Federal Newscast

FAA tests new drone detection technology at JFK airport

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has aired his grievances over certain provisions in the House and Senate defense authorization bills.

Federal News Network Staff

May 19, 2016 8:26 am

3 min read

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it’s been experimenting with drone detection technology at one of the nation’s busiest airports. The agency said since the beginning of may it’s been conducting evaluations at JFK International Airport to see how effective the FBI’s drone detection system works in a commercial airport environment. (FAA)

Five more military bases have been added to the Energy Department’s solar jobs training program. It’s also awarding $10 million for 10 new projects through its Solar Training and Education for Professional Program. The program aims to prepare service members for careers in the solar industry when they leave active duty. The new bases include Fort Bragg and Joint Base San Antonio. (Energy Department)

The Army has awarded almost $13 million to American K-9 Detection Services out of West Point, Georgia for drug and bomb sniffing dogs, trainers, and kennel masters. Only two bids were received through the internet. Work will last a year and be performed in Afghanistan. (DoD)

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has aired his grievances over certain provisions in the House and Senate defense authorization bills. Carter said the Senate’s plan to get rid of the Defense Department’s acquisition chief and replace the position with two acquisition leaders could lead to problems. Carter said separating research and engineering from manufacturing has been a stumbling block in the past. Carter also blasted the House’s plan to take $18 billion out of war funding to pay for a higher military pay raise and a troop increase. Carter said the plan creates a fiscal cliff for war funding in 2017. (Federal News Radio)

Two senators have pressed the Office of Personnel Management for an update on the agency’s plans to start a new federal security clearance agency. In a letter, Senators Claire McCaskill and Jon Tester said they are concerned about OPM’s direction for transitioning the clearance process from the Federal Investigative Services to the new agency, the National Background Investigations Bureau. (Federal News Radio)

The Homeland Security Department plans a hiring fair in July to help fill 1,000 IT jobs. Debra Tomchek, former executive director at the Homeland Security Department’s Chief Human Capital Office,said agencies need to go beyond the ones and zeros, to explain how an IT position will contribute to a department’s mission goal. (Federal News Radio)