Iridium Communications is developing a narrowband-internet of things non-terrestrial network service based on 3GPP 5G standards that would enable direct-to-device capabilities like 5G NTN messaging and emergency SOS on mobile. Iridium said Wednesday that the NB-NTN service, called Project Stardust, will be deployed on its existing constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, which are already undergoing early-stage programming to accommodate the requirements of partner companies like smartphone makers, mobile network operators and chipmakers.

Leidos, in collaboration with the American arm of German technology developer Rohde & Schwarz, has deployed a new flight service voice communications system for the Federal Aviation Administration. The activity is part of the flight services required under a previously awarded contract in support of the FAA’s Future Flight Services Program, Leidos said Thursday.

BWX Technologies has appointed Nicole Piasecki to its board of directors, effective Jan. 2. BWX said Wednesday that Piasecki had worked in The Boeing Company for 25 years where she held various senior executive positions, including vice president and general manager of the Propulsion Systems Division for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

SAIC has been selected for a $63 million U.S. Navy contract focused on hypersonics and strategic mission support. Contract services will be provided to the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs and Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane, Indiana Strategic Hardware Division, SAIC announced from its Reston, Virginia headquarters Thursday.

SAIC is sponsoring the Potomac Officers Club's Achieving Transformative Cooperation for National Defense Forum on March 14. Click here to register.

Knightscope has received an authority to operate from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program for its autonomous security robots and blue light emergency communication system offerings. The ATO designation positions Knightscope to be an approved provider for federal agencies on the FedRAMP Marketplace soon, the company said Wednesday.

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to award a five-year recompete through the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services contract vehicle to continue to provide engineering and management support services for the service branch's electronic equipment. USCG expects to release a solicitation by Jan. 22 and award the follow-on Electronics Integrated Logistics and Maintenance Support Services Contract by the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to a notice published Wednesday on the Acquisition Planning Forecast System.

A BAE Systems business has won an $86.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy for engineering and technical services in support of systems used by the service branch, Special Operations Forces, homeland security, defense and non-Department of Defense organizations. The DOD said Thursday that services are for command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems and platforms.

Lockheed Martin has tested an electronic warfare system designed to equip the U.S. Navy's helicopter fleet with electronic surveillance and attack capabilities against anti-ship missile threats. The Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare system demonstrated its ability to perform engagement testing and detect and destroy threats while installed aboard an MH-60R helicopter, Lockheed said Tuesday.

LeoLabs and Aalyria will combine their technology platforms to address space awareness challenges facing government and commercial communications networks across ground, air, sea and space under a partnership agreement. Through the partnership, the two companies will collaborate on contract opportunities, including those with the Department of Defense, according to a joint release published Monday.

Amanda Rudolph has been selected as vice president of marketing and communications at Ultra Intelligence & Communications. In this position, she will guide Ultra I&C’s marketing communications strategy, which covers brand messaging, content development, digital marketing and public relations, the Austin, Texas-based company announced on Tuesday.

Ultra I&C is sponsoring the Potomac Officers Club's 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 31, 2024. To learn more and register to attend, click here.

The U.S. Army has completed preliminary testing of a portable electronic warfare system developed by CACI International's Mastodon Design subsidiary. The manpack version of the Terrestrial Layer System-Brigade Combat Team underwent an operational demonstration at Fort Huachuca in Arizona in November.

Nick Spain, formerly the vice president of human resources for Lockheed Martin's space business, announced in a Monday LinkedIn post his transition to a comparable role focusing on the missiles and fire control business within the same company. Spain brings over 23 years of experience at Lockheed, where he has held various HR-related positions.