Defense Systems

Nato summit: Turkey pressures US to sell armed UAVs

President Barack Obama's administration favors selling armed unmanned aerial vehicles to Turkey but faces formidable opposition from Congress on the matter, Turkish president Abdullah Gul told reporters at the NATO Summit.

Defense Systems

White House, not JCS, to coordinate terrorist targets for UAV strikes

White House counterterror Chief John Brennan will coordinate discussions as to which terrorist leaders will be the targets of armed unmanned aircraft strikes, signaling an important change from previous arrangements in which the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff initiated the discussion with other agencies.

Defense Systems

Cybersecurity chief steps down, plans long Harley ride

White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt plans to step down at the end of May after serving as the Obama administration's point person for efforts to develop a national and international cybersecurity strategies designed to protect vulnerable computer networks.

Defense Systems

Cyber intel sharing bill moves through House

The first two cybersecurity bills being considered in the House during "Cyber Week," CISPA and the Federal Information Security Amendments Act, passed April 26; two more bills are also up for consideration.

Defense Systems

Even cyber defense is not immune to politics

The White House says a cybersecurity bill put together by GOP senators isn't tough enough.

Defense Systems

Chopra returns to consulting firm

Former Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra has returned to the firm where he previously spent nearly 10 years.

Defense Systems

Shyu nominated for Army acquisition chief

President Barack Obama has nominated Heidi Shyu to serve as the Army's top weapons buyer.

Defense Systems

Cyber threat draws political attention

The Jan. 24 State of the Union Address and other developments indicate growing political attention is being paid to the pressing problem of national cybersecurity.

Defense Systems

White House aide Tom Gavin to join IT trade group

Tom Gavin, special assistant to the president, is heading to the Information Technology Industry Council.

Defense Systems

OMB's Lew to take over as White House chief of staff

OMB head to become Obama's right hand.

Defense Systems

Obama, officials lay out new US defense strategy

The Defense Department's strategic review reveals plans to shift from ground wars to rebuilding and deterrence while incorporating nearly $450 billion in cuts.

Defense Systems

Obama signs defense bill despite concerns over provisions

The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act receives presidential stamp of approval despite contested measures regarding controversial provision on indefinite detainment of terror suspects.

Defense Systems

US to Iran: Return the downed RQ-170 UAV

President Barack Obama has asked Iranian officials to return the sophisticated RQ-170 Sentinel that crashed in that country on Dec. 4.

Defense Systems

Administration considered cyberattack on Libya, report says

Officials considered a cyber offensive against Libya's air defense under Col. Moammar Gadhafi, but used traditional weapons, article says.

Defense Systems

Army program for secure Android kernel technology gets attention of NSA and White House

A new security development for the Android operating system opens possibility for widespread deployment of smart phones in military and civilian government applications.

Defense Systems

White House declares October cybersecurity awareness month

President Barack Obama issued a proclamation Oct. 3 declaring October as cybersecurity month in an effort to heighten awareness of the nation's "fundamental reliance" on digital infrastructure and its role as a strategic national asset.

Defense Systems

White House might have interfered with general's testimony

Air Force Gen. William Shelton has told lawmakers during a classified briefing earlier this month that the White House tried to persuade him to change his testimony to make it more favorable to a company with ties to a key Democratic donor.

Defense Systems

Drone attacks: Acts of war or old-fashioned policing?

While the United States says flying an unmanned aerial vehicle over a foreign nation is not necessarily an act of war, there is no doubt that a UAV attack committed by another government on U.S. soil would be seen as one.

Defense Systems

DARPA and Congress battle over spending, project priorities

The Senate Armed Service Committee is threatening to cut the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's budget by as much as $150 million as the struggle continues between the agency and Congress.

Defense Systems

Obama issues cyber warfare rules of engagement

President Barack Obama has signed executive orders that set forth the parameters by which the U.S. military can engage its adversaries and engage in routine espionage in the cyber realm.