The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 8, 2020

By John Liang / January 8, 2020 at 2:49 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA program, possible Iranian cyber threats, the Strategic Capabilities Office's new leadership and more.

The Standard Missile-3 Block IIA program will soon move to the production phase:

DOT&E backed SM-3 Block IIA decision, set to determine operational effectiveness, suitability

The Pentagon's top weapons tester supported a production recommendation last fall for the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA and next month will determine the system's operational effectiveness and operational suitability, according to a Defense Department spokesman.

The reduced risk of imminent military hostilities between the United States and Iran does not clear the decks of possible cyber risks from the latter country:

As Iran military situation eases, long-term cybersecurity threat remains in place

President Trump today suggested a de-escalation in the military confrontation with Iran along with new sanctions against that country, an evolving dynamic that may do little to diminish the lingering threat of cyberattacks targeting U.S. critical infrastructure.

The Pentagon's Strategic Capabilities Office has a new leader:

Griffin recruits new SCO director from NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Mike Griffin, the Pentagon's top technology officer, has recruited a senior NASA appointee to head the Strategic Capabilities Office, setting the stage for the start of a new chapter for an organization that was the object of a bureaucratic turf fight during much of 2019 that Griffin waged and lost.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency this week published a broad agency announcement for a "Sea Trains" program, which seeks ways to "overcome the range limitations inherent for [MUSVs] by exploiting wave-making resistance reductions":

DARPA launches 'Sea Trains' program, eyeing easier movement of medium USVs

The Pentagon's advanced research arm recently announced a new three-year program focused on improving medium unmanned surface vessels' ability to move in formation through rough waters.

Document: DARPA BAA for Sea Train

The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board is taking part in studies on autonomous systems and communications technologies:

AFSAB to study JADC2, autonomy, space in FY-20

The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board in fiscal year 2020 is conducting three studies under the direction of the service's secretary that focus on modern communications technology, autonomous systems and space applications, according to a notice published in December.

Document: AFSAB terms of reference memos for CFE, UBA studies

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