Defense Systems
Navy lab lends a FRENDly hand to robotic GEO satellite repair
Military laboratories are contributing to a revolutionary program aimed at robotically repairing satellites more than 22,000 miles above the Earth.
Defense Systems
Pentagon awards deal for non-GPS precision guidance
DARPA is funding a project that would leverage MEMS technology to develop small inertial sensors.
Defense Systems
One key to protecting networks: cut bandwidth requirements
A DOD official told Congress that reducing use of bandwidth could help shrink the attack surface for network-enabled systems.
Defense Systems
Unmanned plane for launching satellites goes to Phase 2
Plans call for the Experimental Spaceplane to be able fly 10 times in 10 days, at a fraction of the cost of current launches.
Defense Systems
Plan for cheap, reusable 'Gremlin' drones moves forward
DARPA has awarded contracts to four companies for the project, which seeks to launch inexpensive UAS from other aircraft and retrieve them mid-air after their missions.
Defense Systems
Plan for satellite-repairing robots takes the next step
DARPA's program calls for a public-private effort to develop a robotic vehicle that can inspect, repair and upgrade GEO satellites that are otherwise out of reach.
Defense Systems
Air Force adds to deal for upgrading Global Hawk UAS
The award adds to the retrofit work for the unmanned aircraft, which is slated to entirely replace the manned U-2 spy plane.
Defense Systems
Army still catching flak for tactical intell system
Despite the Army's recent efforts to make improvements, a former DIA chief says the service should move away from the current version of DCGS-A.
Defense Systems
Lockheed Martin renews push for hypersonic spy plane
The contractor claims it could deliver a hypersonic demonstrator of the SR-72 for under $1 billion.
Defense Systems
Big data approach for UAS situational awareness
Simulyze uses big data analytics to provide a clearer picture of what happening around UAS operations.
Defense Systems
Boeing's new autonomous UUV can run for months at a time
The 51-foot long unmanned Echo Voyager, which runs on a rechargeable power system, can operate without a surface support vessel.
Defense Systems
Army wants to give soldiers their own micro-drones
The service is asking industry for information on developing UAS weighing 150 grams for ISR in the field.
Defense Systems
Reaper's retrofits extend its range and endurance
General Atomics said the unmanned aircraft's longer wings and greater fuel capacity take its flight endurance from 27 to 40 hours.
Defense Systems
BAE to demonstrate next-gen EW detection for the Navy
ONR wants the company to show continued proof-of-concept development in electromagnetic spectrum emitter detection and situational awareness.
Defense Systems
Air Force steps up the competition for a new rocket engine
Aerojet Rocketdyne and United Launch Services join two other companies in developing prototypes to replace the Russian-made RD-180 engine.
Defense Systems
China's new radar installation raises the stakes in Pacific
The installation, along with other activities, changes the operational landscape in the South China Sea, the Navy and analysts warn.
Defense Systems
Global Hawk takes another step toward replacing the U-2
Manufacturer Northrop Grumman said the unmanned aircraft successfully competed flight tests for the first time with the SYERS-2 sensor found on the U-2.
Defense Systems
Navy still has long way toward CANES installation
With installation aboard the USS Nimitz, the Navy has put another aircraft carrier on its new shipboard tactical network, and has plans for a total of 219 ships by 2023.
Defense Systems
Marine Corps in the next phase of MCEITS IT transformation
The 2.0 stage of the Marine Corps Enterprise Information Technology Services program is adding new applications and capabilities ahead of schedule, VMware’s Bill Rowan writes.
Defense Systems