Threats
China’s New Islands Are Clearly Military, U.S. Pacific Chief Says
Adm. Harry Harris, head of U.S. Pacific Command, says the vastly expanded reefs now look exactly like combat bases for fighters, bombers, ships, and surveillance.
Defense Systems
RoboBoats show off their moves in ONR competition
The 16-team competition is the latest event in the Navy’s ongoing effort to develop autonomous capability.
Defense Systems
Navy adds $155M contract for electronic warfare systems
Lockheed Martin will continue to deliver SEWIP upgrades under the new deal.
Defense Systems
Navy awards up to $228M for unmanned maritime systems
Seven companies will compete for work focusing on countering naval mines and improvised explosives in the Pacific.
Defense Systems
Navy hires Lockheed for shipboard electronic warfare upgrades
The SEWIP contract for $8 million could be worth as much as $59 million.
Defense Systems
Navy forks over $9.1 million for XP support
Deal covers 100,000 computers still running the OS, which Microsoft debuted in 2001 and stopped selling in 2010.
Defense Systems
Navy boosts Raytheon's contract for Next Generation Jammer
The $13 million contract modification support development of the service's next electronic warfare weapon.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $60.9M deal for maritime drone program
Northrop Grumman will supply support for its BAM-D Global Hawk.
Defense Systems
Navy making faster work of software upgrades
Sometimes little things, like “eradicating” XP, make a difference.
Defense Systems
Navy awards a second $478.6M contract for joint tactical radios
The award to Data Links Solutions, identical to the recent deal to ViaSat, brings the total committed to MIDS JTRS terminals to nearly a billion dollars.
Defense Systems
Marines using virtual reality to lighten real-world load
The Office of Naval Research ETOWL, a 3D computer simulation program, lets users load up an avatar to study the stress points on warfighters.
Defense Systems
Study: DOD needs to field laser weapons ASAP
The Center for a New American Security also recommends that military labs abandon their piecemeal approach in favor of a merged development program.
Defense Systems
Navy's third high-bandwidth satellite ready for duty
MUOS-3 expands coverage to about three-quarters of the globe; the fourth and final satellite is expected to be launched later this year.
Defense Systems
Mabus says delays are hurting UCLASS development
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus voiced some frustration over the delays in the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike program, which Congress wants to focus more on strike capabilities.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $479M deal for joint tactical radios
The MIDS JTRS terminals allow high-speed, jam-resistant sharing of voice, data and imagery among U.S. and coalition forces.
Defense Systems
General Dynamics upgrades computer system for Marines' fighter jet
The company has just delivered the third software release for the mission system computer in the AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft.
Defense Systems
Future of unmanned capabilities: MALE vs HALE
While the U.S. has had a lot of success with medium-altitude unmanned aircraft against non-state actors, more technologically formidable militaries such as China's could be a problem.
Business
The Once—and Future?—USS Samuel B. Roberts
The enduring legacy of a small warship, in 25 tweets.
Defense Systems
Cutting-edge glasses give Marines a clear view of augmented reality
The glasses, developed by ONR, were used for the first time with the Augmented Immersive Team Trainer.
Threats