SDFM The Business of Defense
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What\'s the big deal about a 32-character string of secret code in the logo of the Pentagon\'s U.S. Cyber Command. The new military command was launched in late May to help centralize Defense Department efforts to protect its computer networks, which are under constant threat from attackers. The Associated Press reports it was created to frustrate everyone from run-of-the-mill hackers to foreign governments looking to steal sensitive information or crash critical, life-sustaining computer systems.
July 11, 2010 -
The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration - with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy - has started to survey a new ship anchorage site at the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico - for ships to undergo inspection and oil decontamination before entering ports. Shipping vessels are currently facing increasing time delays and other challenges as they try to avoid the oil slicks caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A magnetometer survey of a proposed alternate anchorage site would ensure the safety of ships, their crews, and the marine environment by making sure that there are no buried pipelines in the proposed area that would be ruptured by ships lowering their anchors. Maritime commerce is important farmers especially, who need to export their crops through Gulf ports, as do the millions of retail outlets nationwide that rely on a constant flow of imports.
July 09, 2010 -
A new USDA report says American farmers continue to choose genetically engineered crops over their conventional counterparts. A July USDA Economic Research Service report finds the rate of adoption of Genetically Engineered soybeans is up to 93 percent this year; the adoption of all Genetically Engineered cotton climbed to 93 percent; and the adoption of all biotech corn reached 86 percent in 2010. An April report from the National Research Council notes, many U.S. farmers who grow genetically engineered crops are realizing substantial economic and environmental benefits - such as lower production costs, fewer pest problems, reduced use of pesticides, and better yields. In 2009, 330 million acres of biotech crops were planted in 25 countries by 14 million farmers.
July 09, 2010 -
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant\'s adoption of the National Fire Protection Association\'s new \"Performance-Based Standard for Fire Protection for Light-Water Reactor Electric Generating Plants.\" NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko calls it an important milestone in advancing fire protection at nuclear power plants. Under the NFPA 805 standard, reactor owners and operators perform engineering analysis to demonstrate their fire protection systems. Plant owners must also install additional equipment or take other measures if the analysis call for them. In the case of Shearon Harris, the analysis led the plant to make several modifications, including installation of an additional fire detection system and an additional diesel generator. The new regulatory approach will be adopted by additional 47 reactors at 31 sites, representing 17 utilities.
July 09, 2010 -
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced $125 million dollars in contracts to develop and demonstrate technologies that will reduce commercial jet fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The contracts are part of the FAA\'s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise - or CLEEN - program - to speed up the introduction of \"green\" technology into aviation. The FAA is contracting with five companies including Boeing, General Electric, and Rolls-Royce to research and demonstrate a variety of technologies, including sustainable alternative aviation fuels; and lighter and more efficient gas turbine engine components. Among the goals are a reduction in fuel burn by 33 percent; a 60-percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions; and a 32-decibel reduction in cumulative aircraft noise levels.
July 09, 2010 -
Smart USA, which recently debuted its smart for two electric vehicle or EV , will deploy a fleet of 250 of them across the U.S. in October. The company says it will target key cities leading in electrification and Department of Energy grant areas, but it hasn\'t yet released its list of cities. Smart USA is looking for partnerships and is targeting companies, municipalities, organizations, and individuals interested in making a statement on conservation and environmental awareness. The Electric Vehicles are powered by a 30 kilowatt drive motor and a 16.5 kilowatt/hour lithium ion battery; can be fully recharged in about eight hours with a 220 volt outlet. The vehicles can reach highway speeds of 60 miles an hour and offer a range of 82 miles on a single charge.
July 09, 2010 -
The Department of Energy\'s Brookhaven National Lab is constructing the world\'s most brilliant light source, the National Synchrotron Light Source II. In a recent decision, DOE approved a new project to begin the conceptual design of experimental tools needed to complete the project. Its research potential will only be realized when equipped with scientific instruments known as beamlines. Specialized magnets called insertion devices will create the light used by the most advanced of the beamlines. Energy officials say, as the world\'s most brilliant light source, NSLS II will foster groundbreaking scientific advances. The new source will give scientists the ability to image materials down to a nanometer, or one billionth of a meter. The facility is expected to start operating in 2015.
July 09, 2010 -
In case of emergency, do you know what your telework options are? OPM says NOW is the time to find out.
July 06, 2010 -
Dave Owens President, AFGE Air Force Local 1101 Dave Johnson Fellow, Campaign for America\'s Future Tracy Van Slyke Director, The Media Consortium Author, \"Beyond the Echo Chamber: How a Networked Progressive Media Can Reshape American Politics\"
July 01, 2010 -
Gen. David Petraeus is a little bit closer to becoming the next commander of the Afghanistan war. The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted in favor of the appointment. It now goes to the full Senate. He will replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal. He was fired last week for making disparaging remarks in an interview about administration officials. Petraeus could be confirmed by the weekend.
July 01, 2010 -
The Pentagon needs to save $100 billion dollars in the next 5 years. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says cutting weapons systems and contractor services may be the way to go. The Pentagon will spend about $400 billion of its roughly $700 billion budget on weapons and services from defense contractors. Gates said it is \"a matter of principle and political reality to make sure every taxpayer dollar counts.\"
July 01, 2010 -
Many people are still wondering what General Stanley McChrystal was thinking. \"He really in meeting with him didn\'t try to explain it, he just acknowledged that he had made a terrible decision,\" said Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The Rolling Stone article that will leave a black mark on his career made Admiral Mike Mullen sick when he saw it. \"He is a friend, an extraordinary officer. He made a severe mistake and I think the actions that were taken were appropriate.\"
July 01, 2010 -
In a staggering statement yesterday the head of Canada\'s intelligence agency said says it suspects that cabinet ministers in two Canadian provinces are under the control of foreign nations. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) also said China and countries in the Middle East may be the culprits. Director Richard Fadden said on Canadian TV politicians in British Columbia may be under the influence of foreign governments and are not aware they are being used.
July 01, 2010 -
Lawmakers are criticizing U.S. military officials for failing to heed warnings about the role they say a Pentagon transportation contract plays in fueling extortion and corruption in Afghanistan. Massachusetts Rep. John Tierney says the companies hired to move food, water, fuel and ammunition to American troops stationed at bases across Afghanistan are forced to pay warlords millions of dollars to ensure safe passage. The spoils may then be funneled to the Taliban and insurgent forces, potentially making the U.S. an unwitting financier of the enemy.
July 01, 2010 -
The U.S. is better off with a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia than without it. That\'s what Secretary of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee. Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen, also urged the committee to ratify the agreement, saying the treaty has the full support of uniformed leaders. The agreement reduces U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear forces in a way that strengthens the stability of the U.S.-Russian relationship, Gates said.
July 01, 2010