Defense Systems

Army to expand use of virtual tools, augmented reality for training

Technologies would help soldier and small units prepare for major field exercises.

Defense Systems

Orbiting surveillance system protects satellites from space junk

The Air Force’s Boeing Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite detects threats more quickly than ground systems, decreasing risk of damage by two-thirds.

Defense Systems

Army strikes deal for inflatable SATCOM antennas

The five-year, $400 million contract gives the Army, Marines and other commands access to the easily deployed devices.

Defense Systems

BAE to lead improvements for DARPA intelligence system

The Insight program will utilize forecasting algorithms and behavioral learning to determine threats.

Defense Systems

Northrop upgrades electronic warfare simulator

The Advanced Pulse Generator can be retrofitted onto any existing CEESIM system.

Defense Systems

Air Force lab’s new 20-Tflop computer will mimic human brain

AFRL orders an embedded computing system from GE designed to simulate the nervous system’s pathways and will support next-generation radar systems.

Defense Systems

3 IT keys to the future for Navy, military

Navy CIO Terry Halvorsen cites three technology areas that can help the military save money while achieving its goals.

Defense Systems

Army to merge, streamline multibillion-dollar IT contracts

The combined S32G and R2-4G contract vehicles will be valued at $36 billion and will be opened up to competition.

Defense Systems

Method of the ancient mariners can improve targeting systems

Northrop Grumman is incorporating Trex Enterprises’ celestial navigation technology — a highly refined version of the technique used by the earliest sailors — into its laser targeting systems to improve their accuracy.

Defense Systems

AFRL’s plan to make smartphones, tablets more secure

The lab announces a four-year program to explore internal CAC authentication, expanded biometrics, near field communications and other innovative steps.

Defense Systems

Small satellite terminals could be open to cyberattacks

VSATs, which are widely used in military units and UAVs, are vulnerable if not configured properly, IntelCrawler says.

Defense Systems

Army expanding, streamlining tactical network

As communications reach further into the field, the complexity of the network grows. New NetOps tools help simplify operations.

Defense Systems

Pentagon plan calls for smarter, networked drones across air, sea and land

Despite a budget crunch, DOD wants to add autonomy and layers of integration to a growing unmanned force over the next 25 years.

Defense Systems

ARL’s ‘ghost imaging’ cuts through battlefield turbulence

The Army Research Lab uses quantum properties of light to get high-resolution results from low-resolution transmissions.

Defense Systems

Air Force wants new tech for cross-domain, mobile info sharing

The service’s research lab is soliciting ideas through 2018 on multi-level security information sharing, both within the enterprise and out to mobile and tactical environments.

Defense Systems

Air Force lab wants to advance multisource analysis

The lab is looking for automated, real-time analysis of potential threats and activities performed closer to sensors in the field or in the air.

Defense Systems

Army intell wants to scan social media from 40 countries

The Intelligence and Security Command is looking for the ability to collect and analyze huge data sets of social media and open-source information in up to 66 languages.

Defense Systems

Air Force to cut 900 civilian jobs, leave 7,000 others unfilled

Facing the pressures of a tightened 2014 budget, the service said it will use early retirement and voluntary separations reduce the workforce.

Defense Systems

Air Force’s future state: capabilities as a service

The service’s push toward a commoditized infrastructure will rely on standards that will meet info-sharing needs, protect data and systems, and cut costs, Brig. Gen. Kimberly Crider said.

Defense Systems

Tactical apps arrive on Androids in Afghanistan

DARPA’s Transformative Apps program delivers apps built with soldier input to customized mobile devices on the battlefield.