Defense Systems

DARPA's sensor-laden quadcopter zooms around indoors at 45 mph

The Fast Lightweight Autonomy program could give soldiers and rescue teams a look inside unstable buildings with a minimum of operator effort.

Defense Systems

Army, Navy display joint communications in Hawaii

Combining the Navy's global MUOS satellite systems with Manpack radios and the Army's Joint Battle Command-Platform could fill gaps in the Pacific.

Defense Systems

Stratcom brings Spain into the space surveillance fold

The U.S. Strategic Command recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Spain, the tenth country agreeing to share space situational awareness.

Defense Systems

Missile-warning sensor advances despite launch uncertainties

The developer of a platform to carry an Air Force missile defense sensor reported progress, but it's unclear when the test bed will get off the ground.

Defense Systems

Where DOD's R&D funds would go in 2017

Budget documents show a focus on emerging threats, including cyber, electronic warfare and new strike systems.

Defense Systems

As threat landscape changes, Air Force mulls the next unmanned platform

The Air Force is currently looking for drones, large and small, that can operate in contested environments for future conflicts.

Defense Systems

Navy's high-altitude Triton UAS takes a step forward

The MQ-4C Triton, intended to provide persistent maritime ISR, has successfully completed operational assessment, according to manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

Defense Systems

Russia is widening the gap in EW

Recent engagements indicate Russia’s electronic warfare capabilities are growing while two wars have eroded U.S. countermeasures.

Defense Systems

Where DOD is planning to spend on unmanned systems in 2017

The budget proposal provides insight into where investments for unmanned systems are going.

Defense Systems

Army wants help with next-gen C5 tech

The Army is looking for research proposals that can address new requirements and development of maturing technologies in command, control, communications, computer and cyber.

Defense Systems

Lawmakers grill Clapper over U.S.-Russia space arrangement

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Sen. McCain and others expressed exasperation with the U.S. reliance on a Russian-made rocket engine to send payloads into space.

Defense Systems

Navy's plans include drones that can operate for months at a time

The Navy's new director of unmanned systems Rear Adm. Robert Girrier provided an overview of the N-99 directorate’s plan, including greatly extending the endurance of those systems.

Defense Systems

Final GPS II satellite goes into orbit as Air Force gets ready for GPS III

With ULA launching the last of the second generation, the service awards Lockheed a contract to help the transition to the next generation.

Defense Systems

Report details deficiencies in UAV testing

A recent annual report to Congress by the office of Operational Test & Evaluation details areas in which the services have missed the mark in mitigating vulnerabilities and deficiencies in tests of UAVs.

Defense Systems

DOD plans to invest $600M in unmanned underwater vehicles

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter told sailors that the Defense Department big plans for UUV over the next five years.

Defense Systems

Army developing a universal control for all of its drones

The TOGA system will reduce the number of pilots required while better integrating ISR with its tactical network.

Defense Systems

ULA's Air Force launch contract under scrutiny

The Air Force is considering early termination of a launch support contract option, as Sen. John McCain renews a push to ban use of the Russian-made RD-180 engine.

Defense Systems

Army adds $97M to Shadow drone deal

The service is acquiring more of the catapult-launched ISR unmanned aircraft, which has also been used in concert with Apache helicopters.

Defense Systems

Tactical mobility coming into the picture for on-ground soldiers

Officials discuss what's next for mobile devices in the military — from real-time video to head-up displays.

Defense Systems

Ultra-high-speed chip could make the spectrum feel less crowded

DARPA's analog-to-digital converter can analyze large swaths of the electromagnetic spectrum, keeping systems alter to jamming and other interference.