Defense Systems

Navy hires two to explore cryogenic RF technologies

Out of the Fog and Hypres win contracts to develop cryogenic radio frequency systems and quantum memory technologies.

Defense Systems

ONR looks to take the bloat out of software upgrades

Updates these days tend to include both old code and new code, which can slow down performance and increase security risks.

Defense Systems

Army researchers picture a new GPS alternative

CERDEC uses two highly sensitive miniature cameras in a vision-aided navigation system that accurately detects both motion and depth.

Defense Systems

New framework offers a better way to model complex networks

DARPA-funded research finds even obscure patterns that can be applied to better understand anything from military logistics to social media activity to air traffic.

Defense Systems

DOD names 7 to $142M deal for modernizing contract system

The Defense Contract Management Agency is moving on from its Cobol-based mainframe system.

Defense Systems

AFRL develops portable tool for aircraft inspections

SuNDE speeds up repairs by assessing structural damage in the field and giving maintenance depot crews a heads-up about the parts and components they’ll need.

Defense Systems

Army's portable command post connects expeditionary forces

The expeditionary sustainment commands, or ESCs, extend the operational picture out to units in the field.

Defense Systems

Navy names 21 companies to $750M C2 contract

The companies will compete to supply the service with commercial command and control equipment and services.

Defense Systems

DARPA wants to give hypersonic aircraft a reusable engine

The AFRE project looks to build a hybrid engine that can provide a smooth transition from supersonic to hypersonic (Mach 5) flight, which would allow the engines to be used again.

Defense Systems

Navy cranks up the power on laser weapon

The service is reportedly getting ready to test a 150-kilowatt system, which would be a fivefold increase over the LaWS system currently is use.

Defense Systems

Air Force explores trust issues among human-robot teams

The service gives SRA a contract to research into understanding “trust calibration” between operators and autonomous systems.

Defense Systems

DARPA awards deals to develop vanishing delivery drones

The research agency's ICARUS program is looking for small UAS that can delivery supplies to deployed forces and then disappear.

Defense Systems

Air Force nearing completion of satellite communications system

The service gives Lockheed a $48 million contract modification to finish work on AEHF, which is replacing the Milstar constellation.

Defense Systems

NRL patents process for turning seawater into fuel

Researchers' E-CEM separates carbon dioxide and hydrogen and then produces liquid hydrocarbons for (still small) amounts of fuel.

Defense Systems

Navy says hit me again with Blackjack UAS

The small, rail-launched ISR drones are used by the Navy and Marines for ISR, and have shown potential for domestic use.

Defense Systems

DOD implementing a system to monitor insider threats

The system will look for systemic threat issues, whether they occur intentionally or accidentally.

Defense Systems

Navy's robotic lifeguard answers the call

EMILY, a Kevlar-coated, jet-powered buoy, was recently used to help rescue 300 Syrian refugees off the coast of Greece.

Defense Systems

Army gets a move on 'pseudolites' and other non-GPS navigation

CERDEC works on providing positioning, navigation and timing when the usual signals aren't available.

Defense Systems

DOD report on China details escalation in the cyber domain

The annual report to Congress describes China's focus on cyberspace as a domain of warfare.

Defense Systems

Air Force wants machine-to-machine software for drones

The service is asking industry for information on the next generation of UAS capabilities to support global operations.