Defense Systems

France, Britain put joint drone on hold

France and Britain will delay for 12 to 18 months a decision on how they will proceed together in developing a medium-altitude, long-range joint drone that can carry out strikes so that they can evaluate various options.

Defense Systems

Navy Fire Scout crashes during Libya operations

A U.S. unmanned helicopter crashed June 21 while undertaking a reconnaissance mission as part of NATO's continuing air campaign against Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi.

Defense Systems

Is that insect real, or is it a drone?

Air Force researchers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are working to develop small and miniature unmanned drones that replicate the flight mechanics of moths, hawks and other inhabitants of the natural world.

Defense Systems

Air Force, Raytheon put tactical sensor on fast track

The Air Force has awarded Raytheon a contract to deploy a new tactical sensor system that will identify targets based on their spectral characteristics.

Defense Systems

Info dominance vital to the 'kill chain,' Navy intell czar says

Vice Adm. Kendall L. Card, director of Naval Intelligence and deputy chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance, discusses how the Navy is improving its electronic warfare and cyber capabilities as it prepares to face current and future challenges.

Defense Systems

Handheld joint radios face critical network test

Upcoming tests will evaluate the ability of Joint Tactical Radio System equipment to provide small units with network connectivity and communications.

Defense Systems

Global Hawks remain on Carter's chopping block

Pentagon acquisition czar Ashton Carter has announced plans to streamline the Air Force RQ-4A/B Global Hawk program, including eliminating 11 more of the Block 30 Global Hawks from the scheduled purchase of 42 of the drones.

Defense Systems

Maritime Predator will be on display at Paris Air Show

In response to a request from the Defense Department's European Command, the Customs and Border Protection agency will display an operational maritime variant of the MQ-9 Predator B unmanned aircraft system at the 2011 Paris Air Show.

Defense Systems

Drastic funding cut proposed for EMARSS program

A House panel wants to trim $524 million from the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, the Army's intelligence collection, processing, and targeting platform.

Defense Systems

Marines purchase new vehicle-mounted sensors

The Marine Corps has awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. a contract for vehicle-mounted and portable sensor systems needed for remote surveillance on the battlefield.

Defense Systems

New Army lab will speed up radio testing

New testing laboratory will put radios through realistic evaluations to judge their technical maturity.

Defense Systems

DOD: Northrop's new Global Hawk not mission ready

The RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 30, Northrop Grumman's latest drone design, has failed the Pentagon's testing requirements. Is it back to the drawing board?

Defense Systems

How Boeing's Phantom Ray rose from its ghostly grave

What seemed like a risky decision for Boeing in 2007 when it chose to perfect the Phantom Ray unmanned jet fighter on its own eventually might pay off in spades for the aerospace contractor and the U.S. military.

Defense Systems

Subcommittee puts Emarss in a funding tailspin

The House Appropriations defense subcommittee has proposed cutting $524 million from a key manned aerial reconnaissance program operated by the Army.

Defense Systems

Aircraft buying plan would double UAVs by 2020

A new 30-year aircraft buying plan submitted by the Defense Department to Congress predicts that the number of unmanned aerial vehicles in the U.S. arsenal will double over the next nine years.

Defense Systems

Mobile network at Empire Challenge has the RITE stuff

The Relevant ISR to the Edge is in the spotlight at Empire Challenge 11. The program enables servicemembers, using their mobile phones, to access the data they need, but does it work on the battlefield?

Defense Systems

Advanced sensors might help resolve ISR data overload

DARPA's most cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools are born out of creative, critical analysis that harnesses ideas and technologies ahead of the curve.

Defense Systems

Navy has some clever ideas for future robots

While the Navy has not been as gung-ho about robots as the Army and Air Force, it certainly envisions a greater role for robots in its future fleets and capabilities, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead said May 17 at the Ocean Tech Expo in Newport, R.I.

Defense Systems

Don’t miss your chance to help build a UAV

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is calling on anyone interested in helping design a small, next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle to log on to a special website and participate with others in the effort.

Defense Systems

Air Force seeks even smarter space satellites

The military is seeking a more grown-up version of its current satellites, one that can take care of itself, according to a new solicitation request.