Defense Dept. Launches ‘Innovation Marketplace’

The Department of Defense on Thursday launched a new solicitations website, Defense Innovation Marketplace, designed to allow contractors to bid on “big data” projects worth $250 million in government investment annually. So far, about 30 project solicitations have been listed on the website, including an exoskeleton designed to minimize wear and tear on soldiers in battle (“Warror Web”), a rapid image IDing (facial recognition?) tool for “badguys'” photos, and an automated landing system to get aircraft safely back on aircraft carriers in all types of weather.