Author Archive

John Edwards

John Edwards is a contributing writer for Defense Systems.
Defense Systems

The military cloud: Balancing security and accessibility

DOD weighs security and accessibility concerns as it gets ready to send sensitive data into the cloud.

Defense Systems

Budget and technology issues reshape combat communications

Emerging systems and innovative approaches help the Defense Department enhance tactical edge communications despite diminishing financial resources.

Defense Systems

Access to better intelligence and insight to come--eventually

The planned Defense Intelligence Information Enterprise builds upon the Distributed Common Ground System architecture used by the Army and Air Force in an attempt to provide a coherent, fully analyzed picture of the current operational and physical environment.

Defense Systems

Addressing the challenge of data for all, but securely

Emerging threats and new devices combine to create a complex and rapidly changing landscape for storage security.

Defense Systems

SRW Appliqué and Agile Bidding: Vehicle Voice and Data

The Army is using a streamlined bidding process to save time and money as it searches for an inexpensive way of adding networking capabilities to SINCGARS-radio-equipped vehicles.

Defense Systems

Military encryption's going open

Emerging technologies aim to secure data on a rapidly growing number of platforms.

Defense Systems

2012: Year One in global cyber war

As cyberattacks mounted in 2012, the Defense Department and other government agencies began striking back.

Defense Systems

Geospatial intelligence sharing across echelons poses Big Data challenge

Getting various types of geospatial intelligence to end-users quickly and in the correct format remains a complex process.

Defense Systems

DOD works to protect essential collaboration technology

Across the DOD, videoconferencing is now widely used to facilitate real-time decision making for command and control applications, as well as to improve combat effectiveness all the way up to the tactical edge.

Defense Systems

Air Force ISR aims for maximum insight

Agency strives to provide a full spectrum of ISR capabilities to meet strategic, tactical and combatant command requirements.

Defense Systems

Air Force ISR works to stay on top of evolving technologies

Lt. Gen. Larry James on the Air Force ISR's ever-evolving mission, the roles played by old and new technologies and the challenges AF ISR faces as it serves users on a rapidly changing global stage.

Defense Systems

Safeguarding data-filled devices requires sophisticated tools

Safeguarding an ever-expanding variety of data-filled devices requires sophisticated tools and methods.

Defense Systems

Plethora of communications options compound challenges at the tactical edge

The quest for comprehensive situational awareness leads to a burgeoning array of communications technologies.

Defense Systems

UAS imagery can have more tactical value when viewed on mobile devices

Smart phones and tablets are emerging as essential UAS imagery viewing platforms.

Defense Systems

Fewer DOD data centers will result in reduced enemy attack vectors

Maintaining security in an era of smaller budgets and data center consolidation poses a major challenge.

Defense Systems

Intel-in-a-suitcase system helps boost situational awareness

Taking advantage of emerging communications technologies and platforms, L-3 Communications keeps adding new capabilities to its VideoScout "intel-in-a-suitcase" system.

Defense Systems

DOD's mobility strategy a push-pull between radios and COTS devices

Rapidly evolving mobile technologies create new capabilities—and rapid change.

Defense Systems

Satellites and secure wireless evolve to meet new demands

Emerging systems promise easier access, improved performance and new capabilities.

Defense Systems

Ruggedized network components keep critical data flowing

Delivering situational awareness data to the tactical edge requires the use of battle-hardened network elements.