Defense Systems

Pentagon tightens reins on contractors

The Defense Department wants its contractors to become more efficient as part of a larger DOD strategy to address declining budgets.

Defense Systems

Army cites improper contracting in Arlington Cemetery scandal

The cemetery had no acquisition strategy, no integrated IT system and series of IT regulatory violations, the Army said.

Defense Systems

DISA prepares for $5B in contract decisions

Three major DISA contracts are set for summer requests for proposals; the contracts' values total a cool $5 billion.

Defense Systems

Forge.mil could be replicated for civilian agencies

GSA official outlines plans to engage people and implement effective IT solutions across the government.

Defense Systems

Military likely to shun iPhone

As the military continues its search for the best battlefield smart phone, it’s looking increasingly doubtful that the iPhone will be a contender.

Defense Systems

Army steps up data center consolidation after imposing server moratorium

The Army's effort at data center consolidation is in step with today’s announcement from President Barack Obama that all federal agencies must consolidate and reduce data centers.

Defense Systems

Army pulls back on enterprise e-mail initiative

The Army is putting on hold its plans to pursue an enterprise-wide e-mail system and calling an about-face on the project.

Defense Systems

DOD aims to slash budget by $100B to pay for war

The Defense Department is looking to trim $100 billion over the next five years from existing programs, allocating those funds to combat operations and capabilities.

Defense Systems

FISMA reform rides on defense spending's coattails

A defense authorization bill amendment seeks to improve federal cybersecurity by increasing oversight, improving standards and making compliance and security more attainable.

Defense Systems

Cybersecurity chief amplifies call for public-private teamwork

White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt highlighted today at a national symposium efforts in Washington to bolster cyber defense across military and industry.

Defense Systems

DOD considers shielding private networks

The Defense Department is considering deploying the Einstein network protection systems to private-sector networks to protect the nation's critical infrastructure.

Defense Systems

Army apps competition sparks soldiers' ingenuity

The Apps for Army program is the Army’s first internal application development challenge and one of the first for the federal government.

Defense Systems

Virtual-reality training plunges soldiers headlong into combat

The Joint Forces Command is testing a helmet-mounted, virtual reality training system designed to prepare troops bound for combat zones to make sound tactical decisions in the heat of battle.

Defense Systems

Navy Reserve moves final network to NMCI

The Navy Reserve on May 17 shut down the Navy Reserve Net (NAVRESNET), its last legacy computer network, in a move that will save the service $1.2 million.

Defense Systems

Embattled missile program meets its demise

After weeks of speculation, poor performance and doubts about its efficiency, the Defense Department approved an Army recommendation to cancel the Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System precision-attack missile program.

Defense Systems

DISA picks new CIO and IT directors

DISA names Henry Sienkiewicz to CIO post and Paige Atkins to replace strategist John Garing. Daniel Bradford tapped as director of Global Information Grid.

Defense Systems

Social media is now mission media

Social media has become an important tool in combat operations and communications. But the science behind it -- knowledge management -- can be a tough sell in the closed culture of DOD.

Defense Systems

Battle command network drives Army modernization

In its 2010 Modernization Strategy, the Army outlines its near-term future as it moves to become a taut, versatile and efficient force centered on the battle command network.

Defense Systems

Future UAVs must multitask, Air Force says

The next-generation of unmanned aerial vehicles will need to take on additional duties and be able to synchronize with other platforms, Defense Department officials said at an April summit.

Defense Systems

Air Force adjusts big-ticket acquisition programs

The Air Force is looking to improve its acquisition activities, starting immediately with the impending contract awards for the KC-X tanker, F-35 joint strike fighter and the NETCENTS-2 programs, according Air Force Assistant Secrtary for Acquisition David Van Buren.