Defense Systems
Autonomous network would manage long-range recon, strikes
The U.S. military is interested in establishing an aviation force centered primarily on existing unmanned aircraft that could carry out long-range surveilliance and strike missions in the Pacific theater.
Defense Systems
UAV recon missions over Afghanistan quadruple
There have been some 23,000 Coalition spy missions in Afghanistan since 2011 began -- four times more than in 2009 -- but with insurgent attacks still on the rise, some are wondering just what is the point?
Defense Systems
Switchblade UAV would perform human-kill missions
A small unmanned aerial vehicle designed to sneak up on a human target and then dive bomb the person will soon be part of the Army's arsenal.
Defense Systems
Collaboration must be lifeblood of joint combat operations
Collaboration among coalition forces on the battlefield would seem to be a given, but there are still major hurdles preventing critical information sharing, according to international military officials.
Defense Systems
SOUTHCOM looks to non-traditional information sharing
The U.S. Southern Command's commander wants to use non-traditional ways to achieve the intelligence capabilities required in South America.
Defense Systems
Shadow M2 offers expanded payload capabilities
AAI has introduced the Shadow M2, an improved version of the RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aerial vehicle used by the Army and Marine Corps. It is capable of carrying two sensor payloads on a mission rather than the single standard electro-optical, infrared package available on previous versions.
Defense Systems
Boeing's new C4ISR division to manage multiple programs
Boeing has created a new division to provide more focus and expertise to military customers for network-enabled command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) programs and technologies.
Defense Systems
Army seeks more mature network technologies for next NIE
The Army has issued a second sources sought notice that asked industry to deliver additional mature technologies to fill gaps in network communications systems at the Network Integration Evaluation exercise planned for spring 2012.
Defense Systems
Long-endurance airship scheduled for November flight
Northrop Grumman's long-endurance, multi-intelligence vehicle (LEMV) will undergo its first test flight in November after a three-month delay.
Defense Systems
DOD's commercial satcom strategy needs adjustment
Will a one-size-fits-all approach limit DOD's access to global satellite capacity where and when the warfighter needs it?
Defense Systems
UAV computer virus might be from gaming malware
The computer virus that worked its way into the system used to remotely pilot the Air Force’s armed unmanned aerial vehicles in September was not an intentional attack on the system but likely a result of malware used to steal log-ins and passwords used in online gaming.
Defense Systems
JLENS passes latest milestone; is mission ready: Raytheon
The JLENS aerostat system has successfully completed a 14-day milestone test and is mission ready, according to manufacturer Raytheon.
Defense Systems
Air Force's Blue Devil airship undergoes testing
The Air Force is running tests on its optionally manned, giant airship Blue Devil Block 2 in preparation for deployment in Afghanistan by the middle of next year.
Defense Systems
Netherlands to join WGS program to boost military bandwidth
The Netherlands is planning to join the Wideband Global Satcom program to boost its military satellite communications capacity.
Defense Systems
Brits in Afghanistan have high praise for low-tech drones
Although the dominant intelligence story line for British forces in Afghanistan is the transition from the Hermes 450 to the Watchkeeper tactical unmanned aircraft system, the frontline troops are particularly keen on low-tech UAS platforms tailored to support specific missions.
Defense Systems
Full-motion video proves boon to intell gathering
Full-motion video from unmanned aircraft systems has proved a tremendous benefit to intelligence gathering in war zones.
Defense Systems
US armed drones struck by tenacious computer virus
Unmanned aerial vehicles flown remotely over Afghanistan and other areas have been struck by a computer virus that logs pilots' keystrokes.
Defense Systems
Army presses forward with command post modernization
General Dynamics C4 Systems has won a two-year contract with a maximum potential value of $78 million for the continued development and enhancement of the Command Post of the Future system.
Defense Systems
Unmanned K-Max ships out for Afghanistan
The Navy has picked the K-Max helicopter built jointly by Kaman Aerospace and Lockheed Martin for testing under battlefield conditions in Afghanistan to determine whether unmanned aircraft systems are suitable for transporting supplies around the battlefield.
Defense Systems