Latest news with #DoD
Business Insider
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
The Pentagon launched a military-grade Y Combinator, signaling that defense tech is officially cool on college campuses
The Department of Defense is scouting the next Palantir — and it's starting on college campuses. This week, the Defense Innovation Unit — the Pentagon's emerging tech arm — launched a university accelerator, open for applications through late June. The 12-week program will be a military-grade Y Combinator of sorts, offering early-stage startups funding, mentorship, and DoD connections. Fifteen teams spun out of US universities — working in AI, cyber, space, and more — will evenly split $500,000. The initiative builds on the National Security Innovation Network's earlier Emerge program, which also targeted college founders, according to DIU project manager Josh Carter. "Though its name has changed over the years, its mission remains the same: to help early-stage tech companies founded within the US university system engage with the DoD," he said in an email to Business Insider. It's also tapping into a growing appetite on college campuses for working in national security, in part fueled by geopolitical urgency and venture dollars flooding the space. Students at top colleges like Harvard and Stanford who once chased jobs at Google and Meta are increasingly eyeing Palantir — or even launching defense tech startups of their own. Beyond rising student interest, the accelerator also reflects growing investor intrigue in dual-use startups — ones building tech for both the battlefield and commercial buyers. The DIU believes this business plan gives startups a better shot at longevity. Having public and private sector applications, Carter said, gives startups "a better opportunity to achieve long-term sustainability and growth." A handful of scaling startups are already operating in both arenas. "The most promising companies will prove their product market fit in one end market — either commercial or government — and then leverage that success to break into the other," Mina Faltas, founder and chief investment officer of Washington Harbour Partners, told BI in an email. Hadrian, which is building automated factories that can make parts for hardware companies, especially those in aerospace and defense, raised $117 million in 2024 in a mix of equity and debt from investors including RTX Ventures, the venture arm of defense prime RTX, formerly Raytheon. CHAOS Industries, which develops a software platform for critical industries and defense, raised a $275 million Series C in May, co-led by New Enterprise Associates and Accel. And Scale AI, which provides AI heavyweights like OpenAI with training data, inked a contract with the Defense Department in March. Investors say that becoming dual-use doesn't just happen overnight. "Typically, startups focus first on selling to either commercial or government customers, since the execution of each lane is quite distinct," Faltas said. Jackson Moses, founder of defense tech fund Silent Ventures, said most dual-use startups only expand into a second market once they've matured. "Startups require early, narrow focus to succeed, and I prefer founders to focus on proper upfront market research and a single GTM strategy," he told BI in an email. "Some of the most successful dual-use defense plays organically achieve product market fit over a medium- to longer-term horizon, a function of strategy, execution, and patience." Moses has backed some such startups, including CHAOS. Others are still skeptical of the approach. Jake Chapman of national security-focused firm Marque Ventures says that the industry's obsession with dual-use can be a distraction for founders and investors. "Too many DoD problems are defense problems, not dual-use problems," he told BI in an email. "If we insist on directing all our early-stage support to dual-use companies, we turn defense tech startups into second-class citizens."
CNN
21 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Hegseth gutted Pentagon office that said it would oversee testing of Golden Dome missile defense system
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the gutting of a Pentagon office shortly after it disclosed that it would be overseeing the testing of President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system and the programs associated with the massive, multi-billion dollar project, multiple officials familiar with the matter told CNN. At the end of April, the little known Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation drafted and disseminated a memo to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other DoD offices that put Golden Dome on its oversight list, in line with DoD instructions and laws requiring that a major defense acquisition program be tested before being fielded, the officials said. Days later, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency asked the office for a meeting. Musk's company, SpaceX, is among the companies vying for a role in developing Golden Dome. DOGE representatives asked DOT&E officials more about what they did and their plans for this year, officials said, and seemed surprised that much of the office's work was required by law. But there were no outward signs that the office was on the chopping block. On Wednesday, though, DOT&E employees were abruptly summoned to a meeting at the Pentagon and told that the office would be cut to just 30 people, down from over 100, the officials told CNN. Contractors would also no longer be assigned to support the office, per the new guidance. A defense official told CNN that they believe the administration was concerned about DOT&E conducting independent oversight of Golden Dome, and the problems it might uncover in the process. 'This administration only wants wins. They don't want bad news and they're getting bad news on all sorts of fronts,' the official said. 'DOT&E is an honest broker of information. We report the truth and that's all we do.' Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement on Thursday that he is concerned that the move to gut the office 'appears retaliatory, driven by Mr. Hegseth's opposition to some of DOT&E's recent, legally required oversight decisions.' 'With staffing reduced to a skeleton crew and limited contractor backing, DOT&E may be unable to provide adequate oversight for critical military programs, risking operational readiness and taxpayer dollars,' Reed said, calling the decision 'politically motivated interference.' Asked for comment, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN, 'The Department's reorganization of the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation will return DOT&E to its statutory intent as an oversight body and eliminate duplicative efforts. This decision has nothing to do with Golden Dome and everything to do with rooting out redundancies.' But officials CNN spoke to argued that DOT&E is not redundant—rather, it has a unique position as an independent auditor of equipment and systems used by all of the services across the military. It also does not have an enforcement mechanism and is not legally able to shut anything down if it uncovers problems when testing and evaluating various systems. Trump formally announced the plans for the project last week, and $25 billion has already been carved out in next year's defense budget for Golden Dome. But the Congressional Budget Office has estimated the US may have to spend more than $500 billion – over the course of 20 years – to develop a layered missile defense system of the size and scale Trump has demanded. The system will likely encompass over 100 separate programs and require establishing a large, interconnected network of government agencies and private contractors. Defense officials and industry executives largely agree that it will take years before a system like Golden Dome is fully operational, CNN has reported. But the Trump administration is already on the clock to prove that the concept can work in order to justify the future funding for the project. In a video posted to X on Wednesday, Hegseth said the office was restructured to allow the services to 'go faster with the capabilities that they need.' Another defense official said DOT&E had no intention of slowing down the project. But they did want to ensure it worked properly, and that it would be survivable and lethal against realistic threats. 'It's much cheaper and faster to find out problems quickly and get data as early as possible so we can determine whether the program is going to be effective,' the official said. The first official said that the massive reduction in staff and the fact that contractors will no longer be assigned to DOT&E will lead to some programs dropping off the office's radar and getting no scrutiny at all. 'It's concerning that there will be certain programs out there with potentially a lot of money being spent,' this official said. 'And we'll have no idea if it's being tested properly.'
CNN
21 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Hegseth gutted Pentagon office that said it would oversee testing of Golden Dome missile defense system
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the gutting of a Pentagon office shortly after it disclosed that it would be overseeing the testing of President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system and the programs associated with the massive, multi-billion dollar project, multiple officials familiar with the matter told CNN. At the end of April, the little known Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation drafted and disseminated a memo to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other DoD offices that put Golden Dome on its oversight list, in line with DoD instructions and laws requiring that a major defense acquisition program be tested before being fielded, the officials said. Days later, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency asked the office for a meeting. Musk's company, SpaceX, is among the companies vying for a role in developing Golden Dome. DOGE representatives asked DOT&E officials more about what they did and their plans for this year, officials said, and seemed surprised that much of the office's work was required by law. But there were no outward signs that the office was on the chopping block. On Wednesday, though, DOT&E employees were abruptly summoned to a meeting at the Pentagon and told that the office would be cut to just 30 people, down from over 100, the officials told CNN. Contractors would also no longer be assigned to support the office, per the new guidance. A defense official told CNN that they believe the administration was concerned about DOT&E conducting independent oversight of Golden Dome, and the problems it might uncover in the process. 'This administration only wants wins. They don't want bad news and they're getting bad news on all sorts of fronts,' the official said. 'DOT&E is an honest broker of information. We report the truth and that's all we do.' Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement on Thursday that he is concerned that the move to gut the office 'appears retaliatory, driven by Mr. Hegseth's opposition to some of DOT&E's recent, legally required oversight decisions.' 'With staffing reduced to a skeleton crew and limited contractor backing, DOT&E may be unable to provide adequate oversight for critical military programs, risking operational readiness and taxpayer dollars,' Reed said, calling the decision 'politically motivated interference.' Asked for comment, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN, 'The Department's reorganization of the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation will return DOT&E to its statutory intent as an oversight body and eliminate duplicative efforts. This decision has nothing to do with Golden Dome and everything to do with rooting out redundancies.' But officials CNN spoke to argued that DOT&E is not redundant—rather, it has a unique position as an independent auditor of equipment and systems used by all of the services across the military. It also does not have an enforcement mechanism and is not legally able to shut anything down if it uncovers problems when testing and evaluating various systems. Trump formally announced the plans for the project last week, and $25 billion has already been carved out in next year's defense budget for Golden Dome. But the Congressional Budget Office has estimated the US may have to spend more than $500 billion – over the course of 20 years – to develop a layered missile defense system of the size and scale Trump has demanded. The system will likely encompass over 100 separate programs and require establishing a large, interconnected network of government agencies and private contractors. Defense officials and industry executives largely agree that it will take years before a system like Golden Dome is fully operational, CNN has reported. But the Trump administration is already on the clock to prove that the concept can work in order to justify the future funding for the project. In a video posted to X on Wednesday, Hegseth said the office was restructured to allow the services to 'go faster with the capabilities that they need.' Another defense official said DOT&E had no intention of slowing down the project. But they did want to ensure it worked properly, and that it would be survivable and lethal against realistic threats. 'It's much cheaper and faster to find out problems quickly and get data as early as possible so we can determine whether the program is going to be effective,' the official said. The first official said that the massive reduction in staff and the fact that contractors will no longer be assigned to DOT&E will lead to some programs dropping off the office's radar and getting no scrutiny at all. 'It's concerning that there will be certain programs out there with potentially a lot of money being spent,' this official said. 'And we'll have no idea if it's being tested properly.'
American Military News
a day ago
- American Military News
How Military Members Can Safely Access Online Casinos While Stationed Overseas
When American soldiers are away from home, their free time is valuable. Between challenging responsibilities and changeable timetables, finding time to relax and enjoy entertainment they're used to matters a lot. Many service members now choose online casinos for enjoyment, as they are convenient, offer plenty of excitement, and offer the chance to win money. Even so, people working abroad wonder how they can use social media safely and face the various obstacles involved. For anyone in the military who's new to gambling, free spins no deposit are incredibly appealing. You can try out different casinos and games without investing your money at first. If you find yourself in a military position in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East, learn how to gamble online securely. Before wagering, you must know the gambling laws in your country and the country where you play. Although some U.S. states permit online gambling, federal law could still apply if the gambling site or payment method is regulated by federal law. When serving abroad, military members must consider how local laws differ from their own. In several cases, the U.S. and the host nation share command and regulation of military bases. As a result, gambling over the internet can sometimes be confusing. In this case, you may be in America, yet your internet activity can be subject to overseas regulations or spied on by other countries. Many countries enforce laws that would consider accessing gambling websites to be illegal for everyone, regardless of their citizenship. To ensure your safety, follow both the guidelines from the U.S. Department of Defense and your local regulations when gambling online. There may be policies at the DoD regarding money management or using the internet on the base that can affect your play. In some places, internet access at the base might be secure. Connecting to public Wi-Fi or a shared hotspot can make your information and finances vulnerable to hacking. To make your online gambling safe, play only on a secure and private connection. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of your most essential tools. Using a VPN, your internet data is encrypted, your IP address is changed, and you can access content in other countries, such as the U.S., using their servers. This is very useful when the online casino you like is accessible only in a few places. You must confirm that using a VPN is allowed on the casino website. Some platforms can block or prohibit the use of their site if your connection is through a VPN. Selecting a casino that enables gamers from abroad without VPNs is easier, but it is still best to use caution and stick to the rules. There are significant differences between online casinos in the United States, and the same is true for those used from outside the country. Always use websites managed and regulated by trusted gaming authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, or Curacao eGaming. Most of these operators work with international companies by meeting strong security, fairness, and transparency requirements. It helps to play at casinos where customers can get help 24/7 and where payment options are convenient for people from the United States traveling outside their country. Try to pick sites designed for global users that allow you to pay using credit cards, cryptocurrency wallets, and e-wallet platforms such as PayPal or Skrill. This means your money is easily accessible whenever you move to a new station. Recently, bonuses have been adjusted based on where you work. For this reason, free spins no-deposit sites can be very helpful. You can test the games and the user interface for free, which is useful when reviewing a site from a distance. Many adjustment issues and limited time for hobbies can lead an overseas stationed person to use gambling as an escape. For this reason, we must be disciplined and pay close attention. Use platforms that offer ways to restrict your wagers, break from gaming, or prohibit yourself altogether. You should always protect your financial information. Use well-known payment gateways and never save your banking information on any public or shared device. It is best to have them as separate accounts, and always watch for anything suspicious in your gaming history. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is also available at many online casinos. Turn on this feature as soon as you see it in the settings, as it will safeguard your account from unauthorized access. Service members stationed overseas can enjoy playing at online casinos in their downtime. However, whenever we entertain, we must take responsibility and be careful. You should prepare and be careful when it comes to your money and data in safe online gambling. Selecting the right services, using VPNs, and being careful when playing games can help a lot. By claiming their free spins no deposit, you can have fun playing without any of your own money. So, keep yourself safe, be careful, and enjoy your travels.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
C3 AI Stock Surges 24% On $450 Million Defense Deal
C3 AI (NYSE:AI) soars 24.6% after the U.S. Air Force's Rapid Sustainment Office expanded its C3 AI ceiling to $450 million through October 2029, turbocharging predictive-maintenance deployments. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with AI. The additional $350 million in scope builds on an initial $100 million award that fully funded PANDA, C3 AI's aircraft-maintenance analytics platform across the USAF fleet. CTO Ed Abbo says the program may be the largest production AI deployment in the U.S. DoD today, underscoring the Pentagon's confidence in C3 AI's ability to forecast equipment failures and streamline sustainment. Ramp-up plans include scaling PANDA across more aircraft types and ground systems, using real-time data to cut downtime and maintenance costs. With AI-driven insights poised to replace traditional maintenance cycles, the expanded contract offers C3 AI a rare multi-year, high-visibility showcase. Investors should care because securing a long-dated, $450 million DoD engagement not only validates C3 AI's platform at scale but also sets a template for future defense and commercial wins. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
