Defense Systems

Pair of mesh reflectors boost Navy’s satcom network

The reflectors on satellites in the MUOS constellation help increase communications capacity 16-fold.

Threats

Expect the Russians to Keep Buzzing American Navy Ships

Cold War-era tactics resurface at sea, but this time, Moscow’s ultimate intentions are unknown.

Ideas

The Right Way to Enforce Freedom of Navigation in the South China Sea

Patrols must be clearly seen as reinforcing the norms involved, without bias or prejudice to who is claiming the features.

Threats

What Fighting Terrorism Can Teach Us About Confronting China

A conversation with Rear Adm. Paul Becker, former intelligence director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Defense Systems

Navy awards $879M contract to expand its EW fleet

Boeing will deliver 15 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft under terms of the deal.

Defense Systems

SPAWAR in search of mobile C4I support

The Navy is looking for support in mobile command, control, communications, computer and intelligence capabilities that would operate in potentially hostile regions of the world.

Defense Systems

Navy fills new top post for unmanned systems

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus taps retired Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Frank Kelley to be the deputy assistant secretary for the Navy’s unmanned systems.

Science & Tech

Navy Plans To Deploy A Submarine Drone Squadron By 2020

The highly autonomous underwater vehicles could be sent to scout ahead of attack submarines, or to guard valuable undersea targets.

Business

Former Marine General Will Run US Navy’s UAV Efforts

The new deputy assistant secretary will work closely with the new rapid development, prototyping and demonstration directorate.

Defense Systems

Navy wrapping up its switch from BlackBerry to Apple, Android

The transition for shore-based mobile users on NMCI and ONE-Net is to be completed by the end of January 2016.

Defense Systems

Navy is on to the next phase of laser weapons

ONR awards Northrop a potentially $91 million contract to develop a more powerful directed-energy system.

Business

Saudi Arabia Eyes US Warships, Sub-Hunting Helicopters to Check Iran

Saudi Arabia is planning to buy four more powerful versions of the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships, 10 submarine hunting Seahawk helicopters, and 750 missiles, freeing up U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf.

Defense Systems

The five stages of a cyber intrusion

In accordance with National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Navy detailed the steps adversaries use to gain access to networks and steal data.

Defense Systems

U.S. sends drones to Africa for counterterrorism operations

The ScanEagle units being delivered to the Kenyan and Cameroonian militaries are part of an effort to share some of the military’s technological advantage with allies.

Defense Systems

Wideband SATCOM terminals heading to sea

Norsat International gets a $2.7 million subcontract for maritime VSATs, or very small aperture terminals.

Science & Tech

US Navy Revives Ancient Navigation as Cyber Threats Grow

Satellites and GPS are vulnerable to cyber attack. The tools of yesteryear are not.

Defense Systems

An emerging threat: Small drones as flying IEDs

The military services are preparing to defend against the potential of inexpensive UAS being used as weapons.

Defense Systems

Navy awards $91.7M deal for next phase of electronic warfare program

Raytheon will work on Block 3 of SEWIP, which will give ships an electronic attack capability.

Defense Systems

ONR tests the latest in underwater drone technology

The Pax River demonstrations showed off what autonomous and remotely controlled UUVs can do in finding and neutralizing underwater mines.

Defense Systems

Is China building its first homegrown carrier?

Reports say satellite imagery shows possible carrier construction in a northern Chinese port.