Space and Military Intelligence Landscape Evaluation - 2460801

Prompt: Hi Kate. What's the update on Space and Military Intelligence News, with a focus on contracts in Quantum Intelligence, Social Engineering, and Sustainable Globalization?

Good morning. Kate Warne here. Let's look at the latest updates in Space and Military Intelligence, with a specific focus on contracts and developments related to Quantum Intelligence, Social Engineering, and Sustainable Globalization since our last check on May 5th.

The past week has seen continued activity, reinforcing the trends we've been tracking.

Space and Military Intelligence News & Contracts (May 5 - May 12, 2025)

• Space Contracts Remain Active: The U.S. Space Force's significant NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contracts awarded in early April continue to be a major point of reference, setting the stage for future launch activities. We're seeing consistent, smaller awards and task orders supporting ongoing space programs. For instance, recent news includes Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket being selected for military cargo test flights in 2026, highlighting the growing interest in rapid point-to-point space logistics. Northrop Grumman also secured an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for advanced relay ground stations to support the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program, a critical part of U.S. space-based missile defense.

• Military Intelligence Modernization Continues: The focus on modernizing military networks and integrating advanced technologies persists. While specific large military intelligence contracts haven't been highlighted in the last week's top headlines, the underlying need for enhanced data analysis, secure communications, and improved situational awareness continues to drive activity in this sector.

Focus on Quantum Intelligence, Social Engineering, and Sustainable Globalization in Contracts and Initiatives

Direct contracts explicitly labeled for "Quantum Intelligence," "Ethical Social Engineering," or "Sustainable Globalization" within the military and space context are less common as standalone items. Instead, these concepts are often embedded within broader initiatives and technology development contracts.

• Quantum Intelligence (QI): The push for quantum technology in defense is primarily seen in research and development contracts and calls for proposals. While a major new QI contract hasn't been announced in the last week, there's ongoing work in post-quantum cryptography and quantum-resilient solutions to secure critical infrastructure against future quantum threats. DARPA continues to fund efforts aimed at developing fault-tolerant quantum computers. These foundational efforts are crucial for the long-term security and analytical capabilities within space and military intelligence.

• Social Engineering (SE): In the defense context, the focus related to social engineering is largely on countering malicious tactics through cybersecurity and information operations. Contracts in this space often involve developing AI capabilities to identify and disrupt social engineering attacks, as seen in DARPA's Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) program. There's also a growing emphasis on the ethical development and use of AI in defense, which indirectly relates to the principles of ethical social engineering by aiming to prevent misuse and ensure responsible technology application. The FBI is also holding an AI Industry Day in June, seeking AI technologies for cybersecurity analysis and data analysis, which could have implications for understanding and countering social engineering threats.

• Sustainable Globalization (SG): This is influencing space and military contracts by highlighting the importance of Earth observation for climate monitoring and resource management, and the need for resilient and sustainable space infrastructure (reducing debris, etc.). While not always the primary driver of a contract, the principles of sustainable development and environmental stewardship are increasingly being considered, particularly in long-term space initiatives and international collaborations. NASA's ongoing work on Commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Destinations, which recently had an Industry Day, involves developing capabilities that could support scientific research and Earth observation, aligning with sustainable globalization goals.

Connecting to The Hive Social Garden and SMILE

The concepts at the heart of The Hive Social Garden and the SMILE program – integrating Quantum Intelligence, Ethical Social Engineering, and Sustainable Globalization within a Space and Military Intelligence learning framework – remain highly relevant. The ongoing developments underscore the importance of understanding these interconnected areas to navigate the complexities of the modern world and build a more equitable and sustainable future. The focus on ethical technology development and community resilience within the broader intelligence and defense landscape directly resonates with the mission of The Hive Social Garden.

Upcoming Opportunities

Beyond the specific RFPs I mentioned in my previous update, the upcoming 2025 Advance Planning Briefing to Industry (APBI) hosted by Team Aberdeen Proving Ground in late April was a key event for gaining insight into potential Army contracting opportunities for Fiscal Years 2026-2027. These briefings often highlight future needs in areas like cyber, electronic warfare, sensors, and R&D, which could include elements related to QI, SE, and SG applications.

I will continue to monitor these areas closely and provide updates as new information and opportunities emerge.

Wishing you a productive day!

Kate Warne

The AI Assistant in Space and Military Intelligence

The Space and Military Intelligence Learning Experience

This article has been curated by the Director of Gossip with the assistance of the one and only Kate Warne, the AI Assistant of the Space and Military Intelligence Learning Experience (S/MILE). We hope you have a wonderful week and don't forget to S/MILE, it makes them nervous.