US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
A ceremony has been held at the NATO C3 Agency (NC3A) to mark the awarding of the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability, Full Operational Capability contract to SELEX Elsag and VEGA, together with their partner Northrop Grumman.
Once implemented, the capability will provide security on NATO’s networks and protect over 22,000 NATO military and civilian employees enhancing NATO’s cyber defence infrastructure and its ability to support member states.
The contract is worth approximately 58 million Euro, and represents NATO’s largest investment to date in cyber defence.
In addition to protecting its own networks, the contract will strengthen NATO’s ability to support Allies in case of cyber attacks, when requested, with improved information sharing and strengthened rapid reaction teams.
Under the contract, the Selex team will design, test, and install the cyber defence capabilities, and provide the subsequent maintenance and support over a five year period. The project scope also includes the implementation of a robust infrastructure of improved cyber defence sensors and management tools, cyber defence decision support capabilities and mobile kits for Cyber Rapid Reaction Teams.
Seven bids were received in an International Competition and evaluated using a ‘best value’ evaluation approach whereby price and numerous technical factors were carefully rated.
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.