Defense Systems
Army drills robot mule for Afghanistan duty
If a new robotic mule can pass an Army trial test in the New Mexico desert without overturning or going astray, the military service plans to send it to Afghanistan this fall.
Defense Systems
DOD unveils new cyber strategy website
The Defense Department has launched a new website dedicated to helping the public understand its new cyber strategy and tracking its progress in helping protect the federal government's cyber assets and the nation's critical infrastructure.
Defense Systems
Fire Scouts in theater outshine test performances
MQ-8B Fire Scout robotic helicopters deployed to Afghanistan and the USS Halyburton are performing well, despite findings in an earlier report citing problems with the drone's data links and mission failure rates, Navy officials say.
Defense Systems
Army's upgraded force tracking system heads into the field
The Army has launched its next-generation tracking system, Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below/Blue Force Tracking, in the field.
Defense Systems
Greenert to take over as Navy CNO, Ferguson as vice CNO
Adm. Jonathan Greenert has been appointed to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, and Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson to serve as Vice CNO, the Defense Department said July 21.
Defense Systems
Army to deploy new tactical generators to Afghanistan
The Army expects to save 300,000 gallons of fuel each month through its deployment of next-generation tactical generators to Afghanistan.
Defense Systems
DARPA intell program sent to Afghanistan to spy
Controversial Nexus 7 intelligence program sent Afghanistan to measure stability.
Defense Systems
Krzysko named to Defense enterprise information post
Mark Krzysko has been assigned to serve as the deputy director of the Enterprise Information and Office of the Secretary of Defense Studies at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Defense Department said.
Defense Systems
Partnerships will help protect U.S. space assets, official says
In response to the growing number of nations with counter-space capabilities, the United States is nurturing partnerships with spacefaring companies and allied nations to maintain its strategic advantage in space, said a top DOD official.
Defense Systems
U.S., China move closer to space security talks
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Gregory Schulte said July 19 that the United States and China will meet soon to discuss the best way to make sure that both nations act in a "responsible" manner in the national security space environment.
Defense Systems
DOD needs permanent 'fast-lane' for wartime acquisition: Carter
The Defense Department should institutionalize an ad-hoc rapid acquisition program used to provide weapons and equipment to U.S. forces fighting in Southwest Asia because the traditional acquisition process cannot adequately support the need of troops during wartime, said the DOD's top acquisition official.
Defense Systems
Harris secure data link gets NSA certification stamp
An embeddable radio developed by Harris and intended for communications in space-constrained military platforms has received type 1 certification from the National Security Agency, company officials said July 19.
Defense Systems
Group claims to have breached DISA network
A hacker group inspired by LulzSec and Anonymous claims to have breached the network of the Defense Information Systems Agency and extracted sensitive information it plans to post online.
Defense Systems
DARPA tool would track social media propaganda
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency wants to build a tool that can spot emerging social media propaganda campaigns on the Internet so that they can be countered before they gain traction.
Defense Systems
Has DOD dropped the ball on its workforce strategy?
The Defense Department's deficient workforce strategy was the subject of a House Armed Services Committee hearing July 14.
Defense Systems
Apache gets first JTRS radio for aircraft platforms
The Army's AH-64D Apache helicopter will be the first aircraft to receive the airborne version of a net-enabled joint tactical radio under the Defense Department's Joint Tactical Radio System program.
Defense Systems
What goes into a Predator prowl over a war zone
A long-range mission by a Predator drone over a global hot spot can require up to three crews and involves line-of-sight control while taking off and landing the vehicle, and satellite link control while on the prowl.
Defense Systems
DARPA's satellite cluster project enters design phase
DARPA's System F6 project in which an ad hoc wireless network would tie together groups of satellite clusters moves forward with a contract award for network design.
Defense Systems
Flawed Fire Scout charms Navy
Despite its major flaws, the Defense Department is planning to double its order of the MQ-8B Fire Scout robotic helicopter.
Defense Systems