Weekly Intelligence Brief // August 3, 2025
- PSI Intelligence Analyst
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Latest News & Insights
DIU, USNORTHCOM, U.S. Army Name Finalists for Low‑Cost C‑UAS Sensing ChallengeSource: Defense Innovation Unit
Date: July 21, 2025Summary: DIU—working with USNORTHCOM and the U.S. Army—announced the finalist cohort for a low‑cost counter‑UAS sensing effort aimed at persistent detection and tracking of small drones. The challenge emphasizes scalable, affordable, and rapidly fieldable sensing that can plug into existing command‑and‑control systems. It also seeks commercial off‑the‑shelf tech adaptable to contested environments. Winners advance to prototyping and evaluation phases.
Why it matters: Low‑cost, networked sensors are critical for defending bases and infrastructure against proliferating small UAS threats.
Tags: C‑UAS, Sensors, HADR/Defense, Rapid Prototyping
DoD to Prototype Expeditionary Hydrogen “On‑Ship & On‑Shore” GeneratorSource: Defense Innovation Unit
Date: July 28–29, 2025Summary: DIU selected Pratt Miller to prototype an expeditionary hydrogen generator designed to produce power at the tactical edge for maritime and littoral operations. The project aims to demonstrate safer, logistically simpler hydrogen generation compared to bottled gas, with emphasis on fast setup, modularity, and reduced signature. A successful prototype could reduce reliance on diesel and enable quieter, lower‑emission operations.
Why it matters: Alternative fuels that cut logistics burdens and signatures can materially improve survivability and endurance in contested maritime environments.
Tags: Energy, Expeditionary Power, Maritime, Dual‑Use
DIU Updates Quantum Timing & Sensing Space Experiment (QTS)Source: Defense Innovation Unit
Date: July 28, 2025Summary: DIU reported progress on a rapid spaceflight experiment to mature quantum timing/sensing payloads, moving from lab to orbit on compressed timelines. The update highlights schedule milestones and maturing integration steps to validate performance in the space environment. The effort targets resilient PNT (positioning, navigation, timing) augmentation and precision sensing for joint force ops.
Why it matters: Space‑based quantum sensing could provide resilient PNT options if GPS is degraded or denied.
Tags: Quantum, Space, PNT, Rapid Experimentation
Air Force: Global Teamwork for REFORPAC, Rapid Mobility & GPS ModernizationSource: U.S. Air Force (AFNS)
Date: July 25, 2025Summary: This week’s “Around the Air Force” highlights Resolute Force Pacific (a large contingency‑response exercise), Air Mobility Command’s DLE logistics support, and Space Operations Command steps toward GPS modernization. The segment also underscores integration across the joint/combined team in the Indo‑Pacific.
Why it matters: Coordinated logistics, C2, and PNT modernization are foundational to resilient operations across vast distances.
Tags: Indo‑Pacific, Mobility, GPS/PNT, Exercises
U.S. Air Force Weekly Update: Emerald Warrior, Next‑Gen C2, New Cyber OfficeSource: U.S. Air Force (AFNS)
Date: August 1, 2025Summary: The Aug. 1 “Around the Air Force” spotlights AFSOC’s Emerald Warrior 25.2 as part of the Department‑Level Exercise series, the TOC‑Light Major Release 2 prototype for expeditionary C2, and the establishment of a new AF/A6 DCS office for warfighter communications and cyber systems.
Why it matters: DLEs and rapid C2 prototypes are accelerating human‑machine teaming and deployable command capabilities.
Tags: DLE, C2, Cyber, AFSOC
DARPA & Texas Launch Testbed to Scale ALIAS Autonomy for Public Safety & DefenseSource: DARPA
Date: July 31, 2025Summary: DARPA announced a partnership with the State of Texas to stand up an ALIAS autonomy testbed, aiming to speed dual‑use adoption that saves civilian lives (e.g., disaster response) and advances warfighter capabilities. The initiative focuses on maturing human‑machine teaming and autonomy at scale.
Why it matters: Shared civilian‑defense test infrastructure can compress transition timelines and lower risk for autonomy tech.
Tags: Autonomy, HMT, Testbeds, Dual‑Use
DARPA: Voices from DARPA Highlights Service Chiefs Fellowship ProgramSource: DARPA
Date: July 31, 2025Summary: DARPA’s official podcast features the Service Chiefs Fellowship Program (SCFP), a 12‑week immersive experience that brings operational insights into the early stages of research. The episode details how fellows help shape program concepts and transition pathways.
Why it matters: Tight coupling between operators and researchers improves relevance and accelerates transition to the field.
Tags: Transition, Workforce, Ops‑to‑Tech, R&D
DEVCOM Soldier Center Transitions New Individual Field RationSource: U.S. Army / DEVCOM Soldier Center
Date: July 21, 2025Summary: DEVCOM Soldier Center announced DoD‑wide availability for a new individual field ration, citing improved nutrition, shelf life, and usability. The Center aligns this work with Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment Cross‑Functional Teams.
Why it matters: Small changes in sustainment, nutrition, and portability compound into higher readiness and performance at the edge.
Tags: Soldier Lethality, Sustainment, Readiness, Human Performance
AFRL Names New Space Vehicles Directorate LeadSource: Air Force Research Laboratory
Date: July 28, 2025Summary: Col. Richard R. Beckman assumed command of AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate and the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland AFB. The directorate leads research on space domain awareness, resilient comms, and space‑based sensing.
Why it matters: Leadership shifts at AFRL can influence priorities across space sensing, autonomy, and resilient architectures.
Tags: Space, AFRL, Leadership, R&D
Research & Reports
GAO: Generative AI Use and Management at Federal Agencies (GAO‑25‑107653)Source: U.S. Government Accountability OfficeDate: July 29, 2025Summary: GAO reviewed generative‑AI use across 12 agencies (DoD exempt from inventory requirement), cataloging use cases, management practices, and common challenges like data governance and workforce gaps. The report outlines actions for risk management, procurement, and transparency in federal AI deployments.
Why it matters: Clear governance frameworks accelerate responsible adoption of emerging AI across defense‑relevant agencies.Tags: AI Policy, Governance, Risk, Federal ITRead more (PDF)
GAO Science & Tech Spotlight: Critical Minerals from SeawaterSource: U.S. Government Accountability OfficeDate: July 22, 2025Summary: GAO assesses technical approaches to extracting critical minerals (e.g., lithium, cobalt, rare earths) from seawater/brines, noting energy intensity, scalability constraints, and environmental considerations. It summarizes potential pathways and policy tradeoffs for U.S. supply‑chain resilience.
Why it matters: Diversifying sources of critical minerals underpins secure supply chains for batteries, electronics, and defense systems.Tags: Critical Minerals, Supply Chain, Energy, MaterialsRead more
Joint Staff KM/DS Replacement Concept: AI‑Powered Requirements OversightSource: The Joint Staff (working paper excerpt)Date: July 23, 2025Summary: A Joint Staff document outlines the need to replace legacy knowledge management/decision support tooling with an AI‑enabled application to modernize requirements oversight. The concept calls for real‑time insights, data accuracy improvements, and adaptive decision support across services.
Why it matters: AI‑assisted requirements processes can shorten cycle times and align investments to operational needs.Tags: AI/ML, Requirements, Acquisition, DataRead more (PDF)
Upcoming Events
SOFWERX Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) — Phase 7 Demo (Virtual)Dates: August 18–29, 2025Summary: Select teams will demonstrate SDK integrations as the A2E effort advances. Successful demonstrations may proceed to awards and further development.Why it matters: Modular, airborne autonomy and communications are core to future SOF operations.Tags: Autonomy, Airborne Networking, SOF, SDKInfo/Registration
SOFWERX Tech TuesdayDate: August 12, 2025 (recurring series)Summary: Weekly forum to pitch dual‑use solutions to SOCOM stakeholders and the SOFWERX ecosystem. Startups can book short virtual sessions to receive feedback and explore transition paths.Why it matters: Fast‑cycle engagement helps small firms align tech with real SOF needs.Tags: Tech Scouting, Dual‑Use, Startups, SOFInfo
AFCEC/DOE FEMP “CAMP” Summer Courses (Hybrid)Dates: August 5–7, 2025Location: Washington, DC + VirtualSummary: Training for federal energy and water resilience stakeholders; networking with DoD energy professionals.Why it matters: Installation energy resilience is pivotal for mission assurance and base operations.Tags: Energy Resilience, Installations, Training, FederalInfo
USSOCOM Innovation Foundry (IF‑17) — Chantilly, VADates: October 28–30, 2025Summary: SOFWERX + ICWERX convene SOF, IC, industry, academia, and labs to ideate future scenarios/missions and inform S&T priorities.Why it matters: Early concept development shapes problem framing and investment vectors for SOF.Tags: Concepts, Futures, SOF, S&TInfo
xTechIgnite — SBIR Proposals Window (Army)Dates: Phase 3 proposals due by August 20, 2025Summary: Up to 24 winners can submit SBIR Phase I or Direct‑to‑Phase II proposals; awards up to $2M for DtP2.Why it matters: Streamlined Army pathways and non‑dilutive capital for dual‑use startups.Tags: Army SBIR, xTech, Non‑Dilutive, StartupsInfo
NASA SBIR/STTR — 2024 STTR Phase II Solicitation (Open)Window: July 25 – September 8, 2025Summary: NASA is accepting 2024 STTR Phase II proposals, with selections slated for November. Relevant for spacetech firms with university partners; many topics overlap dual‑use domains (AI on‑board processing, comms, autonomy).Why it matters: STTR pairs small businesses with research institutions—useful model for defense‑relevant maturation.Tags: STTR, Space, AI/Autonomy, University PartnershipInfo
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