Defense Systems

Mobile mashup: The military's proliferating mix of smartphones and tablets

DOD is using mobile devices in conventional and unconventional ways, which brings a lot of challenges to go with the convenience.

Defense Systems

Chasing big data? You're going to need a bigger boat

Bandwidth is as important as algorithms as the military's wide array of sensors collects huge data sets.

Defense Systems

How big data is paying off for DOD

There’s no silver bullet to handling huge sets of data, but the military is finding ways to put analytics to use.

Defense Systems

The future of satellites: What are the options?

From reusable launch vehicles to high-throughput satellites and hosted payloads, DOD looks to meet rising demand while cutting costs.

Defense Systems

DOD's push for secure mobile comms leverages commercial tools

Commercial encryption, biometrics help DOD prevent eavesdropping.

Defense Systems

Future satcom needs better modems, antennas and power

Although various technologies and techniques are being used to improve military satellite capabilities, armed forces will still need to rely on commercial capabilities.

Defense Systems

DOD builds foundation for future SATCOM

New communications satellite network will boost bandwidth while helping reduce terminal sizes.

Defense Systems

NGA apps for GEOINT facilitate mobile, tactical tools

The drive to make smart phones and tablets a viable communication tool for warfighters in the field is moving forward at a rapid pace.

Defense Systems

Radar functions increase as developers shift to software and digital modules

A changeover to more digital components is enabling new, sophisticated techniques for radar.

Defense Systems

GEOINT down to the engineering level made Bin Laden raid possible

Tighter budgets and the drawdowns in Afghanistan and Iraq aren’t enough to stop the increasing desire for more satellite bandwidth.

Defense Systems

Military reaps surveillance benefits from advances in sensor technologies

The rapid evolution of electro-optical imagers and infrared cameras is making it possible to employ them for less cost on smaller and lighter systems.

Defense Systems

Troops finding new ways to deploy VSATs for mission success

Terminals bring a range of inputs to mobile users but size limited by power source, specifically batteries.

Defense Systems

Budget cuts change the landscape for satcom and satellite usage

Satellite communications take on a new role as military space assets redeploy and budgets decline.

Defense Systems

Smaller footprint for Navy data centers will bring big savings

Service plans to shutter many centers while improving performance and cutting costs.

Defense Systems

Compact military VSATs have big impact

Military VSATs offer benefits that are fueling solid growth, but users must make tradeoffs, experts say.

Defense Systems

Looking for a sharper image with sensors for unmanned platforms

The military's shift to high-definition sensors requires many changes.

Defense Systems

Big data poses big challenge for military intelligence

As sensors continue to generate enormous volumes of data, DOD planners are struggling with techniques to ensure such data remains useful to warfighters.

Defense Systems

Nothing proprietary in Navy CANES contract

The Navy's Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Service project to upgrade shipboard communications is off to a brisk start following an initial contract award in February.

Defense Systems

Mobile user satellite launch heralds shift to comms-on-the-move

The launch of the first Mobile User Objective System satellite in February marks a major step forward for the military’s communications-on-the-move projects.

Defense Systems

Hosted payloads and synergistic design alter military satellite landscape

The military is still striving to increase bandwidth, linking satellite and terminal design while turning to commercial suppliers for hosted payloads and more capabilities.