Defense Systems
Top 20 defense contractors, 2014
Defense companies dominate Washington Technology’s Top 100 list of federal contractors.
Defense Systems
Air Force mulls secretive sensor research center
The SIRCUS program would investigate how to measure sensor exploitation performance and sensor development, and require up to Secret-level clearances for contractors.
Defense Systems
Autonomous vessel for tracking silent subs is under construction
Expected to be launched in 2015, DARPA’s unmanned ACTUV would track diesel submarines for months at a time.
Defense Systems
Air Force asks court to dismiss SpaceX lawsuit
SpaceX shouldn’t be allowed to challenge the core rocket contract because the company didn’t respond to original RFP, the Air Force says.
Defense Systems
Even in communications exercises, the cyberattacks are real
The Army-run JUICE, in which military, civilian and international components test joint emergency response, also draws the attention of hackers.
Defense Systems
DARPA wants more efficient, jam-resistant RF communications
The HERMES program is looking to develop new technologies to deal with malicious jamming and an increasingly congested electromagnetic spectrum.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $35M contract to boost C4ISR info sharing
Lockheed Martin is to improve the way Navy sensors will collect, share and display data.
Defense Systems
Air Force awards $1.86B contract for next two SBIRS satellites
Lockheed Martin gets the go-ahead to finish the fifth and sixth satellites in the early missile warning and infrared surveillance system.
Defense Systems
4G LTE and other high-speed tools ready for the battlefield
The Army boosts bandwidth at forward deployed posts with a fast, secure Wi-Fi network.
Defense Systems
Navy wants to take big data into battle
ONR calls for ideas on a framework and analytics tools to help with warfighting efforts.
Defense Systems
Army to test low-altitude UAV flights
The Maneuver Battle Lab and Georgia Technical Research Institute will try out software for high-speed, close-to-the-ground autonomous navigation.
Defense Systems
UAVs, C4ISR systems aren’t always reliable, Pentagon report finds
Acquisition assessment also finds major defense contractors maintain profit margins despite cost overruns and schedule growth.
Defense Systems
Air Force considers switching vendors on GPS III program
After delays with Lockheed Martin Space Systems’ production of the first satellite, the service is looking for alternatives.
Defense Systems
ULA considers non-Russian launch engine for Atlas V
Under political pressure to stop using the RD-180 first-stage engine, the joint venture is studying concepts for a U.S.-made replacement.
Defense Systems
DARPA, Navy want long-range ISR drones for smaller ships
The Tern program plans to build a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS that doesn’t need an aircraft carrier for take-off.
Defense Systems
DISA mulls laser system for satellite communications
All-optical systems potentially offer increased data transfer rates and better security while avoiding the crowded electromagnetic spectrum.
Defense Systems
Army, Navy fund Northrop for electronic warfare system
The company will produce pre-production units of its advances radar warning receiver and electronic warfare management system for aircraft.
Defense Systems
Next-gen man portables swap out size and weight, add performance
New satellite router boards for field use are about the size of an iPad, more battery-efficient and can handle high data rates.
Defense Systems
UAS training to be basic training for Marine officers
The Basic School for new officers is adding a course on the RQ-11B Raven, a small, lightweight system that can provide ISR in the field.
Defense Systems