Weekly GEOINT Community News

Intelligence Community Releases Artificial Intelligence Principles and Framework

The Intelligence Community (IC) released the Principles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics for the IC and the related AI Ethics Framework for the IC. These principles and framework, which the director of national intelligence (DNI) recently approved, will guide the IC’s ethical development and use of AI. The Principles of AI Ethics demonstrate the IC’s commitment to ensuring its use and implementation of AI respect the law, protect privacy and civil liberties, are transparent and accountable, remain objective and equitable, appropriately incorporate human judgment, are secure and resilient by design, and incorporate the best practices of the science and technology communities. IC data scientists, privacy and civil liberties officers and other key stakeholders collaboratively developed the AI Ethics Framework to ensure the IC incorporates the Principles of AI Ethics into both the design and use of this technology. The framework provides public insight into the factors the IC considers when deciding whether and how to use this technology to counter national security threats.

ArcGIS Experience Builder Developer Edition 1.1 Now Available

Following the June update of ArcGIS Experience Builder Online Edition, version 1.1 of the Developer Edition is now available on the ArcGIS for Developers website. Not only has this version picked up all the new features in the June update of the Online Edition, it also adds new features specific to the Developer Edition including Storybook, offline install, unit testing, new samples, and tutorials.

Ball Aerospace Selected by Defense Innovation Unit to Develop Prototype Antenna for U.S. Navy Ships

Ball Aerospace was selected by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a prototype of a new multi-band, low-observable satellite communications antenna to be installed on the U.S. Navy’s newest stealth ships, the DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers. The selection of Ball to produce the new antenna prototype is part of DIU’s Multi-Domain Tactical Communications (MDTC) program. Under the MDTC effort, Ball will develop the antenna architecture, beamforming approach and prototype. Ball has five decades of experience designing and building electronically steerable phased array antenna systems for the U.S. military, enabling mission-critical communications for the warfighter. The company’s experience covers a variety of frequencies (including L, S, X, Ku, K, and Ka-band) and applications, from aviation and maritime to land and space. Lightweight, low profile and with no moving parts, Ball’s phased array antennas provide numerous benefits over traditional dish antennas, including a modular design to enable scalable solutions and fast, seamless and accurate steering and tracking between satellites for reliable connectivity.

L3Harris Technologies Awarded $380 Million IDIQ Contract for Wescam Mx-Series Products and Support

The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) awarded L3Harris Technologies an eight-year, $380 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to procure WESCAM MX-Series products and services in support of global U.S. Army surveillance and targeting operations. The contract enables continued upgrades and support for the U.S. Army’s robust installed base of fixed-wing, aerostat, and unmanned platforms while supporting expanding Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requirements. L3Harris’ WESCAM MX-Series products have successfully supported U.S. Army aviation programs for more than two decades. WESCAM MX-Series systems have logged over 4 million hours of combat operations with the U.S. Army and continue to be a resource in on-going global intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Peer Intel

Leidos announced 18 employees—the largest cohort in company history—will be recognized at the 2020 Women of Color STEM conference and awards. The awards recognize the outstanding achievements and development of female professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Two Leidos honorees, Regina Cer and Audrey Lambert, will be honored with the Technology Rising Star award. This recognizes women with under 15 years in the workforce who are helping to shape technology for the future. Additional Leidos employees will receive the Technology All-Star award. This identifies women from mid-level to advanced career stages who have demonstrated excellence in the workplace and their communities. This honor will be bestowed on Leidos employees Stephanie Alley, Surafiel Berek, Rita Chavez, Candace Ellerbe, Donna Jones, Nicole Mathern, Sandra McDaniel, Vasu Peterson, Vanessa Smith, Letisha Spaulding-Smith, Melissa Strohmeyer, DeChanta Walker, Josina Woodruff, and Arlene York. Also being recognized are Dr. Carol Brevett with the Outstanding Technical Contribution in Industry award and Dr. Rayna Matsuno with the Professional Achievement in Industry award.

Featured Image: L3Harris will supply WESCAM MX technologies and solutions to the U.S. Army in support of global U.S. Army surveillance and targeting operations. | Photo Credit: L3Harris