The INSIDER daily digest -- Sept. 20, 2024

By John Liang / September 20, 2024 at 2:16 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on artificial intelligence, the Maven Smart System, the CNO's latest Navigation Plan plus more coverage from this week's AFA Air, Space, Cyber conference.

A new "Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Weapon Systems Center of Excellence" would work with foreign partners, including Ukraine, to identify best practices in the area of AI-enabled warfare:

Senate policy bill wants new DOD center of excellence for AI weapons

An amendment added to the Senate's version of the fiscal year 2025 defense authorization bill would direct the Pentagon to establish a new "Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Weapon Systems Center of Excellence."

A new agreement will enable the use of the Maven Smart System in remote locations across the globe:

Army awards Palantir $99.8M to deliver Maven Smart System prototype across services

The Army has awarded Palantir a contract worth more than $99.8 million to scale the company's Maven Smart System prototype for availability across the military services.

The Navy's top uniformed officer spoke this week about her recently released Navigation Plan:

Franchetti says Navigation Plan goals are 'realistic' despite budget constraints

In her first public address since publishing the 2024 Navigation Plan earlier this week, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti emphasized the goals outlined in the plan may be difficult to achieve but are realistic.

Document: 2024 CNO's navigation plan

A new joint challenge between DIU and Singapore will seek countermeasure technology for ships operating close to shore to continuously spot, identify and disrupt unauthorized unmanned aerial systems:

DIU, Singapore launch challenge seeking drone communications, c-UAS technologies

The Defense Innovation Unit and Singapore's Ministry of Defense have launched a joint challenge in pursuit of dual-use technologies to scale to support two operational demands for drone warfare, DIU announced Thursday.

Last but by no means least, continuing coverage of this week's AFA Air, Space, Cyber conference:

Air Force to deploy Ospreys again within 'weeks,' pilots to receive new mid-flight protocols

Some Air Force CV-22 Ospreys will return to conducting missions for the combatant commands in "weeks," according to Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, commander of the service's Special Operations Command.

Three B-21s in testing, second and third bases announced

Three B-21 Raider bombers are in “various configurations of test,” including up to two flight tests a week, according to a Northrop Grumman executive.

Space Force waiting on FY-25 budget to award Lane 2 launch contracts

The Space Force won’t be able to award the Phase 3 Lane 2 National Security Space Launch contracts until a fiscal year 2025 budget is passed, a top official said, and any delays to a budget would make it harder for the service and its industry partners to stay on schedule.

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