Defense Systems

Budget proposal takes aim at defense IT, force reductions

For the third year in a row, the Defense Department's budget will decrease in 2013, though it's certainly not the only agency feeling the squeeze.

Defense Systems

The future of military comms on the battlefield

New radio and network technologies present opportunities and challenges.

Defense Systems

Navy starts countdown for launch of first MUOS satellite

With the launch its first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite set for the evening of Feb. 16, the Navy is highlighting that ability to provide a tenfold increase in bandwidth and the ability to communicate with warfighters on the move.

Defense Systems

UAV data analysis remains daunting challenge

The Air Force has upwards of 70,000 persons working to process all of the data and footage it is gathering from unmanned aerial vehicles in an effort to detect patterns worth exploiting in the pursuit of insurgents in Afghanistan and other global hot spots.

Defense Systems

Army speeds acquisition of networking equipment

The Army is taking a new battlefield communications approach, which involves service officials holding regular meetings with industry officials to involve them earlier in the acquisition process and testing equipment before major purchases.

Defense Systems

Army completes battlefield test of software-defined radio

Rifleman Radio allowed the 75th Ranger unit in Afghanistan to establish a mobile, ad-hoc network.

Defense Systems

OPM botches Presidential Management Fellows finalist notification

Some semifinalists in the competitive Presidential Management Fellows program were mistakenly told they had been accepted as finalists.

Defense Systems

Obama nominates defense acquisition chief

Katrina McFarland has been performing the assistant secretary’s duties since October 2011 while serving as president of Defense Acquisition University.

Defense Systems

Navy UAS programs focus on operational deployments

The Navy's unmanned aerial system programs are taking off with its UCAS-D aircraft readying for carrier trials and maritime surveillance aircraft preparing for flight tests.

Defense Systems

Future of unmanned systems uncertain, but hopeful, says robotics official

Unmanned systems and robotics may become a lesser priority as the wars draw down, but innovation will continue, DOD official says.

Defense Systems

Marines to upgrade tactical unmanned aircraft

The Marine Corps is adding capabilities to its fleet of unmanned aerial systems, including the deployment of an unmanned cargo helicopter.

Defense Systems

Army narrows in on top priorities as fiscal cuts hit

Doug Wiltsie, the Army's new PEO-EIS leader, has significant plans for guiding the service through the tough times to come.

Defense Systems

Budget cuts won't inhibit Army contracting workforce growth

The Army is building up its contracting military occupational specialty to grow its acquisition workforce.

Defense Systems

AIA hires former House Appropriations staffer as VP

The association's new vice president of acquisition policy brings extensive legislative procurement experience.

Defense Systems

Raytheon boosts satellite capacity for airborne radio terminals

Raytheon is tripling the satellite capacity for all AN/ARC-231 airborne radio terminals through an upgrade to Integrated Waveform software.

Defense Systems

Army wants to extend UAS endurance, add weapons

The Army's top unmanned aircraft systems will receive upgrades that emphasize increased endurance and weapons capability.

Defense Systems

Network lets Marines share data over 250 miles

The Marine Corps is conducting the first practical test of the Distributed Tactical Communications System that enables commanders to send text, data, video and voice messages via satellite to Marines ashore from up to 250 miles away in open water.

Defense Systems

Classified information routinely compromised

The reporting of information discussed in classified meetings harms national cybersecurity.

Defense Systems

Unmanned aircraft load up on compact sensors

Significant advances in the design of sensor systems for unmanned aerial vehicles enable a single payload to carry multiple sensors, which cuts weight and increases mission time.

Defense Systems

Special ops forces have pressing need for VTOL recon

Special Operations forces are looking at a rise in numbers and also exploring new reconnaissance capabilities in a time when they will be relied on more heavily to spearhead U.S. military efforts around the globe.