Defense Systems

Air Force adopts softer touch toward exhausted drone pilots

The month-long Culture and Process Improvement Program aims to improve quality of life and conditions for Predator and Reaper pilots.

Defense Systems

Air Force looks to boost its EW capabilities

As U.S. falls behind in electronic warfare capabilities, AFRL is looking for as kit to test new prototypes.

Defense Systems

Army plans to 'revamp' Gray Eagle's data link

The service is looking to expand the drone’s communications capability, with an eye toward manned-unmanned missions.

Defense Systems

DARPA awards $7.9 million deal for spectrum sharing work

Leidos will execute Phase 2 of the SSPARC program, which looks to allow radar and communications systems share bandwidth.

Defense Systems

Fears rising over traffic jam in space

The commercial satellite industry is increasingly worried about space junk and lack of accurate warnings from DOD satellite trackers.

Defense Systems

DISA's new cyber HQ starting to branch out

The agency's Joint Force Headquarters is intended to take some of the defensive pressure off of the U.S. Cyber Command.

Defense Systems

OPM, DOD to spend up to $330M on ID protection

The 21.5 million people affected by the hack of OPM databases will receive up to three years of credit monitoring and identity services.

Defense Systems

Danzig: Analog has value in countering cyber threats

The former Navy secretary recommends some unconventional approaches to help meet the cybersecurity challenge. Quantum encryption? Not so much.

Defense Systems

DISA raises the limit on support deal with Microsoft

The modification to the contract for Blue Badge Cardholder support brings the total to $575 million.

Defense Systems

The Air Force brings the B-52 into the digital age

With Boeing's CONECT communications system, the venerable bomber goes from 'a rotary-dial phone to a smartphone.'

Defense Systems

DARPA's Gremlins could cut the costs of attack drones

The program would employ cheap UAS that would be launched from a plane, carry out their missions and then drone home.

Defense Systems

Creative simulations help test new weather radar

The Air Force is testing updates for C-5 Galaxy color weather radars using the salvaged cockpit of a downed C-5 as a simulator.

Defense Systems

DOD, Silicon Valley to partner on flexible electronics

The $171 million initiative will be led by the FlexTech Alliance, a consortium of 162 companies, universities, and non-profits.

Defense Systems

DARPA awards second deal for Phase II of ALIAS

Aurora Flight Sciences also will work on Phase II, which aims to add autonomous capabilities to helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Defense Systems

Special Operations looking for additional UAS, training

The command recently issued a solicitation for at least three small UAS to be accompanied with training personnel in operation.

Defense Systems

Oshkosh grabs huge armored vehicle contract

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will replace vulnerable Humvees on the battlefield, after the Army awarded a $6.7 billion deal that could eventually grow to $30 billion.

Defense Systems

Study: Air Force embedded systems face significant cyber risks

According to a recent briefing to senior Air Force officials by the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, embedded systems face vulnerabilities, and the service doesn’t have the expertise to counter them.

Defense Systems

Army units' new Raven cameras see better than a hawk

Selected units recently received and tested 360-degree cameras with built-in infrared capabilities for their small UAS.

Defense Systems

Air Force looks to get the MOAST out of open architectures

A new program wants to build on emerging open architecture standards to allow for faster upgrades of manned and unmanned systems.

Defense Systems

Navy's Fire Scout drone copter sets endurance record

The MQ-8C Fire Scout recently showed extended endurance and range for ISR, rescue and other missions.