The Global Debut Of The Mannix Sensor In The Javelin Jump Kit

We are setting new standards in the identity solutions market by not only leading, but also transforming the industry through sophisticated yet user-friendly biometrics technologies. In an era where security challenges are increasingly complex and critical infrastructure protection is vital, we deliver comprehensive identity solutions that transform security through innovation. A testament to our pioneering spirit is the introduction of the world’s first integrated biometric collection kit featuring the Integrated Biometrics (IB) Mannix sensor. This groundbreaking technology was recently deployed to our European customers, marking a significant milestone in biometric data collection efficiency and mobility.

The Mannix sensor leverages light emitting sensor (LES) technology to offer a compact, mobile palm scanner that operates seamlessly with smartphone power. Its Zero-Bezel Technology (ZTX) enhances usability by removing traditional constraints, making it an ideal solution for field operations. With its compact size and FBI Appendix F certification, Mannix represents a leap forward in portable biometric technology.

Our contributions extend beyond hardware innovations. The National Palm Print System (NPPS), established by the FBI in May 2013, benefits significantly from our enhancements through the addition of palm enrollment from critical law enforcement and defense partners worldwide in compact and affordable identity solutions.

Our Javelin Jump Kits integrate these advanced technologies in fingerprints, palm, face, and iris as well as identifications and passports with associated pocket litter into a single solution housed within an 11-pound pelican case. This integration not only emphasizes portability but also ensures high reliability with low false acceptance rates (FAR) and false rejection rates (FRR), crucial for secure access control and identification purposes.

Our approach goes beyond mere technological innovation. We aim to provide holistic solutions that address current challenges while anticipating future needs. By incorporating state-of-the-art technology into our offerings like the Javelin Jump Kits, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting missions related to force protection, security, humanitarian efforts, military operations, and law enforcement activities.

This dedication is reflected not only in product development but also in creating operational efficiencies through lightweight mobile platforms capable of deploying globally at a moment’s notice. This capability ensures near real-time responses utilizing the Ares Gateway and Ares Mobile Biometrics Applications in a secured cloud architecture that align with organizational objectives across various sectors.

These recent advancements in our biometric technologies, both hardware and software-based, underscore our dominance in providing cutting-edge solutions that deliver unmatched value to our clients. We remain committed to redefining what is possible through Ares Next and within identity solutions globally deployed to clients. Our innovative spirit coupled with a comprehensive understanding of market needs positions us uniquely to lead this transformational journey—delivering secure, efficient, and user-friendly products that support critical missions around the world.

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When the call came for a portable biometrics tool, our team was ready. Since 2018, we’ve collaborated closely with the Marines to research, design, test, and develop what is now a critical capability and a Program of Record: the JavelinXL Mobile Biometric Collection Kit with our suite of Ares Software. This tool stands as a testament to our dedication to keeping warfighters safe today and meeting the challenges of tomorrow.

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Our biometrics solution advanced with an award from the Marine Corps Systems Command Rapid Innovation Fund program. Through this, we developed hardware and software that seamlessly works together to enable rapid, secure collection and analysis of biometric data, including fingerprints, iris, and face. This data is then fed into an authoritative database, allowing for the warfighter to rapidly discern the identity of an individual and whether they are a nefarious actor or on a watchlist. The technology went through extensive tactical exercises involving scenarios Marines could experience on the battlefield.

Built With Agility In Mind

The JavelinXL embodies our commitment to support the Marines wherever their mission takes them. Lightweight, portable, and designed for the field, it demonstrates our understanding of the needs of the warfighter and our dedication to providing solutions that are not just effective but also practical in the most demanding situations.

Through the Ares Application and Gateway, we empower Marines to make swift, informed decisions, a capability that’s critical whether at home or abroad. Our technology ensures that Marines have access to the latest information, enabling them to respond to emerging threats with confidence and precision.

Commitment To Partnership And Innovation

Our work with the Marine Corps goes beyond technology – it’s about a deep commitment to the mission. As we look to the future and continue to ensure the warfighter’s safety, our focus remains on providing innovative solutions. Currently in the research and development phase is Ares-Next, which will consist of enhancements that ensure our technology meets the evolving needs of the Marines while maintaining existing solutions.

If you look across Parsons’ national security solutions, you’ll see they are designed to meet the challenges of the future across all domains through agility, efficiency, and next-gen technology. From biometrics and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) to artificial intelligence and more, we stand ready to advance the safety and security of Marines and ensure that current and future warfighters have what they need to accomplish the mission.

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Representing Parsons At Advantage DoD 2024

I had the honor of representing Parsons Corporation at the inaugural Advantage DoD Symposium, hosted at the Washington Hilton last week. The invitation came as the result of a solution our AI Bench, under the SPARC organization within D&I, devised through the lens of risk management for the comprehensive evaluation of Large Language Models (LLMs), systematically gauging their maturity to handle DoD-specific use cases, and mitigations for immature and imperfect models. Dr. William Streilein, CDAO Chief Technology Officer, commended Parsons on our comprehensive approach to the design of an LLM Maturity Model and asked that we share our concept with symposium attendees. Positive reception by attendees representing both the Defense industry, private enterprises, and academia and earned Parsons an invitation to participate in a consultative capacity in a DoD-led knowledge consortium to follow, cementing Parsons’ future a thought leader in AI.

The Current State Of AI In The DoD

The Office of the CDAO set the stage with an overview of the DoD’s current exploratory yet experimental phase in leveraging AI to bolster operational efficiencies. Although a large focus of the conference was on LLMs, the topics discussed encompassed the gamut of topics in AI, emphasizing their commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies for a competitive edge and enduring decision advantage. The CDAO emphasized evaluating industry advancements for DoD-specific applications and fostering collaboration for effective technology adoption while the DoD builds up a fighting force that contains intelligent practitioners of adopted AI technologies.

What The DoD Needs

The CDAO’s technology goals utilize AI to enhance warfighting and support tasks, with a focus on using industry tools and techniques to increase efficiency rather than pouring resources into building proprietary models. Using AI to free up human resource capacity and unify disparate and siloed knowledge systems are among some of the many needs discussed by CDAO at the conference. The CDAO’s 18-month generative AI task force, Task Force Lima, was established in August 2023 with the aim of developing foundational strategies for the responsible integration of generative technologies. CAPT Xavier Lugo, TF Lima Mission Commander, warned that the DoD is not interested in more chatbot use cases but rather invested in harnessing LLMs’ knowledge and reasoning abilities to maintain a competitive warfighting edge. The DoD needs methods for evaluating the potential risks and consequences of augmenting existing workstreams with AI technologies, strategies for mitigating those risks, and roadmaps for department-wide adoption and synchronization of the policies for those technologies.

Where AI In The DoD Is Headed

It is abundantly clear that the DoD needs trusted leaders in industry to support the needs of an AI-powered, interconnected warfighting support system. The Deputy Secretary of Defense’s 2023 DoD Data, Analytics, and AI Adoption Strategy prioritizes speed of delivery, continuous learning, and responsible development in its agile approach to this technological transformation. Therefore, a concerted effort by military leaders, servicemembers, and forward-thinking industry partners like Parsons will be necessary to achieve the goals of the DoD’s AI adoption strategy. A Parsons-DoD partnership is an optimal application of our experience in applying AI to the most critical aspects of military and intelligence operations, keeping our fighting forces at the cutting edge of technological innovation and ultimately enabling DoD leaders to make rapid decisions by expertly leveraging high-quality data as part of a continuous development cycle.

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As we enter a new year, we’re pausing to reflect on what we’ve accomplished in 2023 and highlight our top moments of the year!

1. Leading The AI Revolution  

Though artificial intelligence became more mainstream in 2023, we’ve been supporting our customers with the development of AI solutions for the ingestion, processing, exploitation, fusion, dissemination, and visualization of their data for years. In 2023, we continued to use AI to transform how our integrated solutions empower the national security and global infrastructure markets.

Here are a few of our favorite AI articles from the year:

• How AI Is Changing the Way We Move
• Leveraging AI/ML To Protect the Space Domain
• Revolutionizing Design: The Power of Generative AI
• AI Will Revolutionize Construction… If We Let It
• Operationalizing Artificial Intelligence: Making It Work for The Mission Today

2. Parsons Helps the US Destroy its Final Chemical Weapons Stockpile

On July 7, 2023, the U.S. announced the final munition in the U.S.’s obsolete stockpile of chemical weapons was safely destroyed, an accomplishment months ahead of schedule. We were part of a joint-venture team that used neutralization and explosive destruction technologies to eliminate more than 100,000 mustard agent and nerve agent-filled projectiles, and nerve agent-filled rockets. Destruction operations at the Blue Grass Army Depot began in June 2019. Since then, more than 523 U.S. tons of chemical agents have been safely destroyed.

3. Delivering The Future of Infrastructure For THE LINE and Oxagon Giga-Projects in Saudi Arabia

This year we announced our role as delivery partner for THE LINE, the world’s first cognitive city within the region of NEOM in northwest Saudi Arabia, as well as our contract to provide project management support in building Oxagon – NEOM’s reimagined industrial city that will be home to advanced and clean manufacturing. Both projects are being developed to tackle the challenges facing humanity in urban life today.

Envisaged as a model for the future of sustainable urban living, THE LINE is being designed to have no cars, no roads, and will operate on 100% renewable energy. One of the most complex and challenging infrastructure projects in the world, THE LINE will stretch 170km (106mi) in length, be 200m (656ft) wide and reach up to 500m (1,640ft) above sea level. Being built with nature at its core, the linear urban development serves as a blueprint for how people can live in harmony with the natural environment. The giga-project prioritizes the health and well-being of its citizens, and addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today, such as outdated infrastructure, pollution, traffic and human connection. The team broke ground on THE LINE in 2022 and the project is currently under construction.

Oxagon, one of NEOM’s regional projects, represents the future of Industrial Cities and will feature ‘Port of NEOM’ a next-gen port and integrated supply chain and logistics ecosystem. We will work closely with NEOM and Oxagon to deliver project management, technical, commercial and construction management services to deliver fully functioning industrial cities. Parsons has been a trusted partner of governments and private entities in the Middle East for more than 60 years and we are one of the leading consultants in design, construction, operations and maintenance, commissioning, and project management services, whose efforts have helped build and transform the region. Learn more about our presence in the Middle East.

4. We Achieved Record Organic Growth

We recorded record total revenue for the third quarter of 2023, increasing by $284 million, or 25%, to $1.4 billion. This increase was primarily driven by organic growth of 23% due to the ramp-up of recent contract wins and growth on existing contracts, and inorganic revenue benefited from the company’s SealingTech and IPKeys acquisitions.

“We also achieved over 20 percent organic growth in [the federal solutions and critical infrastructure segments] for the second consecutive quarter, adjusted EBITDA growth of nearly 25 percent, a double-digit increase in contract awards, and over $200 million in quarterly cash flow for the first time in our company’s history,” said Carey Smith.

5. Continued Expansion: Acquisitions of IPKeys, SealingTech, and I.S. Engineering

In 2023, we acquired IPKeys Cyber and Power Partners, Sealing Technologies, Inc., and I.S. Engineers. We are proud to have them as part of the Parsons family and plan to continue to grow through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.

betmgm online live casinoThe acquisitions continue bolstering the company’s infrastructure protection capabilities, defensive cyber operations portfolio, and core critical infrastructure business.

6. Parsons Delivers First RADBO System To U.S. Air Force

In 2023, we delivered the first of 13 total Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance (RADBO) systems, plus an additional three ZEUS® laser neutralization systems, to the U.S. Air Force.

The delivery is part of the company’s 6-year, $51 million contract awarded in 2020. The technology is the first ground-based directed energy weapon system to be approved for production. It has been successfully deployed and tested in Iraq and Afghanistan.

7. We Held Our First In-Person Investor Day At The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Since Our IPO

On Wednesday, March 15^th, we held our first in-person Investor Day at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City since our initial public offering (IPO) in May 2019. Parsons’ executives presented our company’s vision, strategy, key business initiatives, and financial goals.

To check out all of the presentations from the event, please visit our investor day webpage.

8. Parsons Honored As One Of The World’s Most Ethical Companies For The 14th Consecutive Year

For the 14^th consecutive year, we were recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies! Parsons has been recognized every year since 2010. In 2023, 135 honorees were recognized spanning 19 countries and 46 industries.

9. Parsons’ Carey Smith Named Government Contracting Executive Of The Year

Our Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Carey Smith, was recognized as “Executive of the Year” in 2023 at the 21st Annual Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards, where she won the “Executive of the Year, Over $300 Million” category.

Smith joined Parsons in 2016 as President of Federal Solutions, and was successively promoted to COO, and President and COO, prior to being named President and CEO in 2021 and unanimously being elected Chair, President, and CEO in 2022.

“I’m honored to accept this award and share it with the more than 18,000 employees at Parsons,” said Smith. “The leaders recognized with these awards represent the efforts of the talented workforces we have the privilege of leading every day.  At Parsons, our entire team sets out to imagine next in national security and global infrastructure, and this award recognizes their commitment to our customers and to our growth. I couldn’t be prouder to lead such a tremendous team and to be recognized for my part in their success.”

Smith ended the year by appearing on CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange to discuss the company’s historic year.

10. Our Aviation Business Soared To New Heights

2023 was a milestone year for our aviation business! From seamless connections to soaring ambitions, airports are the launchpads of limitless possibilities. We are delivering the smart infrastructure to make them secure and efficient.

Last year, we transformed Terminal A at the Newark Liberty International Airport. We were recognized as “Excellence in Sustainability” and “Award of Merit Airport/Transit” winners by Engineering News Record (ENR) for our work as general contractor and civil engineer for the Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal Redevelopment.

Also in 2023, we won a contract to serve as the lead designer for the JFK International Airport Reconstruction., supporting a $1.24 billion design and reconstruction of John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Central Terminal Area Roadways, Utilities and Ground Transportation Center (GTC) in Queens, New York. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

Finally, we broke ground on two major new airport projects: a cutting-edge terminal in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and a brand-new runway in Raleigh, NC.

The post The Top 10 Parsons Moments of 2023 appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Space and its services no longer only impact the warfighter. With assured position, navigation, and timing, and international data communications now reliant on space assets, threats to commercial, civil, and DoD spacecraft risk disruption to our daily lives. The existing congestion of space, combined with the increasing pace of spacecraft launch, has heightened the competitive nature of space and demand for Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Our ability to monitor, manage, and control space assets is foundational to maintaining U.S. space dominance. However, awareness without context and rapid response capabilities is useless.

The growing number of space, aerial, and ground assets generating data for SDA purposes is beyond the capability of human observers to consume. Currently, information is stored in huge databases for data trending analysis and historical reference. Training operators to see potentially aggressive actions and respond with defensive maneuver plans to avoid conflict is slow, limited in scope, and unsustainable. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to correlate and propagate spacecraft maneuvers provides actionable data and drives automated responses.

The application of AI/ML in SDA allows for active and continuous monitoring of all space assets without requiring hordes of data analysts. AI/ML analyzes commercial and private data feeds for correlation with civil and DoD data to predict the probability of accuracy. This provides weighted accuracy scores for identifying hostile Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) to be correlated with known foreign asset libraries. Given the “high enough” probability of a UAP and observed aggressive maneuvers, the AI/ML algorithm alerts operators of possible hostile action. In parallel, AI/ML produces defensive maneuver plans, schedules antenna time on the next available ground site, and engages DoD assets to perform space-based surveillance of the UAP.

Within minutes of the threat being detected, the U.S. Space Force monitors and tracks custody of the UAP and predicted threatened spacecraft. Operators maintain awareness of the situation through a virtual reality headset with a digital twin of U.S. space assets, projected orbit paths, and critical data synthesized into digestible statuses. The UAP markings, location, size, and radio frequency signature are cross-referenced with the Unified Data Library to identify it as a known hostile asset. All information, plans, and actions are compiled into a report for the next round of international negotiations and discussions.

Enabling the rapid response of the AI/ML algorithm is a Parsons classified cloud-based, scalable Ground Operations Center as a Service (GOCaaS) with humans in the loop for monitoring and approval purposes. GOCaaS uses a repeatable classified architecture to fly commercial, civil, and DoD space assets. Geographically distributed data centers host operational clusters for redundancy and load balancing purposes, while the digital twin and databases are stored in replicated file structures for quick access and recovery.

Our engineers leverage the Agile process to support a DevSecOps approach with a continuous integration/deployment pipeline. Parsons creates this reality through product and service development to preserve and protect our legacy in the stars. We’re leveraging domain knowledge to perform large system integration to develop solutions today for tomorrow’s threats.

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What Is Technical Writing

Professionals in diverse technical fields face the challenge of effectively communicating complex ideas and solutions to individuals with less technical expertise. Technical writing encompasses the process of transforming intricate information into easily understandable content through the use of reports, user manuals, technical solutions, and other mediums.

Our team supports mission customers throughout the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), Maryland Procurement Office (MPO), and more. In our industry, characterized by the technology and solutions we develop, a distinct language has evolved. However, this specialized language does not always translate to individuals outside of this field or to those in programmatic or managerial roles within government organizations. As a consequence, understanding gaps can arise, leading to the loss of critical information due to unexplained acronyms, excessive technical details, or obscure technical jargon.

Due to the nature of BetMGM login appour business, it is highly probable that you will be tasked with creating various technical documents, such as proposals, software/solutions documentation, or contract deliverables. These documents will be shared with our government customers, who may possess varying levels of technical expertise.

Purpose

Once a document or work product has been assigned or initiated, it is important to think about the product’s purpose. What is the point you want to get across? What do you want readers to think about? As you start to write, keep the purpose in mind and attempt to weave it throughout your body of work. If the content does not support the purpose, it should be removed.

Identify The Target Audience

When communicating any type of information, it’s critical to consider your audience. Generally, there are three main audience categories: the “lay” audience, the “managerial” audience (often seen with our government customers), and the “expert” audience:

• Lay Audience – Comprised of individuals without specialized knowledge. If you are unsure which audience is appropriate, default to the lay audience.
• Managerial Audience – May have special knowledge, but requires the right information to make decisions. Many of our government customers will fall into this category.
• Expert Audience – Has the most technical expertise, but may be the most demanding. Documents for this audience will likely be quite technical in nature, and allow for the use of industry-specific language.

Simply Technical Content

A key tenant of technical writing is to ensure technical content is digestible for the average reader, including those who may not have technical expertise. This involves adjusting the vocabulary, providing examples, and carefully selecting the appropriate level of detail. Simplifying not only the technical jargon, but also ensuring the adequacy of the presented information is crucial. The content should include enough relevant details to be effective without overwhelming the audience or being redundant. Incorporating examples or analogies are a great way to explain a technical concept or complex solution.

A valuable approach to ensure adequate language simplification is to conduct a nontechnical peer review or to engage a technical writer for feedback. This reviewer should be someone who is not directly involved in the field or holds a nontechnical role. If the nontechnical reviewer struggles to comprehend the message conveyed, it is likely that the intended audience will encounter similar difficulties. While there may be instances where technical jargon cannot be entirely avoided, it remains crucial to maintain simplicity and conciseness in explanations.

Reduce Or Eliminate Fluff

When writing, it’s natural to be inclined towards adding extensive details and vivid imagery, as often encountered in recreational reading. However, in the context of our work, it is unnecessary and can hinder the understanding of technical content. When discussing technical solutions or products, it is advisable to keep the language straightforward and concise. Avoid using unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. While these embellishments may enhance a New York Times Best Seller, they are not the appropriate approach for technical documentation in our field.

Pro Tips

While there are plenty of writing tips on the Internet, here are a few to get you started:

• Pictures – The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds true, especially when it comes to explaining complex system overviews or difficult concepts. Visual aids, such as diagrams or illustrations, can be immensely helpful. Visual learners, in particular, find it easier to comprehend challenging concepts when accompanied by a visual aid.
• Analogies and Examples – Complex ideas can be communicated effectively through the use of analogies. This involves using real-world equivalents the audience will easily recognize. Examples are a great approach to making content understandable to lay or managerial audiences.
• Voice – There are two popular types of “voice” in writing – Active and Passive. Active voice is conversational and is typically easier to follow. Passive voice is often more formal and can, at times, make writing dense. Passive voice is fairly common within Government writing.
• Review – Request a nontechnical review from someone who shares a similar level of understanding as the target audience. This could be a technical writer or someone within your organization’s Program Management Office (PMO).
• Focus on the End User – Often times, our customer’s end users will scan the content provided and look for information that is easy to digest and is relevant to their needs. It’s critical to explain the “why.”
• Expand Acronyms – Acronyms should be expanded on first use in every document.

Here, we often support government customers. The language we use within the contracting and technical fields differs from the styles used in academia orthe media. Your document may not follow the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the Chicago Manual of Style but instead may follow the Department of Defense’s Style Guide. At the end of the day, the most important things to remember are your purpose and your audience.

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Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) has been making waves in various industries, and architectural design is no exception. Gen-AI has the potential to revolutionize how architects approach design challenges and create innovative solutions. With more than 1,000 Gen-AI platforms and models available, and more to come, our team has tested and explored more than 50 in past-and-current live projects to compare the time and resources gained versus traditional methods. The results are in, and Gen-AI is significantly advantageous.

Gen-AI is a machine learning (ML) technology that transforms new ideas or designs based on a set of input parameters and constraints. In architectural design, this means that Gen-AI can be used to explore design options quickly and efficiently, allowing architects to think outside of the box, considering more possibilities than they would be able to with traditional methods – without being limited by time or resources.

One of the key benefits of Generative AI in architectural design is its ability to optimize designs for specific criteria or constraints. For example, an architect could use Gen-AI to explore different options for a building’s energy efficiency or structural stability. By inputting specific parameters such as materials, site conditions, and budget constraints into the algorithm, Gen-AI can generate multiple design options that meet those requirements (e.g. establishing the column numbers in a parking garage structure)..

Fig. 1: Spacio – Buildings that are measurable, comparable, and self-aware.

Gen-AI also has the potential to improve collaboration between architects and other stakeholders involved in a project. By generating multiple options based on specific criteria or constraints, architects can present their clients with a range of possibilities that meet their needs while also considering other factors such as sustainability goals or community impact.

However, there are also some challenges associated with using Generative AI in architectural design. One challenge is ensuring that the generated designs are feasible from an engineering perspective. While Gen-AI can generate many different design options quickly, it may not always consider practical considerations such as structural integrity or construction feasibility.

Another challenge is ensuring that the generated designs meet aesthetic standards and align with an architect’s vision for a project. While Gen-AI can help generate new ideas quickly, it may not always produce designs that align with an architect’s artistic vision.

These challenges mean while we may tap Generative AI for assistance, we cannot rely on it wholly for outcomes. In partnership with architects and engineers, Gen-AI is an excellent tool to spur creativity and unlock the art of the possible.

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it’s likely that we will see even more applications of Generative AI in architectural design in the future. From optimizing energy efficiency to improving collaboration between stakeholders on complex projects – there are endless possibilities when it comes to using this powerful technology in architecture.

Digital art is another field being transformed by Gen-AI. One of the most exciting applications of Gen-AI in digital art is text-to-image generation, which allows computers betmgm live dealer gameto generate images based on textual descriptions.

Fig. 2: Digital Blue Foam (DBF Engine)

ChatGPT took the world by storm in the fall of 2022 – is there anyone left who has never heard of it? Most of those aware of ChatGPT, whether they have tested it out or just heard about it in passing, understand it as a “text-to-text” tool. A user asks ChatGPT a question by typing it into a field, and ChatGPT replies with a text answer.

Text-to-image generation is different and involves training a machine learning model on large datasets of images and their corresponding textual descriptions. The model then uses this information to generate new images based on textual input.

One example of text-to-image generation is the BigGAN model developed by researchers at Google. This model can generate high-resolution images from textual descriptions with remarkable accuracy, producing realistic-looking images that are difficult to distinguish from real photographs.

Another example is DALL-E, a project by OpenAI that can generate highly detailed and complex images from textual prompts. For example, if given the prompt “an armchair in the shape of an avocado,” DALL-E can generate an image of exactly that – an armchair shaped like an avocado.

Fig 3: An avocado armchair generated by DALL-E. Image generated by OpenAI

Fig 4: Building variations using Text-to-Image with detailed prompt: “The public building is a modern architectural masterpiece in the heart of the city. It features clean lines and glass facades, designed by Zaha Hadid. The building is surrounded by bustling city centers, vibrant squares, and a lively urban landscape. The streets are filled with cars and people, creating a dynamic and realistic atmosphere.” Images generated by Parsons Corp.

One potential benefit of text-to-image generation within the field of architecture design is its ability to democratize digital art creation by reducing barriers to entry. With text-to-image generation tools becoming more accessible and user-friendly, artists without extensive technical skills can create higher-quality digital art with ease. This breakthrough has the potential to streamline the design process for clients and architects, allowing both to bring concepts to life faster than ever before.

We are embracing this technology and is using the LookX.AI platform that specializes in developing Generative AI applications for visual content creation. One of their most exciting applications is text-to-image generation, which allows users to generate high-quality images from textual descriptions.

Fig 5. Frank Gehry beach house variations from LookX.ai – images generated by Parsons Corp.

The LookX.AI text-to-image application uses deep learning algorithms to analyze textual descriptions and generate corresponding images. The application can be used for a wide range of purposes, including creating product images, illustrations for books or magazines, or even generating photorealistic artwork.

One of the key benefits of the LookX.AI text-to-image application is its ability to generate high-quality images quickly and efficiently. This allows users to create visual content at a much faster pace than traditional methods while also reducing costs.

Fig. 6: Aircraft hangar using a detailed prompt from LookX.ai. Images generated by Parsons Corp.

Another benefit of the LookX.AI text-to-image application is its ability to customize generated images based on specific requirements or preferences. Users can input specific parameters such as color schemes, image size, or style preferences into the application, which then generates images that meet those criteria.

The LookX.AI text-to-image application represents a significant step forward for visual content creation by enabling users to create high-quality imagery quickly and efficiently while also pushing boundaries beyond what was previously possible using traditional methods.

For 3D applications, our team is evaluating a plugin within Autodesk Revit that allow this time text-to-3D Model using prompts and styles to generate high-definition images. This tool has developed the possibility to select a portion of the image and with a new prompt render that selection only. We can then side-by-side offer different shape, materials, and styles in the context of the project.

The next big thing in architecture design will be to generate architectural details based on prompts of building specifications that will allow us to gain a significant amount of time in our digital delivery process.

Generative AI represents a significant step forward for architectural design by enabling faster exploration of more complex possibilities while optimizing designs for specific performance metrics. As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace within the architecture industry, Gen-AI will continue revolutionizing how we approach designing buildings.

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Base commanders responsible for security, aviation authorities, utility operators, law enforcement, and others with security and infrastructure responsibilities all confront challenges arising from intentional actors seeking to cause damage or exploit a situation and careless or clueless actors who, although not intending to cause issues, present risks to people and infrastructure. Detecting, tracking, identifying, and mitigating these threats is a constant battle that requires agile solution development and extensive testing and validation, which is why the Center’s key location and expanding footprint and capabilities make our team the ideal C-UAS solutions provider.

Key Location

At our Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Center of Excellence, located in Summit Point, West Virginia, innovation begins with the unique location of our facility. One hour from the Washington, D.C. area and beyond national capital region drone flight restrictions, the Center is remote enough to allow for testing and integration of radar and radio frequency (RF) detection and mitigation capabilities. This location enables our team and our partners to integrate and test solutions without the scheduling and logistics challenges associated with using one of the national ranges. By combining the test and integration facilities in a common location, our engineers can rapidly iterate on solutions to some of the unique challenges of C-UAS and present them to customers.

Expanding Footprint To Expand Solutions

There is no “one size fits all” solution to the C-UAS challenges faced by our customers. The combination of different threats and differences in mission, environment, and customer authorities, combined with the rapid evolution of UAS and C-UAS technologies, requires a flexible “system of systems” approach to developing solutions. Expanding the C-UAS Center of Excellence with a second integration and test range and a Technology Integration Center (TIC) that includes the modeling and simulation capabilities of our Digital Threat, Testing, and Training Environment (DT3E) meets this need.

New Integration and Test Range

The new integration and test range will support both the C-UAS mission and a broader installation and perimeter security mission with the ability to install, integrate, and test a variety of sensors, including ground vibration, tethered drones for aerial surveillance, and specialized cameras for intruder detection. We can also operate Group 1 and Small Group 2 UAS, along with both manned and unmanned ground vehicles and human elements against a variety of C-UAS sensors and effectors including radars, cameras, and RF sensors from both Parsons and current and future strategic vendor partners. The new range will support the integration and testing of novel UAS and UGS sensors being developed by our team for missions including search and rescue, surveillance, perimeter security, and access control. 

Technology Integration Center

The TIC includes a state-of-the-art command center and a micro BetMGM Casino loginmanufacturing and integration lab. The command center will have access to data from sensors on the range and the digital twin simulated sensors from our DT3E capability. The simulated digital environment enables us to model actual installations for planning and CONOPS/TTP development, operator training, and system familiarization in the context of actual deployed environments. In addition, the center’s software development and integration capabilities will be used to continue expanding both our sensor integration and advanced multi-modal AI/ML-based object detection, classification, and tracking capabilities. The micro-manufacturing facility will enable us to continue the development and production of specialized UAS and vehicle payloads for our customers.

The flexibility of the Summit Point location combined with our infrastructure investments enables our team to stay at the forefront of C-UAS technology innovation and to develop and integrate unique solutions to meet the distinct needs of our customers.

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I never thought of myself as a ‘technical’ person. I was more comfortable designing brochures, writing social media posts, and creating marketing videos. But after 15 years working in marketing and communications, I closed that door of my career when I had my son. I wanted to be closer to him and my husband, who had just begun his new career as our city’s mayor. Taking a purchasing job at a local factory wasn’t exactly the role I wanted, but being close to my family was more important than my career.

While there, I wrote work instructions, policies, and reports, and designed user’s manuals, learning modules, databases, and other documentation. These tasks made me feel reenergized, and I discovered I had stumbled on a new career path: technical communication.

Being Part Of Security Innovation

With 82% of security breaches involving social attacks, errors, and misuse, our Business Information Security Office (BISO) knew a critical component to protecting our network is employee security communications, awareness, and education. I joined the BISO team to develop and lead BISO Outreach, working directly with employees to advocate for stronger security practices.

Although the BISO is commonly a singular role in the cybersecurity industry, our Security Operations (SecOps) team took this idea and spun it into an entire office. This approach arms BISO advisors with the knowledge of each business group’s unique goals, methods, and workstreams. By providing this information during security initiatives’ early development stages, our SecOps team has more insight on how to develop security for, and deploy it to, the business.

Using Technical Communication To ‘Translate Cyber’

Technical communication is more than technical writing; it is a user-centered approach to providing the right information, in the right way, at the right time to make someone’s life easier and more productive (Society for Technical Communication).

Technical communicators are information architects, instructional designers, usability and human factor professionals, visual designers, e-learning developers, and more.

While developing BISO Outreach, I added graphic design and storytelling elements to our security presentations and Workplace campaigns. By translating ‘cyber,’ security threats were now easier for our employees to understand. After the first year of implementing technical communication techniques, we saw a steep decline in category 5a noncompliance cases because our employees had a better understanding of the role they play in security. We also saw an increase in user interaction and comment rates on our Security 360 Workplace page. Because of our success, my team grew to three and matured into BISO UX (User Experience). We now have three new technical communication strategies: User Persona Development & Analysis, Security User Behavior & Trend Analysis, and Security & Usability Metric Analysis.

Being A Part Of Women In Cybersecurity

I ended my second year with Parsons as an official cybersecurity subject matter expert (SME) by being selected to present at a national security conference. In August 2023, I presented Instructions Not Included: Technical Communicators Rewrite How Security Speaks Cyber to thousands of people at the SANS Security Awareness Summitt in Las Vegas, NV. Furthering my place in cybersecurity, I was also selected to be a part of Women in Cybersecurity’s (WiCyS) Speaker Spotlight Program. WiCyS is a global community of women, allies, and advocates who are dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity. Through their partnership with Innovation Women, they help female cybersecurity professionals gain speaking opportunities in the cybersecurity arena.

I’m also working with the Society for Technical Communication’s webinar program where I’ll have the opportunity to present and raise awareness of the work we are doing in the BISO UX group at Parsons.

It’s unfortunate that only 14% of the cybersecurity workforce is comprised of women. Moving farther up the ladder of those 14%, 1% are in senior leadership positions (The Importance of Women in Cybersecurity, Utica University). But Parsons has given me the opportunity to use my technical communication talents to innovate the way we ‘speak cyber.’ There are not a lot of cybersecurity departments that focus solely on communication – across the board. My area of the BISO constitutes 100% technical communication, which encompasses communication, education, and the user experience.

Looking to the future, I’m excited to leverage opportunities that raise the level of the “technical communicator” role at Parsons and for the overall industry.

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Watering Our Roots

To move forward, you sometimes must first look backward. For the engineers, technical writers, and scientists in Parsons Federal Solutions, research is the necessary key for success in the protection of our nation’s cyber security. Understanding where an organization has come from is inherent in helping to define its future. Many of the Parsons employees in the Federal Solutions directorate are contractors for the National Security Agency, Central Security Service (NSA/CSS). While NSA was founded in 1952, we can trace the code making and code breaking to the Cable and Telegraph Section, U.S. Army cryptographic section of military intelligence (known as MI-8) back to 1917 during the First World War.  In 1919, after WWI, the government established the Cipher Bureau (known as the Black Chamber), which focused on private sector cryptology, producing codes for business use and code breaking of diplomatic communications. Jointly funded by the Army and the State Department, the organization worked under the disguise name “New York City Commercial Code Company.” Despite the Chamber’s initial successes, it was shut down in 1929 by the U.S. Secretary of State and went on to become the Signal Intelligence Service (SIS), with the specific orders to intercept and decipher the Axis powers communications during WWII.

Breaking Purple

At the negotiations for the Washington Naval Treaty in 1922, the American Black Chamber broke Japanese diplomatic communications codes.  When this information became known publicly, there was considerable pressure to improve Japanese signals security. The Japanese prototype cipher machine was finally completed as the “Type 91 Typewriter” in 1931. The Type 91 was a Roman-letter model and was used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a “Type A betmgm live dealer gameCipher Machine,” codenamed “Red” by American cryptanalysts.

The Japanese completed the next generation “Type 97 Typewriter” in 1937. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs machine was the “Type B betmgm live dealer gameCipher Machine,” codenamed “Purple” by American cryptanalysts. On June 1, 1939, the Japanese introduced what American cryptanalysts called “JN–25.” JN stands for Japanese Navy and this machine eventually consisted of about 33,000 words, phrases, and letters. It was the primary code the Japanese used to send military messages, as opposed to diplomatic messages. As a top U.S. priority, American cryptanalysts decrypted and translated Japan’s 14-part message to its Washington embassy to discontinue negotiations with the United States at 1 p.m., Washington time, on December 7, 1941, before the Japanese Embassy in Washington had done so. At the time this message was sent and decrypted, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Perhaps the most dramatic success that resulted from breaking the Japanese naval code was the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Japanese Commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, best known for his role as the commander of the attack on Pearl Harbor, planned to assemble an aircraft carrier task force and launch a diversionary raid off of the Aleutian Islands. This diversion was planned in order to lure the U.S. Navy to Midway Island and into a decisive battle that would destroy the remainder of the American fleet after the attack on Pearl Harbor. From decrypted messages, the U.S. Naval commanders knew the general plan, and even the timetable. The messages, however, did not say where the Japanese intended to strike; the target was simply designated “AF.” Suspecting that “AF” was Midway Island, the U.S. sent a radio message saying “that Midway was running short of fresh water.” Codebreakers intercepted a Japanese message confirming that “AF was running short of fresh water.” Knowing that the assault was to come at Midway, the U.S. Navy was prepared for the surprise attack. On June 4, 1942, after a fierce three-day battle, U.S. pilots sank all four Japanese aircraft carriers in Yamamoto’s task force, which had been used six months before to attack the U.S. military bases at Pearl Harbor. This effectively turned the tide of the war in the Pacific.

In the wake of the Battle of Midway, codebreakers learned that Admiral Yamamoto was scheduled to inspect a naval base in Bougainville in the Solomon Islands on April 18, 1943. That morning, 18 U.S. P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft, flying from their base at Guadalcanal, intercepted Admiral Yamamoto’s aircraft as it made its approach and Yamamoto lost his life. This was a direct result of a decrypted message.

Admiral Yamamoto was killed in the attack, depriving Japan of one its most experienced and accomplished leaders, ultimately lowering Japanese wartime morale. To maintain the fiction that the fighters had arrived by chance, the air force flew other patrols in the area, both before and after the attack. The Japanese continued use of JN–25, allowing U.S. intelligence to intercept and de-decipher thousands of Japanese messages for the remainder of the war.

Defending The Future

Moving forward 80 years, Parsons Federal Solutions employees are actively supporting the United States Government and the NSA with the most up-to-date tools and resources to support signals intelligence and cyber solutions, intertwining lessons learned and applying them to solutions needed.

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