Science & Tech

The Navy Is Tracking Some Strange Sounds Coming from the Ocean

A network of Internet-connected undersea microphones is picking up more than Cold War era sub-hunting ever did. By Matthew Braga

Defense Systems

Aussie air force kicks in on P-8A spy planes

A $295 million DOD contract includes funding toward four maritime surveillance planes for Australia

Defense Systems

Army lab to provide software analysis for Joint Strike Fighter

ARMDEC will independently double-check the F-35’s software systems for safety, airworthiness.

Threats

Navy Chief Says the Future of War Lies in 'Information Dominance'

Cyber threats and capabilities are the dominant considerations for a service entering a new era in naval warfare. By Bob Brewin

Defense Systems

ONR demos advanced electronic warfare system at RIMPAC

The EWBM allows sailors to react faster to incoming threats and optimize the use of electronic warfare assets.

Defense Systems

Navy planning to put laser weapons on helicopters

Expected to complement traditional weapons, the HELWS laser could be used to attack low threat targets or incoming projectiles.

Policy

The Navy Can't Afford Its Own Plan to Buy New Subs

The Navy just told Congress the cost to build subs and modernize the rest of its fleet is 'unsustainable.' By Global Security Newswire

Defense Systems

Autonomous vessel for tracking silent subs is under construction

Expected to be launched in 2015, DARPA’s unmanned ACTUV would track diesel submarines for months at a time.

Science & Tech

The U.K. Is Fine With Its Fleet of Nuclear Subs, Thank You Very Much

In a report three years in the making, a panel of former British defense and foreign-affairs leaders said shifting to alternative nuclear platforms isn't worth it. By Elaine M. Grossman

Defense Systems

NRL reports a breakthrough in 'quantum dots'

Researchers' ability to create the dots with single-atom precision holds promise for fields from photonic to quantum computing.

Defense Systems

Navy looks to cash in on 3D printing at sea

Additive manufacturing could rapidly print replacement parts or supplies for Navy ships, lowering logistical costs.

Defense Systems

Navy awards $35M contract to boost C4ISR info sharing

Lockheed Martin is to improve the way Navy sensors will collect, share and display data.

Ideas

The Navy's Floating Prisons

The U.S. Navy has taken on a curious new counterterrorism role. By Marisa Porges

Defense Systems

Navy’s carbon-fiber clouds could make incoming missiles miss their target

The Pandarra Fog exercise shows how the clouds can absorb or diffuse radar waves from seekers on incoming missiles.

Defense Systems

Navy wants to take big data into battle

ONR calls for ideas on a framework and analytics tools to help with warfighting efforts.

Defense Systems

Marine vehicles could soon have anti-drone laser guns

The Office of Naval Research is leading a program to develop a laser system small enough for a Humvee.

Defense Systems

DOD looks to accelerate commercialization of military tech

AFRL, SPAWAR Pacific inventions will be made available for entrepreneurs to propose commercialization plans.

Defense Systems

DARPA, Navy want long-range ISR drones for smaller ships

The Tern program plans to build a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS that doesn’t need an aircraft carrier for take-off.

Defense Systems

Army, Navy fund Northrop for electronic warfare system

The company will produce pre-production units of its advances radar warning receiver and electronic warfare management system for aircraft.

Defense Systems

Navy awards HP $138M extension for getting from NMCI to NGEN

The contract modification enables the company to provide NMCI services until Sept. 30, when NGEN is expected to take over.