With over 2.91 million service members and civilians working in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), it can be hard to imagine a time without it. However, it was only established in 1949. August 10, 2021 marks 72 years of the modern version of this federal department officially overseeing the U.S. armed forces (previously known as the U.S. War Department). Over the past seven decades, the department has gone through many changes, but it has always stayed true to its motto of “duty, integrity, ethics, honor, courage and loyalty.”

A brief history of the DoD

Even before the 1940s, the federal government managed the U.S. armed forces. The earliest iteration of the DoD was established by the first congress in 1789 and was called the U.S. War Department. It managed the Army and the Navy, which were the only branches of the U.S. military at the time. However, as the country evolved, so did military operations.

The first reform

In the interim between the War of 1812 and the Civil War, legislators decided it was time to make some serious renovations to the management of the nation’s defense. The change entailed incorporating bureaus, advisors and a Secretary of War who directed the department.

It seemed this change came at an ideal time, because the Civil War required strict management of wartime activities. During the Civil War, the U.S. War Department began recruiting volunteers and members of the Army, bringing upwards of 2 million troops under the DoD’s purview.

The results of the Civil War shaped the U.S. War Department forever. In the mid to late 1860s, the department was given the responsibility of managing formerly enslaved people and wartime refugees. During reconstruction, the new southern American governments needed as much support as they could obtain and the U.S. War Department was tasked with aiding them.

The National Security Act of 1947

Following World War ll, The National Security Act was passed into law with the goal of modernizing the military and intelligence agencies. As a result of the act, the National Military Establishment (NME) was created as the country’s first unified military command under the control of one person: the Secretary of Defense. This is the same act that created the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Council and the United States Air Force.

A noteworthy change was made as a result of the National Security Act: The NME was renamed the “Department of Defense.” This was due to an amendment to the 1949 act and three cabinet-level military departments were absorbed into a singular department.

The modern DoD

Many adjustments to the department have been made since then, all in an effort to keep up with the shifting national and international security requirements. The Defense Reform Act of 1958 and the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 both made key modifications to the DoD, mostly regarding the restructuring of the power dynamic.

Celebrating the DoD’s Birthday

Despite the fact that August 10 is not a national holiday, members of the department often take the time to recognize the holiday internally. Service members enjoy cake cutting ceremonies and take the time to look back on the rich history of the department.

This year, consider donating time or money to a service project that supports the military, or even just go out of your way to thank a member of the armed services.

Last year has aptly been called "the year of the guard" because of the United States' unparalleled need for the National Guard's resources. On June 9, the National Guard made its annual posture statement public. The document goes over the Guard's operational standings and its missions during the previous year. This is a statement that is released annually, but this year was unique in that 2020 was particularly busy for the National Guard.

As stated in the document, "On June 6, 120,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were mobilized in support of overseas and domestic missions, one of the highest levels of National Guard support to our nation since World War II." Let's break down the posture statement and go over some of the most important points.

Warfight

According to the posture statement, warfight is a premier mission of the National Guard. As such, preparation is key. Winning wars is a driving force behind many of the Guard's goals, including training, equipment attainment, maintenance, and recruitment. National threat levels impact how the Guard conducts business, and the current state of affairs demands a high level of preparedness.

According to the statement, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have increased the global threat level. In turn, the Guard has had to expand its investment in training, which has paid off.  Along this theme, the Guard offers vital support to the Space Force.

Addressing the changing warfight environment, the Guard says it is the main combat reserve for both the Army and the Air Force. However, it is prepared to deploy more guardsmen than ever before due to their dynamic employment and global operations strategies. This includes:

• Predictable mobilization requirements.
• Geographic agility.
• Maximize the Department of Defense's (DoD) flexibility.
• Modernization.
• Sustainability
• Interoperability.

Homeland

Because the National Guard is active on both a federal and state level, they are able to have a positive impact on the homeland during domestic emergencies. The National Guard's posture statement states that, while the ultimate goal is for threats to remain outside of America's borders, this might not be realistic due to cyberattacks and new-age weapons.

In 2020, teams have responded to the unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic. The document reports that National Guard members logged about 10.9 million days in service of impacted communities in 2020. This was four times as many as were logged in 2019. Aside from this, the National Guard was called upon to assist in fighting the record number of wildfires in California.

The National Guard has also partnered with corporations and international organizations to provide maximum protection and to support beneficial alliances. One of its crown jewels is its State Partnership Program, which is "the DoD's premier security cooperation initiatives." Through this program, 84 countries have been able to form partnerships with the National Guard, helping promote and assist in providing communities with the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Guard's three priorities

According to the posture statement, the National Guard has three core priorities that it is currently striving to execute for the future of the organization.

1. Fighting America's wars.
2. Securing the homeland.
3. Building enduring partnerships.

"Continued investment in the National Guard ensures we can meet today's demands while preserving the capability, capacity and deterrence our nation needs against a broad spectrum of potential future threats," said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau.

From natural disasters to pandemics and international security threats, the National Guard's preparedness and resource management has never been more valuable. While 2020 was the Year of the Guard, the posture statement emphasized a continued reliance on the Guard as it moves into the future of national security.

 

The fiscal 2022 president’s defense request was released in June. What does this mean for the future of the Department of Defense, its contractors, and spending? The budget request stemmed from President Joe Biden’s Interim National Security Strategic Guidance and focuses on how the Joint Force will work together to stop security threats and be “ready to fight and win across all domains.”

Emphasizing modernization

The budget is noticeably focused on research and development compared to previous years. Instead of trying to stop gap short-term issues, the DoD is looking to create innovation and take prevention measures.This 2022 request shows that the Department of Defense (DoD) is moving into a new era that prioritizes long-term preparedness compared to previous appeals. Budget petitions of the past shirked forward thinking modernization, but the 2022 version looks to pave the way into future preparedness.

Sometimes the best course of action is to follow the old adage “out with the old, in with the new,” and that is exactly what the DoD is doing to aid in its modernization efforts. The organization asks for authorization to retire weapons, machinery, and technology that does not benefit the department’s defense goals.

Nuclear weapons: a top priority

One of the most important and notable parts of this year’s request is that it is made clear that nuclear modernization is a top priority. The budget fulfills funding needed for the department to step into the future of nuclear technology. This includes artificial intelligence, hypersonics, long-range fires, microelectronics, cyber defense and attack and 5G computer technologies.

Another valuable asset that the budget mentions is the United State’s relationship with its allies.

An asymmetric advantage

The document describes an asymmetric advantage as the United States’ “network of allies and partners around the world.” The request notes the importance of these relationships to securing an end goal that will not only benefit America, but its allies as well. The budget allocates money to increasing the security of these partnerships.

“I would just tell you that one of the strengths of the United States of America is that we have a lot of allies and partners who want to work with us,” Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. “And we will be successful in the future.”

Other important requests

Defense leaders told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the budget calls for cutting edge technologies and the full budget required to realize this is $715 billion. This is a substantial increase from last year’s proposal, which was $703.7 billion. The justification for this increase could be seen in President Biden’s goal of ending the “forever wars”.

A portion of the budget is designated to expand military and civilian personnel pay and maintain military health care. Because of the hardships that were faced globally last year, there is plenty of room in the budget to address the changing climate, COVID-19 and any potential threat from extremist groups. Furthermore, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III talked about keeping pace with China as a major motivator for the increased budget given to researching new technologies.

 

The Department of Defense is prioritizing weapons sustainment in 2021, citing this portion of weapons lifestyle as being the most important, according to the Federal News Network. Acquiring the weapon is only the first part of the DoD’s process and noticeably less expensive than operation procedures that will follow. Moving forward, weapons contractors will have to take this transition into account when selling to the government.

Supply chain

The DoD says that its choice to shift into focusing on weapons sustainment is based on the fact that operations are 70% of the overall cost of the weapon. Over the last few years, the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) has been going through intense revisions. The six pathways laid out in the framework guide buyers to work more efficiently in the acquisition process. The AFF shows the DoD moving into finding longer lasting products as opposed to buying a larger quantity.

Environmentally conscious

The United States Government is also considering the impact of its weapons on the climate. The changing climate is impacting commercial markets by encouraging sustainable innovation, and the government defense market is no different. The U.S. Army has already begun looking into “new environmentally friendly primary explosive materials”, as just one example of the United States’ efforts to reduce its impact on climate change.

Acting as defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, Stacy Cummings said the DoD is now taking climate change data to assist in how it will buy and develop weapons, as reported by the Federal News Network. For example, combustible engines are not only hard on the environment, but need considerable maintenance.

Contractors who exhibit products that are environmentally conscious and relatively easy to maintain will have an upper hand in selling to the DoD. Additionally, weapons manufacturers should create products that have the ability to work effectively in extreme weather conditions for a long period of time.

Proactive maintenance

Whereas previously weapons contractors and sustainment specialists may have taken a reactionary route to maintenance, the DoD is now more interested in proactive maintenance. Instead of trying to fix a malfunction after it happens, weapons manufacturers need to create products that eliminate issues before they even occur.

The DoD has been making serious efforts to leave reactive maintenance for the past several years. In 2020, DoD Instruction 4151.22 solidified the government’s interest in condition-based maintenance. The goal is to secure more cost-effective and sustainable weapons.

Increase sustainment

Cummings specifically mentioned three areas where sustainment is poor, according to the Federal News Network. She mentioned that the DoD is looking to increase operational efficiency in these three areas:

1. Technical data agreements.
2. Provisioning and cataloging spares.
3. Establishing organic repair capabilities.

Contractors would have to sign adjusted agreements and new technologies are necessary to satisfy the DoD’s needs. Contractors will be impacted by the revision of previous instructions and the creation of new ones, namely DODI 5000.91, “Product Support Management for the Adaptive Acquisition Framework.”

High-tech weapons

Enhanced weapons testing is necessary if increased sustainment is to come to fruition. Technological advancements in software and hardware needs to meet additional testing requirements. Not only do the weapons need to hold up against the changing physical environment, but they also should be resistant to cyber attacks.

Contractors need to prove the durability of their product because the digital battlefield is a relatively new warzone. Sustainment and operational effectiveness will be integrated into the life cycle of weapons as early as possible.

As weapons systems evolve, contractors should follow the DoD’s lead.

 

Every year on the Fourth of July, the United States of America comes together to celebrate the day that our beautiful country declared independence. While the rest of the country lets loose and commemorates Independence Day, first responders nationwide prepare to make sure that American citizens can do so safely. Let’s take a look at how EMTs, firefighters, and hospital workers prepare for the day when more people are likely to visit the emergency room than any other.

EMTs

Regular summertime fun like boating, grilling, and camping are staples of the holiday, but with nearly all 330 million Americans participating in these activities simultaneously, the likelihood of accidents goes up. July 4 and 5 see an average of 45,000 people in emergency rooms across the country, meaning that EMT staff are working overtime to provide emergency medical assistance and to transport patients to the hospital.

Preparation for this year’s Fourth of July celebration is different from previous Independence Day observances. There is anticipation that Americans will heed the advice of President Joe Biden when he encouraged citizens to use the holiday to also commemorate the return to relative normalcy after the coronavirus pandemic. While celebrating the reopening of America is certainly in order, there is a chance that an increase in exciting activities could lead to a higher possibility for accidents.

Police officers

One way that paramedics and other first responders prepare for the increase of activity is by knowing what kind of accidents are most likely to occur. This is especially true for law enforcement officers. A great example of this is intoxicated driving. What was probably a fun party or get-together could turn deadly if someone makes the choice to drive under the influence of alcohol. Independence Day is only rivaled by New Year’s when it comes to car accidents.

About 38% of the total people who passed away on July Fourth and a fifth died due to car crashes where the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Knowing this, preventive measures can be taken, including media campaigns and an increase of police officers patrolling the roads to stop drunk drivers before the accidents happen.

Firefighters

July is one of the hottest national holidays and is known for being celebrated with beautiful fireworks — a combination that is not necessarily ideal when it comes to fire safety. 2020 was notably the second-worst year for wildfires in America in about 60 years, with nearly 10.1 million acres being burned. 2021 has already been uniquely warm and dry, indicating an increased danger for fire hazards. With July Fourth falling in the middle of fire season, firefighters across the nation are prepared for a rise in structure fires as well as wildland fires caused by fireworks and campfires.

In fact, about 19% of fatal fires happen because of careless behavior, and Independence Day is no exception. Because of the high rate of accidental fires in general, it is best to leave the handling of large fireworks to the professionals. In preparation, fire stations and wildland fire teams hire additional staff and deploy extra volunteers to ensure a safe holiday weekend.

Summer 2021 has been dubbed “the summer of freedom.” While the Fourth of July is the perfect time to celebrate this, it is important to keep in mind the first responders risking their lives to protect American citizens.

 

June 14th of every year marks the United States Army’s birthday. The 14th day of June 2021 was the Army’s 246th year of existence. Having been created in 1775, the Army is the oldest branch of the US military and is soaked with a richly fascinating history. The Army’s many years of committed service to the country truly reflect the branch’s dedication to defense.

Historical legacy

The U.S. Army’s legacy started nearly in tandem with the United States itself. In 1778, the Army claimed the motto “This we’ll defend,” and has taken the phrase seriously ever since.

Revolutionary War (1775)

During the rise of civil unrest of the 1770s, the original 13 colonies formed the first version of a U.S. armed forces. The 2nd Continental Congress created the Continental Army as a means of revolting against the rule of Britain. This initial version of the army fought its first battle in 1776, and the 20,000 revolutionaries were forced to retreat by the much more sophisticated redcoats.

With grit and determination that remains today, the army rallied and followed its commander in chief, George Washington, to victory. The U.S. Army is inextricably linked with the United States of America’s brave and independent origins.

The Civil War (1861)

Nearly 100 years later, the United States Army was called into action and underwent a major renovation. The Civil War era was a very important time for weapons technology development in the army. The result was the most deadly war in the Army’s history.

World Wars (1917/1941)

It took many years for the army to build itself back up from the destruction the Civil War wrought. The first world war saw the advancement of the army’s technological sophistication as well as the creation of 17 new National Army divisions. This included the Aviation Section of the Army Signal Corps, which was the predecessor of the Air Force.

Some cite the second World War as being the beginning of the United States Military as we know it today. WWll was also a very important time for the evolution of modern battlefield strategy with the invention of the atomic bomb.

Modern day

Every era of major conflict (many of which are not named here) has resulted in a more advanced and strategic Army, but it’s roots of bravery and valor have remained at its core since the beginning. Today, the United States Army has more than 700,000 members, including both active duty and Army reserve.

Every year on June 14th, members of the Army and their families come together to celebrate the Army’s birthday with balls, dinners, parades and parties. This year was no exception. It was a time for modern-day servicemen to remember and commemorate the incredible history of their branch.

Just like every year, the Pentagon and Capitol Hill recognized the anniversary of the Army through a traditional cake cutting ceremony, using a classic Army saber.  Even those who are not directly tied to the United States Army took a brief moment to recognize our country’s oldest military service.

 

A bill was recently introduced that would give first responders (law enforcement officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics) and teachers access to no down payment options for securing a mortgage. The legislation was introduced by the House of Representatives in May and has been dubbed the HELPER bill, short for Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder. The bipartisan HELPER bill is showing support for the community.

This is just one instance of the government reaching out to the people who work every day to make America a better place.

Breaking down HELPER

The national director of Heroes First Home Loans, Samuel Royer, first initiated the HELPER bill. As a former member of the Marine Corps who has benefited from similar legislation created for veterans, Royer looked at this bill as his chance to give back to his community. On may 20th, the HELPER bill was officially introduced by Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL), Al Lawson (D-FL), John Katko (R-NY) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

The end goal is to give these service workers a leg up in today’s extremely competitive housing market. According to the National Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Index, most people have to pay more than 14% of their income in order to satisfy their home payment.

If passed, the HELPER bill would create a one-time-use home loan program that could be used one time under the Federal Housing Administration. Additionally, qualifying people would not need to make a down payment.

This would create opportunities for first responders and teachers that may not otherwise be available. Lastly, HELPER would remove the obligation for a monthly mortgage insurance premium, which is required for all FHA loans.

Government recognition

Teachers add immense value to society just by going to work every day. First responders like EMS personnel also have a low starting pay rate. Despite all this, the federal government has taken action to ensure that those who have chosen such a noble career path are taken care of.

In fact, HELPER is very similar to an already established program called VA Home Loan Program. Through this loan program, United States military veterans can receive benefits which reduce the initial cost of buying a home and can save them up to $90/month in payments. Similar government programs are not uncommon and serve a reminder that the government is grateful for the service of these individuals.

Community recognition

Teachers and first responders directly impact the community they work with and are often held at high personal esteem for their contributions. Despite the discrepancy in financial payment, many who serve find the nature of their work rewarding.

As an example, a survey of 2,000 people showed that 76% say they would gladly pay for a first responder’s meal, if they were out eating and saw one in a restaurant. A bipartisan piece of legislation like the HELPER bill, is a tangible way for a community to show their support.

For some, it might have been easy to take local protectors, educators and responders for granted, but 2020 truly exposed how invaluable they are. The balance of society was held in the palms of doctors, nurses, firefighters and EMT’s. Teachers adapted their entire teaching method and continued working toward a more educated tomorrow. Communities rallied together to support essential workers through classroom funds, in-store discounts and mask drives.

First responders, teachers and health care workers dedicate their lives for the betterment of society. These are people who often live in the communities they serve and the federal government is looking to help those communities show their gratitude by introducing important legislation like the HELPER bill.

Only several months into the new administration, many government contractors are surely curious about the new trends unfolding.

There are several factors currently at play in reshaping the government contracting landscape:

• Executive orders (EOs).
• New political appointees and agency leadership.
• A host of new policies, programs and initiatives.

Let's examine how these factors may alter the government's priorities and its procurement processes, and what that means for contractors and their businesses.

Executive orders

Beginning shortly after the inauguration, the new administration began rolling out a series of executive orders. While not all of these EOs directly related to government contractors, several have the potential to greatly impact this sector. 

The EOs most likely to affect government contractors have largely covered COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts, immigration policy and climate change. For instance, federal agencies are now tasked with examining the impact of climate change from their procurement processes.

Government contractors should ensure their operations meet the updated needs of these agencies. In some cases, contractors with sound sustainable processes can potentially leverage this aspect to their advantage.

New political appointees and agency leadership

Along with the new administration comes a host of new political appointees and agency leadership across the federal government. However, while many of these people have been confirmed for their roles, there are still many deputies and senior leadership members still awaiting confirmation.

As this transition occurs, many government contracting bids and awards might be placed on hold. Even once all the federal agencies are up and running at full capacity, there might still be a waiting period as the new leadership reviews current rules and guidance and updates them accordingly.

Some government contractors may find themselves in a holding pattern as they wait for confirmation of appointees and leadership, along with implementation of updated rules and guidance.

Changes to policies, programs and initiatives

In addition to EOs and new appointments, there are also plenty of policy changes and initiatives underway.

The updated "Made in America" program is most likely to affect government contractors. While "Buy American" has long been a focus for federal contracts, the new administration has refined the program further.

Now, all agencies must review all actions, and consider eliminating any of them that do not align with the "Made in America" initiative. This means all federal financial assistance awards and procurement will need to follow all statutes, rules, regulations and EOs that refer to the "Buy American" or "Made in America" program.

To this end, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is establishing a new Director of Made-in-America Office to oversee the implementation of this program. This new Made-in-America Office will:

• Increase oversight of waivers to domestic preference laws.
• Connect new businesses to contracting opportunities.
• Direct a cross-agency review of all domestic preferences.
• Increase domestic content requirements.
• Find ways to close current loopholes in how domestic content is measured.

Domestic government contractors may potentially see more awards and procurement opportunities with this new initiative.

IT overhaul and improved cybersecurity

Many governments still rely on outdated and inadequate information technology (IT) infrastructure and cybersecurity programs. Plus, recent high-profile incidents, such as the SolarWinds hack, have drawn heightened attention to these critical aspects of the government.

Although signed into law back in 2017, the Modernizing Government Technology Act continues to play a vital role in overhauling and updating the IT and cybersecurity of different government agencies.

Government contractors specializing in digital, mobile and cloud technologies, or software, data analytics and more can potentially tap into the $74.8 billion worth of contracts involving IT products and services.

Although first responders are not always on the clock, they're always on the job.

Even when they're off duty, these brave men and women will still respond to a crisis to make a meaningful impact in any way they can, no matter where they are. Sometimes, this includes providing life-saving emergency services in the nick of time. 

Here we highlight three recent instances where these skilled professionals placed a priority on duty, service and a commitment to their values, even while off the job.

Captain Brad Petty, Chattanooga Fire Department

On a recent drive home following his son's wrestling tournament, Captain Brad Petty noticed a driver suddenly swerve and pull over to the side of the expressway about 34 miles southeast of Nashville, Tennessee. Then, according to the Captain, a person hopped out of the car to flag down someone.

Even with his family in the vehicle with him, Captain Petty knew he had a responsibility to stop and try to help. So he pulled over near the other car, only to discover another person in the passenger seat who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Captain Petty used his emergency response training by opening the victim's airway and applying pressure to the wound, as his daughter, Hannah Petty, called 911. The Petty family waited with the victim until assistance arrived and she was flown to a hospital in a medical helicopter.

Lieutenant Alex Meron and Paramedic Chelsee Meron, Moore Fire Department

The husband and wife couple of Lt. Alex Meron and Paramedic Chelsee Meron recently returned home from a trip. As they made their way through the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, they noticed what they thought at first to be a sleeping man in the baggage claim area. But being the keen-eyed first responders they are, they realized something didn't look right, so the pair decided to check the man's pulse. That's when they discovered he didn't have a pulse.

Immediately, Lt. Meron started administering CPR. Meanwhile, Paramedic Meron darted off to locate the closest Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the airport.

Thankfully, Lt. Meron's CPR attempts worked, and he was able to resuscitate the man and get his pulse started before the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) arrived to take the man to the hospital.

Staff Sergeant Jason Mendoza-Anaya, US Air Force

While doing his laundry at a Colorado Springs laundromat in 2020, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason Mendoza-Anaya, 21st Force Support Squadron unit training manager, heard a guy scream, start to shake and fall over. The man hit his head on a metal chair as he fell and continued shaking on the ground.

Sgt. Mendoza-Anaya recognized the severity of the incident and rushed to the man's side, who was now bleeding from his head wound and still convulsing. Mendoza-Anaya took charge of the situation, directed another laundromat patron to call 911 and another person to see if the man had any medication for seizures he needed in his bags. Meanwhile, Mendoza-Anaya tried to get a pen or pencil into the man's mouth so he didn't bite his tongue off during the seizure, but it was too late, and blood was pooling out of the man's mouth.

Mendoza-Anaya got the man on his side so the blood would spill out and the man wouldn't choke, and then wrapped his sweater around the man's head so he wouldn't cause more damage if he hit it against the floor.

He continued this until an ambulance with on-duty first responders arrived and took over medical care. After applying a neck brace on the man, he woke up and lived.

We thank these heroic off-duty first responders, along with every emergency professional who puts their lives on the lines for the public's safety.

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and pursue alternative energy options, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is moving forward with a major transportable advanced nuclear microreactor project.

As part of Project Pele, the DoD's Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) has chosen two private companies to help accomplish this mission: BWXT Advanced Technologies and X-energy. Westinghouse Government Services is also part of the program.

Project Pele in action

Project Pele is a whole-of-government effort, which includes the DoD, the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Its goal is to develop a portable nuclear reactor to power operations in the field. If successful, this project would result in a stable and portable source of a significant amount of power for the military.

According to a DoD press release, the department currently uses approximately 30 Terawatt-hours of electricity per year and more than 10 million gallons of fuel per day. With current plans to grow the number of electric vehicles in its fleet, this will only increase the amount of energy consumed by the DoD. The department is seeking a transportable nuclear reactor system that will operate for at least three years and generate up to 5 megawatts of electricity.

The aim is to provide a stable power supply for disaster relief operations and critical infrastructure support. This will make the military's energy supply more resilient to an electric grid attack. It will also streamline energy logistics and delivery for forward-operating bases, all without increasing the DoD's carbon footprint.

About the contractors

Based out of Lynchburg, Virginia, BWXT Advanced Technologies, LLC, has more than 60 years of nuclear innovation. It has delivered more than 400 reactors for Naval nuclear power, provided 315 steam generators to nuclear power plants and managed 18 high-consequence U.S. sites.

Operating out of Greenbelt, Maryland, X-energy, LLC, is a nuclear reactor and fuel design engineering company that designs safe and efficient modular reactors for a wide range of global markets and applications. The company also manufactures its own proprietary particle fuels.

Current state of the design and development process

In March 2021, the companies were awarded preliminary contracts of less than $15 million. Final designs are not due until 2022. At that point, the DoD will make a determination on the project's viability for long-term production. As it stands, Dr. Jeff Waksman, Project Pele program manager, is optimistic about the project's success.

"We are confident that by early 2022 we will have two engineering designs matured to a sufficient state that we will be able to determine suitability for possible construction and testing," Dr. Waksman stated.

After the second design phase of the project, and following an environmental analysis, the SCO may competitively award the manufacturing and deployment of the microreactor prototype. Ultimately, the companies involved will have to demonstrate a successful combination of this first-of-its-kind technological solution and proven production processes to meet DoD's power generation needs.