Defense Systems

Lockheed, Raytheon face off in Space Fence competition

Two titans of the defense industry have submitted final contract proposals for the Air Force's ambitious Space Fence program that seeks to field a next-generation, ground-based radar system that will improve the way the service identifies and tracks objects orbiting Earth.

Defense Systems

Air Force taps Hughes for waveform development

Hughes Network Systems has won a contract from the Air Force Military Satellite Communications System Directorate to support protected, tactical satellite communications.

Defense Systems

Air Force centralizes cyber control under new reorganization plan

Service reorganizes business operations to become more cost-effective and benefit from commercially available technologies.

Defense Systems

Second AEHF satellite fully operational after on-orbit testing

Lockheed Martin and the Air Force have transferred operational control of the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite to the 14th Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., following successful on orbit testing of the spacecraft.

Defense Systems

Air Force abandons costly ERP project

After spending $1 billion on a major enterprise resource planning software project, the Air Force has decided its better off in the long run scrapping the project on the grounds that completing the project would result in no appreciable gain.

Defense Systems

Tight budgets drive training into the networked virtual world

Technological advances have made the task of preparing troops for combat more efficient and less expensive.

Defense Systems

Air Force explores options for future protected satcom

The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center has awarded as many as 17 contracts worth a total of $84.3 million to companies to help it explore options for a future generation of protected military satellite communications architecture.

Defense Systems

Air Force adds $1.45B to NETCENTS as delays in follow-on contract continue

The Air Force Electronics Systems Center has increased the value of the existing NETCENTS contract by $1.45 billion to $10.45 billion and has extended it through September 2013 while it works to resolve protests on the follow-on contract.

Defense Systems

Cubic opens office at Wright-Patterson

Cubic Defense Applications has opened a new office in Beavercreek, Ohio, that will enable it to support and pursue new training and tactical communications business at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Defense Systems

Air Force buying more armed Reapers

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was awarded a $125.5 million contract for 10 MQ-9 modified Block 1 aircraft by the Air Force. 

Defense Systems

UAV video encryption remains unfinished job

The U.S. military is still broadcasting nearly half of its drone video streams without encryption four years after it learned that its adversaries can see the same information.

Defense Systems

Lockheed to build next-gen air control system for Jordanian Air Force

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $26 million foreign military sales contract to upgrade the Royal Jordanian Air Force’s national air command, control and communications infrastructure.

Defense Systems

Air Force to buy full-motion video receivers from L-3 West

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLMC), the new organization managing the service’s networks under the recent reorganization of Air Force Material Command, will buy full-motion video receivers and interim contractor support from L-3 Communications Systems-West in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Defense Systems

Air Force awards $851M engineering support contract to small businesses

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has awarded an engineering and technical advistory and assistance services contract worth up to $851 million to five small businesses.

Defense Systems

ViaSat to supply broadband services to military aircraft

ViaSat has won a multimillion dollar contract from the U.S. government to supply broadband satellite services to support military aircraft in flight.

Defense Systems

Air Force ISR aims for maximum insight

Agency strives to provide a full spectrum of ISR capabilities to meet strategic, tactical and combatant command requirements.

Defense Systems

Air Force ISR works to stay on top of evolving technologies

Lt. Gen. Larry James on the Air Force ISR's ever-evolving mission, the roles played by old and new technologies and the challenges AF ISR faces as it serves users on a rapidly changing global stage.

Defense Systems

Northrop receives $88M Global Hawk Block 30 support deal

Northrop Grumman has received a cost-plus, fixed-fee contract to furnish logistics support for the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30.

Defense Systems

AF IT Day: Gen. Shelton says service needs to refine its cyberspace mission

The Air Force still cannot define its role and responsibilities in cyberspace, despite stating for years that the domain was a zone of operations, says a top service official.

Defense Systems

Air Force, Northrop upgrade B-2 with EHF satcom subsystem

The Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to outfit the service's fleet of B-2 bombers with new high-speed processing subsystems.