Luke Macfarlan

Tailoring ASDEFCON contracts to build an effective Support System requires a cross-over of skills and a lot of experience! BiORG are proud to understand how to add value to our clients through careful and innovative contractual frameworks! Selwyn Tran Thomas Ford Scott Davidson David Bianchi Christian Knott Gary Pearce, RP(IPS), CPL, CAAM #biorg #forgingfutures

15

I’m at #SOFWeek2024 currently, and this morning, Military Embedded Systems published 2 articles summarizing yesterday’s sessions that are rather contradictory and confusing if read through the lens of a VC-backed startup. First, there was an article about Ms. Melissa “Mojo” Johnson’s keynote expressing SOCOM’s interest in expanding its ecosystem, to include proactive engagement with the VC and investor communities and their portfolio companies. Second, there was an article summarizing key takeaways from the PEO Rotary Wing session that stressed the importance of modular open systems architectures (MOSA). In the second article, Dan Taylor the author writes: “…industry should be focused on helping [PEO Rotary Wing] solve problems with technology the agency already has rather than developing their own proprietary solutions.” If executing on Ms. Johnson’s vision is a priority, this statement needs to be revised to state: “…industry should be focused on helping …solve problems USING technology the agency already has WHILE developing their own proprietary solutions.” This is the only way everyone will win—startups, VCs and investors, and especially the government. Just my $.02! #nationaldefense #executionmatters #onward

20

5 Comments

Ditto + TAK! So excited to finally announce the availability of our Edge Sync Plugin for ATAK. The history behind this gets to the origins of Ditto Federal's team. We won a SBIR in 2019 and executed on it from 2020-2021. Due to the pandemic, this limited access to integrating Ditto into other systems, so the focus ended up on ATAK. At that time there was no formal team - just a passion to bring Ditto's technology to warfighters and other service members. As a result, launching this plugin means so much more. Now Ditto Federal is a rapidly growing team executing on use-cases that span every service and even into allied nations too. Reliable information sharing is critical and we are proud that Ditto is making an impact. Check out the plugin and we welcome your input as we continue to expand its capabilities! https://lnkd.in/gGetFxsP Great job Brian Young Anyer Castillo Michael H. and the entire Ditto Federal team! We are hiring too, so get in touch! #atak #p2p #mesh #situationalawareness #DoD #defense

95

4 Comments

The 2024 Defense Acquisition Workforce Writing Awards recognize original ideas and innovative approaches to tackling challenges and implementing acquisition flexibilities. The award winners showcased exceptional skill in enabling acquisition and achieving the goals set out in the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and were awarded at the event. “I’ve never seen a defense strategy that had so many phrases that tell you we need to do things differently,” noted DAU President Jim Woolsey. “Organizations don’t change easily,” Woolsey remarked. However, the acquisition community must innovate and adapt to address new challenges arising from the evolving global environment, near-peer competitors and rapid technological advancements. DoD has received “massive wake up calls” with lessons learned from evolving conflicts. These awards highlight the value Congress places on the workforces’ innovative ideas. The winners received their awards and presented their publications to program management students and guests during a ceremony at DAU on June 12, 2024. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eg7RmckU

39

1 Comment

The Defense Innovation Board reports are getting spicy. 🌶️ The July 5 report on “ALIGNING INCENTIVES TO DRIVE FASTER TECH ADOPTION” is a strong read. I am concerned though, that the report in some sections, places a lot of the blame at the feet of primes system integrators. There is much blame to go around but I worry this approach clouds the collective thinking on solutions forward. what contract modification are KOs and program executives making to legacy contracts to allow primes to take more risks? How can we focus on creating on contract flexibility across the $100Bs of contract already awarded? How can we modify contracts to create incentives for industy to better partner to deliver? If we need 10-years of “new acquisition programs” to move faster, we aren’t moving fast enough and the problem will have changed. I worry this creates an environment where people feel the the only only way to deliver improved results is “create new compeition.” Partnerships are greater way to scale than forced competition alone. If you’re at National Contract Management Association (NCMA) World Congress and want to discuss how to partner to deliver technology to provide a lever point to drive the required cultural change needed faster — let’s connect. New operating models require technology to underpin the business workflows. And a drivers manual for operating the technology. Let’s build! https://lnkd.in/gehndS9s

177

42 Comments

I never miss a Michael Kanaan post, and this one is typical of why. He has a great analogy for why to get Acq/Contracting people involved. I can't tell you how many times in the last 6 years, someone has said, "Hey, I know this Lorna-person who does Contracting magic: let's get her in here for a 15-minute heading check." It's been crazy to see them realize that they didn't know they needed to think about Acq/Contracting strategies, knew nothing about them, and were just copying solutions from a single experience they'd observed from a distance. They didn't even need me in every meeting or long-term--I was often in and out and available for reachback--but the most beneficial thing I could do for them at that stage was to tell them a way to get to contracting solutions that they could bake into their entire process. Literally an hour of awareness from what I could explain/suggest could save them months of rework later. Not just me, but other Contracting experts could have told them the same. Communication and collaboration don't have to be either hard or meaningless buzzwords. As for software color of money, well, I've been watching this one gel for around 18 months now, and it's just another attempt to find workarounds to get the job done (which all of us innovative types tend to do). Here's the thing: if we're always coming up with workarounds and sharing them as good things (they can be), that's a big indication that the problem is the system. Fix the system and you don't have to spend time working around it to get your job done. #preachingtothechoir

26

7 Comments

Matt and Pete nail the analysis of Congress-DoD budgeting activity again. But they might have under-examined one key trend... This budget markup shows serious concern about #ContestedLogistics. Although the Navy took serious cuts to many programs, budget lines for logistics platforms tell a different story. Logistics platforms that received plus ups: - CH-53 (Heavy Lift Helo) - KC-130J (Tanker) - V-22 Osprey (Troop Transport) - Fleet Oiler - Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship - Ship to Shore Connector Non-Logistics platforms that received plus ups: - F-35 Missiles and surface combat capabilities received severe cuts. To me, the essence of how we do logistics is very important. Our proficiency, culture, and experience will serve us well. But there is no substitute for sheer mass. The House Appropriations Committee clearly recognizes that we need more ships. #Logistics #Congress #DoD #Budget #Defense #DefenseTech #DefenseTechnology #Acquisitions #Shipbuilding #Ships

28

10 Comments

Anduril Industries continues its expansion of products to the US forces 🇺🇸 💫 The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) adopts Anduril’s small uncrewed aircraft system - Ghost and and includes it from now in its Blue UAS Cleared list. 💫 Why it matters: it will accelerate its adoption wherever it is needed in the US armed forces. 💫 Partners for this move: United States Department of the Air Force, AFWERX, Air Force Research Laboratory. 💫 read more in the link at the bottom. #uas #robotics #innovation #defensetech

2

Giving local and federal authorities the ability to defend against drones is absolutely critical and I'm glad Congress is acting. That being said most CounterUAS systems interfere with GPS. We need to be careful that what we do to defend against drones does not accidently impact safety critical systems in aviation, automotive, e911, as well as essential applications is agriculture, financial networks, communications networks, etc. When this hopefully moves forward we will need standards and certifications on the design, capability, and use of these systems.

1

Shift5 again shows how they are a leader in Defense Tech Innovation with this new tool that addresses a direct threat to both our military and commercial aviation sectors. GPS spoofing and jamming are increasingly threatening our national security and commercial transportation systems. It can add complexity and risk to a mission, send cargo freight to an incorrect destination, and deceive operators, leading to significant downstream effects like operator and passenger safety and supply chain disruption. I’m proud to share that today, @Shift5 announced the GPS Integrity Module. The new module enables national security and commercial transportation operators to automatically detect and alert on GPS spoofing and jamming attempts. With access to and analysis of critical onboard data, Shift5 provides operators with the anomaly detection and operational intelligence required to act, and maintain trust and confidence in navigation technologies. Find more information here: https://lnkd.in/eT-3ETPF #GPSspoofing #GPSjamming #GPSintegrity #observability #readiness #resilience #electronicwarfare

78

12 Comments

Future advanced 'starliners' will look more like these (https://bit.ly/49aB40a) We also foresee NOT only our development costs being lower, ultimately Price-per-Seat will be lower as well and provided on much safer form of spacecraft. #futurespace #newspace #newspaceeconomy #newtravel #spaceliner #CTPSpace

2

Designing sustainment early in acquisition requirement development by establishing PPP’s is the investment we need in our Organic Industrial Base.

9

Not another CAA CAP 722X!??? For UAS operators/manufacturers looking for clarity around what constitutes a "Significant change" and therefore requires a "variation" to their OA, see here: https://lnkd.in/edSqBar6

FIX OUR WEBSITES - A RESERVIST RANT: I am a USAF Reservist at 24 total years in. Safe to say, like countless others, I've seen a wide range of outdated software tools that we've had to use that just plain suck, but we are conditioned to accept it and we make do. In 2024, when we are claiming that we want to be "data driven" and better at being people and mission focused, requiring our people to use web-based software with 1990s design and almost insurmountable limitations just doesn't cut it any longer. As of this week, I cannot access either UTAPS or AROWS, two sites we need as Reservists to schedule and manage training days and to access documentation required for getting reimbursed for expenses. It's bad enough that, typically, I have to use a 6 year old laptop to access UTAPSWeb because some essential functions only work when you load this site in Edge in IE11 Mode and this is the only computer I have that has an old version of Edge that still allows for IE Mode. I keep this laptop ONLY for this purpose. It's literally my UTAPS laptop. This week, for unknown reasons, I cannot access either of these sites via this laptop or any other personal computer I own. I have no idea why and my home internet security or browser settings haven’t changed. Calling the AROWS or UTAPS helpdesk is no "help" because they can't troubleshoot my personal network or computer issues that might contribute; and they are not a real helpdesk that can speak to the more technical limitations, network and browser settings, firewall obstacles, or certificate authentication errors and issues that often can be contributing factors. When it comes to some of our more out-dated USAF and DoD web software, all of these become a frustrating labyrinth of computer and browser settings that there are whole websites dedicated solely to figuring your way through the mess. (MilitaryCAC.com anyone?) Their recommendation: try Desktop Anywhere. This is an ironic recommendation because I am a MacBook user and Desktop Anywhere via my MacBook will not allow the virtual machine to access any peripherals. Try navigating your computer and web software without using a mouse (even the built-in trackpad is not recognized) or trying to authenticate into websites when your VM can't see your CAC reader. UTAPS cannot be navigated and used by tabbing your way through the active links and fields in the browser window. In 2021 there was supposed to be an attempt to respond to these pains when U.S. Air Force Reserve Command teamed up with Kessel Run under Project SUPRA "to simplify and update the user interface" of these two software tools. I have no idea what the status of those "updates" are but it's safe to say that 3 years is a LONG time to merely update or reskin these poorly functioning, outdated web tools. I'm appealing to the United States Air Force & U.S. Air Force Reserve to put more effort behind replacing AROWS and UTAPS with modern software that works. #fixourcomputers

11

12 Comments

When I was in Boy Scouts as a kid, the "be prepared" motto was something I heard regularly and it stuck with me. As an adult, I was introduced to its sibling - "decide in advance". The two of these have kept me out of a number of difficult spots. Just like you can't feasibly "be prepared" for every eventuality, you can't "decide in advance" for everything. There are a lot of things you CAN "decide in advance", though, and it takes a lot of the stress out of difficult situations when you have decisions pre-made - such as how you'll respond to incidents, who you will bring in to help, how you'll communicate, and a commitment to cooperation. Our Anzen Unmanned blog provides a foundation for deciding in advance and being prepared for UAS event, accident, and incident reporting and cooperation. We've seen examples where this approach has turned something that would have created a lot of anxiety and churn for a customer into a positive interaction with regulators and, ultimately, built relationships that paid off in unexpected ways.

18

There are some excellent tips here for small businesses looking to work directly with U.S. defense and intelligence agencies.

1