Defense Systems

Military leaders issue guidance on preparing for worst-case fiscal scenarios

The across-the-board budget cuts that would occur if Congress does not find a way to avoid sequestration by March 1 would be detrimental to the readiness of U.S. armed forces and threaten their ability to respond to new crises around the globe, senior military leaders told Congress this month.

Defense Systems

Army steps up planning, refines participation process for NIEs

The Army plans to use its Network Integration Evaluations (NIEs) to respond to emerging requirements, make smarter acquisition decisions and keep pace with technological change in an increasingly tight budget climate.

Defense Systems

Hiring freeze hits Air Force's civilian work force

The Air Force has established a force-wide, temporary civilian personnel hiring freeze in anticipation of the growing possibility of sequestration and continuing budgetary shortfalls.

Defense Systems

DOD to forge stronger cyber ties with European allies

As he begins a week-long visit to the United States' European allies, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is raising cybersecurity as one of the chief areas of discussion with European leaders and defense officials.

Defense Systems

Air Force vision stresses need for innovation, improved training

Air Force officials vowed this month to focus tightly on force structure, modernization and acquisition of advanced technologies to avoid becoming a hollow force in the wake of two decades of war and a difficult budget environment.

Defense Systems

DARPA tackles challenges of deploying deep-sea systems

The Pentagon’s high-tech research arm is looking into the feasibility of deploying distributed systems on ocean floors that could be activated in future years to provide operational support and situational awareness when needed.

Defense Systems

Marines want single IT warehouse to handle tactical and garrison needs

The Marine Corps is seeking information from contractors that will enable it to establish a single warehouse from which it can fulfill orders by both tactical and garrison forces for commercial, off-the-shelf IT hardware.

Defense Systems

March sequester would degrade US defense forces, says Panetta

If Congress fails to head off the new sequestration deadline in March, the Defense Department will be forced to halt training, ground military aircraft and call ships back to port.

Defense Systems

New Army rifle range uses sensors to improve marksmanship

A new electronic system that users acoustic sensors to detect hits or misses on Army rifle ranges has passed government acceptance tests.

Defense Systems

Lockheed delivers MUOS waveform for next-gen secure comms

Lockheed Martin has finished building the software waveform that is essential to the operation of the Navy's next-generation, geosynchronous satellite communications system.

Defense Systems

5 to compete for Army UAS task orders

The Army has awarded a contract worth as much as $248 million over five years to five companies to compete for future small unmanned aircraft systems requirements.

Defense Systems

Air Force seeks tech support for information operations

The Air Force is seeking a contractor to sustain and refine its information operations and SharePoint collaborative environments.

Defense Systems

Next Army NIE to focus on common operating environment, operational energy

The Army is seeking mature technologies for testing at its fall 2013 Network Integration Evaluation that it can use to refine and improve key aspects of its current and evolving network systems.

Defense Systems

DISA exceeds fiscal 2012 small business goals

The Defense Information Systems Agency awarded $1.3 billion in contracting dollars to small businesses in fiscal 2012, exceeding its goals for the fiscal year.

Defense Systems

Vistronix buys geospatial software business

Vistronix has acquired geospatial and data visualization software provider Technology Associates International in a move to enhance its national security IT capabilities.

Defense Systems

Army open to possible future role for Palantir intel software

The Army appears to still be considering a role for a rival off-the-shelf system that deployed units have asked to use in the field.

Defense Systems

Obama signs laws delaying sequestration, establishing defense policy

President Barack Obama on Jan. 3 signed into a bill that would delay the deep sequestration budget cuts and also signed the 2013 military policy bill.

Defense Systems

Canada wants its own UAVs, but has done little to make it happen

Despite an effort begun six years ago to establish an unmanned aircraft capability, Canadian Forces still have neither fielded unmanned aerial vehicles for routine surveillance of the country's coasts nor for overseas missions.

Defense Systems

7 vie for $1.4B worth of DISA network services tasks

The Defense Department has awarded a $1.4 billion contract to seven companies to compete for task orders in support of the Defense Information System Network.

Defense Systems

Defense bill removes barrier to satellite exports

The 2013 defense authorization bill signed into law on Jan. 3 by President Obama will give U.S. satellite companies a more even playing field when competing in the international market by removing long-standing regulations that had hindered growth and innovation.