Defense Systems
'Fake' Internet would prepare soldiers for real-world social media
The U.S. Army North Exercise Media Web Portal would mimic the look and functionality of the Web, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other sites for scenario-based training.
Defense Systems
'Battle kites' latest in fixed aerial surveillance concepts
The U.S. military is testing high-tech "battle kites" as a way to provide aerial communications and surveillance support for forward operating bases in war zones too small to support large aerostats.
Defense Systems
Handling UAVs on crowded Navy carriers poses major challenge
As the Navy prepares to introduce its robotic jet-powered warplanes to the decks of its aircraft carriers in mid-2013, it must reassess how it choreographs the delicate dance of people, vehicles, and manned and unmanned aircraft in a highly dangerous environment.
Defense Systems
DISA's Defense Connect Online Web app goes mobile
A DOD desktop-based tool that lets users set up and join meetings on the go is available as a mobile app for Android smart phones and tablets.
Defense Systems
US economic security threatened by Chinese cyber espionage
China is likely to remain an aggressive and a capable collector of sensitive U.S. economic information and technologies, says a DOD report.
Defense Systems
Army estimates NIE drives $6B savings
The Army calculates that its semi-annual Network Integration Evaluation has produced $6 billion in savings through the cancellation of poorly performing systems that fall short of objectives.
Defense Systems
NSA certifies JTRS wideband networking waveform radio
The National Security Agency has certified the Joint Tactical Radio System's Ground Mobile Radio system for use by warfighters.
Defense Systems
Nett Warrior lives on at third NIE
If you can't make calls on it, what good is a smart phone? Well, it's marvelous for a host of other tasks.
Defense Systems
3 Navy ships to get microwave-based WWAN in 2012
The Navy plans to install microwave-based wireless wide area networks on three ships by the end of 2012 as an initial step to give the fleet sufficient bandwidth to support smart phones.
Defense Systems
Military radio competition heats up as lawmakers intervene
The introduction of a bipartisan amendment to the House Armed Services Committee's defense authorization markup caused a short-lived dustup recently when it sought to bar the Army and Navy from procuring tactical radio systems that depend on proprietary waveforms.
Defense Systems
Cargo robots might be up for Afghan tour-of-duty extension
Four Lockheed Martin Squad Mission Support System unmanned ground vehicles might have their Afghan tour of duty extended for a second time in 2012.
Defense Systems
Air Mobility Command on prowl for handheld, touch-screen devices
The Air Mobility Command wants industry input on handheld, touch screen-controlled devices with which it might equip its personnel, according to a request for information.
Defense Systems
Nato summit: Turkey pressures US to sell armed UAVs
President Barack Obama's administration favors selling armed unmanned aerial vehicles to Turkey but faces formidable opposition from Congress on the matter, Turkish president Abdullah Gul told reporters at the NATO Summit.
Defense Systems
Unconquered territory: DOD searches for ways to deploy mobile devices at the tactical edge
The Defense Department has launched a number of mobile device programs, but the devil is in the details when it comes to deploying handhelds past the wire.
Defense Systems
White House, not JCS, to coordinate terrorist targets for UAV strikes
White House counterterror Chief John Brennan will coordinate discussions as to which terrorist leaders will be the targets of armed unmanned aircraft strikes, signaling an important change from previous arrangements in which the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff initiated the discussion with other agencies.
Defense Systems
DOD achieves record throughput in WGS bandwidth test
Defense Department researchers were able to transmit a 1.3 gigabits/sec carrier signal through the Wideband Global Satcom constellation Hawaii facility in a test designed to determine the full capability that the next-gen satellites can provide to warfighters around the globe.
Defense Systems
New northern cyber division has threefold mission
The new Joint Cyber Center includes members from the intelligence, operations, and command and control divisions, and a team from the U.S. Cyber Command.
Defense Systems
China hard at work on offensive cyber weapons
China continues to develop cyber weapons that it is using to carry out computer network intrusions and data theft activities around the globe, according to an annual DOD report.
Defense Systems
NATO inks $1.7B deal for Block 40 Global Hawks
NATO officials have signed a $1.7 billion contract with Northrop Grumman for five Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles that the alliance plans to use for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Defense Systems