Defense Systems

Viasat-1 starts final in-orbit testing phase

North America's first high-capacity satellite has started its final testing.

Defense Systems

DARPA fast-track program would plug network holes

In the two months since its launch, the Defense Department has awarded seven contracts to nontraditional contractors through its Cyber Fast Track Program and hopes to award scores more during its first year.

Defense Systems

Army forces in Afghanistan to receive aerostats

The Army has awarded a $383 million contract to Lockheed Martin to furnish and maintain aerostats that will provide real-time aerial reconnaissance and surveillance of large swaths of terrain in Afghanistan.

Defense Systems

RFI seeks info on smart phones for soldiers

The military has been considering its mobile technology options, and the Army's Fifth Signal Command is ready for action.

Defense Systems

Comms-on-the-move revolutionizes military tactics

A revolution is taking place in the form of communications-on-the-move in which dismounted soldiers and those at the lower echelons can take advantage of advanced communications capabilities to keep in touch with each other and their commanders.

Defense Systems

Army tests 3G network to boost squad-level awareness

The Army has tested a 3G wireless network that would link smart phones, tablets and radio systems to a large number of sensors and unmanned ground and air vehicles to push information down to the squad and fire team leaders.

Defense Systems

Navy group to evaluate unmanned surface patrol craft

The Navy has sent three unmanned surface vessels to its Riverine Group One to evaluate how well the vessels perform the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for which they were designed.

Defense Systems

Army PEO C3T Price promoted to major general

The Senate confirmed Nov. 10 the promotion of Brig. Gen. Lee Price, the Army's program executive officer for command, control and communications (tactical), to the rank of major general.

Defense Systems

Navy arranges network support for overseas cyber ops

Computer Sciences Corp. will support the Navy's overseas network, ONE-NET, under a contract that could be worth as much as $145 million.

Defense Systems

Air Force wants to trim satellite costs

The Air Force wants to change how it develops, acquires and manages its satellite programs.

Defense Systems

Navy seen fighting in satellite-denied conflicts

The Navy is looking at future operations where it might have little or no satellite communications or navigation.

Defense Systems

Air Force must clean up its networks, general says

A top Air Force officer warns that if the service doesn't clean up and centralize its network management, critical command and control functions may be threatened.

Defense Systems

Fresh approach to cybersecurity needed

We must change our approach to cybersecurity to reduce the vulnerability to threats.

Defense Systems

Technology leap needed for comms-on-the-move

Communications-on-the move technology must continue to evolve to keep intelligence data in motion and to feed it to the warfighter where and when it's needed.

Defense Systems

Navy to arm Fire Scout with laser-guided weapons system

The Navy’s Fire Scout unmanned helicopter has conducted a variety of reconnaissance missions, and now the service plans to arm it with a 70mm laser-guided rocket system to engage hostile targets in future clashes.

Defense Systems

NATO seeks single cyber command

NATO is working to get all its agencies and commands under a single cyber roof by the end of 2012, but lacks a strategy to respond to an all-out assault on civilian critical infrastructure throughout the European Union.

Defense Systems

Are we nearing cyber DEFCON 1?

A report by the National Counterintelligence Executive raises questions about the continuing problem of Chinese cyber espionage.

Defense Systems

DOD looks at new ways to field tactical networks

The military services are thinking out of the box to develop and deliver new tactical networking technologies.

Defense Systems

DARPA looks for ways to shield drones from viruses

To defend the nation's unmanned aerial vehicles and other military networks from cyberattacks, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is seeking assistance from regular citizens.

Defense Systems

Post GMR, DOD to take commercial route to mobile radio

JPEO JTRS seeks commercial radios to replace the canceled Ground Mobile Radio program.