Defense Systems

Army, AAI collaborate on UAS payload development

AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems has delivered a small and a miniature UAS to the Army's Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center that will be used to help develop various payloads for three classes of the UAS.

Defense Systems

Army launches core financial management system worldwide

The Army's General Fund Enterprise Business System is now serving Army organizations and functions around the globe that have nearly 40,000 users.

Defense Systems

Air Force narrows field of MQ-1/9 base contenders

Three bases have been chosen as candidates for the remote MQ-1/9 split operations squadron, which Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will select in December 2011.

Defense Systems

Navy destroyer gets advanced data transfer network

Boeing has completed installation of an enhanced data transfer network on the newly built guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance that was commissioned Oct. 1.

Defense Systems

DIA considers 'common development kit' for intell apps

The Defense Intelligence Agency is considering the creation of "a common development kit" that would produce interoperable "widgets" that could be used by analysts throughout the intelligence community.

Defense Systems

MRAP crews to get radios for satcom on-the-move

The Army and the Marine Corps have placed orders totaling $20 million for Harris' Falcon III AN/PRC-117G manpack radios and adapters for use in Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to achieve satcom-on-the-move capability.

Defense Systems

Japanese contractor hack might have put US in danger

A data breach of Japanese defense contractor Mitsubishi Heavy is now believed to have infiltrated U.S. military aircraft and power plant information, though whether the data was classified is still unknown.

Defense Systems

Demand for better payloads to spur UAV tech advances

Global spending on payloads and subsystems for UAVs is expected to hit $2.9 billion this year as companies continue to enter the market or expand their existing capabilities to provide the equipment to conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communication and attack missions with UAVs.

Defense Systems

Army chooses contractor for UAS support services

The Army has awarded a five-year contract with options potentially worth $105 million to Aerodyne to furnish engineering and support services to the service's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office.

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

Autonomous network would manage long-range recon, strikes

The U.S. military is interested in establishing an aviation force centered primarily on existing unmanned aircraft that could carry out long-range surveilliance and strike missions in the Pacific theater.

Defense Systems

UN regulation of Internet bad idea, Cyber Command chief says

The commander of the U.S. Cyber Command said Oct. 20 that he opposes giving the United Nations the authority to regulate the Internet as part of an effort proposed by some nations to establish an international code of conduct for information security.

Defense Systems

UAV recon missions over Afghanistan quadruple

There have been some 23,000 Coalition spy missions in Afghanistan since 2011 began -- four times more than in 2009 -- but with insurgent attacks still on the rise, some are wondering just what is the point?

Defense Systems

Raytheon, Boeing seen likely to weather defense cuts

A new financial analysis indicates that the defense units of Raytheon and Boeing are likely to weather further cuts in Defense Department spending better than their competitors.

Defense Systems

Navy mulls budget cut for next-gen ship network

The rollout of the Navy’s next-generation ship network system might be delayed if service officials decide to go forward with a $102 million proposed cut to the program’s budget.

Defense Systems

Switchblade UAV would perform human-kill missions

A small unmanned aerial vehicle designed to sneak up on a human target and then dive bomb the person will soon be part of the Army's arsenal.

Defense Systems

DIA, General Dynamics to partner on information assurance

General Dynamics IT will ensure the security, integrity and confidentiality of the DIA's network defenses and data resources.

Defense Systems

Shadow M2 offers expanded payload capabilities

AAI has introduced the Shadow M2, an improved version of the RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aerial vehicle used by the Army and Marine Corps. It is capable of carrying two sensor payloads on a mission rather than the single standard electro-optical, infrared package available on previous versions.

Defense Systems

Boeing's new C4ISR division to manage multiple programs

Boeing has created a new division to provide more focus and expertise to military customers for network-enabled command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) programs and technologies.

Defense Systems

DOD axes ground mobile radio portion of JTRS program

The Defense Department pulls the plug on the troubled Ground Mobile Radio portion of the Joint Tactical Radio System program.