Defense Systems

Air Force on verge of awarding streamlined NETCENTS-2

After a string of contracting delays, the Air Force is poised to complete the award of $24 billion in contracts for the much-anticipated Network Centric Solutions-2 in April.

Defense Systems

Revamped satellite launch schedule expected soon, Shelton says

The Air Force will soon release the terms of its revised multiple-year approach to purchasing launch services for military and intelligence satellites, says Gen. William Shelton.

Defense Systems

DOD must fix glitches in satellite programs, says GAO

The Defense Department continues to struggle on next-generation military satellite programs with such problems as cost overruns, shortages of ground-segment software and problems with beyond-line-of-sight terminals, reports the General Accountability Office.

Defense Systems

UAV connectivity top challenge with shift in terror war

The military will rely more frequently on commercial communications satellites for connectivity needed to operate unmanned aerial vehicles and provide the bandwidth required to handle more sophisticated sensors and the data they transmit.

Defense Systems

ITT Exelis gets GPS III satellite payload deal

ITT Exelis has won a $32 million contract to build the navigation payloads for the third and fourth Global Positioning System III space vehicles.

Defense Systems

Say what? Block 30 Global Hawk contract still in place

Northrop Grumman doesn't know when the Air Force is going to cancel its Block 30 Global Hawk program.

Defense Systems

WGS: Model satellite procurement with cost-cutting efficiencies

Once intended as a satellite project meant to plug a major gap in communications capabilities for the U.S. military, the Wideband Global Satcom constellation has emerged as the primary backbone for moving the Defense Department’s wideband data.

Defense Systems

Air Force set to upgrade key operations centers

Northrop Grumman will upgrade command and control capabilities for the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System at eight sites.

Defense Systems

Hosted payload program teaches lessons for future launches

Panelists discuss lessons learned from CHIRP program about information assurance, interagency cooperation.

Defense Systems

Stuxnet cyberattack called responsible

The Stuxnet computer worm damaged Iranian nuclear facilities after it saw circumstances that exist only in Iran, lawyer says.

Defense Systems

Hard lessons from hosted payloads

Federal agencies and commercial firms find the devil is in the details when it comes to managing and deploying hosted payloads.

Defense Systems

Iran said planning to build UAVs for Venezuela

Venezuala's unmanned aerial vehicles most likely will be used for internal defense and probably won't be armed.

Defense Systems

Coming to an airspace near you: DOD moves to increase UAVs in US

The department is working with the FAA to develop tracking and collision-avoidance technologies to enable more domestic unmanned flights.

Defense Systems

Satellite 2012 to focus on hosted payloads, security

The Satellite 2012 conference will explore hosted payloads, network security and safeguarding satellite operations.

Defense Systems

Cyber threats emerging: AESA radar said vulnerable to cyberattack

But an Air Force general said the radar threat can be mitigated.

Defense Systems

Radar system to boost space situational awareness

Lockheed Martin has developed a prototype of a new radar system that is designed to track orbiting space objects and boost space situational awareness.

Defense Systems

Air Force moves forward on job cuts

The Air Force has set in motion a budget plan that would cut active-duty, Air National Guard and Reserve positions nationwide.

Defense Systems

One bad part dooms $72.8M Global Hawk

Screws holding a Line Replaceable Unit in the unmanned aerial vehicle apparently shook loose during a mission over Eastern Afghanistan making it uncontrollable.

Defense Systems

Officials undecided about Global Hawk savings

Air Force officials have told the House Appropriation Committee's defense subcommittee that the service isn't sure what it will do with the money it saves by cutting the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned aircraft program.

Defense Systems

Air Force scales back AEHF upgrade

The Air Force is deferring scheduled upgrades to its highly secure constellation of communications satellites so it can fund other Defense Department programs.