Defense Systems

Administration backs spy satellite modernization

The Obama administration supports a plan from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Defense Department to modernize the country's electro-optical satellites.

Defense Systems

Large exits NRO

National Reconnaissance Office Director Scott Large will step down from his post on April 18, reports Aviation Week’s Ares Blog.

Defense Systems

Radio connectivity on the fly

The Soldier Radio Waveform, and its reputation for agility, is a big part of what makes the Rifleman and other Joint Tactical Radio System radios so advanced.

Defense Systems

Air Force lab to study electronic warfare

The Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded a contract to Raytheon Co. to design a battle management system to oversee electronic warfare efforts.

Defense Systems

DOD to boost funding for battlefield ISR

Vowing to find a permanent home in the Defense Department’s budget for programs that directly support soldiers on the battlefront in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the department is adding $2 billion to the department’s fiscal 2010 budget to boost intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts.

Defense Systems

Army hires contractor for global ISR support

The Army has awarded a $22 million contract to CACI International Inc. to furnish support services for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Defense Systems

JTRS: Networking the last tactical mile

Dennis Bauman, joint program executive officer for DOD’s Joint Tactical Radio System, discusses how the system will provide a powerful network for warfighters on the tactical edge of the battlefield.

Defense Systems

Soldier notebook serves as intelligence tool

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is continuing to push the development of the Tactical Ground Reporting system.

Defense Systems

GAO: Weapons programs still beset by cost overruns

A recent Government Accountability Office report reveals continuing high development costs and delays in many of the DOD’s major programs.

Defense Systems

Navy issues presolicitation for maritime R&D

Officials are seeking research and development proposals for C4ISR systems that could improve maritime awareness.

Defense Systems

Navy awards contract for E-6B wideband enhancement

The Navy has awarded a contract to Rockwell Collins Inc. to provide engineering and technical services to upgrade wideband capabilities of the E-6B command, control and communications aircraft.

Defense Systems

FCS vehicle cuts would produce limited near-term savings

Defense Department officials are considering eliminating all but one of the eight Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles, reports DOD Buzz.

Defense Systems

Army receives first mobile radios for FCS

The first two ground mobile radio models that are part of the military’s next-generation tactical radio network have been delivered to the Army’s Future Combat Systems program by prime contractor Boeing Co.

Defense Systems

Air Force issues combat identification RFI

The service is looking for technology concepts that will improve its ability to identify threats in the battlespace.

Defense Systems

Army establishes network compliance checklists

Service officials plan to use the acquisition process to build an enterprise-wide interoperable and integrated network.

Defense Systems

FCS unmanned vehicles move through review

A government and industry team has given the go-ahead for the unmanned vehicles slated for the Army’s Future Combat Systems to proceed beyond the preliminary design review stage.

Defense Systems

Special operations forces need ISR boost

The Defense Department wants to expand the capabilities of its Special Operations Forces in several key areas, one of which is intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Defense Systems

GPS III satellite undergoes preliminary review

The Lockheed Martin Corp. team building the next-generation global positioning system spacecraft has achieved a number of milestones in the preliminary design review phase with the Air Force.

Defense Systems

DISA seeks command and control software

The Defense Information Systems Agency is requesting information from contractors capable of providing and maintaining command and control software.

Defense Systems

Air Force gets help with sensor architecture

The Air Force has awarded Ball Aerospace and Technologies a contract to help develop an architecture that will improve the analysis of sensor data.