Defense Systems

Navy, Boeing demo satcom for F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft

The Navy and Boeing recently wrapped up an in-flight demonstration of a satellite communications system that potentially would enable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrews to conduct two-way voice and data communications with SATCOM-enabled air, sea and land command centers.

Defense Systems

'Legislative pessimism' could kill cybersecurity legislation

Cybersecurity Act of 2012 co-sponsor and Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said June 12 that "legislative pessimism" might sabotage comprehensive cybersecurity legislation, resulting in no action on the pressing matter in an election year.

Defense Systems

Sandia opens new facility dedicated to cybersecurity research

Sandia National Laboratories cut the ribbon June 12 on a new laboratory that will provide a setting for assisting cybersecurity professionals locally and across the nation as they work on critical cyber research issues.

Defense Systems

Intelsat plans major satellite fleet enhancement

Intelsat S.A. plans to enhance its satellite fleet and global terrestrial network by installing a new commercial satellite platform built on a high-performance, open-architecture design.

Defense Systems

Senate instructs DOD to keep close tabs on network flow data records

The Defense Department needs to improve its ability to gather and analyze network flow data records.

Defense Systems

Navy to unveil first MQ-4C, stays course after UAV crash

The Navy and contractor Northrop Grumman will unveil the first production version of its MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle June 14 despite the recent crash of one of its demonstrators on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Defense Systems

Wireless rechargers would make powering up simpler for soldiers

Army researchers are working diligently to develop a way for troops to wirelessly recharge all of the location and communications gear they wear into battle by outfitting them with wireless chargers.

Defense Systems

Harris unveils new high-frequency tactical radio

Harris has introduced a wideband, high-frequency manpack radio that offers data rates 10 times greater than existing HF manpacks.

Defense Systems

Throwable robot can eavesdrop on enemy conversations

Recon Robotics' Throwbot XT micro-robot is now outfitted with a microphone for audio intelligence to supplement its video intelligence capabilities for warfighters.

Defense Systems

Flame, Stuxnet share something very interesting in common

Cybersecurity expert Alexander Gostev of Kaspersky Labs says that his company has identified a similarity between a subset of the code used in the Flame virus and another set of code used in an early version of Stuxnet.

Defense Systems

Open systems vital to new defense era

As the Defense Department seeks to reduce the number of new, major programs and focus on more frequent technology refreshes, open-systems architectures will enable straightforward integration of new capabilities.

Defense Systems

Army moves forward with competition for passive RFID

The Army has issued a request for proposals for Passive Radio Frequency Identification II products and services.

Defense Systems

Marines explore unmanned choppers for ship-to-shore resupply

The Marine Corps has issued a request for information seeking ideas for unmanned, vertical lift ship-to-shore resupply.

Defense Systems

Large Navy UAV crashes on Maryland's Eastern Shore

A large unmanned aircraft operated by the Navy crashed June 11 on Maryland's eastern shore.

Defense Systems

What, no conferences? Service chiefs to review all upcoming events

The Defense Department has ordered an immediate freeze on all conferences and related travel in an effort to cut down on travel costs.

Defense Systems

Military looking for a new class of cyber weapons

The U.S. government has accelerated the development of a new class of weaponry.

Defense Systems

Auditors recommend critical review of military draft

The Selective Service System, which would administer a military draft if needed, hasn't been reevaluated in nearly 20 years, according to a GAO report.

Defense Systems

Air Force longs to forget it ever wanted Blue Devil airship

The Air Force is getting read to put the Blue Devil 2 airship into permanent storage.

Defense Systems

Comms overhaul to ballistic missile warning system in home stretch

Air Force squadron conducted challenging upgrade to ballistic missile warning communications system while maintaining 100 percent reliability throughout a six-year project.

Defense Systems

Former officials call on Senate to act promptly on cyber legislation

A group of former Pentagon, Homeland Security and intelligence officials have written the Senate's Democratic and Republican leaders urging them to bring cybersecurity legislation to the floor as soon as possible.