Defense Systems

Space sector efficiencies may help DOD save money, executives say

The commercial space industry is proposing a number of leasing options that might help the DOD trim costs.

Defense Systems

New satellite capabilities target UAV needs

UAV operations are driving new developments in waveforms and spacecraft to support mission needs.

Defense Systems

Blimp video caught soldier's surrender after Afghanistan massacre

A surveillance camera mounted on a blimp hovering above a combat outpost in Afghanistan captured video of the surrender of a U.S. Army staff sergeant who allegedly murdered 16 Afghan civilians during a shooting spree in Afghanistan.

Defense Systems

Satellite comms offers warfighters multiple data paths

To compensate for budget shortfalls and also meet the growing demand for bandwidth, DOD is being forced to come up with creative ways to meet warfighter communications needs.

Defense Systems

Domestic UAVs would be kept on tight leash

The Federal Aviation Administration is drafting a rule that would allow only unmanned aircraft of less than 55 pounds to be operated inside the United States.

Defense Systems

DIA takes the lead on developing a common desktop environment

Grant Schneider, DIA's deputy director for information management and CIO, discusses the path toward common links between the intelligence agencies.

Defense Systems

Battlefield intelligence to benefit from Web-based tool

A Web-based system that fuses real-time operations data and accumulated intelligence will be tested at the Network Integration Evaluation.

Defense Systems

Iran said planning to build UAVs for Venezuela

Venezuala's unmanned aerial vehicles most likely will be used for internal defense and probably won't be armed.

Defense Systems

Satellite 2012 to focus on hosted payloads, security

The Satellite 2012 conference will explore hosted payloads, network security and safeguarding satellite operations.

Defense Systems

Cyber threats emerging: AESA radar said vulnerable to cyberattack

But an Air Force general said the radar threat can be mitigated.

Defense Systems

One bad part dooms $72.8M Global Hawk

Screws holding a Line Replaceable Unit in the unmanned aerial vehicle apparently shook loose during a mission over Eastern Afghanistan making it uncontrollable.

Defense Systems

9 companies compete for Navy ISR contracts

The contracts for equipment and services could reach half a billion dollars if all options are exercised.

Defense Systems

Officials undecided about Global Hawk savings

Air Force officials have told the House Appropriation Committee's defense subcommittee that the service isn't sure what it will do with the money it saves by cutting the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned aircraft program.

Defense Systems

DISA beefs up its ground game for better satellite services

DISA's Program Executive Office for Communications will focus in 2012 on the ground segment of satellite communications.

Defense Systems

Experimental UAV seeks to control deadly vibrations

An experimental unmanned aerial vehicle will use computing power to control "flutter" that can shake airframes apart.

Defense Systems

Mobile user satellite launch heralds shift to comms-on-the-move

The launch of the first Mobile User Objective System satellite in February marks a major step forward for the military’s communications-on-the-move projects.

Defense Systems

Hosted payloads and synergistic design alter military satellite landscape

The military is still striving to increase bandwidth, linking satellite and terminal design while turning to commercial suppliers for hosted payloads and more capabilities.

Defense Systems

Spy blimps may get shot down by delays, costs

The Navy has deflated its MZ-3A blimp, the Army’s airship has had development roadblocks and the Air Force may ground one of its large blimps.

Defense Systems

The unsolved case of the Army's missing bomb jammers

Thieves stole two Toyota Land Cruisers from a coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, that contained two sets of top-secret Duke radio frequency jammers used to block the signals that detonate remote-controlled improvised explosive devices.

Defense Systems

8 brigade combat teams to get integrated comms in 2013

The Army will field advanced, integrated tactical communications networks to eight brigade combat teams beginning early next year.