Pentagon Releases Request for Information to Support Its Latest Offset Strategy

Hmm, I’ll research
“Swarm Robotics” next

Just before resigning, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel launched a “third offset” strategy whose purpose was to invite DoD and civilian resources to identify future technologies that would allow the US to maintain and renew its military technological superiority. Senior DoD officials such as Frank Kendall had been fretting for months about the challenge posed by rising technical savvy from the likes of China, whether developed locally or through spying. This is a legitimate concern, and continuity should be insured after Hagel’s departure by Defense Deputy Secretary Bob Work, who was named as the point man for this initiative.

Indeed by early December 2014 this strategy was couched into a Long Range Research and Development Plan (LRRDP) Request for Information (RFI). But this document lacks specifics or attractiveness for the type of organizations DoD would most like to hear from.

US Defense Services Sector in Need of Consolidation

• Engility CEO Anthony Smeraglinolo noted [Defense News] during a speech at the I/ITSEC tradeshow that the number of contractors active in the government services market had grown vastly beyond the market itself.

• USMC General (Ret.) and NDIA chairman Arnold Punaro is looking for someone [WaPo] willing to write a proper “38-page requirement to buy a chocolate-chip cookie.” Someone step up, it can be done! Three pages alone can be allocated to the vexing problem of whether raisins are an adequate substitute. The 81-page “comparison of nutrient intakes between a Ft. Riley contractor-operated and a Ft. Lewis military-operated garrison dining facility” [PDF] by the US Army’s Medical R&D Command is a good place to start.

• A USSOCOM C-27J and a USAF C-130H made contact on Monday while conducting reportedly separate flight training near Fort Bragg, NC. They were able to land safely without reported injuries, though both aircraft were damaged. 440th Airlift Wing | Fayetteville Observer.

• The US Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) merged 2 directorates last week into the new Advanced Systems and Development Directorate (SMC/AD). The new entity is in charge of developmental planning and demonstrations of space capabilities.