Defense Systems

Air Force scours space for needle in haystack

The Air Force is encouraging the development of space situational awareness platforms to track satellites that can be smaller than a book and hard to identify from the standpoint of intent and ownership in increasingly cluttered orbits.

Defense Systems

The push for a seamless command and control network

The Global Command and Control System-Joint will bridge the gap in joint and multinational forces command and control until the completion of the Net-Enabled Command Capability.

Defense Systems

Industry Recon

Harris provides a digital intercom system for Air Force ground vehicles. Exalt Communications offers a new series of ruggedized microwave radio systems. The National Security Agency certifies that the Sectéra Edge smart phone is compliant with the Secure Communication Interoperability Protocol. And Citrix supplies TCS with an applications accelerator to meet the needs of Army satellite communications.

Defense Systems

Army enterprise chief outlines network modernization efforts

Gary Winkler, program executive officer for enterprise information systems at Fort Belvoir, Va., discussed a number of current initiatives, including the Logistics Modernization Program, the Army Enterprise System Integration Program and the recently concluded Network Service Center Operational Validation exercise.

Defense Systems

Marine Corps to get support for logistics programs

QinetiQ North America will provide a range of support services to the Marine Corps under a three-year contract that has a maximum value of $17.4 million.

Defense Systems

UAVs make Paris Air Show debut

A number of key developments concerning intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance were unveiled at the Paris Air Show last week.

Defense Systems

SPAWAR to get on-site communications tech support

General Dynamics will provide network communications services to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center under a new $51 million contract.

Defense Systems

GAO finds silver lining in FCS failure

A GAO official told a Senate subcommittee that though the Army's Future Combat Systems failed to live up to expectations, successive programs will benefit from its trial and error.

Defense Systems

Warfighters get bandwidth boost from wideband satellites

Boeing has transferred control of the second Wideband Global Satcom satellite to the Air Force, company officials said June 15.

Defense Systems

Software-based system to improve Marine communications

A General Dynamics unit will enhance capabilities of Marine Corps combat operations centers by installing a new software-based system to improve information sharing and speed of network communications under a contract modification.

Defense Systems

DOD taps industry for commercial satellite guidance

The Defense Department wants information from providers of commercial satellite services regarding their ability to support future military communications requirements.

Defense Systems

Army awards $363M Sincgcars contract

ITT Corp. will furnish continuing support for the Army’s Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System.

Defense Systems

General Dynamics builds ISR muscle

A General Dynamics unit will acquire Axsys Technologies Inc., a developer of electro-optical and infrared sensors and systems and surveillance and reconnaissance cameras, for $643 million.

Defense Systems

Panel: Warfighters want more flexible intelligence systems

Members of the defense intelligence community participating in a panel at the 2009 DODIIS Conference said that flexible systems would make it easier for them to carry out specific intelligence missions.

Defense Systems

DOD develops radio technologies to overcome spectrum limitations

The pressing need of ground troops for wireless communications is sparking new research into dynamic spectrum allocation.

Defense Systems

VSAT proves crucial to battlefield communications

VSAT technology, which allows for real-time voice, video and data transmission without communications infrastructure or line-of-sight positioning, is proving to be an indispensable tool for military command and control.

Defense Systems

Ground mobile program worth the wait

JTRS Joint Ground Domain Program Manager Col. Daniel Hughes discusses the progress of engineering efforts to enhance wideband communications capabilities for Army and Marine vehicles.

Defense Systems

Satcom at a crossroads

The Defense Department wants to lock in commercial satellite support to sustain key military applications.

Defense Systems

Data Packets

Top defense officials are moving to cancel the FCS program and transfer spinouts to a another program. GAO has warned of problems with GPS satellites. Intell community CIOs report progress on technology integration. The Air Force Personnel Center plans to move its personnel support applications to a software-as-a-service model. And a Marine Corps general urges tailoring C4ISR to small units.

Defense Systems

Joint Forces commander blasts tech planning

Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis criticizes the “wrongheaded thinking” of military planners in recent years who placed too much emphasis on the role of technology in winning wars.