Defense Systems
UAV recon missions over Afghanistan quadruple
There have been some 23,000 Coalition spy missions in Afghanistan since 2011 began -- four times more than in 2009 -- but with insurgent attacks still on the rise, some are wondering just what is the point?
Defense Systems
Raytheon, Boeing seen likely to weather defense cuts
A new financial analysis indicates that the defense units of Raytheon and Boeing are likely to weather further cuts in Defense Department spending better than their competitors.
Defense Systems
Kehler raises trial balloon: Put STRATCOM in charge of all GEOINT PED
One way to close the rising gap between the large volume of data being gathered and the ability of humans to process that information would be to make one agency responsible for managing it, said Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler at GEOINT 2011.
Defense Systems
Intell data sharing requires high degree of cooperation
Sharing geospatial intelligence data requires a focus on standards, improved processes and safeguards that protect secure data.
Defense Systems
UAV computer virus might be from gaming malware
The computer virus that worked its way into the system used to remotely pilot the Air Force’s armed unmanned aerial vehicles in September was not an intentional attack on the system but likely a result of malware used to steal log-ins and passwords used in online gaming.
Defense Systems
Air Force deems drone virus more nuisance than threat
The Air Force stated on Oct. 12 that the virus that recently infected the remote cockpits of its fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles operating over war zones was swiftly and easily contained.
Defense Systems
Air Force base failed to promptly report drone virus
Officials at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada knew for two weeks about a virus that infected the operation of drones flown remotely from the base over warzones in Southwestern Asia, but they chose not to inform Air Force cybersecurity officials about the situation.
Defense Systems
Air Force's Blue Devil airship undergoes testing
The Air Force is running tests on its optionally manned, giant airship Blue Devil Block 2 in preparation for deployment in Afghanistan by the middle of next year.
Defense Systems
US armed drones struck by tenacious computer virus
Unmanned aerial vehicles flown remotely over Afghanistan and other areas have been struck by a computer virus that logs pilots' keystrokes.
Defense Systems
AF deploys infrared staring sensor via commercial launch
SES Government Solutions, Orbital Sciences and Science Applications International have teamed with the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center to launch a new infrared surveillance sensor into orbit via an SES-2 commercial satellite.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants industry to streamline space programs
The Air Force's acquisition chief has called on the space industry to reduce the complexity of space programs, cut launch costs, and shorten development times, as the military service struggles to deal with a flattening budget from 2012 to 2016.
Defense Systems
Air Force mulls scale back of ISR programs
The Air Force has some tough decisions to make concerning which intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programs to cut as it scales down to a smaller intelligence force structure capable of meeting various types of threats in future decades.
Defense Systems
First ORS satellite in orbit passes systems check
The Air Force Space Command says the Operationally Responsive Space-1 satellite is now fully operational in the wake of successful on-orbit deployment and subsequent checkout of all systems.
Defense Systems
LightSquared's proposals not viable, general says
LightSquared's proposed network cannot exist with the U.S. military's Global Positioning System technology, said Gen. William Shelton.
Defense Systems
Air Force tackles ISR portfolio review
An effort to rebalance the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance spending plans might be similar in its execution of the effort the military service used previously to construct a cohesive family of systems for long-range strike aircraft.
Defense Systems
White House might have interfered with general's testimony
Air Force Gen. William Shelton has told lawmakers during a classified briefing earlier this month that the White House tried to persuade him to change his testimony to make it more favorable to a company with ties to a key Democratic donor.
Defense Systems
Pentagon orders more high-capacity satellites
Boeing announced Sept. 13 that it has won a $1.1 billion Air Force satellite contract, which makes the win the fourth major satellite contract the defense contractor has landed in the past two years.
Defense Systems
Air Force to get IT combat systems boost
The Air Force will get support for its combat systems from Lockheed Martin, which will integrate commercial, open source and government software components.
Defense Systems
Cyber domination requires joint mindset
It's been more than a year since the Defense Department established its cyber components, but they all still must overcome one key challenge: their own traditional structures.
Defense Systems