3/17/2025: Stories on the Navy's Shipbuilding Efforts, the SBA's Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, and more!

This Week’s Highlights:

Navy to Ramp Up Shipbuilding Through Collaborative Efforts
SBA Announces Made in America Manufacturing Initiative
Army’s SBIR Catalyst Program

Tech Sector News

Advanced Manufacturing: The Army and Navy are exploring 3D printing, mass timber, and high-performance concrete for military construction
Cybersecurity: NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (v2.0.0) introduces updates
UAS: NUSTL, MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Lab, and DAGER Technology assessed cyber-secure Blue UAS models
Quantum: The University of Washington has developed a new framework to analyze and minimize uncertainties in analog quantum simulations of many-body systems
AI: AI is transforming crisis management by enhancing speed, situational awareness, and decision-making
Material Science: ORNL developed a method to measure high-speed spin fluctuations in magnetic materials at the nanoscale
Nuclear Energy: INL has conducted the first safety test on high-burnup fast reactor fuel

And more!

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GENERAL EMERGING TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Navy Intends to Ramp Up Shipbuilding Through Collaborative Efforts

The U.S. Navy is ramping up shipbuilding efforts to address production delays and rising costs, which have left deliveries one to three years behind schedule. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Brett Seidle emphasized the need for collaborative solutions between the Navy and industry to overcome workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, and underinvestment in manufacturing. By strengthening partnerships and streamlining acquisition processes, the Navy aims to accelerate ship production and maintain its strategic advantage amid growing global maritime challenges.

SBA Announces Made in America Manufacturing Initiative

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative to strengthen U.S. industry, create jobs, and enhance national security. Led by Administrator Kelly Loeffler, the plan cuts $100B in regulations, expands small business funding, and promotes a skilled workforce. The initiative aligns with the administration’s policy of prioritizing domestic production through financial support and trade policies.

Army SBIR CATALYST Award Ignites New Era of Innovation and Collaboration

The Army SBIR CATALYST Program awarded nearly $16.8M to a small business for technology-enhancing contested logistics and sustainment. Solvus Global has developed a cold spray system to restore gun barrels, securing further investment and expansion. The SBIR CATALYST program fosters collaboration between the Army and innovators, offering up to $75M in awards to transition advanced technologies, including AI, energy resilience, and sensors, into military applications while mitigating development risks.

Thriving Amid Chaos: Defense Tech Poised To Scale

The Trump administration’s first 50 days saw rapid policy changes, impacting markets but boosting defense tech. While economic uncertainty hit investors, defense technology gained momentum due to geopolitical tensions and military adoption of commercial AI, cyber, autonomy, and space innovations. Officials signal plans to accelerate procurement and reduce red tape, ensuring the continued integration of advanced technologies for national security despite broader market disruptions.

Air Combat Command General Discusses Next-Generation Air Superiority

At the 2025 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium, Air Force leaders emphasized the urgency of maintaining air superiority amid rising threats. They stressed integrating air and space dominance, advanced training, and balancing weapon capabilities. While modernization continues, gaps persist, requiring airmen to innovate. Leadership has urged readiness at all levels, reinforcing that air superiority remains essential for military success and deterring adversaries.

DCSA Embraces Intelligent Automation for Financial Processes

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is modernizing financial management with intelligent automation, saving over 17,200 manpower hours across 28 solutions. These automations streamline data processing, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency. Key initiatives include automating DAI user deactivations, G-Invoicing order tracking, and CV billing processes.

Senator Introduces Bill to Reauthorize and Reform SBIR Program

The newly introduced Investing in National Next-Generation Opportunities for Venture Acceleration and Technological Excellence (INNOVATE) Act aims to reform and reauthorize the SBIR-STTR programs, streamlining funding for small business innovation. It eliminates certain preferences, caps lifetime awards at $75M, and introduces smaller, simplified Phase I grants. The bill strengthens protections against foreign threats, enhances commercialization efforts, and empowers the DoD to scale critical technologies. These reforms seek to boost U.S. innovation, reduce inefficiencies, and better protect taxpayer-funded research.

DIU Beginning Field Tests for Transition of Quantum Sensing Program

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is advancing quantum sensing technology through its Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) program, which will conduct over 10 field tests across military domains in 2025. The program focuses on five key areas, including quantum inertial sensors for GPS-denied navigation, quantum gravimeters for gravity-aided positioning, and magnetic anomaly detection for enhanced situational awareness. By collaborating with defense contractors, startups, and research institutions, DIU aims to accelerate the deployment of these cutting-edge capabilities, strengthening the U.S. military’s precision navigation and detection technologies.

National Association of State Chief Information Officers Makes a Case for More Use of Business Architecture

A new NASCIO report urges state CIOs to leverage business architecture for better IT modernization and government transformation. It highlights the need for a structured framework to align processes, technology, and citizen services across agencies. By integrating digital governance and fostering collaboration, CIOs can enhance efficiency and reduce silos.

PSF ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS

PSF Dashboard: Regional Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard

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There’s a lot more to uncover. You can access the Public Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard to see more information.

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TECHNOLOGY SECTOR-SPECIFIC NEWS

Advanced Manufacturing: Mass Timber, 3D Printing May be Future of Military Construction for Army, Navy

The Army and Navy are exploring 3D printing, mass timber, and high-performance concrete for military construction to improve cost efficiency and resilience. Army Corps of Engineers and NAVFAC leaders briefed lawmakers on Capitol Hill, highlighting projects at Fort Bliss, Tyndall AFB, and Hampton Roads. These innovations aim to reduce construction time, manpower, and logistics while enhancing durability and sustainability for future military infrastructure projects.

Advanced Manufacturing: DARPA Support for Startups Enables Breakthrough Manufacturing Process for High-Frequency Amplifiers

The DARPA-backed startup, Elve, has revolutionized Traveling-Wave Tube (TWT) production with its Layered Additive Multi-Material Manufacturing – Digitized (LAM3D) process. This additive manufacturing method reduces TWT production from 12–18 months to weeks, lowering costs and enabling rapid prototyping. Supported by DARPA’s SBIR and Embedded Entrepreneur Initiative (EEI), Elve secured $15M in funding and expanded into commercial manufacturing.

UAS: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Help Responders in Urban Environments

The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently conducted field tests of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to enhance emergency response capabilities in urban environments. Partnering with Mississippi State University and industry experts, the evaluations focused on cybersecure “Blue UAS” models to assess their performance in real-time damage assessment, situational awareness, and nighttime operations. The tests demonstrated how these drones can help first responders navigate complex urban settings, improving safety and efficiency during crisis situations.

Quantum: Scientists Take an Important Step Toward Mitigating Errors in Analog Quantum Simulations of Many-Body Problems

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new framework to analyze and minimize uncertainties in analog quantum simulations of many-body systems. This improves precision in nuclear and high-energy physics simulations using Rydberg-atom quantum computers. Their work optimizes simulation parameters, enhancing quantum computing’s reliability for uncovering new physics. The study was supported by the DOE as well as other institutions.

AI: How AI Is Helping To Improve the Management Of Crisis Situations

AI is transforming crisis management by enhancing speed, situational awareness, and decision-making. It processes real-time data from geospatial tools, social media, and emergency calls, aiding wildfire detection and extreme weather forecasting. AI-powered simulations improve training, while machine learning enhances search-and-rescue operations and tactical responses. Despite challenges like AI errors and cautious adoption in emergency services, its potential remains vast.

Materials Sciences: Single-Qubit Sensing Puts New Spin on Quantum Materials Discovery

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a method to measure high-speed spin fluctuations in magnetic materials at the nanoscale, potentially advancing computing and quantum technologies. Using a scanning nitrogen-vacancy center microscope, they analyzed spin fluctuations in a magnetic thin film near a phase transition. Their findings could enhance spintronics, improve digital storage and computing, and contribute to quantum computing by enabling better control of spin interactions.

Nuclear Energy: U.S. and Japan Perform First Fast Reactor Fuel Safety Test of 21st Century

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) recently conducted the first safety test on high-burnup fast reactor fuel in over 20 years at its Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility. This initiative, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), aims to develop and qualify advanced fast reactor fuels. Using a new test capsule with advanced sensors, researchers are assessing fuel behavior under extreme conditions.

Cybersecurity: NICE Releases NICE Framework Components v2.0.0

The NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (v2.0.0) introduces updates, including the removal of two Work Role Categories, revisions to two Work Roles, a new Operational Technology Cybersecurity Engineering role, and an updated Cyber Resiliency Competency Area. Administrative improvements include typo fixes and TKS statement refinements. Future updates will follow a software versioning approach for ongoing enhancements.

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3/17/2025: Stories on the Navy’s Shipbuilding Efforts, the SBA’s Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, and more!