Defense Systems
Is that insect real, or is it a drone?
Air Force researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are working to develop small and miniature unmanned drones that replicate the flight mechanics of moths, hawks and other inhabitants of the natural world.
Defense Systems
Air Force, Raytheon put tactical sensor on fast track
The Air Force has awarded Raytheon a contract to deploy a new tactical sensor system that will identify targets based on their spectral characteristics.
Defense Systems
Global Hawks remain on Carter's chopping block
Pentagon acquisition czar Ashton Carter has announced plans to streamline the Air Force RQ-4A/B Global Hawk program, including eliminating 11 more of the Block 30 Global Hawks from the scheduled purchase of 42 of the drones.
Defense Systems
Air Force tightens buying process through NETCENTS-2
Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello discusses the acquisition strategy behind the Air Force's Network Centric Solutions-2 program.
Defense Systems
DOD: Northrop's new Global Hawk not mission ready
The RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 30, Northrop Grumman's latest drone design, has failed the Pentagon's testing requirements. Is it back to the drawing board?
Defense Systems
Aircraft buying plan would double UAVs by 2020
A new 30-year aircraft buying plan submitted by the Defense Department to Congress predicts that the number of unmanned aerial vehicles in the U.S. arsenal will double over the next nine years.
Defense Systems
Air Force orders secure comm systems to halt fratricide
The Air Force has chosen Raytheon Co. to supply it with almost 2,000 additional encrypted communications systems aimed at preventing fratricide among U.S. and coalition forces.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants sensors to track endangered squirrels
The service is seeking acoustic fingerprinting technology to locate and track the endangered Mohave squirrels on Edwards Air Force Base.
Defense Systems
Air Force seeks even smarter space satellites
The military is seeking a more grown-up version of its current satellites, one that can take care of itself, according to a new solicitation request.
Defense Systems
Air Force awards pair of contracts for UAS support
Dynamics Research Corp. will continue to provide engineering and technology services to the Air Force, having won a pair of two-year delivery orders worth a combined $24.5 million.
Defense Systems
New missile warning satellite launched into orbit
A military satellite designed to substantially boost the Air Force's missile defense and detection capabilities was launched into space May 7 atop an unmanned Atlas 5 rocket.
Defense Systems
Cloud poses challenges for warfighter data sharing
IT staffs confronted with providing unlimited capacities for warfighter data face a daunting task.
Defense Systems
DOD issues 'should-cost' guidance for achieving acquisition savings
DOD Undersecretary Ashton Carter is expanding on plans he announced last September to reign in runaway acquisition spending on major weapons programs.
Defense Systems
Air Force seeks tiny UAV that can paint targets
The Air Force wants assistance from industry in developing a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle that could drop "dust" on a confirmed or suspected enemy soldier or terrorist, thus allowing them to be tracked from a distance.
Defense Systems
Infrared missile-spotting satellite nears launch
The first of four new missile-spotting satellites will launch on May 6.
Defense Systems
New task to support CENTCOM, bridge service gaps
Intelligent Software Solutions Inc. will help the Defense Department -- under an Air Force task order worth $49.9 million -- improve situational awareness within the U.S. Central Command and create a cloud-based system to share data across various branches.
Defense Systems
Air Force to expand mission of missile defense satellite
The Air Force's troubled infrared missile detection satellite can be used to gather intelligence.
Defense Systems
DOD prepares personnel for government shutdown
The Defense Department will divide its employees into "excepted" and "nonexcepted" from the governmentwide shutdown, and is releasing some details about how it will proceed if funding runs out this weekend.
Defense Systems
Strong cyber defense requires better human skills
The best defense against cyberattacks on military assets is the establishment of strict security procedures for military and civilian personnel handling information, a top Air Force official says.
Defense Systems