Defense Systems
After bin Laden victory, lawmakers seek to increase special ops funding
The special operations community may get more funding after its operation against Osama bin Laden.
Defense Systems
What caused the helicopter crash in bin Laden raid?
The crash of a helicopter during the raid on the compound in which Osama bin Laden was hiding might have been caused by a vertical flight phenomenon known as "settling with power."
Defense Systems
Boeing's Phantom Ray completes first test flight
The Phantom Ray unmanned aircraft system built by Boeing Co. successfully completed its first flight on April 27 at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Defense Systems
Satellites, UAVs kept tight watch on bin Laden compound
Satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles offered long-range snapshots and full-motion video, respectively, of the compound where Osama bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan.
Defense Systems
Critical Joint Forces Command functions move to DOD
The critical functions and expertise of the Joint Forces Command will be preserved after it is shut down.
Defense Systems
Biometric device likely part of toolkit for bin Laden raid
The U.S forces who participated in the May 1 raid on a Pakistani compound in which terrorist leader Osama bin Laden was killed are likely to have used a portable facial recognition device as one of several methods to verify his identity after his death.
Defense Systems
Terrain offers clues to choppers used in bin Laden raid
Although the exact chopper types used to infiltrate the Osama bin Laden mansion are unknown, the surrounding terrain offers a clue.
Defense Systems
Air Force seeks tiny UAV that can paint targets
The Air Force wants assistance from industry in developing a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle that could drop "dust" on a confirmed or suspected enemy soldier or terrorist, thus allowing them to be tracked from a distance.
Defense Systems
DODIIS to focus on advances in secure collaboration
The 2011 Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems (DODIIS) conference kicks off May 1 in Detroit and Defense Systems staff will be on hand to provide timely coverage of the event. This year’s theme is "Secure and Collaborative Intelligence in Defense of the Nation." Panel presentations will address how to integrate the intelligence mission through technology and how to deliver secure and collaborative intelligence to warfighters.
Defense Systems
Army app store to offer alternate development path
Last year’s Apps for Army competition is set to evolve into a servicewide apps store that would let soldiers download straight to their work computers, and possibly even mobile devices.
Defense Systems
Infrared missile-spotting satellite nears launch
The first of four new missile-spotting satellites will launch on May 6.
Defense Systems
Latest Apache net-enabled for battlefield
The Army’s Block III Apache helicopter will have a family of sensors and data links built into it that will enable pilots to exchange video and data with soldiers on the ground and nearby manned and unmanned aircraft.
Defense Systems
Marines' unmanned lift competition worth watching
The Marine Corps is expected to make a decision this year about which of two unmanned aerial lift systems it plans to deploy on the battlefield in Afghanistan, reports Paul McLeary in Aviation Week’s 'Ares' blog.
Defense Systems
U.S. begins drone strikes in Libya
A Predator carried out United States’ first unmanned aerial vehicle strike in Libya on April 23 just two days after President Barack Obama authorized the use of armed UAVs to support rebel forces fighting Moammar Ghadafi’s troops.
Defense Systems
Army favors Android in smart-phone push
Indications are that the Army will use Google's Android operating system to power handheld smart phones that might eventually be distributed in large numbers to soldiers.
Defense Systems
Cyber Quests announces new round of competition
The winners of a new cyber competition will receive invitations to attend a month-long cyber camp to be held this summer.
Defense Systems
Army to consider iPhone brain for networked soldier kit
Army program officials will explore if a smart phone might be the best solution for the computing device that serves as the "brain" for the Nett Warrior slated for production around June.
Defense Systems
Navy's drone to perform mouse-click carrier landings
The first drone intended to fly off an aircraft carrier will be controlled by a mouse, Navy officials say.
Defense Systems
Marines on quest for knowledge dominance
The Second Annual USMC IT Day is slated for April 12 in Quantico, Va., and Defense Systems' staff will be in attendance to report on the day's events.
Defense Systems