Gary Jinks

The Defense Innovation Unit is working to stand up a new program that will bolster the defense industrial base’s ability to rapidly produce new systems. This new program will pre-vet and maintain a roster of pre-approved commercial manufacturing facilities that meet the department’s standards for producing military capabilities. This is great news for the smaller non-traditional defense industry businesses that often struggle to meet the DOD’s demands for producing capabilities at scale. “What we’re doing now is essentially creating a program that pre-vets for quality, security [and] adversarial capital — so we can make that introduction and actually build the bridge to help both sides to scale,” said DIU Director Doug Beck. Continue reading: https://lnkd.in/djHQkep7

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🔜 Join us for our Special Broadcast today, "Protection from Mayhem," from the 3rd Annual ⛓️ Law-Tech Connect Workshop at #XPO24. Our panel of experts will cover various topics to help keep your organization legally compliant and shield you from chaos. Topics include: how to mitigate risks through drone and air taxi insurance, safety management systems, physical security, cybersecurity legal requirements, and knowing when to consult an attorney. https://lnkd.in/gpaKdZDb

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How can an organization build their reputation in their industry? 🔧✨ In a recent episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, 🎙️ Grant Anderson, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Paragon Space Development Corporation, describes the key factors that have contributed to Paragon's reputation in the life support system industry. 🚀 Namely, he says, it is their honesty. For example, even if it means going with a competitor's component, Paragon will always use the best option for the system solution they're trying to build. Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/d6Hb_w4g #DIBInnovators #defenseindustrialbase #SMBsintheDIB #cybersecurity #nationaldefense #defensetech

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🚨 Major Milestone for Defense Tech: Second Front Systems Secures $70M in Series C Funding! 🚨 Second Front Systems (2F), a public-benefit software company, just announced the close of its $70 million Series C funding round, led by Salesforce Ventures with participation from Battery Ventures, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) , Thomas & Moore Strategic Ventures, LLC, and ARTIS Ventures. 💼💰 🛡️ What Does This Mean? 2F is on a mission to accelerate the delivery of mission-critical software solutions to the U.S. government and its allies, making it easier for commercial technologies to contribute to global security. 🌐 Key Highlights: • Game Warden by 2F deploys commercial and government solutions in classified and regulated environments, trusted by companies like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and DEFCON AI. • 2F’s impact spans both domestic and international markets, including partnerships with NATO to enhance global defense. 📈 Why It Matters: 2F ranked #28 on Silicon Valley Defense Groups’ NATSEC100 , achieving the second highest jump year over year! This funding will deepen 2F’s partnerships with the U.S. and allied governments, ensuring the best technologies support the most critical missions. 🔑 What's Next? With its expanded leadership team, including Josh Bosquez as CTO and Martha McSally joining the board, 2F is poised to continue transforming defense tech and building bridges between the DoD and cutting-edge commercial solutions. Rob Keith from Salesforce Ventures said it best: “We believe this latest funding will support 2F’s continued growth and success in transforming how the U.S. and its allies gain access to innovative technology.” 💥 Stay tuned to Future Techly for the latest updates on this groundbreaking initiative and the latest in tech and business! Source: PR Newswire #DefenseTech #SeriesCFunding #GlobalSecurity #Innovation #SecondFrontSystems #TechNews #SalesforceVentures #GameWarden #FutureTech #FutureTechly

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Have some free time over this Thanksgiving weekend? 🎬 It's your chance to catch back our latest webinar on "Integrating eVTOLS into military operations." https://lnkd.in/evuraiaz The team at Agility Prime—a U.S. Air Force program designed to explore the viability of eVTOLs for defense applications— shared their main findings from their partnership program with Joby Aviation out of Edwards Air Force Base. ⚡️ Unlike traditional government acquisition cycles, which often require years to identify and field solutions, Agility Prime seeks to fast-track innovative technologies that could meet critical military needs. It operates not as a typical program of record but rather as a bridge, evaluating promising technologies before a formal acquisition process is initiated. 🔌 Creating the infrastructure needed to test and support eVTOLs was a major undertaking. Lieutenant Kamryn Koesters explained the many logistical challenges to store, charge, and operate electric aircraft in a military environment. 💡 For instance, they had to innovate solutions for charging the aircraft inside a hangar by managing airflow and establishing battery recharge protocols—along with draining oil from the historic aircraft in the hangar to protect assets. They also came up with a surprising two-way “discharging” infrastructure to put power back into the grid, as battery life is prolonged when kept at a certain percent of charge. A central focus of Agility Prime is integrating eVTOLs into real-world military missions. They are currently investigating four key aspects through extensive on-the-field testing: 1️⃣ Personnel and equipment transportation 2️⃣ Base perimeter surveillance and asset inspection in remote areas 3️⃣ Flight path evaluation in normal vs. contested airspace, especially the impact on battery usage 4️⃣ Maintenance and reliability of this new aircraft category Edwards Air Force Base, known for its extensive desert environment, offers unique opportunities for testing eVTOLs in large, open spaces. A major challenge they face in daily operation is moving around the base, and eVTOLs have shown advantages when compared to ground vehicles. 🚨 Responding to medical emergencies is also a major use case, by being able to offer faster life support and evacuate wounded personnel to safe areas. The same lesson applies to rural communities with limited access to emergency healthcare. Thanks to Rodrigo Lopes Rose for the organization and the team at Agility Prime James Cunningham, Patrick Paganelli-Mulvany and Kamryn Koesters.

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⬇ Your weekly space news round-up featuring: 🌌 Voyager Space and Starlab adds Palantir Technologies as strategic partner on commercial space station effort 🛰 SpaceX unveils backpack-sized ‘STARLINK Mini’ satellite internet antenna for $599 🏭 Honeywell sees space opportunity with $1.9 billion CAES acquisition 🚀 Isar Aerospace raises $70 million 🌟 Boeing and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration delay Starliner astronaut return to June 22, nearly doubling mission length to test spacecraft 🛰 SIA Report: The latest publication by the Satellite Industry Association reported a remarkable $400B in global satellite revenue last year. For the sixth consecutive year, a record number of satellites were deployed in orbit. Of the 9,691 active satellites at the end of 2023, over 25% were launched within the year. While the satellite industry gained momentum globally, the US remained the dominant player, manufacturing 85% of the commercial satellites launched in 2023 and capturing 54% of global commercial launch revenues. Seraphim Space news: 🌍 Last week, Seraphim Space brought the industry together with two simultaneous events in LA and London. London Tech Week featured Seraphim CIO James Bruegger in a fireside chat with John Serafini, CEO of HawkEye 360, discussing illegal fishing. This was followed by a well-attended Seraphim event for portfolio companies and co-investors. Across the pond, the Seraphim Space Accelerator sponsored a major Payload event in LA alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Deloitte. New Podcast Episode: We are excited to spotlight Spire in our latest podcast episode, featuring founder and CEO Peter Platzer. Portfolio company Spire is a satellite-powered data company addressing the world's greatest challenges with global data solutions. From providing insights into global trade, weather, shipping, and supply chains to combating illegal fishing and enhancing maritime domain awareness, Spire is at the forefront of data innovation with its constellation of over 100 satellites in orbit. More details below and links in the comments ⬇

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The tactical UAV market is on a remarkable trajectory, poised to reach $15.30 billion by 2033. This growth reflects a profound shift in defense and surveillance strategies, driven by advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and increasing demand for tactical applications. At BIS Research, we've delved into the intricacies of this burgeoning sector, analyzing the key drivers, market trends, and future opportunities shaping the tactical UAV landscape. Our comprehensive research offers valuable insights into how tactical UAVs are revolutionizing defense operations, intelligence gathering, and beyond. Interested in learning more about the market dynamics and how they might impact your strategies? Read the complete article here: https://lnkd.in/gE4FKxN7 Market #TacticalUAV #DefenseTechnology #UnmannedAerialVehicles #MarketGrowth #Aerospace #FutureTrends #BIS

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Vannevar Labs is aiming for $1 billion in revenue by 2030. 💰 They are one of the fastest-to-profitability defense tech stratups... ever. 🚀 And their founders, Brett Granberg and Nini Hamrick, are two of the most candid, caring, and driven in the industry. This week's #CrossingTheValley is an absolute masterclass in what separates innovation theater from mission-impact. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts, and read on for some top takeaways 👇 1. Peers are the real support network of a business school… not (necessarily) the professors. Outside of the Hacking for Defense ecosystem, Brett got an icy reception from professors when he spoke about dropping out of Stanford. One went so far as to say, “if you drop out, I’m not going to help you.” 2. You can fundraise with problems and users… you don't (necessarily) need product. The world was different in 2018… but the Vannevar team didn't have a prototype. They had a deep background and extensive network of end users because they chose to solve a problem that they had experienced personally their previous lives. This made it easy for them to pick up the phone and get together with users who understood the problem deeply. 3. The best "first" deal is the first (real) deal you can get. “Whatever you can get, the fastest you can possibly get it, is what you should go after.” But crucially (and this will stand out from the typical deftech startup), they deprioritized SBIR, innovation money, and anything that sounded like innovation money or research funds. If it wasn't real money, it wasn't an important enough problem. 4. "Selling" in defense isn’t about sales… it’s about solving a problem with a customer who lacks existing capability. Many of the areas the team focused on were new to the government; they didn’t have to focus on competitors, and they didn’t have to obsess over a business model - they had to figure out what it would take to make the problem go away, and then deliver. Check out the full case writeup on Frontdoordefense . substack . com for the complete list of lessons and some 🌶 quotes!

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The SDA has made significant strides with its rapid acquisition model, demonstrating impressive speed in finalizing development contracts & launching initial satellites. However, challenges remain in proving the scalability & sustainability of its mesh networks & spiral development model. CRG clients can play a critical role in supporting SDA's objectives by leveraging their expertise & innovative solutions. 1. Innovative Acquisition Strategies: Engage in flexible contracting mechanisms like Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) to expedite project timelines. Participate in rapid prototyping initiatives to showcase innovative solutions quickly. -Differentiator: Accelerates time-to-field for critical capabilities, enhancing the ability to meet SDA’s stringent timelines & operational requirements. 2. Robust Industrial Base Development: Invest in developing a diverse supplier base to ensure competitive sourcing & sustainability. Foster partnerships with non-traditional defense contractors & small biz to bring fresh perspectives & innovative solutions. -Differentiator: Supports continuous innovation & reduces risks associated with supply chain disruptions, ensuring the sustainability of SDA’s ambitious deployment schedule. 3. Advanced Mesh Networking Solutions: Develop & implement advanced mesh networking tech to ensure scalable & resilient comms systems. Integrate AI & machine learning for enhanced network efficiency & reliability. -Differentiator: Provides robust, scalable systems that meet the demands of modern defense operations, ensuring reliable communication across SDA’s satellite constellations. 4. Continuous Spiral Development: Adopt agile development methodologies to facilitate iterative improvements & rapid capability enhancements. Focus on modular system designs that allow for incremental upgrades & adaptability. -Differentiator: Enables clients to maintain cutting-edge capabilities, quickly adapt to emerging threats, & sustain continuous development cycles aligned with SDA’s goals. 5. Resilient Space Architectures: Design space architectures with redundancy & fault tolerance to ensure mission continuity & resilience. Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect against cyber threats & ensure the integrity of SDA’s operations. -Differentiator: Safeguard critical space assets, ensuring continuous operation & mission success even in the face of potential adversities. CRG’s extensive experience in digital transformation, strategic planning, & resilient infrastructure development positions us as an ideal advisor for innovative solutions in defense space programs. For more info visit crgroupinc.com or contact us at [email protected]. #CRG #SDA #DefenseInnovation #RapidAcquisition #SpaceDevelopment #MeshNetworking #Agile #ResilientArchitecture #DoD #TechForDefense #IndustrialBaseDevelopment #FutureWarfare #SpaceTechnology #DefenseContracting #AI #CyberResilience #StrategicPlanning #DigitalTransformation #OperationalEfficiency

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Exhibit A of the cost asymmetry of offense versus defense in the drone wars. Anduril Industries's counter-drone costs 10x the kamikaze drone it is designed to take out. If it hits it. And that 10:1 ratio could get worse. One of MITS Capital's portfolio companies is working on a system to effectuate a long-range kamikaze drone strike at $20k a mission. It will be even harder to detect than the current state of the art. It is a system that begs to be shot at. Win-win--it either hits, or it is shot down at an assymetric cost. "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace!" Defending countries cannot afford sit back and play defense. Literally. Offense is massively cheaper. Almost no defensive war in won in the territory of the defender. If you are invaded, you MUST take the war into the territory of the invader--it is basic economics. In Ukraine, the US policy of non-escalation has forced Ukraine to fight an unnecessarily prolonged and expensive defensive war, hoping that its allies will be effective in squeezing Russia. Sadly, China and India are pouring so much money into Russia that Western sanctions are ineffective. Ukraine is now taking the war into Russia. The Kursk incursion is just one part. The Ukrainian government is now prioritizing deep-strike capability. Within a matter of months, Ukraine will be ramping up enough deep-strike capacity to hit any Russian city west of the Urals. How the National Security Council, The White House seems ignorant of fundamental war strategy (and economics) is disturbing--and has lead to bleeding out Ukraine's army. Ukraine, dependent on US resources, has gone along with US policy, but simply does not have the manpower to wait for the US to remember how war works. European Commission and NATO leadership understand this and European nations are increasingly providing resources to Ukraine's domestic defense industry. The war will not be settled until Ukraine brings the war to Moscow. That will begin after the US election and requires Europe to step with its economic support of Ukraine to mitigate the risk of a reduction in US support. I'd love to hear other views. Stacie Pettyjohn #drones Paul Scharre #Ukraine Andy Hunder Robert McConnell John Moran Roman Sheremeta Marianna Kozintseva Marijn Markus Dan Rice 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 Yurii Shafarenko Bohdan Тyrus, PhD Andrea Januta Siobhán O'Grady Ukraine.ua Dr. Wladimir Klitschko #slavaunkraini Meduza #defensetech Veronika Melkozerova Ukrainska Pravdav Ian Brzezinski Howard Altman Matthew Luxmoore Olesia Bida Isabel Coles Dylan Malyasov Elsa Court Byron Callan William Collins J. Scott Christian Admiral James Stavridis General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.) Institute for the Study of War MINISTRY OF DEFENSE UKRAINE The Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine BRAVE1 Martin Jõesaar https://lnkd.in/gjjrX5f3

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🔥 IP2M METRR Recap: A Roadmap to EVMS Excellence 🔥 Over the past few months, we’ve explored IP2M METRR Maturity Sub-Processes and Environment Categories, essential for evaluating and optimizing your EVMS. Here's a brief recap with links to each area, offering a comprehensive view of how IP2M METRR strengthens your EVMS. 🔹 IP2M METRR Using EVMS: Overview of all sub-processes and environment categories crucial for project success. https://lnkd.in/ecGygCb5 💡 Maturity Sub-Processes: 🔹 A. Organizing: Ensures a clear WBS and OBS are in place. https://lnkd.in/e_hmeTaB 🔹 B. Planning and Scheduling: Focuses on time-phased work scope and integrated master schedules to align tasks. https://lnkd.in/eeqk7vNJ 🔹 C. Budgeting & Work Authorization: Aligns budgets with work scope and performance plans, ensuring financial clarity. https://lnkd.in/eST_8BMU 🔹 D. Accounting Considerations: Involves proper cost reconciliation and assignment of actual costs to control accounts. https://lnkd.in/ezdaFVy4 🔹 E. Indirect Budget and Cost Management: Manages indirect costs to avoid budget overruns and ensures transparency. https://lnkd.in/eywPg-Fd 🔹 F. Analysis and Management Reporting: Provides performance data for decision-making through variance analysis. https://lnkd.in/eCpg4sR9 🔹 G. Change Control: Ensures that changes to project baselines are controlled and documented. https://lnkd.in/echbp2Ge 🔹 H. Material Management: Oversees proper recording of material costs and performance tracking. https://lnkd.in/eeCkbTVK 🔹 I. Subcontract Management: Ensures subcontractors are integrated and their performance is managed. https://lnkd.in/eY-Z-myz 🔹 J. Risk Management: Identifies, analyzes, and integrates risk management into EVMS planning. https://lnkd.in/eUvH9N5R 🔹 Environment Assessment: Examines cultural, people, practices, and resources that support EVMS. https://lnkd.in/eN9BGu3z 🔄 Environment Categories: 🔹 Culture: Evaluates organizational values and how they foster a successful EVMS environment. https://lnkd.in/ebAjHXgp 🔹 People: Assesses the expertise and commitment of both contractor and customer teams. https://lnkd.in/ebtwkA-C 🔹 Practices: Reviews standard operating procedures and their effectiveness in implementing EVMS. https://lnkd.in/eZtDbjgj 🔹 Resources: Evaluates the availability of tools, personnel, funding, and data for EVMS success. https://lnkd.in/eUviAPTZ This concludes our IP2M METRR series! We hope it has provided valuable insights into EVMS maturity and environmental factors. #ProjectManagement #ProjectControls #Aerospace #Defense

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The Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY25 defense budget bill highlights the urgent need for the Pentagon & Intelligence Community (IC) to fully leverage commercial space capabilities. The bill underscores gaps in current utilization plans and emphasizes the importance of integrating commercial solutions to bolster the High-Capacity, Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess Constellation (HCF). This new joint architecture, involving electro-optical, synthetic aperture radar, and ground moving target sensors, is pivotal for modern ISR operations. However, legislative scrutiny reveals concerns about the underutilization of robust commercial space capabilities, potentially undermining the US remote sensing industrial base. CRG’s SME Opportunities, Advice, Differentiators Opportunities: 1. Integration with HCF: Companies specializing in electro-optical, SAR, and GMTI sensors can play a crucial role in integrating commercial tech with the HCF constellation. 2. Tactical ISR Enhancement: Firms can support the ongoing pilot project for Combatant Commands to directly task commercial satellites, enhancing tactical ISR capabilities. 3. Commercial Augmentation: Businesses offering space-based PNT, environmental monitoring, and other satellite services can benefit from the $22 million allocated to augment these missions. Advice: 1. Align with Strategic Goals: Align your capabilities with the strategic objectives outlined by the Senate, focusing on enhancing the HCF and supporting tactical ISR operations. 2. Leverage Commercial Advantages: Emphasize the cost-effectiveness, agility, and scalability of commercial solutions compared to traditional government systems. 3. Engage Early: Proactively engage with Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office to position your technologies for integration and funding opportunities. Differentiators: 1. Proven Track Record: Highlight successful integrations of commercial technologies in defense and intelligence applications. 2. Cutting-Edge Innovation: Showcase advancements in sensor technologies and data analytics that can provide superior capabilities for ISR operations. 3. Scalability and Flexibility: Demonstrate how your solutions can quickly scale and adapt to evolving mission requirements, offering a resilient and robust alternative to traditional systems. The defense landscape demands rapid integration of commercial space capabilities. Firms must act now to position themselves as essential partners. Interested companies should act now to capitalize on this opportunity. Contact CRG today to leverage our expertise and secure your position in this critical defense initiative. For more information, visit crgroupinc.com or contact us at [email protected]. #CommercialSpace #SpaceAcquisition #ISR #DefenseInnovation #SpaceForce #SatelliteTechnology #ISRIntegration #DefenseContracts #MilitarySpace #TacticalISR #SpaceSurveillance #SatelliteIndustry #DefenseStrategy #CommercialSatellites #TechInnovation

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Damning information on how the US is not prepared to fight a real war today from the excellent Sam Skove at Defense One. The US does not have the industrial capacity to make enough of the current "must have" battlefield requirement--DRONES. At the front, a soldier without a drone is dead (see recent Skydio testimony to Congress). This article lays out how the US cannot compete with China on drone costs. Some of the proposals from the people interviewed are fanciful. The thinking that if only there were enough orders, the US could produce drones at a competitive price with China without Chinese components is not realistic. What the article doesn't mention is that the US defense industry cannot build anything without Chinese components. Even Blue List drones are dependent on Chinese components. The idea that US venture capitalists will make this happen misses the point. A lot of US venture capital is going into drones due to how much the US government will pay for them because it has no non-China options for cheap drones. VC-backed drones are usually more expensive than anything built elsewhere. The article buries the solution at the end.... "Bödecker, of Drone Industry Insights, pointed to yet another potential solution.  “When you look at Ukraine, now, they are building insane capacities to build drones,” he said. After the Russian-Ukraine war ends, “there will be a production capacity that will in return address the European and maybe even North American market,” he said." Bingo. Ukraine is the Silicon Valley of drone innovation in the world today. It is also becoming cost-competitive with China in drone manufacturing. Our company, MITS Capital, has built a portal into this ecosystem. Why? Because we know that Ukraine holds the answer, not just for defending itself, but for being the arsenal for democracy for the free world in the battles to come. Email me if you are interested in joining us in our mission. [email protected] Atlantic Council Council on Foreign Relations Center for a New American Security (CNAS) RAND The Brookings Institution Hudson Institute American Enterprise Institute Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) #nationalsecurity Institute for the Study of War William Collins J. Scott Christian Matt Abrams #foreignpolicy #nationalsecurity National Security Council, The White House Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)  Ashley Roque Lara Seligman Haley Britzky Joe Gould The Merge DefenseScoop Defense Brief Defense News Tony Capaccio Paul McLeary Connor O'Brien Jake Epstein Colin Demarest Valerie Insinna Breaking Defense Defensemirror.com The Defense Post Military Times Stacie Pettyjohn

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Venture funding for defense tech startups is ready to set new records. After Anduril’s huge round, so far in 2024 defense tech startups have raised $2.5 billion — per Crunchbase data — nearly matching the record high of $2.6 billion set in 2022. Last year, such startups collected only $2.1 billion total. Helping the industry hit those new heights are the aforementioned Founders Fund and Andreessen Horowitz. Those firms have made the most investments this year — three apiece — of any VC firm and Andreessen the most since 2021 with 14 deals. Earlier this year, Andreessen — an investor in Anduril’s previous rounds — led a $175 million Series B for autonomous surface vessels maker Saronic at a $1 billion valuation.

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