Author Archive

Brandi Vincent

Defense Technology Correspondent

Brandi Vincent
Brandi Vincent reports on national security technologies and policies, and produces the Critical Update podcast. Before joining Nextgov, she produced a long-form documentary and helped create news content at Snapchat and NBC Network. Brandi was named a 2021 Paul Miller Washington Fellow by the National Press Foundation and was awarded SIIA’s 2020 Jesse H. Neal Award for Best News Coverage. She grew up in south Louisiana and received a master’s in journalism from the University of Maryland.
Science & Tech

Pentagon Delays Department-wide Cloud, Again

Officials say they didn't expect to need so much time to choose among four bids for a $9 billion cloud contract.

Policy

If Russia Hacks a US Satellite, Is It an Act of War?

After a Russian official issued dire warnings against tampering with satellites, U.S. officials declined to follow suit.

Science & Tech

AI Could Match 'Fingerprints' of Texts To Their Authors, Under New Intelligence Program

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity takes aim at a capability that might one day help fight disinformation and human trafficking.

Science & Tech

New Operating System Aims to Speed AI to the Battlefield

The project is part of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center’s 8-month-old AI and Data Accelerator.

Science & Tech

Air Force Commits Millions to Experiment with ‘Space Internet’

Arctic coverage and airborne communications are two areas highlighted for exploration.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Previews New Tech Strategy, Updates Priorities List

The National Defense Science and Technology Strategy won't be out for a while, but Undersecretary Shyu's "Technology Vision for an Era of Competition" offers an early look.

Science & Tech

DOD Debuts Office to Help It 'Move Faster' on Artificial Intelligence

Two memos clarify the goals of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, which was created to coordinate AI efforts across DOD.

Threats

China May Steal Encrypted Data Now to Decrypt In Years to Come, Report Warns

Quantum computers promise to render today's encryption largely obsolete. A Booz Allen report says it's time to start managing the risks.

Policy

Lawmakers Push DOD to Share its Data to Help U.S. Make AI Gains

New legislation to pilot easy-access data libraries could be included in the fiscal 2022 NDAA.

Science & Tech

Army Gets Strategic About Going Digital

Policy reforms and technology boosts are in the pipeline, military leaders confirmed.

Policy

NSA Cyber Chief Spells Out Near-Term Priorities

Ransomware is a top concern, but the agency is also looking ahead to defending networked weapons and post-quantum encryption.

Science & Tech

USAF Wants Wearables to Spot Outbreaks Faster

Top officials are also looking into data integration and digital traceability tools to help keep staff healthy.

Science & Tech

US Air Force’s First Software Chief Steps Down

Nicolas Chaillan, who led a Pentagon-wide DevSecOps effort, said he was leaving in part because of a lack of support from senior leaders.

Science & Tech

Floating Robot Gas Station To Get Pentagon Trial

The aim is a kit to convert barges into self-propelled, expeditionary replenishment platforms for rotary wing aircraft, surface vessels, and shore stations.

Science & Tech

Army’s New Facility Aims to Speed Up Fielding Tech

Work there will support DOD’s new soldier goggles — formally known as the Integrated Visual Augmentation System.