Defense Systems

Netherlands to join WGS program to boost military bandwidth

The Netherlands is planning to join the Wideband Global Satcom program to boost its military satellite communications capacity.

Defense Systems

Air Force's Blue Devil airship undergoes testing

The Air Force is running tests on its optionally manned, giant airship Blue Devil Block 2 in preparation for deployment in Afghanistan by the middle of next year.

Defense Systems

Budget cuts might result in shrinking Army troop levels

Two top officials acknowledged that the Army is going to need to rethink its strategy and force structure amid budgetary uncertainty.

Defense Systems

US armed drones struck by tenacious computer virus

Unmanned aerial vehicles flown remotely over Afghanistan and other areas have been struck by a computer virus that logs pilots' keystrokes.

Defense Systems

How the iPhone 4S reaps benefits of defense research

The iPhone's voice assistant is another example of how innovations funded by the defense establishment often find their way into every-day use by civilians.

Defense Systems

Full-motion video proves boon to intell gathering

Full-motion video from unmanned aircraft systems has proved a tremendous benefit to intelligence gathering in war zones.

Defense Systems

Brits in Afghanistan have high praise for low-tech drones

Although the dominant intelligence story line for British forces in Afghanistan is the transition from the Hermes 450 to the Watchkeeper tactical unmanned aircraft system, the frontline troops are particularly keen on low-tech UAS platforms tailored to support specific missions.

Defense Systems

2011 AUSA to offer insight into Army’s future force strength

The 2011 Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition will be held Oct. 10-12, and Defense Systems staff will be on site to furnish timely and comprehensive coverage of presentations by top Defense Department and Army civilian and military officials.

Defense Systems

Army debuts slimmer Nett Warrior 'phone'

The Army's Nett Warrior system undergoes a radical facelift with much of the old equipment eliminated for newer technology.

Defense Systems

Army pushes for shared, multiple-intelligence capabilities

Projects such as the Army's Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle are proving how the military's information sharing can benefit intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Defense Systems

Army presses forward with command post modernization

General Dynamics C4 Systems has won a two-year contract with a maximum potential value of $78 million for the continued development and enhancement of the Command Post of the Future system.

Defense Systems

Private sector must heed new warning of grid vulnerabilities

To date, only modest movement has been detected to address the urgent need required to protect the power and smart grid from cyber espionage.

Defense Systems

Coast Guard's Deepwater faces 'unachievable' goals: GAO

The Coast Guard faces some hard choices on its $24 billion Deepwater asset acquisition program, a GAO official told a House subcommittee.

Defense Systems

Advances in satellite terminals improve their reliability

Very-small-aperture terminals used for battlefield communications are now smaller, easier to use and more reliable.

Defense Systems

Unmanned K-Max ships out for Afghanistan

The Navy has picked the K-Max helicopter built jointly by Kaman Aerospace and Lockheed Martin for testing under battlefield conditions in Afghanistan to determine whether unmanned aircraft systems are suitable for transporting supplies around the battlefield.

Defense Systems

Lynn: Budget dilemma won't stop cyber warfare ramp up

Despite a major reduction in spending Defense official says the development of cyber warfare and long-range strike capabilities won't be compromised.

Defense Systems

Army, Marines to test 'throwable' robots in Afghanistan

The Defense Department is in the process of responding to a joint urgent operational needs statement for an ultra-llght recon robot capable of supporting dismounted operations in Afghanistan.

Defense Systems

Navy seeks industry input for NGEN contract

The Navy wants to open up a dialogue with industry before releasing final RFP.

Defense Systems

Rosenbach to head DOD cyber programs

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta appointed Oct. 4 former Senate staffer and private security consultant Eric Rosenbach to lead defense cyber programs.

Defense Systems

Army wants more efficiency out of quick-reaction capabilities

Army Brig. Gen. Harold "Harry" Greene, program executive officer for intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors, discusses sensors, the Distributed Common Ground System-Army, cloud computing and fiscal responsibilities.