Kenneth Krieg, Pentagon acquisition chief, has asked the Defense Science Board to form a task force on directed energy. The request, outlined in an Oct. 30 memo, asks the DSB to review current uses of DE in the Defense Department and other organizations and find out how to “weaponize” DE systems. Krieg also wants the task force to examine vulnerabilities “in regards to offensive use of DE weapons” and study the legal, treaty, and policy issues that could affect use of DE. Krieg expects to see the DSB report by May 31.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
