Defense Systems

Army smart-phone efforts face uphill battle

Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Army's new chief of staff, appears to be a keen supporter of the service's plans to continue exploring wide distribution of smart phones, but such an initiative would face serious budget challenges.

Defense Systems

Ka-band satellite constellation to benefit military forces

Inmarsat's new constellation of communications satellites will offer military and civilian users improved broadband wide-area network service.

Defense Systems

DISA cuts ribbon on new headquarters at Fort Meade

The new headquarters of the Defense Information Systems Agency is now officially open for business following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held April 15 on the grounds of Fort Meade, Md.

Defense Systems

Army to consider iPhone brain for networked soldier kit

Army program officials will explore if a smart phone might be the best solution for the computing device that serves as the "brain" for the Nett Warrior slated for production around June.

Defense Systems

Coast Guard's elevated acquisition budget intensifies challenges

The Coast Guard acquisition unit might be setting itself up for disappointment because of its unrealistic forecast of a jump in available procurement dollars, a GAO official testified.

Defense Systems

Wartime panel, industry group trade salvos over investigation approach

Criticism of wartime contracting reform comes as officials seek lessons from nongovernmental organizations on their contingency operations.

Defense Systems

New review board to combat naval contract fraud

Charges of alleged bribery of a public official in connection with a kickback scandal involving millions of dollars in Navy funds have prompted the creation of a contract review board.

Defense Systems

Obama's austere budget calls for deeper cuts to defense

Defense spending will face significant squeezing just like the rest of the federal government, according to President Obama, but DOD officials question where to make further cuts.

Defense Systems

Cyber dominance requires strong leadership

With Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen leaving soon, the Defense Department must find replacements capable of providing the leadership necessary to navigate the new hybrid environment of cyber warfare.

Defense Systems

Navy awards contract for bomb-disposal robots

The Navy has awarded iRobot Corp. a $230 million contract to provide its PackBot man-transportable robotic system and support services for explosive ordnance disposal missions.

Defense Systems

Navy subs to get tactical updates through Deep Siren

An acoustic communications system is allowing U.S. Navy submarines to receive tactical data while submerged.

Defense Systems

New bill pushes for more oversight on intell programs

Program officers would have to tell the director of national intelligence about their IT projects before they could spend money if a new spending bill becomes law.

Defense Systems

Air Force to expand mission of missile defense satellite

The Air Force's troubled infrared missile detection satellite can be used to gather intelligence.

Defense Systems

Digital oil: What is it?

Vivek Kundra speaks about the "black gold" of the future: digital infrastructure.

Defense Systems

Navy places order for aircraft mission computers

A General Dynamics unit will deliver additional advanced mission computers for Navy Super Hornet aircraft under a new contract.

Defense Systems

Cyber warriors must pass tough tests

Government agencies need qualified cybersecurity specialists with active government clearances but are having difficulty finding them, a new study finds.

Defense Systems

HHS names new health IT national coordinator

Dr. Farzad Mostashari takes the helm of the HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the office that facilitates distribution of $20 billion in economic stimulus law funds for digital medical systems.

Defense Systems

Navy's drone to perform mouse-click carrier landings

The first drone intended to fly off an aircraft carrier will be controlled by a mouse, Navy officials say.

Defense Systems

DOD maps out new command structure for Arctic region

The new Unified Command Plan redefines the boundaries and missions of the DOD's major commands.

Defense Systems

CIOs talk. Does anyone listen?

A lack of clout in departments' roundtable discussions must stand out clearly — even to those outside the federal IT community.