Updates from Across the R&E Enterprise
Face of Defense: After 50 Years of Service, A DoD Engineer Bids Goodbye
April 9 2024
In a heartfelt farewell to 50 years of unwavering service, Dr. Steven G. Wax, the acting lead for science and technology within the Office of the Under Secretary of Research and Engineering, has bid goodbye to his tenure, leaving behind an indelible mark on the Defense Department’s R&D enterprise.
DOD’s Hypersonic Career Opportunities, Partnerships with Academia, Continue to Grow
January 26, 2023
The Department of Defense's strong partnerships with the academic community expand opportunities to co-research and- develop efforts within the defense innovation ecosystem, including for hypersonics, one of the 14 critical technology areas for the DoD.
DoD Releases Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge Version 4.0 for Engineering Workforce
January 24, 2023
The Department of Defense released Version 4.0 of the Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge January 24, 2024. This free resource assists the public and private sector workforce in designing, engineering, and safeguarding CRWS.
Version 4.0 adds new features, design and usability upgrades, and security improvements to encourage and enhance user engagement. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense’s System Security Directorate launched this vital resource in May 2021 for the system security engineering and science and technology communities. Since then, SysSec has released several version updates to improve the CRWS-BoK user experience.
Released: DoD Instruction 5000.97, “Digital Engineering”
January 2024
SE&A Policy and Workforce completed and USD(R&E) approved DoD Instruction 5000.97, “Digital Engineering,” available from the Washington Headquarters Services website. Digital engineering supports the systems engineering process by moving the primary means of communicating systems information from documents to digital models and their underlying data. Digital engineering is a critical practice in an environment of dynamic threats, system complexity, and rapidly evolving technologies. The DoD instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for implementing digital engineering in the development and sustainment of defense systems. Specifically, the issuance directs program managers to implement digital engineering practices to maximize the benefit and to support a comprehensive systems engineering program. SE&A info sheet summarizing DoDI 5000.97
DSB, Dutch Delegation Discuss Academic Research Security
December 21, 2023
The Defense Science Board hosted a visiting Dutch delegation to discuss its findings and recommendations by the DSB Task Force on “Balancing Openness and Security Across the DOD Academic Research Enterprise,” on December 13 in Arlington, Virginia.
DOD Awards $161 Million to Universities to Purchase Equipment Supporting Defense-Relevant Research
December 14, 2023
The Department of Defense today announced awards totaling $161 million to 281 university researchers under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program. The grants will support the purchase of major equipment to augment current and develop new research capabilities relevant to the Department at 120 institutions across 39 states in fiscal year 2024.
Jim Gosler Announced as 2022 Fubini Award Winner
November 16, 2023
The Defense Science Board recognized James R. Gosler, the 2022 recipient of the Eugene G. Fubini Award in a ceremony November 8 at the Pentagon.
R&E Industry Day: Catalyzing Biomanufacturing Innovation
November 9, 2023
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering hosted a virtual biomanufacturing industry day on October 18 to engage with industry partners on biomanufacturing innovation.
DOD Recognizes Technology Transfer Professionals
November 6, 2023
The Defense Department recognized today several science and technology professionals for excellence in shaping the department's technology transfer community as part of this year's George F. Linsteadt Awards ceremony.
DoD One Step Closer to Zero-Trust Systems for Battlefield Communications
October 20, 2023
The Department of Defense recently announced the winners of the 2023 5G Challenge, which took place in Louisville, Colorado and awarded $7 million in prizes.
DoD’s Manufacturing Innovation Institutes: Changing Lives and Enabling Warfighting Capabilities
October 13, 2023
Dr. Steven G. Wax, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, meets with the leadership at Advanced Functional Fabrics of America during a recent Manufacturing Innovation Institutes engagement in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to learn more about the MII’s partnership with academia, government and industry.
Joint Federated Assurance Center Portal for the Research and Engineering Workforce
October 5, 2023
The Department of Defense (DoD) released the newly updated Joint Federated Assurance Center portal recently. This free resource provides publicly available hardware and software assurance information to assist both public and private research and engineering workforce sectors in building and maintaining reliable, safe, and secure DoD systems.
R&E-Hosted Event Brings Together Innovators, More Than 145 Technologies
September 25, 2023
The Department of Defense and other U.S. interagency representatives met with 117 technology developers in an invitations-only Technology Discovery Event Aug. 30 in Chantilly, Virginia.
R&E, FVEY partners discuss S&T collaboration at annual Technology Cooperation Program meeting
September 22, 2023
The Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering’s Dr. Steven G. Wax, performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, presented the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy at the Technology Cooperation Program (TTCP) Principals Meeting.
Collaboration enriches S&T ecosystem
September 13, 2023
Collaborating with the defense science and technology community at each phase of the innovation process is key to deter and defeat aggressive actions, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu said during a fireside at the National Defense Industry Association’s Emerging Technology Institute’s Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., August 29.
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Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge Version 3.2 for Engineering Workforce
August 31, 2023
The DoD announced the Version 3.2 release of the Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge (CRWS-BoK). This free resource provides publicly available information to assist the public and private sector workforce in designing, engineering, and safeguarding CRWS. The System Security (SysSec) Directorate in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering first launched this vital resource in May 2021 for the system security engineering (SSE) and science and technology (S&T) communities. Since then, SysSec has launched several version updates to enhance the user experience.
R&E Showcases Major Engineering Initiatives at International Symposium
August 22, 2023
Four teams from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering showcased major initiatives in digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, systems engineering modernization, cyber resiliency, and cross-domain solutions at the International Council on Systems Engineering’s 33rd International Symposium July 15–20 in Honolulu.
DOD Establishes Assistant Secretaries of Defense in the Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering
July 24, 2023
On July 12, the Department of Defense announced the establishment of three new Assistant Secretary of Defense positions, along with eight Deputy Assistant Secretaries of Defense, in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. The ASDs will replace the role of Deputy Chief Technology Officer.
2023 Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows to Pursue Vital Basic Research
July 20, 2023
The Department of Defense has selected 10 faculty scientists and engineers for the 2023 Class of Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows.
Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies
May 24, 2023
The Department of Defense announced today the second set of projects to receive funding via the pilot program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT).
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Released: Defense Technical Risk Assessment Methodology, Version 6.4
May 19, 2023
The Defense Technical Risk Assessment Methodology, Version 6.4, updates Version 6.3 by strengthening Corrosion Prevention and Control. This addition aligns with DoD Instruction 5000.88, Engineering of Defense Systems. The update emphasizes the importance of the requirement to reduce costly corrosion issues in systems over their life span. Contact: osd.r-e.comm@mail.mil | Attn: SE&A P&G
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DoD Announces Awards Under the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
May 10, 2023
The Department of Defense announced $18 million in Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) awards to 28 collaborative academic teams. DEPSCoR is a capacity-building program designed to strengthen the basic research infrastructure at institutions of higher education in underutilized states/territories.
National Defense Science and Technology Strategy
May 9, 2023
The DoD today released the unclassified version of the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy, or NDSTS. Guided by the National Defense Strategy, the NDSTS articulates the science and technology priorities, goals, and investments of the Department and makes recommendations on the future of the defense research and engineering enterprise.
2023 Immersive Commercial Acquisition Training Program
May 3, 2023
Access to cutting-edge, commercial technology is vital for our national security. To ensure service members have timely access to commercial technology, the Department of Defense (DoD) is promoting broader use of agile acquisition methods by training a corps of acquisition professionals on the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU’s) acquisition process.
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DoD Announces Fiscal Year 2023 Research Awards to Minority-Serving Institutions
May 3, 2023
Today, DoD announced awards totaling $61.7 million to 82 university researchers under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 DoD Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MSI) Research and Education Program. Individual awards of up to $800,000 will support research projects in defense priority areas at 50 institutions, including 12 HBCUs and 38 MSIs across 18 states and the District of Columbia.
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Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge Version 3.1
April 19, 2023
The DoD announced the Version 3.1 release of the Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge (CRWS-BoK). This free resource provides publicly available information to assist the public and private sector workforce in designing, engineering, and safeguarding CRWS.
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Software Engineering for Continuous Delivery of Warfighting Capability
April 2023
OUSD(R&E) Systems Engineering and Architecture (SE&A) released the guide Software Engineering for Continuous Delivery of Warfighting Capability to assist Program Management Offices, defense engineers, software engineers, and acquisition officials to plan and execute software development in an environment of changing software technologies and acquisition approaches. The guide draws on experience and best practice from more than a decade of program engagements on software-enabled systems spanning all warfighting domains.
Women's History Month
March 2023
March is Women’s History Month. We take this opportunity to celebrate women and reflect on their contributions to our military and our nation. Inspired by their determination, we in the Department of Defense commit ourselves to empowering the girls who will grow up to be leaders in the DoD and across America.
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DoD Biomanufacturing Strategy
March 22, 2023
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, informed by the 2022 National Defense Strategy and Executive Order 14081 (Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy) spearheaded development of the DoD Biomanufacturing Strategy.
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Fiscal Year 2023 Research Funding Awards
March 21, 2023
The DoD announced $220 million in awards for basic research projects as part of the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Program. At an average award amount of $7.1 million over five years, these competitive grants will support 31 teams located at 61 U.S. academic institutions, subject to satisfactory research progress and the availability of funds.
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DoD Awards $2 Million for Social Science Research under DECUR
March 8, 2023
The DoD announced the selection of six DoD and university faculty teams to pursue fundamental social science research through the Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership, a program under DoD’s Minerva Research Initiative (Minerva).
Black History Month
February 2023
Every February, we celebrate Black History Month and honor the exceptional contributions Black Americans make to the United States and the Department of Defense.
Engineers Week 2023
February 23, 2023
In recognition of DiscoverE’s nationwide Engineers Week, the DoD Washington Headquarters Services, Facilities Services Directorate (WHS FSD) and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) will host an event February 23 at the Pentagon to celebrate the importance of engineering as a profession and the work engineers contribute to national defense.
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Science and Technology Protection Course for the Federal Government Workforce
February 10, 2023
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (R&E) and Defense Acquisition University (DAU) announces the release of a new DAU course, “Fundamentals of Science and Technology Protection.” Developed in partnership between R&E’s Maintaining Technology Advantage (MTA) Directorate and DAU, this free, online training course provides Science and Technology (S&T) managers with guidance on how to conduct risk-informed protection planning and management to mitigate the threat of unwanted technology transfers of programs, projects, systems, and technical information to strategic competitors.
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DoD Announces U.S. Representative to NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic Initiative
February 6, 2023
The Department of Defense announced that Jeffrey David Singleton, U.S. principal member and head of delegation to the NATO Science and Technology Board, will serve as the United States' representative to the Board of Directors for the NATO DIANA Initiative. Singleton's appointment follows the election of Barbara McQuiston, the previous U.S. representative to NATO DIANA, as the initiative's board chair.
2023 5G Challenge for Open RAN with an Eye Toward Future Base Modernization
February 2, 2023
The FutureG & 5G Office of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) announces the launch of the 2023 5G Challenge. Sponsored by the FutureG & 5G Office and led by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences division of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) from the Department of Commerce, the 5G Challenge aims to stimulate and accelerate the adoption of open interfaces, interoperable components, and multi-vendor solutions toward the development of an open 5G ecosystem.
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