Bill Vass’ Post

"There is no innovation without trial and error, with each failure serving as a learning experience. The more our military can “fail fast” in the Pentagon, the more we can succeed on the battlefield." - Michael Bloomberg (author of the article & chair of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board Own Your Future. Become an Owner. Modern Technology Solutions Inc. (celebrating 30 years solving America's most technically challenging strategic problems) https://lnkd.in/eW_Pweff Once again named Fortune Top 100 BEST Workplaces #41 for 2023. SETA Engineers - Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning, Hypersonics, ISR/EW, Information Warfare, Space Capabilities DoD Technology Transition SME JADC2 Technologies SME Senior Engineer for Joint Command and Control DARPA Capability Integrator Space RCO Launch Systems Integration Manager Space RCO Mission Payload Specialist Space RCO Program Managers DAF RCO Program Managers Wargame Engineering Lead Digital Systems Engineering Lead MBSE - Model Based System Engineers Scrum Master/Agile Coach DevSecOps Engineer Cloud Architects Cybersecurity ISSOs, ISSEs #defenseinnovation #JADC2 #CJADC #ABMS #projectconvergence #EmployeeOwnership #esop #JointAllDomain #Govtech #defenseindustry #innovativetechnology #rapidprototyping #Overmatch #Convergence #commandandcontrol #aiandml #digitalengineering #devsecops #spaceindustry

It's about getting capabilities into the hands of the warfighter faster. Courtney Albon makes the BLUF pretty clear in this article! If you haven't had a chance to review the final report from the Atlantic Council's Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption, here are a few thoughts. In the report's first vignette of "what success looks like," the commission points out the need to be able to demonstrate the value of capabilities to meet operational needs. This is something we are focused on with the RoME™ feature set in VISION. It's not enough to source a technology or capability and call it a win -- it has to actually work for the warfighter in the environment they need it work. We're capturing the data at every stage of development to give the clarity #defense leaders need to make informed decisions. And we're doing it by collecting the warfighters' insights this report calls out. The report is also clear about the need for accurate demand signal to communicate defense priorities to the private sector. To do this, there needs to be a repository of innovation, experimentation, and R&D data. One place that has the problem sets, the capability gaps, and the command priorities to get clear trend lines from the data. Anything else is either anecdotal or only part of the picture. The last thought we'll leave you with is agility. It's a recurring theme in the report. Adapting to changing needs, modernizing the budget, updating requirements. The process of innovation also has to be agile. We believe the only way to get there is to put the power of control in the hands of innovators, managers, and leaders to find their own path. And we're doing that with dynamic processes that allow users to adapt their innovation to their own unique, mission-aligned needs. We're so glad to see the continued progress on this front and excited to be part of the future where these recommendations start to get implemented at scale!

VISION with RoME™ hits the nail on the head with addressing the report's key points! The focus on linking capabilities to operational needs through data-driven insights and warfighter feedback ensures solutions that work, not just exist. Building a central repository for innovation data removes roadblocks and provides clear demand signals. Empowering users and embracing agile processes fuels relevant, rapid innovation. I am excited to see VISION play a key role in shaping the future of defense! #defenseinnovation #warfighterfocus #agiledevelopment #dataanalytics #VISION #RoME™

Focus, Speed and Scale 💡⚡️💫 Doug Beck, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), director, in interview to Jaspreet Gill, Breaking Defense The Big Pic: There is a continuous challenge in creating a real impact which will lead to deter our enemies. Why it matters: the solution are varied and suppose to be focused on meeting economical values. What else: Paving a wat in which startups could cross The Valley of death with financial leverage and ability to scale fast is the key. What else#2: the Israeli Directorate of Defense Research & Development is looking to tackle this challenge and focus on creating new channels for collaboration. Go deeper: https://lnkd.in/duvNqTJ6

The 10 recommendations in the Defense Innovation Adoption report are reasonable, actionable, and impactful -- exactly what you would expect from the outstanding commissioners that contributed. They truly are our best, representing thought leaders in both government and industry. I would have championed the addition of an 11th recommendation and, in my opinion, it would be the #1 recommendation: people. We need continued investment in our government acquisition workforce. If we expect to recruit and retain top talent AND we expect them to shepherd the cutting edge technologies coming from both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, we need to invest in equally cutting edge/non-traditional education, career development, and training opportunities for them. https://lnkd.in/et3-7qM5

Dr. Mara Karlin re-enforces the strategy of DSD Hicks of leveraging commercial innovations to maintain our strategic advantage. It is time for all DOD PMs, Undersecretaries and support contractors to abandon Industrial Age Waterfail processes that are "make biased" and undermine ability to partner with Silicon Valley and Fortune500. Adopting Agile Acquisition Methods and leveraging Public/Private Partnerships like IT-AAC, MISI, and ATARC are critical success factors. https://lnkd.in/ej-maD76

Palantir Technologies, a renowned data analytics company, has announced a significant partnership with Titan Defence, a firm specializing in defense solutions. This collaboration underscores a strategic move to integrate Palantir's advanced data analytics capabilities with Titan Defence's expertise in defense technologies. The partnership aims to enhance defense systems and strengthen capabilities in critical areas. This development signifies the power of partnerships in advancing defense technology and creating a more secure future. https://lnkd.in/gSTjMDfg #PalantirTechnologies #TitanDefence #DefenseTechnology #DataAnalytics #Partnership #TechnologyCollaboration #Innovation #DefenseSolutions #SecurityEnhancement #StrategicPartnerships #TechAdvancements #UnderstandingEnterpriseTech #EnterpriseTechnologyNow #EnterpriseTechnologyToday

Defense Unicorns Secures $35M Funding for AI-driven National Security Software Defense Unicorns secures $35M Series A funding led by Sapphire Ventures and Ansa Capital to advance AI-driven software for national security. Led by CEO Robert 🦄 Slaughter, the Colorado-based company specializes in deploying AI applications in high-security, air-gapped environments critical for missions in space and undersea. Their services, including "Your App Your Environment" and "AI for National Security," cater to the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Space Force, enhancing mission-focused capabilities. Defense Unicorns' innovative approach enables the seamless integration of modern technologies, addressing unique challenges in defense systems through AI-driven solutions designed for flexibility and security. #DefenseUnicorns #AI #NationalSecurity #Software #Funding #SeriesA #SapphireVentures #AnsaCapital #RobSlaughter #Colorado #AirGappedEnvironments #Space #Undersea #USNavy #AirForce #SpaceForce #MissionFocused #Innovation #Flexibility #Security #DefenseSystems

On January 26th, The Defense Innovation Board delivered updates on two studies - Lowering Barriers to Innovation and Building a DoD Data Economy - and heard from experts across the defense innovation ecosystem.   We look forward to our new studies – Optimizing How We Innovate with Our Allies and Partners and Aligning Incentives to Drive Faster Tech Adoption. Please join us in sharing your thoughts. The DIB is listening!    Stay connected with us for the latest updates @ innovation.defense.gov. #defenseinnovation #innovationecosystem #departmentofdefense #dib

We are definitely “out of time” to be where we need to be. In past contingencies we have been reactive with adopting new technology. I lived it in the early 2000’s. The unfortunate truth, we will likely not be afforded the opportunity to be reactive next time and need to be proactive now. The challenge is there is an antiquated acquisitions system in place to adopt paradigm shifting technologies. Often heard, “I don’t have a requirement” or “these technologies are 2-3 years ahead of where we are”. If the technology is there and you won’t be ready for two to three years, you are two to three years behind. We must identify ways to move faster with adopting technologies that can drive efficiency and allow us to operate in ways we haven’t, but desperately need to now. https://lnkd.in/euufE3Db