QUICK HITS

  • It’s all or nothing: US to blockade all ships from entering or exiting Iranian ports as the Straight of Hormuz disagreement intensifies.

  • Think you’re compliant? These subcontracting rules say otherwise.

  • When “satisfactory” isn’t good enough: The changing era of performance ratings.

  • Golden Dome’s missing layer: Why on‑orbit logistics matter for missile defense.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Navy to use underwater drones to help clear Iranian mines from the Straight of Hormuz.

The Navy is ramping up the use of underwater drones to detect and clear naval mines in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, aiming to reduce risk to sailors and maintain freedom of navigation. The effort reflects a broader push by USCENTCOM to rely more on autonomous systems in contested environments—especially as tensions in the region raise the stakes for maritime security.

Army launches a new Data Operations Center.

Army has launched a new Data Operations Center to better integrate and analyze data, aiming to give warfighters faster, more informed decision-making capabilities. Organized under ARCYBER, The effort reflects a broader push to centralize data and analytics across operations, improving how information is shared and used on the battlefield.

DOD officially launches new Economic Defense Unit to mesh military aims with global financial sway.

The DOD is standing up a new Economic Defense Unit to counter financial and industrial threats, signaling a growing focus on economic warfare. “Economic competition uses tools like capital, trade, and regulation to deter and disrupt adversaries,” said Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.

ICYMI:

  • USAF RFI: Modernizing Enterprise IT Service Management.

  • Army ACC-APG has a new organizational structure. They name names, too.

  • Air Force simplifies IT purchasing through digital storefront.

  • Marines practice new logistical tactics ahead of Balikatan.

Defense Contract Awards

  • CACI inked a $287M Army IPPS-A Modernization deal.

  • Darkhive won a $50M Pentagon APFIT Program contract.

  • RTX secured a $20M USAF R&D deal.

  • BlueHalo booked a $19M DOD Military Ceramics contract.

  • Kraus Hamdani Aerospace won a $270M AFCENT contract for Ultra-Long Range ISR Drones.

Follow the Defense Leaders

  • DOD’s CIO office named a new Special Advisor to the CIO for Capability Development and Operational Excellence.

  • AeroVironment named its Executive VP, COO.

  • Lentech has a new Chief Innovation, IT Officer.

Defense Job Openings

FUNNY

INTEL COMMUNITY

Anthropic limits the release of a new AI model—Mythos—over cyber concerns.

Anthropic is limiting the release of a new AI model, Claude Mythos Preview, over concerns it could be misused for advanced cyberattacks, highlighting growing risks as frontier models become more capable. The move underscores how AI is becoming both a tool and a threat—reshaping cyber operations, risk assessment, and the need for tighter control over powerful technologies.

U.S. push to counter hackers draws industry deeper into offensive cyber debate.

The U.S. government is increasingly pushing companies to take a more active role in disrupting cyber threats, pulling industry deeper into debates over offensive cyber operations and legal boundaries. The shift blurs the line between public and private cyber activity—raising stakes for attribution, coordination, and how far companies should go in countering adversaries.

ICYMI:

  • NATO RFI: NSATU Level 1 & Level 2 Support Service Outsourcing.

  • DOJ RFI: AI-driven Supply Chain Analytics Platform.

  • DIA centralizes AI efforts with Digital Modernization Accelerator.

  • DOJ seeks $110 million to expand zero trust cybersecurity.

  • DHS intelligence office restructuring would still keep it under ODNI oversight.

  • ODNI is looking for an OESET Chief of Staff.

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CIVILIAN

EPA has major role to play in W.H.’s “AI capital of the world” plans.

The W.H. budget proposal would significantly cut funding for the EPA while boosting investments in AI and other emerging technologies. The shift highlights a broader reprioritization of federal spending toward AI capabilities, even as it raises concerns about the impact of reduced environmental oversight and resources.

CMS rolls out first phase of Digital Health Ecosystem.

The CMS has launched the first phase of a new digital health ecosystem aimed at improving data sharing, interoperability, and patient access to health information. The initiative is designed to modernize how healthcare data flows across providers and systems, laying the groundwork for more coordinated and tech-enabled care.

Treasury launches cyber threat-sharing initiative for digital asset sector.

The Treasury has launched a new initiative to share cyber threat intelligence with the digital asset sector, aiming to strengthen defenses against growing attacks targeting cryptocurrencies and related platforms. The effort is meant to improve coordination between government and industry.

ICYMI:

  • HUD RFI: Technology Transformation Next Generation Program.

  • USDOT RFI: Procurement System Review (PSR).

  • USACE reviews Google data center proposal, seeks public input.

  • [Webinar] CISA: ISC Facility Security Committee (FSC) Seminar. April 28th.

  • FAA, DOD declare antidrone laser system safe after El Paso airport shutdown.

Civilian Contracts Awards

  • Carahsoft bagged a $998M TREAS ServiceNow Licenses and Services BPA.

  • DHS awards BPAs worth $120M for Background Investigations Services.

  • Sky Solutions won a $46M IRS Enterprise Case Management SDS contract.

  • Leidos booked a $19M HUD HUDCentral Contact Center Services Bridge deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

Civilian Job Openings

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

  1. USAF eyes AI data centers in Alaska. The USAF is planning to deploy AI-driven data centers across three Alaska bases. SOURCE↗︎

  2. China’s rare earth “pause” expires in November. Beijing paused its toughest rare earth export controls until November 2026—but that window is closing fast. DIB contractors should be mapping supply chains now before restrictions snap back. SOURCE↗︎

  3. The magnetic field trick that could replace sonar—and it’s SBIR-funded. As adversary subs get quieter, the Navy is funding new tech to detect them by magnetic signatures instead of sonar. SOURCE↗︎

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