Defense Systems

Air Force gets support for space launch efforts

Booz Allen Hamilton will provide engineering and integration services to the Air Force under a $38.4 million contract.

Defense Systems

Air Force awards support work for Predator, Reaper

The Air Force has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. a $266 million contract to provide an array of program and technical support for the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems.

Defense Systems

Next-gen strike aircraft to have intell capabilities

The follow-on aircraft to the now-discarded Next-Generation Bomber is likely to have key intelligence-gathering capabilities and also be able to disrupt enemy networks and sensors, Aviation Week reports.

Defense Systems

Lack of Predator video encryption raises questions

Readers of Defense Systems were stunned that the military failed to encrypt Predator video feeds.

Defense Systems

Encryption of Predator video feeds will take time

It could take as long as five years before video feeds from Predator and Reaper drones are fully encrypted and U.S. forces are able to keep enemy forces from intercepting the information, reports Ellen Nakashima in the Washington Post.

Defense Systems

Military Predator video intercepted by Iraqis

Iraqi insurgents have used inexpensive off-the-shelf software to intercept video feeds from Predator unmanned aerial vehicles during the past year, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Defense Systems

Gorgon Stare to accompany Afghanistan surge

The Air Force plans to deploy the new Gorgon Stare sensor to Afghanistan in spring 2010 to enhance surveillance of insurgent activities and give U.S. forces a boost during anticipated spring offensives, reports Colin Clark at DOD Buzz.

Defense Systems

Unmanned long-strike capabilities might get budget boost

Manned and unmanned global strike programs are among the Defense Department weapons programs that might benefit from a $100 billion infusion of new funds over a five-year period, reports Vago Muradian at Defense News.

Defense Systems

Airborne, maritime joint network passes key milestone

The component of the Joint Tactical Radio System intended for airborne and maritime platforms and installations has successfully completed a critical design review that capped more than six months of system and subsystem assessments.

Defense Systems

Air Force acknowledges stealth UAV

Air Force officials confirmed the existence of an unmanned aerial vehicle Dec. 4 that incorporates stealth design characteristics and has been sighted in Afghanistan, report David Fulghum and Bill Sweetman in Aviation Week’s 'Ares' blog.

Defense Systems

Joint Strike Fighter to get better targeting abilities

The stealth fighter plane will be fitted with new sensor technology.

Defense Systems

New software targets Air Force bombers' accuracy

Boeing Co. has won a $23 million contract to upgrade software on Air Force bombers, increasing their sniper-like precision and single-moving-target kill capabilities.

Defense Systems

Pros and cons of video from space

U.S. intelligence specialists and military officials currently are assessing a European-pioneered technology that would offer yet another way to monitor battlefields and areas of potential conflict around the globe, reports Ben Iannotta at Defense News.

Defense Systems

Space Command defends far reaches of cyberspace

Air Force Space Command commander Gen. Robert Kehler discusses the challenges of defending cyberspace, Global Positioning System capabilities and space assets.

Defense Systems

Air Force recruits assistance for treaty monitoring

BAE Systems Inc. will support Air Force efforts to monitor nuclear treaty compliance around the globe under a contract potentially worth $20 million over five years.

Defense Systems

Air Force Space Command gets help with sensing architecture

Raytheon Co. has won a $3 million contract to create a prototype sensing architecture that could consolidate several missile defense systems.

Defense Systems

New remote-sensing satellite to offer expanded services

A new high-resolution, remote-sensing satellite successfully launched into orbit Oct. 8 will boost data collection capacity and offer expanded services to civilian and defense customers.

Defense Systems

Air Force get assistance with critical data migration

Serco Inc. will provide the Air Force with a range of data migration services under an 18-month task order valued at approximately $24.5 million.

Defense Systems

Air Force activates new cyberspace defense unit

Combat communications wing supports new Space Command

Defense Systems

Military under the gun on unmanned aerial system mishaps

A series of mishaps involving unmanned aerial systems operating in Southwest Asia has Army and Air Force officials revisiting key operational procedures.