Latest news with #DoD
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mitch McConnell Breaks Cover to Trash ‘Rabid' JD Vance
Mitch McConnell has shrunk from the spotlight since relinquishing the GOP leadership last year—but the weekend's bunker-buster strikes on Iran and Donald Trump's subsequent visit to the NATO summit have pulled the Kentuckian out of his semi-retirement rocking chair and into flamethrower mode. And, right in McConnell's firing line, was President Trump's number two, JD Vance, who was spared little sympathy. '[Trump's] got some pretty rabid isolationists over at DoD—you could argue the vice president is in that group,' McConnell said, skewering Vance in the Politico interview. 'None of those people who've read history.' The Daily Beast has approached Vance for comment but has not received a reply at the time of publication. McConnell's feud with Trump dates back to 2016, when 'McConnell-world' went up against 'Trumpland' for the soul of the GOP. The clash intensified when McConnell publicly certified Joe Biden's 2020 victory and blamed Trump for the Jan. 6 riot, widening the party's divide between institutional conservatism and culture-war populism. Trump, as he so often does, resorted to insults, describing McConnell last year as an 'Old Crow'—a nickname which backfired, with the Kentucky senator proudly turning it into a badge of honor. The octogenarian now chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that doles out defense dollars. From that perch he appears to be mounting a public campaign to drag Donald Trump back toward the interventionist creed of peace through strength that defined the party before media commentators and podcasters like Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, and 'America First' hashtags took over. Rather than whisper advice over dinner, McConnell has unleashed floor speeches, committee diatribes, and this 40-minute chat with Politico. The message is constant: replicate the Iran success in Ukraine, out-spend Moscow and Beijing, and don't let Vance or other 'history-light' aides fog up the president's thinking. 'The strongest deterrence is denying an adversary's objectives through military means,' McConnell declared on the Senate floor, adding that preaching at NATO partners means nothing unless Washington fattens its own defense ledger. He praised Trump for goading Europeans into higher budgets but argued that means 'we need to do the same.' 'We need to not just preach to our allies, we need to do the same,' McConnell told Politico, who admitted his view doesn't make him popular in the commander-in-chief's club. 'Most of [Trump's] advisers don't agree with what I'm saying,' McConnell said, conceding he no longer has 'the megaphone' he once did as he enters the final stages of a congressional career that began during Ronald Reagan's second term in January 1985. Instead, he says, he has 'the freedom to do it that I would not have had if I had still been leader.' Health setbacks—flaring childhood polio and hearing loss—may have slowed him physically, but McConnell still rattled off defense-spending as a slice of GDP from Harry Truman to Joe Biden. 'We're now spending less than Jimmy Carter was in his last year,' he said. Would Trump even know that? 'That is why some of us need to argue a different point of view,' McConnell said, noting social media posts are no substitute for hard numbers.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Constellis awarded Global Protective Services MATOC Contract from U.S. Army Contracting Command
HERNDON, Va., June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellis was awarded a contract to perform Global Protective Services (GPS) by the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island (ACC/RI) through its Triple Canopy subsidiary on June 13, 2025. "Constellis is excited to continue providing trusted security services for ACC/RI and all Department of Defense (DoD), Geographic Combatant Commands (CCMDs)," says Paul Donahue, Global Support Services (GSS) Division President. "The GPS contract remains one of Constellis' highest priorities, enabling us to help our clients achieve their unique security goals in today's rapidly changing environments." GPS provides armed and unarmed guards and protective security services in support of DoD and other agencies as required in accordance with 10 U.S. Code Section 2465. The contract has a ceiling value of $10.3B with a 10-year ordering period and phases out its predecessor contract, Security Support Services – Global (SSS-G). To learn more about the services Constellis offers, including ones like this contract, visit About Constellis Constellis provides comprehensive security solutions to safeguard people and infrastructure as well as end-to-end training and risk management. Operating globally and based in Herndon, Virginia, our employees bring unparalleled dedication and passion for creating a safer world while upholding the highest standards of compliance, quality, and integrity. Constellis' solutions include logistics and life support, technical services, contingency operations, UAV and counter UAV services, advanced training, K-9, emergency response, fleet maintenance, construction, background investigations, and tailored unique capabilities to support a wide variety of mission requirements. At Constellis, our number one priority is securing customers' success. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Constellis Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Drone incursions on US bases come under intense scrutiny as devices prove lethality overseas
FIRST ON FOX: A group of House Republicans is demanding details on how government agencies are addressing the growing threat of unauthorized drone incursions on U.S. military installations. In letters sent Thursday, the Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs requested a trove of documents and communications from the Departments of Defense (DoD), Transportation (DOT), and Justice (DOJ). The letters note that in 2024 alone, there were 350 drone incursions at over 100 U.S. military bases. Lawmakers believe many of the responses to the illegal incursions, including an instance where a group of drones traipsed over Langley Air Force Base for over two weeks in December 2023, have been insufficient and fragmented. Under current rules, base commanders must establish "hostile intent" before taking action — a threshold the lawmakers say is ill-suited to fast-moving and ambiguous drone threats. Coordination between military installations, the DOJ, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and local law enforcement is often "improvised and bureaucratically delayed," the letter states, leaving gaps that adversaries could exploit. To assess the issue, Republicans are asking the agencies to turn over documents by July 10, including: all interagency policies and agreements on drone detection and mitigation; a list of all facilities protected under Title 10 Section 130(i); communications involving DoD, DOJ, FAA, and others about drone threats and authority gaps; all incident reports related to drone incursions since January 2022; any internal reviews assessing current legal frameworks and recommending reforms; plans for a joint federal-state-local task force on counter-drone coordination. Fox News Digital has reached out to DoD, DOJ, and DOT for comment. The lawmakers frame their demands as part of a broader push for legislative reform and operational clarity in the face of escalating drone threats to national security. "This is a rapidly evolving threat that requires a unified and proactive response," the letter states, emphasizing the need for better data sharing and resource allocation between agencies. The threat comes at a time when the lethal capabilities of modern drone warfare have been proven on the ground in Ukraine and in the Middle East. From the early days of Russia's 2022 invasion, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have been deployed with devastating effect by both Russian and Ukrainian forces, transforming how battles are fought and how intelligence is gathered. What began as surveillance and artillery-spotting platforms has evolved into a full-scale integration of explosive-laden loitering munitions, or "kamikaze drones," capable of precision strikes deep behind enemy lines. One of the most notorious platforms is the Iranian-made Shahed-136, a low-cost, GPS-guided drone that Russia has used in swarms to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and strike civilian infrastructure, including power stations and residential areas. These drones, launched in waves, have been used to sow terror and inflict strategic damage while costing a fraction of conventional missiles. Ukraine, for its part, has responded with creative adaptations, converting consumer camera drones into improvised bombers and launching strikes on Russian trenches, vehicles, and even naval assets in the Black Sea. Israel used drones alongside warplanes to assault top generals and key military and nuclear facilities in Operation Rising Lion this month. Iran fired back its own onslaught of drones toward Israel. Military analysts have said Ukraine represents the first major war where drones are central to strategy, not just supporting tools. Their widespread deployment has forced a tactical rethink, prompted innovations in electronic warfare and counter-UAS systems, and prompted debate about how quickly drones may outpace manned aircraft in aerial combat.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Veritone Provides Business Updates
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Veritone, Inc. (NASDAQ: VERI) (the 'Company'), a leader in building human-centered enterprise AI solutions, today provided an update on the Company's execution of its long-term growth strategy, including the execution of cost-savings initiatives and the accelerated growth of Veritone's VDR pipeline. Announced Award of Sole Source Contract with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations ('AFOSI') Veritone's AI-powered solutions, including current and future state of its Intelligent Digital Evidence Management System (iDEMS), will be implemented as part of Department of Defense's ('DoD') mission requirements for Law Enforcement Modernization, Counterintelligence & Security. Under the contract, which was awarded on June 24, 2025, Veritone's aiWARE platform, iDEMS and professional services will provide AFOSI with advanced investigative, intelligence and counterintelligence capabilities in support of the DoD and inter-agency mission requirements. Built on aiWARE, iDEMS is a comprehensive, purpose-built applications suite for the public sector that leverages AI to streamline the management and analysis of digital evidence, providing AFOSI with powerful forensic tools to handle vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. AFOSI, which has capabilities to investigate cases domestically and internationally, including counterterrorism, is one of sixteen law enforcement agencies within the DoD, and is leading the initial efforts around the Law Enforcement Modernization, Counterintelligence & Security mission requirements. During this initial phase, Veritone will deliver the aiWARE platform and technology stake, certain iDEMS applications and solutions to AFOSI. Veritone expects to begin recognizing revenue under this contract on certain software deliverables in Q2 2025. The strategic partnership with AFOSI is a sole source contract, which includes an option to extend the iDEMS solution for five years, and is the next, expanded phase of Veritone's previous work with the Air Force. The launch of iDEMS with AFOSI is a critical phase supporting Veritone's strategic growth plan across its Public Sector business in fiscal 2025 and beyond. VDR Pipeline Improves 50% Since May 2025 Veritone's VDR pipeline has continued to expand, with a qualified and near-term opportunity set now exceeding $15 million, up from $10 million reported in early May 2025. This growth reflects contracts signed with additional hyperscalers since the beginning of the second quarter, including key leading AI model providers and intellectual property owners. As the demand for high-quality training data increases across both public and private sectors, organizations are increasingly turning to Veritone's VDR platform for its ability to transform vast volumes of unstructured video, audio, and text into a centralized, secure, and license-ready repository. VDR enables these organizations to prepare and leverage their data efficiently and effectively for internal use, as well as licensing such data for third-party AI model training and tuning. The Company's recent agreements are built on both Veritone's longstanding Commercial Enterprise customers, whose datasets are already represented by Veritone, as well as new partners with extensive archives of unstructured media, including video surveillance content, model development firms, and hyperscalers seeking to build and refine new datasets. Veritone expects to have formalized partnerships with all major hyperscalers by the end of 2025. The Company's sales pipeline represents revenue it expects to receive based on the total fees payable during the full contract term for new contracts outstanding at the end of the quarter and contracts that the Company believes have a high probability of closing in the next three to twelve months. The Company includes in its sales pipeline fees payable during any cancellable portion and an estimate of license fees that may fluctuate over the term and does not include any variable fees under the contract (e.g., fees for cognitive processing, storage, professional services and other variable services) and any fees payable after contract renewals or extensions that are at the discretion of the customer. Many of the Company's contracts require it to provide services over more than one year and may include professional fees required to enable the Company's technology in certain environments it does not host or have direct control over. In some cases, customers may have the ability to terminate their agreements with the Company on short notice and the Company's pipeline does not consider the potential impact of any early termination. No assurance can be given that the Company will ultimately realize its full sales pipeline. Cost Restructuring Initiatives Veritone announced today that it has implemented certain cost and restructuring initiatives designed to further streamline the business and improve its financial condition following the completion of previously announced strategic transactions, accelerating its path to profitability. The recent cost reduction initiatives are expected to generate annualized savings of up to $10.0 million, of which over $7.5 million was executed in June 2025, and provide a clearer pathway to profitability as early as the second half of 2026. Management expects the restructuring will result in a more efficient and effective operating structure to support both near- and longer-term growth initiatives, as well as continued innovation in AI software and solutions. Headcount remains the company's largest cost driver, followed by professional services, which have increased in recent periods due to higher transaction volume and integration efforts. The Company expects to incur costs and expenses of between $0.5 million to $0.7 million as a result of these reductions primarily related to one-time severance, transition, and termination-related costs. Beyond these expected savings, Veritone will continue to manage its cost structure throughout 2025 to ensure necessary investments are timed with corresponding growth. Reiterating and Updating Q2 and Full Year 2025 Financial Guidance Management is reiterating and updating its Q2 and full year 2025 financial guidance of: Revenue in Q2 2025 between $23.5 to $24.0 million and full year 2025 between $104.0 million to $115.0 million, and Non-GAAP Net Loss in Q2 2025 between $8.5 million to $8.0 million and full year between $30.0 million to $20.0 million. 'Veritone is on a strong path for mid- and long-term growth,' said Veritone's CEO, Ryan Steelberg. 'The recent strategic wins across our Public Sector and VDR initiatives, and the decisive action we have taken to implement cost savings for the business, combined with our technology powering the next generation of AI, all position Veritone for continued success and a clearer path towards profitability as early as the second half of 2026.' Veritone looks forward to providing additional updates during its second quarter earnings call in August 2025. About Veritone Veritone (NASDAQ: VERI) builds human-centered enterprise AI solutions. Serving customers in the media, entertainment, public sector and talent acquisition industries, Veritone's software and services empower individuals at the world's largest and most recognizable brands to run more efficiently, accelerate decision making and increase profitability. Veritone's leading enterprise AI platform, aiWARE™, orchestrates an ever-growing ecosystem of machine learning models, transforming data sources into actionable intelligence. By blending human expertise with AI technology, Veritone advances human potential to help organizations solve problems and achieve more than ever before, enhancing lives everywhere. To learn more, visit Safe Harbor Statement This news release contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements regarding our expected total revenue and non-GAAP net loss for Q2 2025 and for full year 2025, expected timing for revenue recognition under our new contract with the AFOSI, our expected revenue from the VDR pipeline, and our expected annualized savings from our recent cost restructuring initiatives. In addition, words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'expect,' 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'outlook,' 'should,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'confident' or 'continue' or the plural, negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and are based on management's current assumptions, expectations, beliefs and information. As such, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. Important factors that could cause such differences include, among other things: our ability to continue as a going concern, including our ability to service our debt obligations as they come due over the next twelve months and beyond; our ability to expand our aiWARE SaaS business; declines or limited growth in the market for AI-based software applications and concerns over the use of AI that may hinder the adoption of AI technologies; our requirements for additional capital and liquidity to support our operations, our business growth, service our debt obligations and refinance maturing debt obligations, and the availability of such capital on acceptable terms, if at all; our reliance upon a limited number of key customers for a significant portion of our revenue, including declines in key customers' usage of our products and other offerings; our ability to realize the intended benefits of our acquisitions, sales, divestitures, and other existing or planned cost-saving measures, including the sale of our full-service advertising agency, Veritone One, and our ability to successfully integrate our acquisition of Broadbean; our identification of existing material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and plans for remediation; fluctuations in our results over time; the impact of seasonality on our business; our ability to manage our growth, including through acquisitions and expansion into international markets; our ability to enhance our existing products and introduce new products that achieve market acceptance and keep pace with technological developments; actions by our competitors, partners and others that may block us from using third party technologies in our aiWARE platform, offering it for free to the public or making it cost prohibitive to continue to incorporate such technologies into our platform; interruptions, performance problems or security issues with our technology and infrastructure, or that of third parties with whom we work; the impact of continuing economic disruption caused by macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas war and conflict in the surrounding regions, financial instability, inflation and the responses by central banking authorities to control inflation, monetary supply shifts, high interest rates, the imposition of tariffs and other global trade disputes, and the threat of recession in the United States and around the world on our business operations and those of our existing and potential customers; and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Certain of these judgments and risks are discussed in more detail in our most recently-filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives or plans will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect our beliefs, estimates and predictions as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events for any reason, except as required by law.
National Post
3 days ago
- Science
- National Post
Pacific Defense Secures Launch for MOSA Space RF Payload
Article content EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Pacific Defense, the leading provider of Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) products, announced it has secured the inaugural launch for its Moonraker MOSA space Radio Frequency (RF) payload on board the K2 Space Gravitas Mission in February 2026. The mission includes a series of multi-orbit Space Situational Awareness (SSA) demonstrations showcasing the payload's mission flexibility. Article content We are taking the MOSA initiative to space with Moonraker. Article content Moonraker is a 3U Open VPX multi-function, RF payload with application software capable of performing a range of RF missions that fundamentally changes the cost, schedule, and deployment concept for responsive space missions. Designed for SSA, Moonraker payload architecture fully supports a range of receive and transmit Electromagnetic Spectrum Operation (EMSO) functions to command the electromagnetic operational environment. Article content 'We're thrilled to take the United States Department of Defense's MOSA initiative to new heights with Moonraker,' said Bryan Terlecky, Vice President of Space Systems at Pacific Defense. 'As global space competition intensifies, there is a pressing need for adaptable, software-driven solutions that can rapidly evolve to counter emerging threats. This mission marks a significant step in our commitment to providing innovative and flexible solutions for space control'. Article content The on-orbit demonstration, being completed under a contract with the Air Force Research Lab/Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), is a critical milestone for Pacific Defense's Space MOSA payloads and will inform future operational systems. For more information, please visit Space Systems. Article content About Pacific Defense Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
