Defense Systems

Panel recommends robust satellite constellation

Officials are expected to push for billions in funding to refresh the nation’s constellation of electro-optical satellites to deliver strategic intelligence information, but not all of them are in agreement on what is needed.

Defense Systems

Army awards contract for satellite equipment upgrade

DataPath Inc. will help upgrade Army satellite communications systems under a $12 million delivery order.

Defense Systems

DARPA authorizes more work on translation device

BBN Technologies has received additional funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to continue refining a translation system for military personnel to use in tactical situations.

Defense Systems

Air Force launches new GPS satellite

The seventh of eight enhanced second-generation global positioning satellites lifted into space early on March 24 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

Defense Systems

NIEM, NATO models considered as data-sharing standard

An Object Management Group working group has begun investigating the possibility of either developing or adopting a set of standardized security tags that different service commands could use to share information among themselves and intelligence agencies and foreign military services.

Defense Systems

DOD awards knowledge management contract

Alion Science and Technology Inc. will provide management and information support to the Defense Department under a new task order.

Defense Systems

Army gets aid with counter-IED efforts

SAIC will assist the Army with technical support designed to counter improvised explosive devices under a five-year contract could be worth as much as $41 million.

Defense Systems

FCS vehicle cuts would produce limited near-term savings

Defense Department officials are considering eliminating all but one of the eight Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles, reports DOD Buzz.

Defense Systems

Navy awards Far East network support deal

The Navy has awarded a contract to Computer Sciences Corp. to support a portion of its information technology network located outside the continental United States.

Defense Systems

Hour draws near for Air Force program cancellations

The budgetary fate of key Air Force programs will be determined shortly with word filtering out in a matter of days on which programs are put on hold or terminated, reports Aviation Week.

Defense Systems

Army receives first mobile radios for FCS

The first two ground mobile radio models that are part of the military’s next-generation tactical radio network have been delivered to the Army’s Future Combat Systems program by prime contractor Boeing Co.

Defense Systems

Bandwidth availability poses growing challenge for military

The competition for bandwidth among commercial and military users around the globe poses a challenge for the U.S. military as it expands the concept of network-centric warfare and fields more unmanned vehicles, reports Aviation Week.

Defense Systems

DOD needs more accountability for new programs

Most defense officials and program managers don't stick around long enough to be held accountable for decisions, according to the GAO.

Defense Systems

Panel: For good security, keep the back door closed

The rapidly changing nature of threats and systems means IT security will continue to be a journey with no clear destination for the foreseeable future, according to a panel of security experts.

Defense Systems

Air Force issues combat identification RFI

The service is looking for technology concepts that will improve its ability to identify threats in the battlespace.

Defense Systems

Navy approves Aegis system upgrade

The service has given full certification to Lockheed Martin Corp.’s newest upgrade of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Defense Systems

GAO: Jury still out on missile program performance

The inability of the Missile Defense Agency to establish clear baselines for its ballistic missile defense system is making it difficult for government auditors to determine whether the program is on track, reports Aviation Week.

Defense Systems

DISA open sources HR software

The Defense Information Systems Agency will open source a set of 50 programs collectively called the Corporate Management Information System that handle human-resource related functions.

Defense Systems

Army awards contract for logistics quality control

Battelle Memorial Institute will provide quality assurance and material management services for the Army Sustainment Command Field Logistics Readiness Centers.

Defense Systems

Obama readies nominations for top Navy posts

President Barack Obama is expected to nominate Ambassador Ray Mabus to be the next secretary of the Navy, and Robert Work to serve as the undersecretary of the Navy, reports DOD Buzz.