments from industry on the draft Performance Work Statement.
25) Cognitive Monitoring, Training, Development and Restoration Solutions
DHA RFI // Responses due by 2 DEC
Seeking info on commercially available cognitive monitoring, training, development, and restoration tools to support the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (TBICoE). The DHA aims to find a comprehensive solution that addresses four key areas: cognitive monitoring, cognitive training and capability development, cognitive restoration, and military-specific adaptability. The desired tool should offer real-time cognitive assessments across multiple domains, support structured training to optimize cognitive performance, aid in restoring baseline cognitive function after injury or decline, and be tailored to military-relevant scenarios. Additional requirements include compatibility with existing DoD health IT systems, robust data reporting and analytics, ease of use in various environments—including austere settings—and the ability to integrate seamlessly with current DHA infrastructure while complying with DoD security standards.
Events
26) Freedom’s Forge 2.0
DARPA workshop event from 22-24 JAN 2025 at a TBD venue in Houston, TX. Participant Application Deadline: November 15.
DARPA/TTO seeking applications from researchers, engineers, and subject matter experts to attend an invitation-only workshop focused on technologies to enable an agile and scalable advanced manufacturing capability that is responsive and able to maintain a sustained surge of materiel production when needed.
To illustrate the vision, imagine the following hypothetical challenge: manufacturing a mid-sized UAV drone, approximately 100 kilograms in weight, with a design that will be provided and may include ordnance. The goal is to produce 100 units per day, starting within five days of receiving the order, while ensuring the quality and functionality of each item delivered. Additionally, achieving a low production cost as quickly as possible is essential. Coordination across multiple manufacturing sites is also required to maintain product consistency throughout the process.
DARPA plans to invite successful workshop applicants to in-person sessions for the purpose of reviewing and discussing current and future research relevant to this topic, developing new insights and areas of study, and building a common vision and strategy for the capabilities outlined. DARPA strongly encourages any individual who can make positive contributions, regardless of prior experience working with DARPA, to apply
27) Industry Day - Soft Kill Active Protection System
This in-person event will take place on November 19, 2024, at the Velocity Center in Sterling Heights, MI. This event is exclusively for NAMC members. Attendees are encouraged to submit any questions via NAMC by 13 NOV. The Government will review submitted questions and address them during the briefing or through NAMC afterward. There will be no live Q&A session during the meeting, and any follow-up questions after the briefing should also be sent through NAMC. Additionally, there will be no one-on-one sessions following the event.
28) PMA 281 Fiscal Year 2025 Industry Day
The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution Systems program office (PMA-281) will hold an in-house Industry Day on November 20, 2024, at Precise Systems in Lexington Park, MD, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. PMA-281 aims to engage industry partners in exploring potential collaboration to deliver innovative strike mission planning software capabilities. The event is open to all interested industry partners, especially those with expertise in agile software development, human factors, code modernization, human-machine collaboration, AI/ML, software factories, and cybersecurity. Attendees can participate in 15-minute information exchanges with PMA-281 leaders and technical leads. The event will also feature a classified intelligence briefing.
29) Joint Base Lewis-McChord Problem Sourcing Seminar
NOV 20 at the McChord Innovation Center hosted by H4D.
30) Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM) 13 Announcement
The Army’s PEO C3T and Network Cross-Functional Team will host a network-related technical exchange meeting (TEM) on December 10-11, 2024, at the Savannah Georgia Convention Center. The network is the Army’s number one transformation priority, enabling command and control (C2). TEM 13 will build upon previous TEMs with technical discussion, operational feedback, and strategic government/industry sessions
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