* The US Air Force released an RFP for the development and production of “mini crypto” devices that meet both NSA approval and Size, Weight, and Power constraints in line with combat use. They intend to handle unclassified and Secret data, for devices that may be lost during operations that may be conducted with other services and allied countries.
* This follows an industry day that took place in September last year. Mini Crypto is meant to be a multi-platform solution to shortfalls identified in the past, such as the interception by insurgents of UAV video feeds. Back during the industry day, the Air Force sized their need at 10,000 devices for around $1K apiece, and the RFP’s upper range indeed asks for quotes for 10,000 or more devices.
Sequestration: Still a Thing
* The Pentagon published its latest estimate [PDF] of the impact of sequestration funding.
* Defense Acquisition undersecretary Frank Kendall says they are still not going to budget following sequester levels though.
Navy Flag Officers
* It’s that time of the year again: the US Administration announced a large batch of nominations among senior Navy staff.
Ukraine
* A group of 11 US lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry to advise NATO members to end all defense contracts with Russia. Last week NATO secretary general Rasmussen pointed out that these were national decisions outside of the alliance’s purview.
* Ukraine’s defense ministry says that 6 of its armored vehicles were captured by a mix of local citizens and “representatives of Russian terrorist sabotage groups.” Which translated from Ukrainian to Russian turns into “pro federalist protesters.”
* As talks are starting in Geneva to try and resolve the Ukrainian crisis, state-owned RIA Novosti conveys the party line: “The Russian Foreign Ministry said that any hints of Russia’s alleged involvement in the tensions in eastern Ukraine were unacceptable.” What an auspicious start.
* Ukroboronprom has a number of T-64 tank upgrades in the works.
Alpine Joint Training
* Italian and British troops are currently conducting the Roman Express exercise in northeastern Italy. Video below:
