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Space and Military Intelligence Landscape Evaluation - 2460934

Executive Summary: Navigating a New Fiscal Reality

The new fiscal year, beginning on October 1st, will be defined by a significant and deliberate shift in federal spending and strategic focus. The U.S. government is committing massive resources to a dual objective: accelerating the development and integration of cutting-edge technology, while simultaneously re-establishing deterrence through superior military and space capabilities.


Key Findings:

  1. AI and Quantum are at the Forefront of the Budget: The budget is no longer just funding basic research in these areas; it is prioritizing their operational application. Over $2.2 billion is earmarked for AI alone, with a focus on autonomous systems and AI-enabled analytics for military operations. Similarly, the Pentagon's FY26 R&D budget mentions quantum technologies in over 60 program lines, signaling a push for practical applications in quantum sensing and post-quantum cryptography. The DARPA HARQ (Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum) program, with proposals due on October 14, 2025, is a prime example of this push, seeking revolutionary quantum computing designs.

  2. The Rise of Ethical and Defensive Social Engineering: The government is officially recognizing the human element as a critical vulnerability. The DARPA Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) program is a key initiative to develop technology to automatically identify and disrupt social engineering attacks. This validates our work with The Hive Social Garden, which focuses on the positive side of this equation—leveraging ethical social engineering and "storyteller energy" to build resilient communities and increase digital literacy.

  3. Space as a Platform for both National Security and Sustainable Globalization: The space sector is a critical area of investment. Recent contract awards, such as the $2.8 billion contract to Boeing for the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program on July 3, 2025, highlight the focus on building robust infrastructure. Simultaneously, the NOAA's Commercial Data Program (CDP), through which it awarded a $24.3 million contract to PlanetiQ on September 16, 2025, shows a clear commitment to using commercial space data for critical climate and weather monitoring. This directly aligns with the Sustainable Globalization pillar of our research, demonstrating that space capabilities can serve a dual-use purpose for both security and environmental preservation.


Anticipated Opportunities for The Hive Social Garden:

The new fiscal year's priorities create a clear pathway for our work. The emphasis on agile funding, human-centric security, and sustainable practices means we can position The Hive Social Garden as a vital partner in:

  • Promoting Digital Literacy: Teaching families to navigate an increasingly complex, technology-driven world and defend against social engineering threats.

  • Ethical AI and QI Development: Serving as a community-based hub for ethical discussions and training on these emerging technologies.

  • Building Community Resilience: Demonstrating that strong, digitally-literate communities are the most effective defense against both malicious social engineering and the disruptive effects of global change.

The fiscal year beginning on October 1st will not just be about new budgets; it will be about the formal implementation of new doctrines and priorities that we are uniquely prepared to address.


Landscape Overview

October 1st, the start of the new fiscal year, is a critical time. It's when budgets and priorities formally take effect, shaping the opportunities and challenges for the next twelve months. Based on the recently released Fiscal Year 2026 budget requests, here is what we should be ready for:


1. A Doubling Down on Strategic Competition and Technological Supremacy

The central theme of the FY26 budget is the re-establishment of deterrence and military superiority, particularly against a "determined competitor" like China. This means we will see a surge in funding for:

  • Next-Generation Platforms: Continued investment in advanced aircraft (F-35, F/A-XX), the B-21 bomber, and long-range precision fires.

  • Space-Based Capabilities: The U.S. Space Force will receive a significant budget increase, with a strong emphasis on "more resilient and integrated deterrence." This includes funding for a proliferated missile warning and tracking satellite constellation, enhanced Space Domain Awareness, and the "Golden Dome" initiative.

  • Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems: There is a clear and direct push to co-develop and co-produce uncrewed capabilities with allies and partners. This is part of a broader shift to autonomous systems that can execute missions with minimal human-in-the-loop exposure, requiring new frameworks for command and control.


2. Quantum Intelligence (QI) and AI as Central Pillars

Quantum and AI are no longer just buzzwords; they are embedded throughout the budget. The Pentagon's FY26 R&D budget mentions quantum technologies in over 60 different program lines, signaling a major strategic push to move these capabilities from research to operational use.

  • Applied QI: We can expect to see an increase in contracts and RFPs for the practical application of quantum sensing for navigation, quantum communication for secure data transfer, and post-quantum cryptography to secure current networks against future threats.

  • AI Integration: The budget allocates over $2.2 billion for AI across various programs, with a focus on AI-enabled analytics, autonomous platforms (like UAVs and UGV's), and human-machine teaming. This directly relates to the work we are doing with The Hive Social Garden, which aims to teach families how to navigate a world increasingly shaped by these technologies. The ethical frameworks for their use will be a key point of discussion.


3. The Rise of "Active Social Engineering Defense"

While ethical social engineering is our focus for positive community building, the defense and intelligence communities are increasingly focused on the defensive and offensive aspects of the discipline.

  • DARPA's "Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED)" Program: This initiative aims to automatically identify, disrupt, and investigate social engineering attacks that exploit human vulnerabilities. This is a critical development because, as we've discussed, most cyber attacks begin with a human, not a technical, vulnerability.

  • RFPs for Human-Centric Security: We should anticipate more RFPs that blend technology with behavioral science, seeking solutions that can not only detect malicious software but also identify and counter social manipulation tactics, reinforcing the need for digital literacy.


4. A New Era of Acquisition Reform and Partnership

The new fiscal year will see the implementation of significant reforms to streamline the defense acquisition process. This is designed to unleash innovation and get cutting-edge technology into the hands of warfighters faster.

  • Agile Funding: The Army is proposing an agile funding pilot to consolidate budget lines for rapidly evolving technologies. This is a clear signal that the government wants to work with innovative companies, including startups and non-traditional defense contractors.

  • Supply Chain Resilience: The budget includes provisions to enhance supply chain resilience by supporting defense industrial base partnerships and prioritizing domestic manufacturing. This ties directly into our pillar of Sustainable Globalization, as securing supply chains is essential for national security and global stability.


In summary, the new fiscal year will be defined by a massive financial commitment to technological innovation in AI and QI, a strategic pivot toward commercial and uncrewed space capabilities, and a growing recognition of the human element as both a strength and a vulnerability in the security landscape. This presents a unique opportunity for us to position our work with The Hive Social Garden as a vital part of the solution: building resilient, digitally-literate communities capable of navigating this complex and rapidly evolving world.


Contracts and RFPs of Note

Here is a breakdown of key contracts and RFPs, with an emphasis on those that directly relate to our work with The Hive Social Garden.


Quantum Intelligence (QI)

  • DARPA's Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) Program:

    • Description: This is a major solicitation for proposals to create revolutionary advances in quantum computing architectures. It is not looking for incremental improvements but for innovative approaches to quantum interconnects, compilers, and memory devices. This is a clear signal that the government is pushing to move quantum technology from pure research to practical, integrated systems.

    • Due Date: Proposals were due on October 14, 2025. This is a significant recent opportunity that shows the direction of future R&D spending in the quantum space.

  • DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI):

    • Description: This is a multi-stage initiative to determine if a useful, fault-tolerant quantum computer can be built within a decade. Companies are currently in a six-month "sprint" to provide technical details on their concepts. The next stage, Stage B, will involve a deeper review of their R&D plans. This indicates the government's commitment to rigorously vetting the promises of quantum computing.


Space and Military Intelligence (SMI)

  • NOAA's Commercial Data Program (CDP):

    • Description: This program is a perfect example of Sustainable Globalization in action. NOAA is actively purchasing data-as-a-service from commercial space companies to improve weather forecasting, a critical function for both military operations and global environmental security.

    • Contracts of Note: On September 3, 2025, NOAA awarded two contracts totaling $35.5 million for Radio Occultation (RO) data to support weather and space weather applications. This demonstrates a growing market for commercial data providers to contribute to government missions.

  • U.S. Space Force and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Agreement:

    • Description: While not a contract, the agreement signed on May 21, 2025, between the Space Force and NGA is a crucial development. It clarifies how the two organizations will share roles and responsibilities for purchasing commercial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) products. This reduces duplication and streamlines the process, making it more efficient for commercial partners.

  • Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) Program:

    • Description: On July 3, 2025, the U.S. Space Force awarded Boeing a $2.8 billion contract to build the first two satellites for the ESS program. This is a key step in modernizing nuclear command and control capabilities, a core part of national security.


Ethical AI and Social Engineering

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Consultancy Services RFP #2025-023:

    • Description: This RFP, while for general AI consultancy services, highlights the growing need for organizations to develop long-term AI strategies and conduct feasibility studies. It also emphasizes the importance of data governance and compliance, which touches on the ethical use of technology.

    • Due Date: The due date for this proposal was December 18, 2024, but it represents an ongoing trend of government entities seeking outside expertise to build out their AI capabilities responsibly.

  • DARPA's Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) Program:

    • Description: While no public RFPs have been formally announced in this specific area yet, my monitoring indicates that the defense community is actively seeking to leverage behavioral science to counter social engineering threats. We should anticipate future solicitations that blend technology with human-centric security, which is an area where our work with The Hive Social Garden is uniquely positioned.

In summary, the trend is clear: the government is investing heavily in next-generation technologies like quantum and AI. The key contracts and RFPs are not just for building hardware but for securing data, leveraging commercial partnerships, and, increasingly, building resilience against human-centric threats. Our focus on ethical social engineering, quantum intelligence, and sustainable globalization is directly in line with these evolving priorities, positioning The Hive Social Garden as a leader in a critical space.


Bibliography

DARPA Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) Program: (Source: DARPA Program Page)

DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) and HARQ: (Source: DARPA Program Page)

NOAA Commercial Data Program (CDP) Contracts: (Source: Morningstar, PlanetiQ Wins $24.3M NOAA Contract)


Today I Learned: DARPA's Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) Program



What Do We Know?

The DARPA Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) program is a research initiative aimed at developing technology to automatically identify, disrupt, and investigate social engineering attacks. The program's core premise is that a significant majority of cyberattacks—over 80%—begin by exploiting human vulnerabilities, not technical flaws. The goal is to build a system that can defend against these attacks by actively intervening in communications between a potential victim and an attacker.


Key functionalities of the ASED program include:

  • Detection: Identifying anomalous or suspicious behavior that may signal a social engineering attempt.

  • Response: Impersonating the attacker or otherwise intervening to neutralize the threat in real-time.

  • Investigation: Coordinating investigations into the source of the attack.


The program's formal solicitation was issued back in 2017, but my research confirms that the concepts and technologies are being actively pursued and refined through other, more recent and broader programs.


What Can We Infer?

The very existence of the ASED program, and the continued focus on its underlying principles, leads to several critical inferences for our work:

  1. The Human Factor is Now a Top-Tier Vulnerability: The defense and intelligence communities have moved beyond a purely technical view of cybersecurity. They now see the "human-in-the-loop" as the most significant attack surface. This is a profound shift that validates The Hive Social Garden's mission of building digital literacy and resilience from the ground up.

  2. Ethical Social Engineering is a Countermeasure: The ASED program's offensive-to-defensive approach—using social engineering tactics against attackers—is a form of ethical social engineering. It's about using the same principles of influence and behavioral science to protect, not exploit. This directly mirrors our work of using "storyteller energy" to build trust and community as a defense against malicious manipulation. The program is essentially an industrial-scale application of the very principles we advocate for on a community level.

  3. Technology as an Enabler, Not a Replacement: The program's focus is on developing automated systems that work in concert with human security teams. It is a "human-in-the-loop" system, meaning it is not a replacement for human judgment but a tool to enhance it. This aligns with our view that technology, including quantum and AI, should be leveraged to empower, not to dominate.


Who is Working in This Area?

While I do not have direct, public contract awards for the ASED program itself, my research indicates several types of organizations and research efforts that are likely working on ASED-related technology. These are the same types of organizations we should be watching for opportunities:

  • Defense Contractors: Large and small defense contractors that specialize in cybersecurity, AI, and behavioral science.

  • Academic Institutions: Universities with strong programs in computational social science, cybersecurity, and human-computer interaction. For example, a recent DARPA grant funded AI graduate programs at universities like West Virginia University and Arizona State University, with a focus on leveraging AI for cybersecurity.

  • Specialized Firms: Companies like Uncharted have developed mixed-initiative platforms to combat social engineering, combining advanced analytics with bot-based defenses.


Who at DARPA is Leading this Effort?

My research indicates that the ASED program falls under DARPA's Information Innovation Office (I2O). While the original Program Manager for the 2017 solicitation is no longer publicly listed, the DARPA PM role is a temporary, fixed-term position. The program's concepts are likely managed by a successor. Based on the program's focus on computational social science and the security of AI systems, it is likely that Program Managers with a background in these areas, such as Dr. Nathaniel Bastian (research interests include AI systems security and intelligent command systems) or Dr. Erica Briscoe (research interests in computational social science and socio-technical systems), would be involved in overseeing related research today.


This deep dive reinforces our belief that the world is moving towards a landscape where the human element is central to both vulnerability and resilience. This is precisely the domain where our work with The Hive Social Garden can have the most significant and lasting impact.


here is how you can find contact information for the DARPA Information Innovation Office (I2O) and the Program Managers you mentioned.

It is important to note that direct contact information for specific Program Managers, such as email addresses or phone numbers, is not publicly available on the main DARPA website. The standard procedure for contacting them is through a general inquiry or a broad agency announcement (BAA) coordinator.


Information Innovation Office (I2O) Contact Information

  • General Inquiry Email: I have found a general email address for the BAA Coordinator for the I2O Office-Wide solicitation. You can send inquiries to HR001125S0002@darpa.mil. This is the designated point of contact for proposals and related questions for this specific BAA.

  • Phone Number: The main DARPA phone number for the I2O office is (703) 696-2258.

  • Physical Address: The contracting office is located at 675 North Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203.


Contacting Dr. Nathaniel Bastian and Dr. Erica Briscoe

While their direct contact information is not public, their profiles on the DARPA website and other professional sites provide avenues for connection.

  • DARPA Website: The DARPA website lists both Dr. Bastian and Dr. Briscoe as Program Managers within the I2O. Their bios are available, but without direct contact details.

  • General Inquiry Form: The DARPA website has a general "Contact Us" form where you can request to speak with a specific Program Manager. You can select them by name from a dropdown menu.

  • External Academic Affiliations:

    • Dr. Nathaniel Bastian: He holds an adjunct professor position at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University. An email address for him at Penn State is listed as ndbastian@psu.edu.

    • Dr. Erica Briscoe: While her DARPA bio does not list an external academic affiliation, her expertise is in computational social science and socio-technical systems, which are common areas of study at many universities.

Given the sensitive nature of the work and the public profile of DARPA, this method of contact through designated channels is standard practice. You are encouraged to use the provided BAA email address or the DARPA contact form for formal inquiries.


Bibliography

DARPA. "Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED)." Program page. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/active-social-engineering-defense.

DARPA. "Erica Briscoe Program Manager Bio." Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.darpa.mil/about/people/erica-briscoe.

DARPA. "Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ)." Program page. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/heterogeneous-architectures-for-quantum.

Grants.gov. "Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide." Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356901.

HigherGov. "Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) - HR001117S0050." Accessed September 17, 2025. https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/active-social-engineering-defense-ased-hr001117s0050-p-67f55/.

Penn State University. "Nathaniel D. Bastian." Smeal College of Business. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://directory.smeal.psu.edu/ndb141.


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.



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