US Navy to pay $1M to make Android more secure • Hacker News Board

Re: US Navy to pay $1M to make Android more secure

#51

Post by jedc » Fri, Apr 26, 2013, 8:56 AM UTC

mpyne wrote: post #41

jedc wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's very little space on board a submarine. If the Navy was willing/interested in putting paper-based workflows onto Android devices, it could save a good amount of physical space on board.

I just don't see the phone-sized form factor working too well. Maybe for taking log readings or simple lineups shifts it would be nice, but anything beyond that is either going to require SUBSAFE certification (e.g. fly-by-wire interfacing) or need to be tablet-sized or larger (e.g. running DC Central or looking up operating procedures). And God only forbid you drop one of those mobiles in the bilge...

Like the other commenter, I think the opportunity is more for tablets, too.

There are just so damn many things that need to be logged and tracked on paper and that don't have anything to do with [reactor operations, SUBSAFE, emergency/DC procedures]. If you can reduce the stacks of binders and/or manuals, and also improve process compliance, it would be well worth the effort.

Re: US Navy to pay $1M to make Android more secure

#52

Post by cjones99 » Fri, Apr 26, 2013, 12:15 PM UTC

brucehart wrote: post #30

The Navy has an SBIR solicitation out for this topic, but it does not necessarily mean that it is going to put up $1MM. Phase I funding is small (less than $100k per award) and sometimes no Phase II contracts are awarded for a topic. Of course, the Navy could also spend much more than $1MM if they decide to fund multiple Phase IIs (also not uncommon). It really depends on the results they see during Phase I and the i…

The average is for them to fund 2-5 Phase 1 awards at $150K and then 1-2 Phase II awards of $1MM each based on the most promising of the Phase I. Given recent changes to the SBIR program, note that Phase I SBIRs can now be for $150K and Phase IIs at $1MM.

It can happen, but is rare, that they would fund nothing on a topic in the solicitation.

And as you say, compelling results out of the SBIR work can lead to follow-on work that is >> $1MM.

The short of it is, the Navy is interested in this topic, and if you have a small tech business with innovative ideas in this space there is a great funding opportunity here for you to advance your tech and grow your business.

Re: US Navy to pay $1M to make Android more secure

#53

Post by cjones99 » Fri, Apr 26, 2013, 12:19 PM UTC

samspenc wrote: post #15

Why doesn't Google apply? :) They get $1 million to improve Android security - and they can just do it and integrate it into the next release for everyone!

The SBIR program is the largest Federal source of non-dilutive seed-stage funding available. The program is highly competitive, but this funding is available exclusively to small (e.g., The intent of the program is to drive technology development and new business creation and spur innovation in areas to meet identified national needs (in this case a need by the Navy).