Defense Systems
Northrop conducts preliminary flight test in UAV refueling program
Northrop Grumman has flown two RQ-4 Global Hawks in formation under its KQ-X program as a preliminary step in its goal toward performing air-to-air refuelling for high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles.
Defense Systems
Aerostats from Afghanistan pull duty on Mexican border
Customs and Border Protection has begun testing Defense Department aerostats that were used in Afghanistan for surveillance along the Texas-Mexico border.
Defense Systems
JTRS HMS program and its Rifleman Radio now part of PEO C3T
The Army's senior acquisition executive, Heidi Shyu, directed this week that the Joint Tactical Radio System’s Handheld, Manpack and Small Form Fit program be transferred to the Army’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications (Tactical).
Defense Systems
DARPA, Boston Dynamics partner on humanoid robot project
DARPA has awarded a contract to Boston Dynamics to develop robots with humanoid features.
Defense Systems
Troops finding new ways to deploy VSATs for mission success
Terminals bring a range of inputs to mobile users but size limited by power source, specifically batteries.
Defense Systems
NASA once again flying revolutionary unmanned aircraft with new modifications
After 92 test flights as the X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft, NASA has modified the unmanned aircraft and is now flying a quieter version designated the X-48C.
Defense Systems
Intelsat demos broadband delivery to airborne terminal for comms on the move
Intelsat General has demonstrated the capability to simultaneously send secure video and high-speed broadband signals to and from an aircraft in flight to support communications on the move.
Defense Systems
Navy testing underwater hull detection system to protect ships in contested waters
With the constant possibility of U.S. naval action in the Straits of Hormuz in international waters off Iran, it’s appropriate that Bluefin Robotics announced that its Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle-3 (HAUV-3) has completed Government Acceptance Testing of a unmanned hull explosive detection system.
Defense Systems
What can Syria's Iranian-made drones do (and not do)?
The Iranian made drones that Syria is using to spy on the Free Syria Army have limited capabilities.
Defense Systems
Air Force plans acquisition shakeup post-Afghanistan
Noting that some of the key Air Force systems used over Iraq and Afghanistan would be vulnerable in a hotly contested environment such as the Pacific theater, the military service is focusing on acquiring more stealthy aircraft systems in the months and years ahead.
Defense Systems
Lockheed promotes manned-unmanned capability for export
Lockheed Martin touted its manned-unmanned teaming capability in mid-July at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Defense Systems
Army makes new plans for UAS assets in Afghanistan
Army COL Tim Baxter on deployment of a company of Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles to Afghanistan, the use of universal systems and interoperability, and the weaponization of the Shadow UAV.
Defense Systems
Army backed by OSD in decision to continue Gray Eagle upgrades
The Army plans to press on with its plan to buy more Gray Eagle drones and make key upgrades to the aircraft despite glitches encountered with its software.
Defense Systems
Better sensors, cameras help US thwart IEDs in Afghanistan
Images from new radar and sensors designed to detect wires that trigger explosives deployed on both manned and unmanned aircraft are substantially reducing the threat that improvised explosive devices pose to U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Defense Systems
Nations want American UAVs, or will develop their own
The number of nations around the world interested in fielding their own unmanned aerial vehicles has expanded beyond the use the United States and its key allies to include nations in fertile markets such as Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
Defense Systems
Grey Eagles and 747s to share national airspace soon?
The Army has completed a two-week trial of its new “sense and avoid” technology for unmanned aerial systems and says UASes could be sharing domestic airspace with piloted craft by March 2014.
Defense Systems
Unmanned ground vehicles show their stuff at Robotics Rodeo
The Army offered a variety of vignettes for unmanned ground vehicles in its third Robotics Rodeo.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants collision-avoidance technology for drones
The Air Force is seeking information on industry qualifications and capability concepts as a precursor to issuing a request for proposals for its Airborne Sense and Avoid Program for unmanned aircraft.
Defense Systems
Simple spoofing technology can turn our own UAVs against us
A research team from the University of Texas at Austin's Radionavigation Laboratory recently demonstrated to federal officials that anyone with $1,000 and technological know-how can take over a drone for nefarious purposes, potentially leading to the United States facing attacks from its own drones.
Defense Systems