Defense Systems

Terrain offers clues to choppers used in bin Laden raid

Although the exact chopper types used to infiltrate the Osama bin Laden mansion are unknown, the surrounding terrain offers a clue.

Defense Systems

Army to expand participation in apps competition

The Army will allow the public and industry to participate in its next Apps for Army challenge, tentatively scheduled for 2012.

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

Leadership training needed for cyber warfare

Educational institutions throughout the military are trying to define the set of skills and knowledge that their leaders will need to prevail on the cyber battlefield of the 21st century.

Defense Systems

Army app store to offer alternate development path

Last year’s Apps for Army competition is set to evolve into a servicewide apps store that would let soldiers download straight to their work computers, and possibly even mobile devices.

Defense Systems

Latest Apache net-enabled for battlefield

The Army’s Block III Apache helicopter will have a family of sensors and data links built into it that will enable pilots to exchange video and data with soldiers on the ground and nearby manned and unmanned aircraft.

Defense Systems

Army tests comprehensive plan for wireless services

The Army Knowledge Online portal is serving as a mechanism to test a new wireless plan.

Defense Systems

Army picks contractors for $2.5B operations support deal

Thirteen large contractors and 22 small businesses have been named to the Army's $2.5 billion Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services prime contract.

Defense Systems

Army works to extend range of ground robot comms

Army effort seeks to increase the operational range of ground robots with help from flying communications relays.

Defense Systems

Army favors Android in smart-phone push

Indications are that the Army will use Google's Android operating system to power handheld smart phones that might eventually be distributed in large numbers to soldiers.

Defense Systems

Army to streamline ERP system

The multiple-task contract to support the Army's Enterprise Systems Integration Program has been awarded to Attain LLC, along with InSap Services and Oakland Consulting.

Defense Systems

Army smart-phone efforts face uphill battle

Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Army's new chief of staff, appears to be a keen supporter of the service's plans to continue exploring wide distribution of smart phones, but such an initiative would face serious budget challenges.

Defense Systems

Army to consider iPhone brain for networked soldier kit

Army program officials will explore if a smart phone might be the best solution for the computing device that serves as the "brain" for the Nett Warrior slated for production around June.

Defense Systems

New GPS-guided mortar fires first round in Afghanistan

Precision Guided Mortar Munitions provide a sevenfold increase in accuracy.

Defense Systems

DOD aims for flexibility with brain injury Web tool

The Pentagon is upgrading its chief brain injury assessment tool, but some officials are criticizing its reliability.

Defense Systems

Army accelerates critical satcom efforts

Col. William "Chuck" Hoppe, project manager of the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, discusses the service's vital at-the-halt and fixed satellite communications programs.

Defense Systems

Shutdown impact on DOD uncertain, but ominous

The Defense Department is closely studying its authorities to determine how to keep department functioning if the government shuts down.

Defense Systems

Petraeus could become CIA head

Rumors suggest that Gen. David Patraeus, America's top military man in Afghanistan, could become CIA director.

Defense Systems

Boots on the ground, intell in the cloud

Cloud computing has revolutionized how the federal government stores and accesses data, but now the Army is taking it all the way to Afghanistan.

Defense Systems

Army harnesses full power of intelligence assets

Col. Charles Wells, project manager of the Distributed Common Ground Systems-Army, discusses the role DCGS-A is playing in DOD's first tactical cloud, the initial deployment to Afghanistan and the decision to place DCGS-A hardware in an airborne surveillance platform.