Latest news with #nationaldefense
TechCrunch
2 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
National security meets next-gen tech at Disrupt 2025 AI Defense panel
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is where breakthrough ideas meet the real-world challenges that define the future — and with over 10,000 startup and VC leaders converging, there's no better place to have the hard conversations. One of the most urgent? How artificial intelligence is reshaping national defense, security, and critical infrastructure in real time. Enter AI Defense, a can't-miss panel discussion taking place on one of the two AI Stages, where leaders from government, venture, and the armed services will explore the high-stakes collision of innovation and national security. Why this conversation matters now With AI evolving at a blistering pace, the stakes for defense innovation have never been higher. From autonomous systems and decision intelligence to cybersecurity and battlefield readiness, the U.S. defense and intelligence communities are racing to build smarter, more adaptive technologies — without compromising ethics, oversight, or safety. This panel explores the delicate balance between intelligence and control, the role of startups in defense innovation, and the multi-billion-dollar opportunities emerging at the intersection of national security and AI. If your startup touches defense, government, cybersecurity, or AI infrastructure, this is a conversation you can't afford to miss. Where defense, intelligence, and innovation converge Onstage, you'll hear from Dr. Kathleen Fisher, Director of the Information Innovation Office at DARPA, who is leading the charge on tech that gives the U.S. and its allies an edge in the information wars of the 21st century. With a career that spans AT&T Labs and academia at Tufts University, Fisher blends research credibility with strategic vision, and she's shaping the next generation of defense-grade AI. Joining the panel is Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Ventures, and formerly a leader at In-Q-Tel, the CIA's strategic investment arm. Chandrasekar knows how to spot frontier tech that moves the needle, and he's built investment frameworks to support some of the intelligence community's toughest missions. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW Rounding out the panel is Justin Fanelli, Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy. Fanelli lives at the intersection of cybersecurity, innovation, and adoption, driving digital transformation across one of the most complex organizations in government. From his DARPA Service Chiefs Fellowship to his nationally recognized work in defense health and command systems, Fanelli brings the boots-on-the-ground perspective to how defense is done in the age of AI. Catch it live at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 This AI Defense panel takes place on the AI Stage. Exact session time coming soon — but don't wait to claim your pass. TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 runs October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Join 10,000+ startup and VC leaders for three days of conversations and connections that define what's next. Grab your pass now before prices increase after July.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Four-star general, former MDA official ‘unanimously confirmed' to lead Golden Dome project
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) — The Senate unanimously confirmed a former Redstone Arsenal Missile Defense Agency official to lead the project. The Senate confirmed General Michael A. Guetlein to lead the Department of Defense's Golden Dome project on Friday. In June 2025, the Congressional Golden Dome Caucus was established. It came after an Executive Order from President Donald Trump directing the implementation of a 'next-generation missile defense shield for the United States against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks.' Limestone County Coroner asking public to identify man killed Sunday morning Gen. Guetlein is no stranger to North Alabama, as he previously served as the Program Executive for Programs and Integration at MDA on Redstone Arsenal from April 2017 to June 2019. Congressional Golden Dome Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Dale Strong and Jeff Crank released statements about Gen. Guetlein's confirmation. 'President Trump's decision to have General Guetlein serve as the Golden Dome Czar is a strategic move to strengthen our national defense at a critical time. I applaud the Senate for swiftly taking up his nomination, and I look forward to working with him to defend our homeland and advance the Golden Dome's mission to keep Americans safe.' Representative Dale Strong 'Congratulations to General Guetlein on his confirmation. I am confident that under his leadership, President Trump's vision to innovate our homeland missile defense through Golden Dome will soon become a reality – creating a strong deterrence against our adversaries. I look forward to working with General Guetlein to ensure Congress is providing as much support as possible for this essential program.' Representative Jeff Crank The United States Space Force website says Gen. Guetlein was previously the Vice Chief of Space Operations for the agency. Milo's Tea Company announces production pause to provide clean drinking water to Texas disaster relief To start his career, which has been a decorated one, Gen. Guetlein was commissioned through the ROTC program at Oklahoma State University back in 1991. Through September 1993, he worked as an AC-130U Gunship Support Manager in the Special Operations Program Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. You can view his list of assignments below: October 1993–August 1994, Chief, B-2 Bomber Propulsion, B-2 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio August 1994–January 1996, Executive Officer, Engineering Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio January 1996–July 1996, AC-130U Gunship Sortie Generation Flight Commander, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hurlburt Field, Fla. July 1996–July 1997, AC-130H Gunship Flight Commander, 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hurlburt Field, Fla. July 1997–June 1999, Air Force Intern, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. June 1999–March 2002, Deputy Program Manager, Space-Based Infrared System Ground Segment, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. March 2002–March 2003, Director, Missile Warning Systems, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. March 2003–June 2004, Executive Officer, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. June 2004–June 2005, Student, Naval War College, Newport Naval Station, R.I.11. June 2005–December 2006, Counterspace Program Element Monitor, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. December 2006–June 2008, Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. June 2008–July 2010, Commander, Rapid Reaction Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo. July 2010–June 2011, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, Space Exploration Enterprises, Los Angeles, Calif. June 2011–August 2014, Senior Materiel Leader, Space-Based Infrared System Production Division, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. September 2014–April 2017, Program Director, Remote Sensing Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. April 2017–June 2019, Program Executive for Programs and Integration, Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. July 2019–July 2021, Deputy Director and Air Force Element Commander, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va. August 2021–December 2023, Commander, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. December 2023–present, Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force, Arlington, Va. Gen. Guetlein became a one-star general on July 22, 2016, a two-star general on September 24, 2019, a three-star general on August 13, 2021, and finally, became a four-star general on December 21, 2023. Some of his major awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and Defense Superior Service Medal, among other awards. Latest Headlines Polls show approval rating for President Trump after six months in office Decatur police chief implements leadership classes for officers Retired Madison County sheriff's deputy making difference to keep 'these babies off the street' Epstein furor upends House for second week in row Senate GOP faces tough call over Trump's demand to cancel recess The Hill wrote that President Trump's inspiration for the Golden Dome stems from Israel's Iron Dome, a system the small country uses to shoot down short-range rockets and artillery fired from up to 43 miles away. 'We don't have a dome ourselves. We're going to have the greatest dome ever,' Trump said in December 2023 while on the campaign trail, later saying he would 'build an Iron Dome over our country.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Russia Today
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Retired US officer shared classified Ukraine intel on dating site
A retired US Army officer has admitted to leaking classified information about the Ukraine conflict to a woman he met on a foreign dating website, according to a press release by the US Justice Department last week. David Slater, 64, was working as a civilian employee for the Air Force at US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) when he is said to have conspired to transmit national defense information. The leaks occurred from February to April 2022, during the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. USSTRATCOM is responsible for overseeing the country's nuclear command and control systems. Slater held a top secret security clearance and worked in a classified space at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. He attended briefings that included intelligence classified up to top secret. Prosecutors said he later shared information from those briefings with a person who claimed to be a Ukrainian woman. The two communicated using a messaging feature on an unnamed foreign dating platform. According to court filings, the woman regularly prompted Slater to reveal sensitive details and referred to him with phrases such as 'my secret informant love' and 'my secret agent.' In one message, she asked, 'Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room??' Prosecutors said the information he disclosed included military targets, Russian military capabilities, and US and NATO planning. The identity of the woman has not been made public and it's unclear whether she was working for a foreign government. US Attorney Lesley Woods said Slater 'failed in his duty' to protect classified information. FBI Special Agent Eugene Kowel said the officer 'betrayed an oath' to safeguard national intelligence. Slater faces up to ten years in prison for the leaks, but could serve a fraction of this under a plea agreement. His sentencing is set for October 8. The case follows a similar breach in 2023 involving Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, who admitted to posting highly classified documents on Discord, including battlefield maps and intelligence assessments about the Ukraine conflict.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AIRIA Announces $1.8 Million AFWERX Contract
NEW YORK, July 09, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIRIA ( announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a STTR Phase II contract in the amount of $1.8 million focused on Research and Development for AI-Driven Spatial Analytics Solutions to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now in, May 2025, AIRIA will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. "AIRIA is humbled and excited by the opportunity to develop technology to be used by the United States Air Force to improve situational awareness and operational excellence. Our growing team is hard at work, building innovative Operational AI software to help protect American people, personnel and interests in collaboration with the US Air Force." Edward Nass, CEO The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government. About AIRIAAIRIA is an Operational AI company turning real-time signal data into spatial insights for enterprise and government. From campuses to command centers, our software powers smarter operations, live occupancy awareness, and mission-critical decision-making. Founded in 2020, AIRIA is trusted by commercial and DoD customers alike. For more information, visit About AFRLThe Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit About AFWERXAs the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: View source version on Contacts Company Press Contact: Allesandra PlourdeMarketing & Press Leadinfo@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
08-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Russia budget deficit reaches 2025 target level of 1.7% GDP in first half of year
MOSCOW, July 7 (Reuters) - Russia's budget deficit reached 3.69 trillion roubles ($46.89 billion), or 1.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), in the first half of the year, the same as expected for the full year, the finance ministry said. The deficit for the first half of the year was higher than in the first five months of 2025, when it stood at 1.5% of GDP. In the first half of 2024 the deficit stood at 0.3% of GDP. The ministry said that fiscal spending in the first half grew by 20.2% while revenues increased by only 2.8%. Russia's energy revenues fell by 17% compared to the same period last year. Russia raised the 2025 budget deficit estimate to 1.7% of gross domestic product in April from 0.5% after reducing the energy revenue forecast by 24%, expecting a prolonged period of low oil prices. State spending on national defence was hiked by a quarter in 2025 to 6.3% of GDP, the highest since the Cold War, as the country continued its war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. The government is planning to tap its fiscal reserves for 447 billion roubles, or about one-tenth of its liquid assets, to balance the budget in 2025. The Finance Ministry is planning another revision of the budget in autumn. ($1 = 78.6955 roubles)
