Defense Systems
Will lawmakers spare ISR systems from defense cuts?
Members of Congress unanimously praise ISR systems in wake of bin Laden raid, but are divided on whether to consider them for cuts.
Defense Systems
Air Force awards pair of contracts for UAS support
Dynamics Research Corp. will continue to provide engineering and technology services to the Air Force, having won a pair of two-year delivery orders worth a combined $24.5 million.
Defense Systems
New missile warning satellite launched into orbit
A military satellite designed to substantially boost the Air Force's missile defense and detection capabilities was launched into space May 7 atop an unmanned Atlas 5 rocket.
Defense Systems
Are bin Laden's hard drives an intelligence goldmine?
Fresh drone attacks in Pakistan and Yemen and the rounding up of 40 suspects in Abbottabad, Pakistan, with ties to slain terrorist eader Osama bin Laden might be part of the intelligence windfall resulting from hard drives seized in the May 2 compound raid.
Defense Systems
Northrop's Firebird ISR aircraft to fly in Empire Challenge
Northrop Grumman Corp. will demonstrate its newly developed, optionally piloted Firebird aircraft at the Defense Department's Empire Challenge exercise that will begin May 23 in Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
Defense Systems
Small unmanned systems play outsized role in tactical operations
Technological advances for unmanned aircraft systems programs have facilitated new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for soldiers and Marines.
Defense Systems
Boeing's Phantom Ray completes first test flight
The Phantom Ray unmanned aircraft system built by Boeing Co. successfully completed its first flight on April 27 at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Defense Systems
Terrain offers clues to choppers used in bin Laden raid
Although the exact chopper types used to infiltrate the Osama bin Laden mansion are unknown, the surrounding terrain offers a clue.
Defense Systems
Air Force seeks tiny UAV that can paint targets
The Air Force wants assistance from industry in developing a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle that could drop "dust" on a confirmed or suspected enemy soldier or terrorist, thus allowing them to be tracked from a distance.
Defense Systems
Want to connect with a hosted payload? Alliance will play matchmaker.
A group that wants to serve as a resource for government on hosted payload capabilities met for the first time in April at the National Space Symposium.
Defense Systems
'Invisible' commandos might stalk future battlefields
Researchers are looking into a variety of technologies to hide special forces from enemy sensors, while also providing improved night vision and situational awareness.
Defense Systems
Latest Apache net-enabled for battlefield
The Army’s Block III Apache helicopter will have a family of sensors and data links built into it that will enable pilots to exchange video and data with soldiers on the ground and nearby manned and unmanned aircraft.
Defense Systems
Navy to deploy Fire Scouts to Afghanistan
The Navy's Fire Scout UAVs will provide coalition forces with more eyes over the battlefield.
Defense Systems
Ka-band satellite constellation to benefit military forces
Inmarsat's new constellation of communications satellites will offer military and civilian users improved broadband wide-area network service.
Defense Systems
Navy awards contract for bomb-disposal robots
The Navy has awarded iRobot Corp. a $230 million contract to provide its PackBot man-transportable robotic system and support services for explosive ordnance disposal missions.
Defense Systems
Navy subs to get tactical updates through Deep Siren
An acoustic communications system is allowing U.S. Navy submarines to receive tactical data while submerged.
Defense Systems
Air Force to expand mission of missile defense satellite
The Air Force's troubled infrared missile detection satellite can be used to gather intelligence.
Defense Systems
Navy places order for aircraft mission computers
A General Dynamics unit will deliver additional advanced mission computers for Navy Super Hornet aircraft under a new contract.
Defense Systems
Alliance touts benefits of hosted satellite payloads
New space industry alliance seeks to help match up federal customers and their payloads with private satellite firms.
Defense Systems