Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said today that new technologies are changing the “character of warfare” – a shift that he said requires adjustments both abroad and at home to funding priorities. […]

Since the Air Force’s inception as a separate military branch in 1947, the service’s planes have been designed, tested, and built in primarily a physical environment. Now, a new process is being used – digital engineering.

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is seeking technology and techniques to enhance Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) capabilities.

Shane Barney, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) component, on Sept. 1 credited increased use of data automation for improving security operation center (SOC) operations at the agency.

The Air Force has named Lauren Knausenberger as deputy CIO, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed to MeriTalk today. Knausenberger fills the position left by Bill Marion at the end of April.

The chief data officer of the U.S. Air Force’s SEEK EAGLE Office (AFSEO) – which certifies weapons and other aircraft-attached equipment using digital modeling, simulation and analysis, and ground and flight tests – reported last week on progress that the organization is making in overhauling data management practices with the benefit of machine learning and other technologies.

As the U.S. Air Force (USAF) continues along its data management journey, Chief Data Officer Eileen Vidrine said that the agency has implemented new tactics – such as datathons and academic efforts – to empower all service personnel to embrace data science.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made all levels of government radically change how they operate. From shifting their workforce to telework to delivering government services digitally, Federal, state, and local governments have had to pivot the way they work, while still delivering on their mission.

Establishing a data-driven government, Federal officials suggested today, requires recognizing data management as a team sport, putting change “champions” into positions of responsibility, and educating the workforce to realize the value of the day they are collecting.

The U.S. Air Force issued a request for information (RFI) to gain feedback from entities that could provide capabilities for creating a wrist-worn physiological tactical wearable device.

At Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, it has been the job of two people to check visitors into the base, and manually enter their information into a system for a background check. Those days are numbered because of a robotics process automation program, according to the base’s director of communication and information.

Lauren Knausenberger, the chief transformation officer of the United States Air Force, said the pre-pandemic culture in the service was, “you’re not really working if you’re remote,” but explained that the service’s culture has shifted quickly out of necessity. 

The U.S. Air Force’s AFNet Sustainment and Operations branch (HNIB) has expanded the service branch’s network capacity to 200,000 teleworkers, and Air Force official said.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering at the Department of Defense (DoD) and the United State Air Force Warfare Center are partnering on a 5G prototype to be deployed for both defense and civilian use at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada early next year.

The U.S. Air Force admitted in a May 20 request for information (RFI) that the agency lacks an Enterprise Data Loss Prevention Program (E-DLP) to protect sensitive information, but is now seeking a new approach to data protection with a proof of concept for an E-DLP at one of its bases.

Air Force officials began planning for the Advanced Battle Management System about three years ago with the intent of replacing and modernizing aircrafts on the existing system by 2035. The Government Accountability Office said Thursday that the service needs to create a plan if that goal is to be reached.

Bill Marion, deputy CIO at the U.S. Air Force, will be leaving his position at the end of April, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed to MeriTalk.

Here’s an overview of some of the latest COVID-19 coronavirus developments on the government and tech fronts:

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is asking for white papers by May 1 on information sharing technologies to be used within parts of the Intelligence Community.

The U.S. Air Force is almost ready to release its digital skills learning program – dubbed the Digital U Strategy – according to the service branch’s Deputy CIO Bill Marion.