Defense Systems

BP asks for military tech to contain oil spill

Oil giant BP plc has requested assistance from the Defense Department for advanced underwater imaging technology and remote operating vehicles that are not available commercially to contain the growing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, reports the Houston Chronicle.

Defense Systems

Battle command network drives Army modernization

In its 2010 Modernization Strategy, the Army outlines its near-term future as it moves to become a taut, versatile and efficient force centered on the battle command network.

Defense Systems

In defense of PowerPoint

After Pentagon leaders criticize the use of PowerPoint presentations, readers come to the software's defense, laying the blame for bad presentations at the users' feet.

Defense Systems

Future UAVs must multitask, Air Force says

The next-generation of unmanned aerial vehicles will need to take on additional duties and be able to synchronize with other platforms, Defense Department officials said at an April summit.

Defense Systems

Can DOD really defeat PowerPoint?

Defense Department leaders have declared war on PowerPoint presentations, saying they dumb down complex scenarios and give the false illusion of control. But is there any escape from bad slideshows?

Defense Systems

University of Maryland honors faculty members elected to National Academies

The University of Maryland held a reception for faculty members who recently were elected to the National Academies of Science and Engineering.

Defense Systems

DARPA wants someone to (plug and) play in space

DARPA wants a spacecraft builder to join its System F6 fractionated satellite demonstration to show that a third-party payload can plug into an on-orbit network and share functions across several spacecraft, reports Graham Warwick at Aviation Week’s Ares Blog.

Defense Systems

Navy picks contractor for aircraft digital mapping

Harris Corp. will provide digital mapping systems for Navy aircraft under a contract worth $6.2 million.

Defense Systems

Navy places order for digital testing instruments

LeCroy Corp. will provide the Naval Supply Systems Command with as many as 1,000 digital oscilloscopes over a five-year period.

Defense Systems

VADER radar to thwart roadside bombers

U.S. forces will soon have another tool to add to their growing arsenal of counter-improvised explosive device technologies with the introduction of recently developed man-hunting radar, reports William Matthews at Defense News.

Defense Systems

Army lines up lifecycle support for missile defense system

Lockheed Martin Corp. will supply the Army with assistance fielding and maintaining a weapon system designed to defend against short-and-midrange ballistic missiles under a new contract.

Defense Systems

Air Force adjusts big-ticket acquisition programs

The Air Force is looking to improve its acquisition activities, starting immediately with the impending contract awards for the KC-X tanker, F-35 joint strike fighter and the NETCENTS-2 programs, according Air Force Assistant Secrtary for Acquisition David Van Buren.

Defense Systems

The perfect CIO storm

The challenges for military CIOs are overwhelming. At the same time, the convergence of those challenges has caused a transformative moment in military history.

Defense Systems

Air Force recruits assistance for network defense

L-3 Communications Corp. will assist the Air Forces Central Command in protecting the security of its network operations under a five-year contract.

Defense Systems

Social networking fuels collaboration among NASA researchers

The NASA Earth Exchange uses social networking to enable scientists around the world to share data, software code and research results.

Defense Systems

DOD proposes new conflict of interest rules

Defense officials proposed new definitions for various types of conflicts of interest.

Defense Systems

Navy picks leader for maritime intelligence center

National Maritime Intelligence Center connects several U.S. military intelligence operations, including those of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Defense Systems

Army puts safeguards in place for satellite transmissions

Efforts are under way to boost transmission security for very small aperture terminals that are an integral part of satellite communications on the battlefield.