Nicholas Russo In remembrance

FibrX https://www.fibrx.io/ Strategic Importance of U.S. Shipbuilding The U.S. is hearing renewed calls to bring shipbuilding back to American shores. Recent announcements from the Trump Administration highlight plans for a new “Trump-class” of battleships, massive 30,000–40,000 ton vessels envisioned as the largest surface combatants since World War II (USNI News, Dec 22, 2025). For decades, America’s share of global shipbuilding fell to just 0.1% (1), while China now commands more than 53.8% (2). China’s shipyards don’t just build commercial vessels for foreign buyers. They also produce warships for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). This dual‑use model has helped China grow the PLAN into the largest navy in the world, with more than 370 ships today and projected to reach 435 by 2030 (3). The U.S. response is the “Golden Fleet” initiative, tying naval expansion directly to economic revitalization. Billions in defense appropriations have already been allocated. The FY2025 defense budget totals about $841 billion (4), with shipbuilding projected to average $40 billion annually over the next 30 years (5). The Significance - National Security: A modern fleet is essential to counter peer competitors. - Industrial Base: Shipbuilding strengthens supply chains, skilled labor, and advanced manufacturing throughout most industries. - Innovation: New warships will integrate AI, hypersonic weapons, advanced sensing systems, and directed energy capabilities such as high‑energy lasers and electromagnetic pulse weapons. The FibrX Interface At FibrX, we see a transformational role for our technology in this naval renaissance: - Detecting corrosion early to reduce lifecycle costs. - Embedding light weight, low profile fiber optic sensors for real‑time structural intelligence. - Enabling uncertainty-aware analytics enhanced digital twin models for predictive maintenance. - Aligning with “Buy American” priorities by strengthening domestic supply chains. Closing Thought The strategic importance of U.S. shipbuilding lies not only in producing new warships but in rebuilding the nation’s industrial backbone. As America embarks on its most ambitious fleet expansion in decades, FibrX offers a critical enabling technology to ensure these ships are not just the largest ever built, but also the smartest, safest, versatile, transformable, and the most sustainable ships to sail the high seas. References (1) World Ports Organization, US Shipbuilding Faces Urgent Challenges (2025). (2) World Ports Organization, China Strengthens Lead in Global Shipbuilding for 2025. (3) 19FortyFive, China’s Navy Is Bigger (2025). (4) Congress.gov, FY2025 Defense Appropriations Summary. (5) CBO, Analysis of the Navy’s 2025 Shipbuilding Plan.

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Hot off the presses ! This piece by Thomas Marsland at The Second Signal on what nearly 18 months of FOIA requests uncovered about the VA’s VET TEC program. He has put a ton of time into this not to mention the fight to get the actual FOIA request completed, but of course we all know why they stalled time after time all the while dragging their feet... funny how we all are held to timeline and standards while the folks in those positions totally disregard them ... For the veteran community, this matters. Programs designed to help veterans transition into meaningful careers must be held to a high standard of transparency, accountability, and outcomes that actually serve veterans, not institutions. The data revealed here raises serious questions about conflicts of interest, placement quality, and whether the program is truly delivering on its mission. One issue that should concern everyone: companies providing training to veterans should not be allowed to hire those same individuals at well below median market salaries while counting them as successful placements. That practice artificially inflates outcome metrics, skews program data, and misrepresents real employment success. At best, it undermines trust. At worst, it is unethical, misleading, and quite frankly its lying. This is exactly why independent analysis and public-records work are critical. Veterans deserve programs that are honest, effective, and centered on real career outcomes, not box-checking exercises. Companies that benefit from veteran-focused programs must be held accountable. Veterans deserve better than self-serving pipelines that prioritize numbers over people. 🎯 💪 🤘 https://lnkd.in/ev6txmWk

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The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is now in effect. DoD contractors must meet the required standards to remain eligible for contracts. IBSS helps organizations navigate compliance, prepare for assessments, and protect critical systems. Stay compliant. Stay competitive.

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𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗠 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗙𝗣. SOFWERX, in collaboration with SOCOM J2, is hosting an  𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗜-𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 for mapping, route collection, and data exploitation tied to real-world operations. The government is inviting industry, academia, and non-traditional vendors into the conversation. Warfighters will engage directly with potential solution providers to clarify operational needs and constraints. They’re specifically exploring solutions that can: • Use AI to extract doors, windows, and wall geometry from structural blueprints (AutoCAD) • Automate route collection across complex urban terrain • Map buildings and compounds without existing data • Rapidly capture imagery of office buildings This event is a good opportunity for teams building AI, autonomy, geospatial, or analytics capabilities with an interest in USSOCOM missions. This is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution, according to the agency's expectations. 📅 31 March 2026 (Request to attend by March 3) 📍 In person at SOFWERX 🔗 SAM notice link: https://lnkd.in/eP4xpW_H #GovCon #SOFWERX #USSOCOM #DefenseInnovation #AI #Autonomy #FederalIT #OTA

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“90% of DoD data remains dark”—stored, siloed, and underused. This video introduces the Huntsville Data Foundry: a multi-level secure environment designed to ingest data across enclaves, align schemas, enforce provenance, and produce validated inputs for modeling, simulation, and evaluation, so teams spend less time synchronizing information and more time accelerating mission outcomes. From digital twins linked to telemetry, to fidelity bundles for test, to readiness dashboards for sustainment, the Foundry aims to deliver insight at mission speed across Redstone’s mission threads. Watch here: https://ow.ly/z20t50XQjge #ParallaxAdvancedResearch #Huntsville #Redstone #GoldenDome

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CMMC Compliance for Defense Contractors: How Cyber Ballet Can Help You Get Ready The Department of Defense's CMMC program is now in Phase 1 implementation. Learn what defense contractors need to know about the three-tier certification model and how Cyber Ballet's training programs can help you achieve compliance. #TechTraining #FutureOfWork #DigitalTransformation

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https://lnkd.in/eRj5WgDG 💲DoD + DHS Budgets Are Out — Here’s What Contractors Should Be Watching💲 The FY26 budget submissions from DoD and DHS signal one thing clearly: contractors will remain central to the execution of national security priorities. 👀 Key Areas Contractors Should Focus On: 👀 🤖 Cyber & Tech Modernization ✔️ $15B+ for cybersecurity ✔️ IT advisory/support roles remain vital despite talk of insourcing ✔️ Watch for opportunities in AI, secure cloud, and network defense 🚅 Infrastructure & Supply Chain ✔️ $1.3B for industrial base supply chain improvements ✔️ O&M remains flat, but sustainment, logistics, and facility support are stable footholds 🌎 Border & Immigration ✔️ $5B for 100% operational control of the SW border ✔️ $170B in reconciliation funds for border/immigration enforcement ✔️ 90% of detention centers are already contractor-run—more roles are expected in support services, food, education, and surveillance tech 🌏 Indo-Pacific Strategy ✔️ $10B+ Pacific Deterrence Initiative ✔️ Contractors needed for innovative capabilities, logistics, and forward operations support 🛠️ FAR Overhaul in Motion ✔️ Major updates in how RFPs are crafted and how contractors submit input ✔️ PSC is pushing for “common-sense compliance” while tracking legacy provisions Stephanie Kostro of PSC summed it up nicely: “These investments indicate how they’ll rely on private sector expertise and cutting-edge technologies to make our nation more secure.” 🤔 Next Step for Contractors: ✔️ Track RFPs tied to these budget lines ✔️ Engage early with agencies before solicitations drop ✔️ Ensure compliance teams are monitoring the evolving FAR landscape Opportunity is there—but the smart ones are reading between the lines. #GovCon2025 #DefenseIndustry #ContractOpportunities #FederalBudgets #Cybersecurity #BorderSecurity #TheDigitalProjectManager #DigitalProjectManagement #FederalContracting #GovCon #DefenseSpending #HomelandSecurity

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