Dr. Mica Endsley, chief scientist of the Air Force, works to combat cyber concerns. "I would prioritize defense of our computer systems to be probably among the highest priorities that we have today," she tells Federal News Radio's Agency of the Month radio show.
The Air Force owns a huge stockpile of intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers that are quickly aging in place. It owns two out of three legs of the US nuclear triad; the Navy owns the third. Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration for the Air Force, tells Federal News Radio's Jason Fornicola how the service is modernizing its two legs of the US nuclear triad.
The U.S. Air Force will award a contract for a long-range strike bomber this year. That contract could completely change the landscape of the aerospace industry, according to Richard Aboulafia. He's vice president of analysis at the Teal Group Corporation. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said if there's only one thing to pay attention to in the aerospace industry this year, this contract is it.
Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, the Air Force's Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, balances work to fulfill President Obama's vision with the need to keep U.S. nuclear capabilities viable. "As long as nuclear weapons exist, we'll maintain a safe, secure and effective stockpile for us and our allies," he tells Federal News Radio's Agency of the Month radio show.
Trying to predict the future isn't the best way to prepare for future threats. Instead the Defense Department should focus on becoming a master at responding to new and unforeseen challenges. That's according to retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Ward, the author of "FIRE: How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained, and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation." On In Depth with Francis Rose, he offered ways to speed up DoD's acquisition response time and innovation.
Military contractor requirements seem simple enough: Get the right material to the right location on time. Some contractors are better at it than others. It's true that you get what you measure, which is why the military branches have the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). They use it to create an incentive program to spur on suppliers. Bobby Smart, the Air Force's deputy assistant secretary for Acquisition Integration, joined the Federal Drive with Tom Temin to explain how the system works.
Air Force Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Roberto Guerrero cites new efficiencies, public/private partnerships as keys to reduced energy use.
Troubled by a lack of women and minorities at the Air Force's higher levels, its leaders are rolling out nine initiatives focusing on recruitment, promotions and retention. "This is not just about how we look. It's about our readiness and capabilities today and in the future," Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said.
Bloomberg Government analysts Robert levinson and Cameron Leuthy join host Roger Waldron to to talk about what's in the fiscal year 2016 defense budget. February 24, 2015
Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners, joins host Mark Amtower to discuss the top procurement issues in 2015, and how they are impacting contractors. February 23, 2015
FedBid and the Air Force came to an agreement to end the reverse auction company's stay from bidding on new contracts. FedBid must implement and maintain a code of business and ethics conduct program and have a third party report on its efforts for a year. Additionally, Ali Saadat, the founder and former CEO of FedBid, resigned on Feb. 5.
Over five years, Air Force has beat the independent cost estimates in its acquisition programs by a collective $2 billion, according to the service's assistant secretary for acquisition. Some of the savings have been returned to the Air Force's top line, but acquisition managers have been allowed to plow some of the money back into their own programs.
Air Force works to manage on-base utility costs through advanced metering initiative and privatization of aging infrastructure.
The Air Force is campaigning to get rid of the A-10 aircraft program. But the numbers it's using to justify killing the A-10 aren't the real numbers, according to Mandy Smithberger. She's director of the CDI Straus Military Reform Project for the Project on Government Oversight. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she expained why that is.
As part of a major public health campaign called the "performance triad" the Army wants its soldiers to have healthy exercise, nutrition and sleep routines.